XeravitsG2010_Studies in the Book of Wisdom

XeravitsG2010_Studies in the Book of Wisdom

S to the
Journal for the Study
of Judaism
Editor
Hindy Najman
Department and Centre for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto
Associate Editors
Florentino García Martínez
Qumran Institute, University of Groningen
Benjamin G. Wright III
Department of Religion Studies, Lehigh University
Advisory Board
g. bohak – j.j. collins – j. duhaime
p.w. van der horst – a.k. petersen – m. popoviĆ
j.t.a.g.m. van ruiten – j. sievers – g. stemberger
e.j.c. tigchelaar – j. tromp
VOLUME 142
E by
Géza G. Xeravits and József Zsengellér
LEN • BOSTON
2010
T book is printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
International Conference on the Deuterocanonical Books (4th : 2007 : Pápa,
Hungary)
Studies in the Book of wisdom / edited by Géza G. Xeravits and József Zsengellér.
p. cm. — (Supplements to the Journal for the study of Judaism ; v. 142)
Includes index.
ISBN 978-90-04-18612-5 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Bible. O.T. Apocrypha.
Wisdom of Solomon—Criticism, interpretation, etc.—Congresses. I. Xeravits,
Géza G. II. Zsengellér, József. III. Title. IV. Series.
BS1755.52.I58 2007
229’.306—dc22
2010013816
ISSN 1384-2161
ISBN 978 9004 18612 5
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C!"#$"#%ȱ
Preface ................................................................................................................... viiȱ
Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ ixȱ
MatthewȱGoffȱ
Adam,ȱtheȱAngelsȱandȱEternalȱLife:ȱ
Genesisȱ1Ȭ3ȱinȱtheȱWisdomȱofȱSolomonȱandȱ4QInstruction................................1ȱ
MichaelȱKolarcik,ȱS.J.ȱ
SapientialȱValuesȱandȱApocalypticȱImageryȱ
inȱtheȱWisdomȱofȱSolomon ..................................................................................23ȱ
LucaȱMazzinghiȱ
LawȱofȱNatureȱandȱLightȱofȱtheȱLawȱ
inȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdomȱ(Wisȱ18:4c) .....................................................................37ȱ
MoynaȱMcGlynnȱ
Solomon,ȱWisdomȱandȱtheȱPhilosopherȬKings .................................................61ȱ
TobiasȱNicklasȱ
“FoodȱofȱAngels”ȱ(Wisȱ16:20) ..............................................................................83ȱ
AngeloȱPassaroȱ
CosmologyȱandȱMusicȱ
Wisȱ19:18ȱandȱtheȱConceptȱofȱCreationȱinȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdom ...................101ȱ
FriedrichȱV.ȱReitererȱ
PhilosophischeȱLehreȱundȱderenȱWirkungȱausȱderȱSichtȱ
einesȱWeisheitslehrers.ȱUntersuchungȱvonȱWeishȱ1:1Ȭ15 ..............................125ȱ
GregȱSchmidtȱGoeringȱ
ElectionȱandȱKnowledgeȱinȱtheȱWisdomȱofȱSolomon.....................................163ȱ
StefanȱSchorchȱ
Jacob’sȱLadderȱandȱAaron’sȱVestmentsȱ
TracesȱofȱMysticalȱandȱMagicalȱTraditionsȱinȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdom.............183ȱ
JózsefȱZsengellérȱ
“TheȱTasteȱofȱParadise”ȱ
InterpretationȱofȱExodusȱandȱMannaȱinȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdom ......................197ȱ
Indexȱofȱauthors ..................................................................................................217ȱ
Indexȱofȱpassages ................................................................................................222ȱ
P&'()*'ȱ
Theȱ presentȱ volumeȱ containsȱ papersȱ readȱ atȱ theȱ Fourthȱ Internationalȱ ConȬ
ferenceȱ onȱ theȱ Deuterocanonicalȱ Books,ȱ organisedȱ byȱ theȱ Shime‘onȱ Centreȱ
forȱtheȱStudyȱofȱHellenisticȱandȱRomanȱAgeȱJudaismȱandȱChristianityȱofȱtheȱ
ReformedȱTheologicalȱAcademy,ȱPápa,ȱHungary.ȱTheȱtopicȱofȱtheȱconferenceȱ
wasȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdomȱorȱtheȱWisdomȱofȱSolomon.ȱ
TheȱeditorsȱexpressȱtheirȱdeepȱgratitudeȱtoȱseriesȱeditorȱHindyȱNajman,ȱ
whoȱ kindlyȱ acceptedȱ thisȱ bookȱ forȱ publicationȱ inȱ theȱ seriesȱ ofȱ JSJȱ
Supplements;ȱandȱalsoȱtoȱBenȱG.ȱWright,ȱwhoȱgaveȱinvaluableȱeditorialȱadȬ
viceȱduringȱtheȱpreparationȱofȱtheȱmanuscript.ȱ
ȱ
Budapest,ȱHungaryȱ
10.ȱFebruaryȱ2010ȱ
ȱ
ȱ
theȱeditorsȱ
ȱ
ȱ
+,-.ȱOFȱABBREVIATIONSȱ
ABȱ
AGAJUȱ
ȱ
ALGHJȱ
AnBibȱ
ANRWȱ
AOATȱ
ATDȱ
BBBȱ
BEATAJȱ
ȱ
BETLȱ
Bibȱ
BiLeȱ
BJSȱ
BThStȱ
BZAWȱ
BZNWȱ
CBQȱ
CBQMSȱ
CEJLȱ
CRINTȱ
CSCOȱ
DBSȱ
DCLYȱ
DJDȱ
DSDȱ
FATȱ
FoSubȱ
FRLANTȱ
ȱ
GAPȱ
GCSȱ
HTRȱ
HTSȱ
Interpȱ
JBLȱ
JBTHȱ
JJSȱ
JSHRZȱ
JSJȱ
JSJSupȱ
AnchorȱBibleȱ
ArbeitenȱzurȱGeschichteȱdesȱantikenȱJudentumsȱundȱdesȱ
Urchristentumsȱ
ArbeitumȱzurȱLiteraturȱundȱGeschichteȱdesȱhellenistchenȱJudentumsȱ
AnalectaȱBiblicaȱ
AufstiegȱundȱNiedergangȱderȱrömischenȱWelt
AlterȱOrientȱundȱAltesȱTestamentȱ
DasȱAlteȱTestamentȱDeutschȱ
BonnerȱBiblischerȱBeiträgeȱ
BeiträgeȱzurȱErforschungȱdesȱAltenȱTestamentsȱundȱdesȱ
AntikenȱJudentumsȱ
BibliothecaȱEphemeridumȱTheologicarumȱLovaniensiumȱ
Biblicaȱ
BibelȱundȱLebenȱ
BrownȱJudaicȱStudiesȱ
BiblischȬtheologischeȱStudienȱ
BeihefteȱzurȱZeitschriftȱfürȱdieȱalttestamentlicheȱWissenschaftȱ
BeihefteȱzurȱZeitschriftȱfürȱdieȱneutestamentlicheȱWissenschaftȱ
CatholicȱBiblicalȱQuarterlyȱ
CatholicȱBiblicalȱQuarterlyȱMonographȱSeriesȱ
CommentariesȱonȱEarlyȱJewishȱLIteratureȱ
Compendiaȱrerumȱiudaicarumȱadȱnovumȱtestamentumȱ
CorpusȱScriptorumȱChristianorumȱOrientaliumȱ
DictionnaireȱdeȱlaȱBibleȱSupplémentsȱ
DeuterocanonicalȱandȱCognateȱLiteratureȱYearbookȱ
DiscoveriesȱinȱtheȱJudaeanȱDesertȱ
DeadȱSeaȱDiscoveriesȱ
ForschungenȱzumȱAltenȱTestamentȱ
FontesȱetȱSubsidiaȱadȱBibliamȱpertinentes
ForschungenȱzurȱReligionȱundȱLiteraturȱdesȱAltenȱundȱ
NeuenȱTestamentȱ
GuidesȱtoȱtheȱApocryphaȱandȱPseudepigraphaȱ
GriechischenȱChristlichenȱSchriftstellerȱȱ
HarvardȱTheologicalȱReviewȱ
HarvardȱTheologicalȱStudiesȱ
Interpretationȱ
JournalȱofȱBiblicalȱLiteratureȱ
JahrbuchȱfürȱBiblischeȱTheologieȱ
JournalȱofȱJewishȱStudiesȱ
JüdischeȱSchriftenȱausȱhellenistischȬrömischerȱZeitȱ
JournalȱforȱtheȱStudyȱofȱJudaismȱ
JournalȱforȱtheȱStudyȱofȱJudaismȱSupplementsȱ
ABBREVIATIONSȱ
JSNTSupȱ
JSOTSupȱ
JSPȱ
JSPSupȱ
JTSȱ
LCLȱ
LeDivȱ
NEBȱ
NEB.ATȱ
NETSȱ
NovTSupȱ
NRTȱ
NSK.ATȱ
OTLȱ
OTPȱ
PVTGȱ
RACȱ
RBȱ
REGȱ
RevQȱ
RGRWȱ
RHRȱ
RivBibSȱ
Salȱ
SBLDSȱ
SBLSPȱ
SBLSymposiumȱ
SFSHJȱ
SKKȱ
SPBȱ
SPsAȱ
STACȱ
STDJȱ
StUNTȱ
SVFȱ
SVTPȱ
TBNȱ
ThLZȱ
TSAJȱ
TWNTȱ
VTȱ
VTSupȱ
WBCȱ
WUNTȱ
ZNWȱ
ȱ
ȱ
JournalȱforȱtheȱStudyȱofȱtheȱNewȱTestamentȱSupplementsȱ
JournalȱforȱtheȱStudyȱofȱtheȱOldȱTestamentȱSupplementsȱ
JournalȱforȱtheȱStudyȱofȱtheȱPseudepigraphaȱ
JournalȱforȱtheȱStudyȱofȱtheȱPseudepigraphaȱSupplementsȱ
JournalȱforȱTheologicalȱStudiesȱ
LoebȱClassicalȱLibraryȱ
LectioȱDivinaȱ
NeueȱEchterȱBibelȱ
NeueȱEchterȱBibel.ȱAltesȱTestamentȱ
TheȱNewȱEnglishȱTranslationȱofȱtheȱSeptuagintȱ
NovumȱTestamentumȱSupplementsȱ
Nouvelleȱrevueȱthéologiqueȱ
NeueȱStuttgarterȱKommentar.ȱAltesȱTestamentȱ
OldȱTestamentȱLibraryȱ
TheȱOldȱTestamentȱPseudepigraphaȱ(ed.ȱJ.H.ȱCharlesworth)ȱ
PseudepigraphaȱVeterisȱTestamentaeȱGraecaeȱ
ReallexikonȱfürȱAntikeȱundȱChristentumȱ
Revueȱbibliqueȱ
Revueȱdesȱétudesȱgrecquesȱ
RevueȱdeȱQumrânȱ
ReligionsȱinȱtheȱGraecoȬRomanȱWorldȱ
Revueȱdeȱl’histoireȱdesȱreligionsȱ
RivistaȱBiblicaȱSupplimentiȱ
Salamanticensisȱ
SocietyȱofȱBiblicalȱLiteratureȱDissertationȱSeriesȱ
SocietyȱofȱBiblicalȱLiteratureȱSeminarȱPapersȱ
SocietyȱofȱBiblicalȱLiteratureȱSymposiumȱSeriesȱ
SouthȱFloridaȱStudiesȱinȱtheȱHistoryȱofȱJudaismȱ
StuttgarterȱkleinerȱKommentarȱ
StudiaȱPostȬBiblicaȱ
StudiaȱPhilonicaȱAnnualȱ
StudienȱundȱTexteȱzuȱAntikeȱundȱChristentumȱ
StudiesȱonȱtheȱTextsȱofȱtheȱDesertȱofȱJudahȱ
