Online Enoch Seminar on Apocalypticism (23-27 May, 2021)

ZOOM CONFERENCE:

11th Enoch Seminar Meeting – Apocalypticism: History, Method, and Reception

Online – 23-27 May, 2021

Chairs: Loren Stuckenbruck, Kelley Coblentz Bautch, Gabriele Boccaccini

Secretary: Joshua Scott

To mark the 200th anniversary of the first “full” English translation of the “book of Enoch” by Richard Laurence (1821), the 20th anniversary of the Enoch Seminar, the LMU Munich Congress on Apocalypticism in Antiquity has assembled 120 scholars and colleagues from around the world to address a much debated question that remains relevant for today. Since the famous 1979 Uppsala Congress on Apocalypticism in the Mediterranean World and the Near East (ed. David Hellholm; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1983) and the publication of the Semeia volume 14 entitled Apocalypse: The Morphology of a Genre (ed. John J. Collins; Missoula: Society of Biblical Literature, 1979), the scholarly world has undergone significant shifts in methods of approach, access to sources, and widening participation. These changes now offer the opportunity to assess whether terms such as “apocalyptic,” “apocalypticism,” and “apocalypse” can be meaningfully applied to multiple ideologies and writings preserved through sources from the ancient world. The lectures, presentations, and responses each fall into one or more of the following seven areas (with the number of talks, including responses, within each in parentheses):

(1) Apocalypses, Method, and Reception (21)
(2) Apocalypses in the Ancient Mediterranean Context (9)
(3) Hebrew Bible and Near Eastern Context (9)
(4) Second Temple Judaism and Christian Origins (25)
(5) Christianity in Late Antiquity (17)
(6) Judaism in Late Antiquity (9)
(7) Islam in Late Antiquity (9)

In addition, in several panel sessions, both junior and senior scholars shall reflect on the legacies left by past scholarship, discuss recent developments, and suggest paths that may be taken by future research.

Registration

The Enoch Seminar is proud to host this unprecedented event and welcomes the interested public to seven keynote lectures, while inviting registering academics to join the conversations opened up in the conference sessions.

Follow the link above for the (very) full conference program. The registration link is here. The event is free, but the organizers encourage a $20 donation.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Numhauser, Hispanojewish Archaeology (2 vols.) (Brill)

NEW BOOK FROM BRILL:

Hispanojewish Archaeology (2 vols.)

The Jews of Hispania in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages through Their Material Remains

Series: The Brill Reference Library of Judaism, Volume: 66

Author: Alexander Bar-Magen Numhauser

In Hispanojewish Archaeology, Alexander Bar-Magen Numhauser provides the first book-length archaeological exploration of the Jewish presence in late antique and early medieval Hispania. Using epigraphic, numismatic, architectural, and other archaeological remains, this volume describes the multiple cultural expressions of a vibrant Jewish community that emerged as part of the Mediterranean Diaspora, becoming part of the wider Hispanian society. Part of this review includes a detailed examination of the Ilici (Elche, Spain) basilical building, interpreted by previous scholars as both a church and a synagogue, using published and hitherto unpublished material of its decades-long excavation. From the archaeological remains of this Hispanojewish presence a new picture emerges, challenging the traditional premises of the archaeological research on the late antique western Mediterranean.

Prices from (excl. VAT): €367.00 / $441.00

E-Book (PDF)
Availability: Not Yet Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-41992-6
Publication Date: 22 Apr 2021

Copyright Date: 01 Jan 2021
Hardback
Availability: Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-41991-9
Publication Date: 22 Apr 2021
Copyright Date: 01 Jan 2021

For more on the Elche building, see here.

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Backfish, Hebrew Wordplay and Septuagint Translation Technique in the Fourth Book of the Psalter (T&T Clark)

NEW BOOK FROM BLOOMSBURY/T&T CLARK:

Hebrew Wordplay and Septuagint Translation Technique in the Fourth Book of the Psalter

By: Elizabeth H. P. Backfish

Published: 03-25-2021
Format: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Extent: 200
ISBN: 9780567700353
Imprint: T&T Clark
Series: Texts and Versions of the Hebrew Bible, The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies
Dimensions: 6 1/8" x 9 1/4"
List price: $39.95
Online price: $35.96
Save $4.00 (10%)

Paperback
$35.96 Hardback
$108.00
EPUB/MOBI eBook (Watermarked)
$28.76 PDF eBook (Watermarked)
$28.76

About Hebrew Wordplay and Septuagint Translation Technique in the Fourth Book of the Psalter

This volume examines numerous Hebrew wordplays not identified and discussed in previous research, and the technique of the Septuagint translators, by offering another criterion of evaluation – essentially, their concern about the style of translating Hebrew into Greek. Elizabeth Backfish's study analyzes seventy-four wordplays employed by the Hebrew poets of Psalms 90-106, and how the Septuagint renders Hebrew wordplay in Greek.

