The Jewish Pseudepigrapha: An Introduction to the Literature of the Second Temple Period
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Overview
This is a concise yet comprehensive guide to the Pseudepigrapha: the Jewish texts of the late Second Temple Period (ca. 250 BC–100 AD) that are not included in the Hebrew Bible or standard collections of the Apocrypha. Each chapter deals with a specific literary genre (such as apocalyptic, testaments, and “rewritten Bible”), encouraging readers to appreciate the texts as literature as well as furthering their understanding of each book’s content and historical significance. A helpful introduction to an often overlooked body of literature, this book surveys key issues such as date, authorship, purpose, fundamental theological themes, and significance.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Complete your study of the Pseudepigrapha and other ancient texts with the Early Christian and Jewish Literature collection.
- Surveys the literary genres of the Pseudepigripha
- Discusses the content and significance of the texts
- Includes information on the date, authorship, and theological themes of each book
- Introduction
- Rewritten Bible
- Para-biblical Literature or Biblical Expansions
- Non-narrative Literature: Poems, Hymns and Drama
- Testaments
- Apocalyptic Literature
- Conclusions
Top Highlights
“The Book of Jubilees retells the narrative of the book of Genesis and the early chapters of the book of Exodus, following the structure and wording of the biblical source very closely.” (Page 14)
“The significance of writings like Jubilees and the Biblical Antiquities for today lies in the light they throw on three main areas: the formation of the text of the Hebrew Bible, the tradition of early Jewish interpretation of it, and theological developments in the Second Temple period. First, these books sometimes seem to be reproducing a form of the scriptural text which is different from the Masoretic type which became the standard version in Judaism and which underlies the major modern translations of the Hebrew Bible.” (Page 34)
“A great wealth of other texts were composed by Jews in the centuries ‘between the testaments’, however, which are not so well known or widely appreciated today.” (Page 1)
“At the heart of the Book of Jubilees lies the theme of God’s covenant relationship with the people of Israel” (Page 19)
“The great majority of Jews, however, did not live in Palestine but elsewhere in the Hellenistic world” (Page 6)
Susan Docherty offers a clear and concise introduction, based on impeccable scholarship, which opens up this fascinating world to students and general readers.
—Philip Alexander, emeritus professor of postbiblical Jewish literature, University of Manchester
This volume offers an authoritative and accessible introduction to an ancient corpus of religious texts neglected by the mainstream Judaeo-Christian tradition and largely beyond the reach of a wider readership.
—Charlotte Hempel, reader of Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism, University of Birmingham
- Title: The Jewish Pseudepigrapha: An Introduction to the Literature of the Second Temple Period
- Author: Susan Docherty
- Publisher: SPCK
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 224
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Apocryphal books (Old Testament) › Criticism, interpretation, etc
- ISBNs: 9780281064823, 9780281073023, 9781451490282, 9781451496727, 0281064822, 0281073023, 1451490283, 1451496729
- Resource ID: LLS:JWSHPSDPGRPH
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:00:18Z
Reviews
2 ratings
Glenn Crouch
1/31/2020
This book is a good, brief review of various Pseudepigrapha - concentrating on those works that have stronger evidence for Jewish origins, and have strong evidence that they originated during the Second Temple Period. This is an excellent, starting point for getting to know this world better - and thus very useful for a better understanding of the Jewish as well as Greco-Roman world that our New Testament was formed in (as well as during which the Old Testament was on the path to canon). The Author gives good explanations and introductions to the various genres covered: Rewritten Bible, Para-Biblical, Non-narrative, Testaments and Apocalyptic - as well as a good into to the whole field of Pseudepigrapha. Given the size of the book, she has wisely avoided getting lost in the many of the arguments / disagreements of this field - rather has mentioned, when appropriate, some of them briefly. Leaving the fine collection of further reading at the end of each chapter for those who would enjoy more. Books covered include: 2 Baruch, Biblical Antiquities, 1 Enoch, 4 Ezra, Joseph and Aseneth, Jubilees, Life of Adam and Eve, Psalms of Solomon, Sibylline Oracles, Testament of Abraham, Testament of Job, Testament of Moses, Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs. I’ve had a long interest in Pseudepigrapha, and read all the books covered here for the first time over 30 years ago. I would’ve benefited greatly from a book like this at that time. It is a good book for those wanting to get into more of the meat of “the background of the New Testament”, as well as those who are interested in the background to Judaism (or early Judaism at least).
Charles Puskas
4/19/2015
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