StudienȱzurȱUmweltȱdesȱNeuenȱTestamentsȱ
StoicorumȱVeterumȱFragmentaȱ
StudiaȱVeterisȱTestamentiȱPseudepigraphaȱ
ThemesȱinȱBiblicalȱNarrativeȱ
TheologischeȱLiteraturzeitungȱ
TexteȱundȱStudienȱzumȱAntikenȱJudentumȱ
TheologichesȱWörterbuchȱzumȱNeuenȱTestamentȱ
VetusȱTestamentumȱ
SupplementsȱtoȱVetusȱTestamentumȱ
WordȱBiblicalȱCommentaryȱ
WissenschaftlicheȱUntersuchungenȱzumȱNeuenȱTestamentȱ
ZeitschriftȱfürȱdieȱneutestamentlicheȱWissenschaftȱ
ixȱ
J/01234ȱLADDERȱANDȱAARON’SȱVESTMENTSȱ
TRACESȱOFȱMYSTICALȱANDȱMAGICALȱTRADITIONSȱ
INȱTHEȱBOOKȱOFȱWISDOMȱ
StefanȱSchorchȱ
(Bielefeld–Bethel)ȱ
TheȱgeneralȱcharacterȱofȱSapientiaȱSalomonisȱandȱtheȱdifferentȱinfluencesȱ
whichȱ shapedȱ itȱ areȱ aȱ matterȱ ofȱ dispute.ȱ Theȱ presentȱ paperȱ seeksȱ toȱ
contributeȱtoȱthisȱdiscussion,ȱasȱitȱinvestigatesȱsomeȱpointsȱofȱencounterȱ
betweenȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdomȱandȱtraditionsȱknownȱfromȱancientȱJewishȱ
mysticalȱandȱmagicalȱtexts.ȱItsȱspecialȱfocusȱisȱonȱWisdom’sȱretellingȱofȱ
Jacob’sȱdreamȱinȱWisdomȱ10:10ȱandȱtheȱfunctionȱattributedȱtoȱtheȱHighȱ
priestȱ Aaronȱ andȱ hisȱ robeȱ inȱ Wisdomȱ 18:21Ȭ25.ȱ Beforeȱ enteringȱ theȱ
discussionȱofȱtheseȱparticularȱtexts,ȱhowever,ȱaȱgeneralȱremarkȱseemsȱinȱ
place.ȱ
Theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ Wisdomȱ isȱ traditionallyȱ ascribedȱ toȱ Solomon,ȱ asȱ itsȱ
Greekȱ titleȱ demonstrates:ȱ Sofi,a Salwmw/noj,ȱ orȱ Sofi,a Salwmw/ntoj.ȱ Thisȱ
claimȱ ofȱ Solomonicȱ authorshipȱ isȱ supportedȱ byȱ theȱ bookȱ itself,ȱ evenȱ
thoughȱ theȱ nameȱ ofȱ Kingȱ Solomonȱ doesȱ notȱ appearȱ throughoutȱ theȱ
wholeȱtext,ȱthanksȱtoȱseveralȱclearȱreferences,ȱespeciallyȱinȱchapterȱ9:1
Youȱ preferredȱ meȱ asȱ kingȱ ofȱ yourȱ peopleȱ andȱ judgeȱ ofȱ yourȱ sonsȱ andȱ
daughters;ȱyouȱsaidȱthatȱIȱshouldȱbuildȱaȱshrineȱonȱyourȱholyȱmountain,ȱanȱ
altarȱinȱtheȱcityȱofȱyourȱencamping,ȱaȱcopyȱofȱtheȱholyȱtentȱthatȱyouȱpreparedȱ
beforehandȱfromȱtheȱbeginningȱ[…]ȱThenȱmyȱdeedsȱwillȱbeȱacceptable,ȱandȱIȱ
willȱ judgeȱ yourȱ peopleȱ justlyȱ andȱ beȱ worthyȱ ofȱ theȱ throneȱ ofȱ myȱ father.ȱ
(Wisdomȱ9:7Ȭ8.12)ȱ
Thus,ȱ itȱ isȱ Solomonȱ whoȱ isȱ speakingȱ inȱ theȱ firstȱ personȱ inȱ chapterȱ 7ȱ asȱ
follows:ȱ
ȱ
1ȱ Inȱ general,ȱ theȱ Englishȱ translationȱ ofȱ passagesȱ fromȱ theȱ Greekȱ bibleȱ isȱ quotedȱ
fromȱNETSȱ(AȱNewȱEnglishȱTranslationȱofȱtheȱSeptuagintȱandȱtheȱotherȱGreekȱTranslationsȱ
Traditionallyȱ Includedȱ underȱ thatȱ Titleȱ [eds.ȱ A.ȱ Pietersmaȱ andȱ B.G.ȱ Wright,ȱ Newȱ Yorkȱ
andȱOxford:ȱOUPȱ2007]).ȱWhereȱmyȱunderstandingȱofȱtheȱGreekȱtextȱdiffersȱfromȱthatȱ
ofȱ NETSȱ inȱ aȱ detailȱ importantȱ toȱ myȱ approachȱ toȱ theȱ text,ȱ Iȱ adaptedȱ theȱ translationȱ
accordingly.ȱ
184
5TEFANȱSCHORCHȱ
MayȱGodȱgrantȱmeȱtoȱspeakȱwithȱjudgment,ȱandȱtoȱthinkȱthoughtsȱworthyȱofȱ
whatȱhasȱbeenȱgivenȱtoȱme;ȱbecauseȱheȱhimselfȱisȱtheȱguideȱevenȱofȱwisdomȱ
andȱ theȱ correctorȱ ofȱ theȱ wise.ȱ Forȱ bothȱ weȱ andȱ ourȱ wordsȱ areȱ inȱ hisȱ hand,ȱ
bothȱallȱunderstandingȱandȱskillȱinȱcrafts.ȱForȱheȱhimselfȱgaveȱmeȱanȱunerringȱ
knowledgeȱofȱtheȱthingsȱthatȱexist,ȱtoȱknowȱtheȱconstitutionȱofȱtheȱworldȱandȱ
theȱactivityȱofȱtheȱelements;ȱtheȱbeginningȱandȱendȱandȱmiddleȱofȱtimes,ȱtheȱ
alterationsȱ ofȱ theȱ solsticesȱ andȱ theȱ changesȱ ofȱ theȱ seasons,ȱ theȱ cyclesȱ ofȱ theȱ
yearȱ andȱ theȱ constellationsȱ ofȱ theȱ stars,ȱ theȱ naturesȱ ofȱ animalsȱ andȱ theȱ
tempersȱ ofȱ wildȱ animals,ȱ theȱ violentȱ forcesȱ ofȱ spiritsȱ andȱ theȱ thoughtsȱ ofȱ
humanȱbeings,ȱtheȱvarietiesȱofȱplantsȱandȱtheȱpowersȱofȱroots;ȱandȱallȱthings,ȱ
bothȱ whatȱ isȱ secretȱ andȱ whatȱ isȱ manifestȱ [o[sa te, evstin krupta. kai. evmfanh/
e;gnwn],ȱIȱlearned,ȱforȱsheȱthatȱisȱtheȱfashionerȱofȱallȱthingsȱtaughtȱme,ȱnamelyȱ