Backfish estimates that the Septuagint translators were able to render 31% of the Hebrew semantic and phonetic wordplays (twenty-four total), most of which required some sort of transformation, or change, to the text in order to function in Greek. After providing a thorough summary of research methods on wordplay, definitions and research methodology, Backfish summarizes all examples of wordplay within the Fourth Psalter, and concludes with examples of the wordplay's replication, similar rendition or textual variation in the Septuagint. Emphasising the creativity and ingenuity of the Septuagint translators' work in passages that commentators often too quickly identify as the results of scribal error or a variant Vorlage from the Masoretic text, Backfish shows how the aptitude and flexibility displayed in the translation technique also contributes to conversations in modern translation studies.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Theatre seats for the God-fearers?

THE HOLY LAND PHOTOS' BLOG: God Fearers in the Synagogue and Early Church — Evidence from Miletus (Carl Rasmussen). For this inscription to refer to God-fearers, we have to assume the stonemason made a mistake. But such things did happen. I imagine it would have been embarrassing.

For another God-fearers inscription, see here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

McDonald, The Formation of the Biblical Canon (2 vols., T&T Clark)

NEW BOOKS FROM BLOOMSBURY/T&T CLARK:

The Formation of the Biblical Canon: Volume 1
The Old Testament: Its Authority and Canonicity

By: Lee Martin McDonald

Published: 04-22-2021
Format:Hardback
Edition: 1st
Extent: 584
ISBN: 9780567668769
Imprint: T&T Clark
Dimensions: 6 5/8" x 9 5/8"
List price: $175.00
Online price: $157.50
Save $17.50 (10%)

About The Formation of the Biblical Canon: Volume 1

Lee Martin McDonald provides a magisterial overview of the development of the biblical canon --- the emergence of the list of individual texts that constitutes the Christian bible. In these two volumes -- in sum more than double the length of his previous works -- McDonald presents his most in-depth overview to date. McDonald shows students and researchers how the list of texts that constitute 'the bible' was once far more fluid than it is today and guides readers through the minefield of different texts, different versions, and the different lists of texts considered 'canonical' that abounded in antiquity. Questions of the origin and transmission of texts are introduced as well as consideration of innovations in the presentation of texts, collections of documents, archaeological finds and Church councils.

In this first volume McDonald reexamines issues of canon formation once considered settled, and sets the range of texts that make up the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) in their broader context. Each indidvidual text is discussed, as are the cultural, political and historical situations surrounding them.

The second volume considers the New Testament, and the range of so-called 'apocryphal' gospels that were written in early centuries, and used by many Christian groups before the canon was closed.

Also included are comprehensive appendices which show various canon lists for both Old and New Testaments and for the bible as a whole.

Volume 2 is also out:

The Formation of the Biblical Canon: Volume 2
The New Testament: Its Authority and Canonicity

By: Lee Martin McDonald

Published: 04-22-2021
Format: Hardback
Edition: 1st
Extent: 384
ISBN: 9780567668844
Imprint: T&T Clark
Dimensions: 6 5/8" x 9 5/8"
List price: $175.00
Online price: $157.50
Save $17.50 (10%)

About The Formation of the Biblical Canon: Volume 2

Lee Martin McDonald provides a magisterial overview of the development of the biblical canon --- the emergence of the list of individual texts that constitutes the Christian bible. In these two volumes -- in sum more than double the length of his previous works -- McDonald presents his most in-depth overview to date. McDonald shows students and researchers how the list of texts that constitute 'the bible' was once far more fluid than it is today and guides readers through the minefield of different texts, different versions, and the different lists of texts considered 'canonical' that abounded in antiquity. Questions of the origin and transmission of texts are introduced as well as consideration of innovations in the presentation of texts, collections of documents, archaeological finds and Church councils.

In the first volume McDonald reexamines issues of canon formation once considered settled, and sets the range of texts that make up the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) in their broader context. Each indidvidual text is discussed, as are the cultural, political and historical situations surrounding them.

This second volume considers the New Testament, and the range of so-called 'apocryphal' gospels that were written in early centuries, and used by many Christian groups before the canon was closed.

