“Son of Man”, vol. 1: Early Jewish Literature

by Richard Bauckham

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2023

Overview

The Son of Man is not Jesus Christ.

In fact, the Son of Man isn’t anyone, or anything—it’s just a man. It’s not a title, and it’s certainly not an indication of divinity. Yet the term has held considerable interest among scholars of Christology for its use in describing Jesus in the gospels. And among those studying messianism in Second Temple Judaism, consensus about the valences of “Son of Man” in Scripture remains elusive.

In the first volume of this landmark study, Richard Bauckham pushes the conversation forward, explicating the phrase “Son of Man” as it appears in Jewish interpretations of the book of Daniel and in the apocryphal book of 1 Enoch. With philological precision and sensitivity to his sources, Bauckham attunes us to the realities of early Jewish eschatology.

Thorough and comprehensive, “Son of Man,” vol. 1, offers scholars a solid basis for understanding the context of the messiah in the centuries leading up to Jesus. Along with the forthcoming second volume, which parses the meaning of “Son of Man” in the Gospels, Bauckham’s work is essential for understanding one of the most widely used yet misunderstood phrases in the Bible.

Key Features

• Offers scholars a solid basis for understanding the context of the messiah in the centuries leading up to Jesus
• Essential for understanding one of the most widely used yet misunderstood phrases in the Bible
• Attunes us to the realities of early Jewish eschatology

Contents

• Introduction

Part 1: The Parables of Enoch

• 1. Introduction to the Parables of Enoch
• 2. The Messianic Figure (“Son of Man”) in the Parables of Enoch
• 3. The Messianic Figure in the Eschatological Narrative of the Parables of Enoch
• 4. The Identity of “That Son of Man”
• 5. Conclusions on the Messianic Figure in the Parables of Enoch
• 6. The Date of the Parables of Enoch: A Preliminary Discussion
• 7. The Place of Composition of the Parables of Enoch

Part 2: Interpretation of Daniel 7 in Second Temple Period Judaism

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Greek Versions of Daniel 7
• 3. The Oldest Interpretation of Daniel 7: 4Q246 (4QAramaic Apocalypse)
• 4. Interpretation of Daniel 7 in Sibylline Oracles Book 5
• 5. Interpretation of Daniel 7 in the Apocalypse of Ezra (4 Ezra)
• 6. A Messiah from the Past in Rabbinic Traditions
• 7. A Context for the Parables of Enoch
• 8. Interpretation of Daniel 7 in the Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch (2 Baruch)
• 9. Rabbi Aqiva on Daniel 7
• 10. The Significant Absence of Daniel 7 in the Works of Josephus
• 11. Conclusions

Product Details

• Title: “Son of Man”, Volume 1: Early Jewish Literature
• Author: Richard Bauckham
• Volume: 1
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 433
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Ethiopic book of Enoch. Book of parables; Bible. O.T. Daniel 7 › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Son of Man › Comparative studies; Son of Man › Biblical teaching
• ISBNs: 9780802883261, 0802883265
• Resource ID: LLS:SNMNRLYJWSHLT01
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-06-26T16:52:32Z

About Richard Bauckham

Richard Bauckham (1946– ) was professor of New Testament studies at St Mary's College, University of St Andrews. He retired in 2007 from this position in order to concentrate on research and writing. He currently is the senior scholar at Ridley Hall in Cambridge and visiting professor at St. Mellitus College.

Bauckham earned a PhD at the University of Cambridge and was a fellow of St John's College. He taught theology for one year at the University of Leeds and for 15 years at the University of Manchester before teaching at the University of St Andrews. He is a fellow of the British Academy and a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Bauckham is known for his commentary on Jude and 2 Peter in the Word Biblical Commentary and his book Jude and the Relatives of Jesus in the Early Church.