wisdom.ȱ[…].ȱ(Wisdomȱ7:15Ȭ22)ȱ
Clearly,ȱ theȱ latterȱ passageȱ presentsȱ Solomonȱ asȱ endowedȱ withȱ veryȱ
specialȱ knowledgeȱ andȱ powers,ȱ picturingȱ himȱ asȱ aȱ hermeticȱ sageȱ andȱ
exorcist.2ȱ Thisȱ characterization,ȱ absentȱ fromȱ theȱ Biblicalȱ imageȱ ofȱ
Solomon,ȱ isȱ partȱ ofȱ anȱ ongoingȱ transformationȱ ofȱ Solomon,ȱ underwayȱ
sinceȱ theȱ lateȱ Secondȱ templeȱ period,ȱ intoȱ aȱ figureȱ esotericȱ andȱ magicȱ
traditionsȱ areȱ closelyȱ attachedȱ to.3ȱ Tracesȱ ofȱ thisȱ transformationȱ appearȱ
forȱ theȱ firstȱ timeȱ inȱ theȱ Oldȱ Greekȱ translationȱ ofȱ 1ȱKingsȱ (=ȱ LXXȱ
3ȱKingdoms),4ȱwhichȱwasȱcarriedȱoutȱinȱtheȱ2ndȱcenturyȱBCE.5
Sinceȱ theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ Wisdomȱ isȱ thereforeȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ earliestȱ witnessesȱ
forȱ theȱ esotericȱ receptionȱ ofȱ Solomon,ȱ itȱ seemsȱ notȱ surprisingȱ thatȱ theȱ
bookȱ incorporatesȱ traditions,ȱ whichȱ laterȱ reȬappearȱ inȱ Jewishȱ magicalȱ
andȱ mysticalȱ texts,ȱ demonstratingȱ atȱ theȱ sameȱ timeȱ thatȱ theȱ jointȱ
transmissionȱ ofȱ magicalȱ andȱ mysticalȱ traditionsȱ isȱ presentȱ alreadyȱ atȱ aȱ
veryȱearlyȱstageȱofȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱJewishȱliterature.6
JACOB’SȱDREAMȱ(WISDOMȱ10:10)ȱ
Inȱchapterȱ10,ȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdomȱaȱretellingȱofȱJacob’sȱdreamȱinȱBethelȱ
fromȱGenȱ28:12Ȭ13.ȱTheȱtextȱreadsȱasȱfollows:ȱ
Whenȱ aȱ righteousȱ manȱ fledȱ fromȱ hisȱ brother’sȱ anger,ȱ sheȱ [i.e.ȱ wisdom]ȱ
guidedȱ himȱ onȱ straightȱ paths;ȱ sheȱ showedȱ himȱ aȱ divineȱ kingdomȱ [e;deixen
ȱ
2ȱSeeȱP.A.ȱTorijano,ȱSolomonȱtheȱEsotericȱKing:ȱFromȱKingȱtoȱMagus,ȱDevelopmentȱofȱaȱ
Traditionȱ(JSJSupȱ73,ȱLeiden:ȱBrillȱ2002)ȱ90Ȭ95.ȱ
3ȱSeeȱTorijano,ȱSolomonȱtheȱEsotericȱKing,ȱ225Ȭ30ȱandȱpassim.ȱ
4ȱSeeȱTorijano,ȱSolomonȱtheȱEsotericȱKing,ȱ27Ȭ33ȱandȱ225Ȭ30.ȱ
5ȱSeeȱP.D.ȱMcLean,ȱ“TheȱKaigeȱTextsȱofȱReigns:ȱToȱtheȱReader,”ȱinȱNETS,ȱ271Ȭ76,ȱ
271.ȱ
6ȱ Compareȱ G.ȱ Scholem,ȱ Dieȱ jüdischeȱ Mystikȱ inȱ ihrenȱ Hauptströmungenȱ (5thȱ ed.,ȱ
SuhrkampȬTaschenbuchȱWissenschaftȱ330,ȱFrankfurt:ȱSuhrkampȱ1993)ȱ54Ȭ55.ȱ
MYSTICALȱANDȱMAGICALȱTRADITIONSȱ
185
auvtw/| basilei,an qeou/],ȱandȱgaveȱhimȱknowledgeȱofȱholyȱonesȱ[kai. e;dwken auvtw/|
gnw/sin a`gi,wn].ȱ(Wisdomȱ10:10)ȱ
Obviously,ȱtheȱ“righteousȱman”ȱtoȱwhomȱthisȱverseȱandȱitsȱcontinuationȱ
referȱ isȱ Jacob,ȱ butȱ theȱ connectionȱ ofȱ theȱ lastȱ twoȱ sentencesȱ ofȱ thisȱ citedȱ
passageȱ“sheȱ[i.e.ȱwisdom]ȱshowedȱhimȱaȱdivineȱkingdomȱandȱgaveȱhimȱ
knowledgeȱ ofȱ holyȱ ones”ȱ toȱ theȱ storyȱ toldȱ inȱ Genȱ 28ȱ seemsȱ lessȱ clear.ȱ
Someȱ scholarsȱ suggestedȱ insteadȱ Jacob’sȱ legacyȱ inȱ Genȱ 48Ȭ49ȱ asȱ theȱ
Biblicalȱ pointȱ ofȱ departureȱ forȱ theȱ Wisdomȱ 10:10,ȱ i.e.ȱ theȱ storyȱ aboutȱ
Jacob’sȱ blessingȱ ofȱ Joseph’sȱ sonsȱ Ephraimȱ andȱ Manassehȱ andȱ Jacob’sȱ
blessingȱofȱhisȱsons.7ȱHowever,ȱthisȱseemsȱratherȱimprobable,ȱmainlyȱonȱ
accountȱofȱtheȱobservationȱthatȱtheȱpassageȱinȱquestionȱisȱprecededȱbyȱaȱ
referenceȱtoȱJacob’sȱflightȱfromȱEsauȱ(Genȱ27:41Ȭ45),ȱandȱisȱimmediatelyȱ
followedȱ byȱ referencesȱ toȱ Jacob’sȱ stayȱ withȱ Labanȱ (Genȱ 29Ȭ30),ȱ hisȱ
successfulȱ departingȱ fromȱ Labanȱ (Genȱ 31)ȱ andȱ finallyȱ hisȱ wrestlingȱ byȱ
theȱ Jabbokȱ (Genȱ 32).ȱ Sinceȱ theȱ retellingȱ ofȱ theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ Genesisȱ inȱ
Wisdomȱ10ȱgenerallyȱfollowsȱtheȱsequenceȱofȱeventsȱasȱtoldȱinȱtheȱbookȱ
ofȱ Genesis,ȱ weȱ shouldȱ inferȱ thatȱ thisȱ isȱ hereȱ theȱ caseȱ asȱ well,ȱ andȱ that,ȱ
therefore,ȱ 10:10ȱ refersȱ indeedȱ toȱ Jacob’sȱ dream.ȱ Differentlyȱ fromȱ theȱ
Biblicalȱtext,ȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdomȱregardsȱwisdomȱ(sofi,a)ȱasȱtheȱdrivingȱ