Also included are comprehensive appendices which show various canon lists for both Old and New Testaments and for the bible as a whole.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Cargill on the Tel Dan inscription

XKV8TR ON YOUTUBE: The Tel Dan Inscription - Extended Version with Jehu's Rebellion (Robert Cargill).

In this video Prof. Cargill examines the Tel Dan, or "House of David" Inscription and reveals what it says, what it doesn't say, gives its proper historical context, and explains why it's important to biblical archaeology. This extended version offers a discussion of Jehu's Revolt, and how his usurpation of the throne of Israel may have been part of a conspiracy with King Hazael of Aram-Damascus.

For more on the Tel Dan Inscription, see here and links.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Amos - a prophet or a literary construct?

PROF. JASON RADINE: The Book of Amos: A Retrospect on the Fall of Israel (TheTorah.com).

Written as a commentary on the social injustice in the kingdom of Israel at a high point of its wealth and power, the book of Amos explains to exiled Israelites why they were punished and warns Judahites not to fall into the same trap.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Lag B'Omer tragedy

SAD NEWS: Let me express my great sadness and sympathy for all the victims – and their families and loved ones – of the terrible tragedy yesterday during the Lag B'Omer celebrations at Mt. Meron. I mourn for those who lost their lives and I wish the injured a speedy and full recovery.

World leaders, Jewish orgs send Israel condolences amid Mt. Meron tragedy. Jewish leaders and community organizations addressed the tragedy on social media (Jerusalem Post).

Background on Lag B'Omer is here (cf. here) and links .

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

How Scholem came to Kabbalah

FOR LAG B'OMER: Commentary Magazine has reprinted a long and fascinating 1980 article by Gershom Scholem: How I Came to the Kabbalah. When he was about eighteen years old he couldn't find anyone who could teach him the Zohar. So he bought an edition of the Aramaic text and started reading it on his own. He became the twentieth century's most influential scholar of Jewish mysticism.

For PaleoJudaica posts on Scholem, see here and links.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Zoom Workshop on the DSS (3 May 2021)

FROM THE ORION CENTER E-MAIL LIST:

REMINDER--Annual Haifa Workshop on the Dead Sea Scrolls, May 3, 2021

REMINDER

Dear Colleague,

Please see the attached Hebrew and English announcements for the annual Haifa Workshop on the Dead Sea Scrolls, to be held (on Zoom) on Monday, May 3, 2021.

The Workshop presentations will be in Hebrew. Participation is free but preregistration is required; preregistration will be open through Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 16:00. Use the link in the poster to register.

Please note that all times given in the program are Israel Daylight Time.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

The Orion Center

The Zoom link for registration is here. I imagine this one is mostly of interest to specialist who speak Hebrew.

Note to conference organizers: I would be grateful if you would put your conference fliers and programs on a web page. That makes it much easier to link to them. Thanks!

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Jongkind concludes Cambridge Greek Lexicon review

AT THE ETC BLOG, Dirk Jongkind has two posts concluding his review of the Cambridge Greek Lexicon:

The Cambridge Greek Lexicon 3 – Scope and Use

Here it gets interesting. The coverage of the Lexicon extends from Homer to the early second century’ and ‘most of the major authors who fall within that period are included.’ This is a lexicon aimed at students, covering most of the major literature of said period. What does that mean from a New Testament perspective? The Gospels and Acts are covered, but not the remainder of the New Testament.

Ouch.

Also, there is no Greek Old Testament, no Philo, no Josephus.

It is a Lexicon of a certain body of Greek literature (and indeed an important body which New Testament scholars do well to read), but it is not a Lexicon of the Greek language as a whole. There are no papyri, there is no epigraphic material.

To be fair, these limitations were well known and publicized before the lexicon came out.

Cambridge Greek Lexicon 4 – Do We Need It?

In the end, the Cambridge Greek Lexicon is a good lexicon for what it is. Do not judge it because it is not what you want it to be. And since we all ought to read lots of Greek, it is a great help. And, going full book lover again, I like the feel of the lexicon, the clarity of the lay-out. It is calling out to me to be used, it does not want to stay on the shelf. It is stirring up ζῆλος, perhaps more than φθόνος.

But should you tell your New Testament Greek students to get this? No, not really. The opportunity cost is considerable (money, shelf-space), and the immediate pay back relatively low.

Background here and links and here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Lag B'Omer 2021

LAG B'OMER, the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, begins tonight at sundown. Best wishes to all observing it.

My 2020 Lag B'Omer post is here with links. For the biblical and rabbinic background of the holiday, see here.