forceȱbehindȱtheȱscene,ȱnotȱonlyȱregardingȱJacob’sȱdreamȱbutȱthroughoutȱ
theȱwholeȱretellingȱofȱtheȱBookȱofȱGenesisȱinȱchapterȱ10.ȱTherefore,ȱitȱisȱ
sofi,aȱwhichȱmakesȱJacob’sȱdreamȱhappen.ȱ
Regardingȱ theȱ contentȱ ofȱ theȱ dream,ȱ theȱ meaningȱ ofȱ “divineȱ
kingdom”ȱ (basilei,a qeou/)ȱ andȱ “knowledgeȱ ofȱ holyȱ ones”ȱ (gnw/sij a`gi,wn)ȱ
certainlyȱ needsȱ clarification.ȱ Noȱ literalȱ parallelsȱ ofȱ thisȱ retellingȱ ofȱ Genȱ
28ȱseemȱtoȱexist,ȱneitherȱinȱHebrewȱorȱAramaic,ȱnorȱinȱGreekȱsourcesȱofȱ
Jewishȱbackground.ȱWeȱmayȱconsiderȱwhetherȱtheȱsayingȱthatȱJacobȱsawȱ
aȱ divineȱ kingdomȱ couldȱ beȱ connectedȱ toȱ theȱ traditionȱ thatȱ Jacob/Israelȱ
wasȱ seeingȱ God,ȱ attestedȱ inȱ theȱ textȱ entitledȱ “Prayerȱ ofȱ Joseph”ȱ and,ȱ
mostȱ prominently,ȱ inȱ Philo’sȱ writings.8ȱ However,ȱ thisȱ latterȱ traditionȱ isȱ
basedȱonȱGenȱ32:31ȱ(“IȱhaveȱseenȱGodȱfaceȱtoȱface”)ȱandȱonȱtheȱ(pseudoȬ)ȱ
etymologicalȱexplanationȱofȱtheȱnameȱ“Israel”ȱasȱ“aȱmanȱwhoȱsawȱGod”ȱ
(=ȱ ʬʠ ʤʠʸ ʹʩʠ),9ȱ andȱ itȱ isȱ thusȱ notȱ atȱ allȱ connectedȱ toȱ Jacob’sȱ dreamȱ inȱ
Bethel.ȱMoreover,ȱdueȱtoȱtheȱlinksȱwithȱtheȱBiblicalȱstoryȱofȱtheȱwrestlingȱ
byȱ theȱ Jabbok,ȱ thisȱ traditionȱ hardlyȱ impliesȱ thatȱ Jacobȱ sawȱ aȱ “divineȱ
kingdom,”ȱasȱWisdomȱ10:10ȱhasȱit.ȱȱ
ȱ
ȱE.g.,ȱseeȱA.ȱSchmitt,ȱWeisheitȱ(NEB,ȱWürzburg:ȱEchterȱ1989)ȱ51Ȭ52.ȱ
ȱSeeȱJ.Z.ȱSmith,ȱ“TheȱPrayerȱofȱJoseph,”ȱinȱReligionsȱinȱAntiquity.ȱEssaysȱinȱMemoryȱ
ofȱ Erwinȱ Ramsdellȱ Goodenoughȱ (ed.ȱ J.ȱ Neusner,ȱ Leiden:ȱ Brillȱ 1968)ȱ 253Ȭ94,ȱ 265Ȭ66ȱ andȱ
K.P.ȱ Sullivan,ȱ Wrestlingȱ withȱ Angels:ȱ Aȱ Studyȱ ofȱ theȱ Relationshipȱ betweenȱ Angelsȱ andȱ
Humansȱ inȱ Ancientȱ Jewishȱ Literatureȱ andȱ theȱ Newȱ Testamentȱ (AGAJUȱ 55,ȱ Leiden:ȱ Brillȱ
2004)ȱ98Ȭ101.ȱ
9ȱSederȱEliyahuȱRabbahȱ27,ȱcompareȱSmith,ȱ“TheȱPrayerȱofȱJoseph,”ȱ267.ȱ
7
8
186
6TEFANȱSCHORCHȱ
Anotherȱ exegeticalȱ traditionȱ whichȱ shouldȱ beȱ takenȱ intoȱ consideȬ
rationȱ asȱ theȱ possibleȱ backgroundȱ ofȱ Wisdomȱ 10:10ȱ isȱ attestedȱ inȱ
NumbersȱRabbah:ȱ
Andȱ heȱ [i.e.,ȱ Jacob]ȱ dreamedȱ andȱ beholdȱ aȱ ladderȱ etc.,ȱ andȱ behold,ȱ theȱ Lordȱ stoodȱ
aboveȱitȱetc.ȱ[Genȱ28:10Ȭ13].ȱ—ȱHappyȱtheȱmortal,ȱsaidȱR.ȱHoshaya,ȱwhoȱbeheldȱ
suchȱaȱthing!ȱTheȱ(divine)ȱkingȱandȱHisȱattendantsȱstandingȱbesideȱhimȱandȱ
guardingȱhimȱ[ʥʺʥʠ ʭʩʸʮʹʮʥ ʥʩʬʲ ʭʩʡʶʰ ʥʬʹ ʠʩʬʮʴʥ ʪʬʮʤ]!ȱ(NumbersȱRabbahȱ
4.1)10
Accordingȱ toȱ thisȱ tradition,ȱJacobȱ sawȱ Godȱ inȱ theȱ appearanceȱ ofȱ aȱ kingȱ
withȱangelsȱasȱhisȱattendants.11ȱHowever,ȱtheȱdescriptionȱofȱtheȱvisionȱinȱ
Numbersȱ Rabbahȱ seemsȱ toȱ lackȱ theȱ moreȱ generalȱ andȱ abstractȱ
connotationȱ ofȱ theȱ termȱ basilei,a,ȱ althoughȱ theȱ useȱ ofȱ thisȱ wordȱ inȱ
Wisdomȱ10:10ȱcertainlyȱimpliesȱGod’sȱrulingȱasȱaȱking.ȱThisȱobservationȱ
bringsȱusȱtoȱfavorȱaȱfurtherȱexplanation,ȱwhichȱseemsȱtoȱcorrespondȱbestȱ
toȱ theȱ wholeȱ rangeȱ ofȱ associationsȱ connectedȱ withȱ theȱ expressionȱ inȱ
question:ȱ Mostȱ probably,ȱ Wisdomȱ 10:10ȱ refersȱ toȱ Jacob’sȱ ascentȱ toȱ
heaven.ȱȱ
AlthoughȱJacob,ȱunlikeȱEnochȱorȱElijah,ȱisȱnotȱgenerallyȱconnectedȱtoȱ
aȱ heavenlyȱ journeyȱ inȱ Jewishȱ tradition,ȱ aȱ numberȱ ofȱ sourcesȱ attestȱ atȱ
leastȱthatȱaȱdiscussionȱonȱthisȱissueȱwasȱgoingȱon.ȱMostȱevidently,ȱsomeȱ
textsȱ explicitlyȱ denyȱ thatȱ Jacobȱ indeedȱ ascendedȱ toȱ heaven,ȱ asȱ forȱ
instanceȱtheȱfollowingȱpassageȱfromȱLeviticusȱRabbah:ȱ
Andȱheȱdreamed,ȱandȱbehold,ȱaȱladderȱsetȱupȱonȱtheȱearthȱetc.ȱandȱbeholdȱtheȱangelsȱofȱ
Godȱascendingȱandȱdescendingȱonȱitȱ[Genȱ28:12].ȱ—ȱTheseȱangels,ȱexplainedȱR.ȱ
Samuelȱ b.ȱ Nahman,ȱ wereȱ theȱ guardianȱ Princesȱ ofȱ theȱ nationsȱ ofȱ theȱ world.ȱ
[…]ȱR.ȱBerekiahȱandȱR.ȱHelbo,ȱandȱR.ȱSimeonȱb.ȱYohaiȱinȱtheȱnameȱofȱR.ȱMeirȱ