Last year's celebrations were strictly limited in Israel due to the pandemic. There are still substantial restrictions this year. You can read about them in this article by David Israel: Israel Bans Lag B’Omer Bonfires Outside Strictly Designated Areas (Jewish Press).

Wherever you are, if you are celebrating, please celebrate safely! Rabbi Robin Frisch has some suggestions, many of which work anywhere: The holiday Lag b’Omer is all the rage in Israel — here’s how to celebrate it (JTA).

UPDATE (30 April): More here. And, alas, this was not to be a safe Lag B'Omer for many.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Zoom lectures: Rabbinics & DSS; Huqoq Synagogue

ONLINE PUBLIC ZOOM LECTURES are now a thing. I think that's one positive consequence of the pandemic. I hope they continue in whatever becomes the new normal. I intend to keep better track of them. Here are two I know of at the moment. Both were posted by Jack Sasson on the Agade list:

zLECTURES: The Emergence of Rabbinic Culture From DSS perspective (May 5)

From Marcello Fidanzio
=====================================

The Istituto di Cultura e Archeologia delle Terre Bibliche - Faculty of Theology of Lugano and the Centro di Judaica Goren Monti Ferrari re pleased to announce the lecture

Professor Vered Noam (Tel Aviv University):
The Emergence of Rabbinic Culture From the Perspective of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Date:‌ ‌5 May ‌2021‌
Time:‌ ‌5:30 ‌p.m. (CET)
Location:‌ ‌ZOOM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87546329592?pwd=MEJXQ3JjRDdCaWJSbUpnRytLSjBJQT09
[Webinar ID: 875 4632 9592 Passcode: 123456]

zLECTURES: "... The Ancient Synagogue at Huqoq" (May 6)

From Sheila Ford
=======================

The Anglo Israel Archaeological Society invite you to register for the following lecture on Thursday 6th May 2021 Thursday 6th May at 5.00pm (BST) - Prof Jodi Magness will be speaking about ‘More than just Mosaics: The Ancient Synagogue at Huqoq’ and the lecture will be followed by a Q&A session. This talk commences at 5.00pm (BST) with Zoom access available from 4.45pm (BST). Please write to secretary@aias.org.uk before 3rd May to register your interest and the Zoom link will be sent to you approximately 48 hours prior to the lecture. See the attached poster for more information.

Since 2011 Prof Jodi Magness has been directing excavations in the ancient village of Huqoq in Israel’s Galilee. This extraordinary site has brought to light the remains of a monumental Late Roman, 5th century CE synagogue paved with stunning and unique mosaics. They include both biblical scenes and the first non-biblical story discovered decorating an ancient synagogue. In this illustrated talk, Professor Magness describes these exciting finds, including the latest discoveries made in the last season. For more information, visit www.huqoq.org.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jodi Magness is the Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the author of numerous books and articles on the archaeology of ancient Palestine, including on Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient Jerusalem, Masada and the Roman army in the East, ancient pottery, and ancient synagogues.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Jesus and Peter do Rome

ANCIENT JEW REVIEW: Rethinking Conventional Genre Categories: How the Acts of Christ and Peter in Rome Breaks the Mold (Julia Snyder).

The Acts of Christ and Peter in Rome is thus equally a story about Peter and a story about Christ, and defies classification as either “apocryphal acts” or a “gospel.” Like many other texts included in collections of Christian apocrypha, it illustrates the serious limitations of those conventional genre categories, and should prompt us to rethink their usefulness and consider other alternatives.

This is the sixth installment of a series on volume 2 of New Testament Apocrypha: More Noncanonical Scriptures (MNTA 2), ed. Tony Burke. The text under discussion is to be translated in volume 3. Links to the previous five posts are here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Ivory legs from the Temple Mount

THE TEMPLE MOUNT SIFTING PROJECT BLOG: FIND AND FINDER OF THE MONTH: IVORY LEGS. The object is part of a hair pin from the Roman-Byzantine period.

For many PaleoJudaica posts on the Sifitng Project, start here and follow the links.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Jongkind starts reviewing the Cambridge Greek Lexicon

THE ETC BLOG: The Cambridge Greek Lexicon 2 - First Impressions (Dirk Jongkind).

So my first impressions are that I am not sure about the methodology behind the Cambridge Greek Lexicon or the more subtle points of how a lemma is subdivided. At the very least I know that the lexicon includes the New Testament corpus.

Next thing to do is to read the introductory material, and, as a cliff-hanger, it will show that first impressions can be mistaken.