said:ȱItȱteachesȱthatȱtheȱHolyȱOne,ȱblessedȱbeȱHe,ȱshowedȱJacobȱtheȱPrinceȱofȱ
Babylonȱ ascendingȱ andȱ descending,ȱ ofȱ Mediaȱ ascendingȱ andȱdescending,ȱofȱ
Greeceȱascendingȱandȱdescending,ȱandȱofȱEdomȱascendingȱandȱdescending.ȱ
Thenȱ theȱ Holyȱ One,ȱ blessedȱ beȱ He,ȱ saidȱ toȱ Jacob:ȱ “Youȱ alsoȱ ascend.”ȱ
Thereuponȱ ourȱ fatherȱ Jacobȱ wasȱ afraid,ȱ andȱ thought:ȱ Perhaps,ȱ heavenȱ
forefend,ȱinȱtheȱsameȱwayȱasȱtheseȱareȱtoȱcomeȱdown,ȱsoȱalsoȱamȱI?ȱSaidȱtheȱ
HolyȱOne,ȱblessedȱbeȱHe,ȱtoȱhim:ȱ“Fearȱthouȱnot,ȱOȱJacobȱmyȱservantȱ[Jerȱ30:10].ȱ
ȱ
10ȱ Theȱ translationȱ isȱ quotedȱ from:ȱ Midrashȱ Rabbah:ȱ Numbers,ȱ translatedȱ byȱ J.J.ȱ
Slotki.ȱAȱparallelȱversionȱisȱcontainedȱinȱTanhumaȱBeMidbarȱ19.ȱ
11ȱ Forȱ theȱ useȱ ofȱ ʠʩʬʮʴȱ asȱ “angels”ȱ seeȱ P.ȱ Schäfer,ȱ Rivalitätȱ zwischenȱ Engelnȱ undȱ
Menschen:ȱ Untersuchungenȱ zurȱ rabbinischenȱ Engelsvorstellungȱ (Studiaȱ Judaicaȱ 8,ȱ Berlin:ȱ
deȱGruyterȱ1975)ȱ41.ȱ
7YSTICALȱANDȱMAGICALȱTRADITIONSȱ
187
Onceȱ youȱ ascendȱ thereȱ willȱ beȱ noȱ descentȱ forȱ you!”ȱ Heȱ wouldȱ notȱ believe,ȱ
andȱdidȱnotȱascend.ȱ(LeviticusȱRabbahȱ29.2)12
Besidesȱthisȱmidrashȱandȱitsȱparallelȱversions,13ȱtheȱmotifȱofȱJacobȱbeingȱ
askedȱ byȱ Godȱ toȱ ascendȱ theȱ ladderȱ intoȱ heaven,ȱ butȱ fearfullyȱ denyingȱ
thisȱrequestȱreappearsȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱfurtherȱmidrashim.14
Aȱ furtherȱ sourceȱ whichȱ shouldȱ beȱ regardedȱ inȱ theȱ contextȱ ofȱ theȱ
question,ȱ whetherȱ Jacobȱ ascendedȱ toȱ heaven,ȱ isȱ preservedȱ inȱ Tanhumaȱ
Buber:ȱȱ
Whatȱisȱtheȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱtheȱdreamsȱofȱtheȱrighteousȱandȱtheȱdreamsȱofȱ
theȱwicked?ȱTheȱdreamsȱofȱtheȱwickedȱareȱnotȱinȱheavenȱandȱnotȱonȱearthȱasȱ
isȱwritten:ȱPharaohȱhadȱaȱdream;ȱandȱbehold,ȱheȱstoodȱonȱtheȱriverȱ[Genȱ41:1].ȱ[…]ȱ
Butȱ theȱ dreamsȱ ofȱ theȱ righteousȱ areȱ inȱ heavenȱ andȱ onȱ earth,ȱ sinceȱ youȱ findȱ
thatȱJosephȱsaidȱtoȱhisȱbrothers:ȱThereȱweȱwere,ȱbindingȱsheavesȱinȱtheȱfieldȱ[Genȱ
37:7].ȱ —ȱ Thisȱ isȱ onȱ theȱ earth.ȱ Andȱ whyȱ inȱ heaven?ȱ Sinceȱ itȱ isȱ written:ȱ Andȱ
behold,ȱ theȱ sun,ȱ theȱ moon,ȱ andȱ elevenȱ starsȱ bowedȱ downȱ toȱ meȱ [Genȱ 37:9].ȱ
Accordingly,ȱthisȱisȱtheȱcaseȱregardingȱourȱfatherȱJacob:ȱThenȱheȱdreamed,ȱandȱ
behold,ȱaȱladderȱ[wasȱsetȱupȱonȱtheȱearth,ȱandȱitsȱtopȱreachedȱtoȱheaven]ȱ[Genȱ28:11].ȱ
(TanhumaȱBuber,ȱWayyetzeȱ6)ȱ
Accordingȱtoȱthisȱpassage,ȱJacobȱindeedȱwasȱinȱheaven:ȱWhileȱPharaoh,ȱ
duringȱ hisȱ dream,ȱ wasȱ standingȱ onȱ theȱ river,ȱ i.e.ȱ heȱ wasȱ neitherȱ inȱ
heavenȱ norȱ onȱ earth,ȱ Josephȱ wasȱ duringȱ hisȱ dreamȱ bothȱ onȱ earth,ȱ
bindingȱsheavesȱwithȱhisȱbrothers,ȱandȱinȱheaven,ȱbeingȱgreetedȱbyȱtheȱ
heavenlyȱ lights.ȱ Likeȱ theȱ latter,ȱ Jacobȱ wasȱ inȱ heavenȱ andȱ onȱ earth,ȱ asȱ
hintedȱbyȱtheȱladderȱheȱsawȱduringȱhisȱdream.ȱ
Whileȱ theȱ quotedȱ midrashȱ seemsȱ toȱ haveȱ atȱ leastȱ aȱ metaphoricȱ
undertone,ȱ theȱ followingȱ passageȱ fromȱ Midrashȱ Shirȱ haȬShirimȱ Zutaȱ
leavesȱnoȱdoubtȱthatȱJacob’sȱheavenlyȱjourneyȱwasȱaȱrealȱone,ȱandȱitȱthusȱ
providesȱanȱevenȱcloserȱparallelȱtoȱWisdomȱ10:10:ȱȱ
Theȱ Holyȱone,ȱblessedȱbeȱ He,ȱwillȱ showȱ Israelȱ theȱ hiddenȱ thingsȱ aboveȱ andȱ
theȱ realmsȱ ofȱ theȱ heaven.ȱRabbiȱ Jacobȱ said:ȱ Learnȱ thisȱ fromȱ Jacob,ȱ toȱ whomȱ
Heȱ said:ȱ Arise,ȱ goȱ upȱ toȱ Bethelȱ andȱ liveȱ thereȱ [Genȱ 35:1].ȱ Thisȱ teachesȱ thatȱ theȱ
HolyȱOne,ȱblessedȱbeȱHe,ȱshowedȱhimȱoneȱascendȱaboveȱanotherȱandȱshowedȱ
himȱtheȱcelestialȱrealms.ȱ(ShirȱhaȬShirimȱZutaȱ1.4)ȱ
ȱ
12ȱ Theȱ translationȱ isȱ quotedȱ from:ȱ Midrashȱ Rabbah:ȱ Leviticus,ȱ translatedȱ byȱ J.ȱ
IsraelstamȱandȱJ.J.ȱSlotki.ȱ
13ȱSeeȱtheȱreferencesȱinȱJ.ȱKugel,ȱ“TheȱLadderȱofȱJacob?”ȱHTRȱ88ȱ(1995)ȱ209Ȭ27,ȱ213ȱ
n.ȱ13.ȱ
14ȱSeeȱSmith,ȱ“TheȱPrayerȱofȱJoseph,”ȱ287ȱn.ȱ1.ȱAnȱanalysisȱofȱtheȱ“LadderȱofȱJacob”ȱ