Background here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Gold ring from Temple Mount excavations

WATCH JERUSALEM: Revealed: A 2,000-Year-Old Gold Ring Incised with Menorah. A Jerusalem discovery 50 years in the making (Brent Nagtegaal).

Dr. Eilat Mazar’s recently released book Over the Crossroads of Time: Jerusalem’s Temple Mount Monumental Staircases documents the discovery of this special, 2,000-year-old piece of jewelry.

It was actually first uncovered 50 years ago in Prof. Benjamin Mazar’s Temple Mount excavations, but only now is it being reported.

[...]

Seen on Facebook. It's a lovely ring. The design does look like an abstract menorah. Or conceivably a palm tree? Compare here.

Lately it seems as though there's excavating to be done in the unpublished collections from twentieth-century archaeological digs.

Cross-file under New Book.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Solomon the shipping magnate?

MARINE ARCHAEOLOGY: Was King Solomon the ancient world’s first shipping magnate? Marine archaeologist unearths evidence suggesting biblical king’s riches were based on voyages he funded with Phoenician allies (Dalya Alberge, The Guardian).

Now British marine archaeologist Dr Sean Kingsley has amassed evidence showing that Solomon was not only a flesh-and-blood monarch but also the world’s first shipping magnate, who funded voyages carried out by his Phoenician allies in “history’s first special relationship”.

Over 10 years, Kingsley has carried out a maritime audit of “the Solomon question”. By extending the search beyond the Holy Land, across the Mediterranean to Spain and Sardinia, he found that archaeological evidence supports biblical descriptions of a partnership between Solomon, who “excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom”, and the Phoenician king Hiram, who “supplied Solomon with cedar timber and gold, as much as he desired”.

Regular readers may remember Dr. Kingsley's 2006 book God's Gold: The Quest for the Lost Temple Treasure of Jerusalem, on which I have blogged (see here and here and links). In it he argued that the treasures looted from the Jerusalem Temple, after various perigrinations throughout the Mediterranean, ended up buried at a monastery in the West Bank. As usual with such things, I remain skeptical until someone goes and digs up the treasure.

Dr. Kingsley has been working on a new project. It raises, and evidently aims to address, questions about the historicity of the Solomon narrative in 1 Kings. I look forward to hearing more.

For more posts on marine (maritime, underwater) archaeology, see here and links (cf. here and here).

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

Second online DSS conference at NYU

VIRTUAL AGAIN: THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS: A SECOND PUBLIC CONFERENCE. A VIRTUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE: JUNE 6-9, 2021.

This conference is being generously sponsored by:

NYU Skirball Department of Hebrew & Judaic Studies | Israel Antiquities Authority | Friends of the Israel Antiquities Authority

The full program is promised soon.

The first NYU online Dead Sea Scrolls conference took place in May of 2020. I noted it here and here. Full recordings of the event are available at the first link above. Right now the pandemic still drives the trend toward online conferences. But I think the trend will continue.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.

The Cambridge Greek Lexicon (CUP)

NEW BOOK FROM CAMPBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS:

The Cambridge Greek Lexicon
2 Volume Hardback Set

TEXTBOOK

DATE PUBLISHED: April 2021
AVAILABILITY: In stock
FORMAT: Multiple copy pack
ISBN: 9780521826808

£ 64.99 Multiple copy pack

Description

The Cambridge Greek Lexicon is based upon principles differing from those of existing Greek lexica. Entries are organised according to meaning, with a view to showing the developing senses of words and the relationships between those senses. Other contextual and explanatory information, all expressed in contemporary English, is included, such as the typical circumstances in which a word may be used, thus giving fresh insights into aspects of Greek language and culture. The editors have systematically re-examined the source material (including that which has been discovered since the end of the nineteenth century) and have made use of the most recent textual and philological scholarship. The Lexicon, which has been twenty years in the making, is written by an editorial team based in the Faculty of Classics in Cambridge, consisting of Professor James Diggle (Editor-in-Chief), Dr Bruce Fraser, Dr Patrick James, Dr Oliver Simkin, Dr Anne Thompson, and Mr Simon Westripp.

• Landmark new Ancient Greek-English dictionary that will be essential for all students and teachers
• Based on comprehensive fresh reading of the Greek texts
• Takes account of newly discovered texts English definitions and translations in contemporary language, with contextual descriptions that will aid users at all levels
• Analysis of word forms and related words, copious cross-references, inclusion of disputed meanings

Dirk Jongkind has a copy. He is gloating.

I noted William Ross's interview with Editor-in-Chief Professor James Diggle here.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.