isȱprovidedȱbyȱKugel,ȱ“TheȱLadderȱofȱJacob.”ȱ
188
8TEFANȱSCHORCHȱ
TheȱquotedȱpassageȱrefersȱtoȱBethelȱasȱtheȱplaceȱofȱJacob’sȱdreamȱandȱtoȱ
theȱladderȱJacobȱsaw,ȱasȱisȱdemonstratedȱbyȱtheȱexpressionȱ“oneȱascentȱ
aboveȱ another”ȱ (ʤʩʬʲʮ ʤʬʲʮʬ ʤʩʬʲ).ȱ Beingȱ theȱ closestȱ parallelȱ toȱ Wisdomȱ
10:10,ȱ thisȱ passageȱ introducesȱ anȱ elementȱ whichȱ isȱ absentȱ fromȱ theȱ
sourcesȱanalyzedȱsoȱfar:ȱAccordingȱtoȱShirȱhaȬShirimȱZuta,ȱJacob’sȱascentȱ
wasȱ stepȬwise.ȱ Thisȱ finallyȱ bringsȱ usȱ toȱ aȱ furtherȱ literaryȱ corpus,ȱ theȱ
Hekhalotȱliterature.ȱȱ
Theȱ stepȬwiseȱ ascentȱ ofȱ theȱ mysticȱ toȱ heavenȱ isȱ aȱ typicalȱ featureȱ ofȱ
theseȱtexts.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱHekhalotȱliteratureȱdoesȱnotȱexplicitelyȱreferȱtoȱ
Jacobȱ inȱ thisȱ context,ȱ butȱ ratherȱ drawsȱ onȱ traditionsȱ connectedȱ withȱ
Enochȱ orȱ Ezekiel’sȱ visionsȱ ofȱ theȱ merkava.ȱ Nevertheless,ȱ theȱ motifȱ ofȱ
Jacob’sȱladderȱholdsȱanȱimportantȱplaceȱinȱit.ȱThatȱthisȱmotifȱisȱdeducedȱ
fromȱ Genȱ 28:12ȱ wasȱ demonstratedȱ inȱ detailȱ byȱ Billȱ Rebiger.15ȱ Mostȱ
prominently,ȱJacob’sȱladderȱappearsȱinȱHekhalotȱRabbatiȱasȱtheȱaxisȱmundiȱ
(ʵʸʠʥ ʭʩʮʹ ʣʥʴʹ,ȱ “theȱ axisȱ ofȱ heavenȱ andȱ earth”)ȱ whichȱ connectsȱ theȱ
wholeȱcosmos:ȱ
Iȱwillȱtellȱthemȱtheȱsecrets,ȱwhichȱareȱhiddenȱandȱconcealedȱ[…]ȱandȱtheȱaxisȱ
ofȱheavenȱandȱearth,ȱtoȱwhichȱallȱendsȱofȱtheȱearthȱandȱofȱtheȱworldȱ[…]ȱareȱ
beingȱknotted,ȱstitched,ȱtiedȱandȱattachedȱ[…]ȱandȱtheȱwayȱofȱtheȱladderȱ[…]ȱ
theȱfootȱofȱwhichȱstandsȱonȱtheȱearthȱandȱtheȱtopȱofȱwhichȱreachesȱtheȱrightȱ
footȱofȱtheȱthroneȱofȱtheȱmajesty.ȱ(SHLȱ§201)16
Apartȱfromȱbeingȱtheȱaxisȱconnectingȱtheȱwholeȱcosmos,ȱtheȱladderȱ(ʭʬʥʱ)ȱ
isȱreferredȱtoȱasȱaȱwayȱ(ʡʩʺʰ),ȱwhichȱinȱtheȱcontextȱofȱHekhalotȱmeansȱtheȱ
wayȱofȱtheȱmystic,ȱtheȱʤʡʫʸʮ ʣʸʥʩ.17ȱThus,ȱalthoughȱJacob’sȱnameȱdoesȱnotȱ
appear,ȱtheȱstoryȱofȱJacob’sȱdreamȱobviouslyȱwasȱoneȱofȱtheȱkeyȱtextsȱofȱ
earlyȱJewishȱ mysticism.ȱAtȱtheȱsameȱtime,ȱtheȱmysticalȱexegesisȱofȱGenȱ
28:12ȱ seemsȱ toȱ beȱ theȱ closestȱ parallelȱ toȱ theȱ traditionȱ preservedȱ inȱ
Wisdomȱ10:10.ȱ
Theȱobservationȱofȱaȱmysticalȱbackgroundȱmayȱhelpȱtoȱilluminateȱyetȱ
anotherȱexpressionȱwhichȱappearsȱinȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdom’sȱretellingȱofȱ
Genȱ28:12,ȱnamelyȱthatȱJacobȱinȱandȱbyȱhisȱdreamȱgainedȱgnw/sij a`gi,wn.ȱ
Thisȱlatterȱexpressionȱhasȱoftenȱbeenȱunderstoodȱasȱ“knowledgeȱofȱholyȱ
things.”ȱThusȱWinston,ȱfollowingȱBurrows,ȱconsideredȱgnw/sij a`gi,wnȱasȱaȱ
possibleȱ referenceȱ toȱ aȱ traditionȱ foundȱ inȱ theȱ Testamentumȱ Levi,ȱ
ȱ
15ȱ Seeȱ B.ȱ Rebiger,ȱ “Dasȱ Leitermotivȱ inȱ derȱ HekhalotȬLiteratur,”ȱ inȱ Jewishȱ Studiesȱ
betweenȱ theȱ Disciplinesȱ —ȱ Judaistikȱ zwischenȱ denȱ Disziplinen.ȱ Papersȱ inȱ Honorȱ ofȱ Peterȱ
SchäferȱonȱtheȱOccasionȱofȱHisȱ60thȱBirthdayȱ(eds.ȱK.ȱHerrmannȱetȱal.,ȱLeiden:ȱBrillȱ2003)ȱ
226Ȭ42,ȱpassim.ȱ
16ȱAȱGermanȱtranslationȱcanȱbeȱfoundȱinȱÜbersetzungȱderȱHekhalotȬLiteraturȱ(Teilȱ2:ȱ
§§ȱ81–334,ȱeds.ȱP.ȱScha‫ޠ‬ferȱetȱal.,ȱTSAJȱ17,ȱTübingen:ȱMohrȱSiebeckȱ1987).ȱ
17ȱRebiger,ȱ„DasȱLeitermotiv,“ȱ235.ȱ
9YSTICALȱANDȱMAGICALȱTRADITIONSȱ
189
accordingȱtoȱ whichȱJacob’sȱdreamȱinȱBethelȱconsistedȱofȱaȱvisionȱofȱ theȱ
heavenlyȱtemple:18
AndȱwhenȱweȱcameȱtoȱBethel,ȱmyȱfatherȱJacobȱsawȱinȱaȱvisionȱconcerningȱmeȱ
[i.e.,ȱLevi]ȱthatȱIȱshouldȱbeȱaȱpriestȱforȱthemȱtoȱGod.ȱ(TLȱ9:3)19
Additionally,ȱ oneȱ mayȱ referȱ toȱ aȱ Rabbinicȱ midrashȱ onȱ Genȱ 28:12Ȭ13,ȱ
containedȱ inȱ Genesisȱ Rabbah,ȱ whichȱ isȱ evenȱ moreȱ explicitȱ inȱ thisȱ
direction:ȱ
Barȱ Qapparaȱ taught:ȱ Noȱ dreamȱ isȱ withoutȱ itsȱ interpretation.ȱ Andȱ beholdȱ aȱ
ladderȱ [Genȱ 28:12]ȱ symbolizesȱ theȱ stairwayȱ [ofȱ theȱ temple];ȱ Setȱ upȱ onȱ theȱ
earth—theȱaltar,ȱasȱisȱsays,ȱAnȱaltarȱofȱearthȱthouȱshaltȱmakeȱuntoȱMeȱ[Exȱ20:21];ȱ
Andȱtheȱtopȱofȱitȱreachedȱtoȱheaven—theȱsacrifices,ȱtheȱodorȱofȱwhichȱascendedȱ
toȱ heaven;ȱ Andȱ beholdȱ theȱ angelsȱ ofȱ God—theȱ Highȱ priests;ȱ Ascendingȱ andȱ
descendingȱonȱit—ascendingȱandȱdescendingȱtheȱstairway.ȱAndȱbeholdȱtheȱLordȱ
stoodȱ besideȱ himȱ [Genȱ 28:13]—Iȱ sawȱ theȱ Lordȱ standingȱ besideȱ theȱ altarȱ [Amȱ 9:1].ȱ
(GenesisȱRabbahȱ68.12)20
Theȱquotedȱpassagesȱdemonstrateȱtheȱexistenceȱofȱaȱtradition,ȱaccordingȱ
toȱ whichȱ Jacob’sȱ dreamȱ wasȱ aboutȱ theȱ heavenlyȱ temple.ȱ However,ȱ andȱ
althoughȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdomȱinȱ9:8ȱdoesȱindeedȱmentionȱtheȱheavenlyȱ
temple,ȱitȱseemsȱveryȱproblematicȱtoȱidentifyȱa[gioiȱinȱWisdomȱ10:10ȱasȱaȱ
referenceȱtoȱthisȱtradition,ȱespeciallyȱdueȱtoȱtheȱfollowingȱobservations,ȱ
whichȱclarifyȱtheȱmeaningȱofȱgnw/sij a`gi,wn:ȱȱ
x InȱWisdomȱ10:10,ȱgnw/sij a`gi,wnȱstandsȱinȱaȱsynonymȱparallelismȱwithȱ
basilei,a qeou/.ȱ Beingȱ theȱ counterpartȱ toȱ qeo,j,ȱ a[gioiȱ seemsȱ toȱ referȱ toȱ
divineȱbeings,ȱi.e.ȱ“angels.”ȱ
x Inȱaȱsimilarȱway,ȱa[gioiȱisȱparalleledȱwithȱui`oi, qeou/ȱinȱWisdomȱ5:5.21ȱ
x Provȱ 9:10ȱ andȱ 30:3ȱ suggestȱ thatȱ gnw/sij a`gi,wnȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ itsȱ Hebrewȱ
equivalentȱʭʩʹʥʣʷ ʺʲʣȱisȱnotȱanȱoccasionallyȱphrasedȱexpression,ȱbutȱaȱ
terminusȱtechnicusȱofȱJewishȱwisdomȱliterature.ȱProvȱ30:3ȱparallelsȱtheȱ
wisdomȱ(sofi,a)ȱoriginatingȱinȱGodȱwithȱtheȱknowledgeȱownedȱbyȱtheȱ
holyȱ ones:ȱ qeo.j dedi,dace,n me sofi,an kai. gnw/sin a`gi,wn e;gnwka,ȱ “Godȱ
ȱ
ȱD.ȱWinston,ȱTheȱWisdomȱofȱSolomonȱ(ABȱ43,ȱNewȱYork:ȱDoubledayȱ1979)ȱ217.ȱ
ȱTheȱtranslationȱisȱquotedȱfrom:ȱH.W.ȱHollanderȱandȱM.ȱdeȱJonge,ȱTheȱTestamentsȱ
ofȱtheȱTwelveȱPatriarchs:ȱAȱCommentaryȱ(SVTPȱ8,ȱLeiden:ȱBrillȱ1985)ȱ155.ȱ
20ȱTheȱtranslationȱisȱquotedȱfrom:ȱMidrashȱRabbah,ȱTranslatedȱintoȱEnglishȱwithȱNotes,ȱ
Glossaryȱ andȱ Indicesȱ (3rdȱ ed.,ȱ eds.ȱ H.ȱ Freedmanȱ andȱ M.ȱ Simon,ȱ London:ȱ Theȱ Soncinoȱ
Pressȱ1961),ȱGenesisȱII,ȱtranslatedȱbyȱH.ȱFreedman.ȱForȱanȱanalysisȱofȱthisȱtextȱseeȱM.ȱ
Niehoff,ȱ“AȱDreamȱwhichȱisȱnotȱInterpretedȱisȱLikeȱaȱLetterȱwhichȱisȱnotȱRead,”ȱJJSȱ43ȱ
(1992)ȱ58Ȭ84,ȱ72Ȭ73.ȱ
21ȱ Seeȱ M.ȱ Neher,ȱ Wesenȱ undȱ Wirkenȱ derȱ Weisheitȱ inȱ derȱ Sapientiaȱ Salomonisȱ (BZAWȱ
333,ȱBerlin:ȱdeȱGruyterȱ2004)ȱ144.ȱ
18
19
190
:TEFANȱSCHORCHȱ
hasȱtaughtȱmeȱwisdom,ȱandȱIȱhaveȱgainedȱknowledgeȱofȱholyȱones.”ȱ
Similarly,ȱ theȱ Greekȱ translationȱ ofȱ Provȱ 9:10ȱ ʤʰʩʡ ʭʩʹʥʣʷ ʺʲʣȱ asȱ boulh.
a`gi,wn su,nesijȱ (“counselȱ ofȱ theȱ saintsȱ isȱ understanding”)ȱ showsȱ thatȱ
theȱ translatorȱ understoodȱ ʭʩʹʥʣʷ ʺʲʣȱ asȱ aȱ genitivusȱ subjectivus,ȱ i.e.ȱ
knowledgeȱownedȱbyȱtheȱsaints.ȱȱ
Inȱ lightȱ ofȱ theseȱ observationsȱ weȱ shouldȱ concludeȱ thatȱ theȱ passageȱ kai.
e;dwken auvtw/| gnw/sin a`gi,wnȱ canȱ notȱ beȱ translatedȱ “andȱ gaveȱ himȱ
knowledgeȱofȱholyȱthings,”ȱbutȱhasȱtoȱbeȱunderstoodȱasȱ“andȱgaveȱhimȱ
knowledgeȱ ofȱ holyȱ ones.”ȱ Asȱ aȱ consequence,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ thisȱ passageȱ
Jacobȱ obtainedȱ “participationȱ inȱ theȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ angels”ȱ duringȱ
andȱdueȱtoȱhisȱdream.22
ThatȱJacobȱgotȱawareȱofȱknowledgeȱoriginallyȱdestinedȱandȱrestrictedȱ
toȱtheȱangelsȱisȱvoicedȱbyȱfurtherȱtextsȱasȱwell,ȱespeciallyȱtheȱ“Prayerȱofȱ
Joseph,”ȱ aȱ Greekȱ textȱ ofȱ Jewishȱ origin.23ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ theȱ “Prayerȱ ofȱ
Joseph,”ȱJacobȱreadȱinȱtheȱtabletsȱofȱheaven.24ȱHeȱcouldȱdoȱsoȱbecauseȱheȱ
himselfȱwasȱanȱangelȱwhoȱhadȱdescendedȱtoȱearth:ȱ
I,ȱ Jacob,ȱ whoȱ amȱ speakingȱ toȱ you,ȱ amȱ alsoȱ Israel,ȱ anȱ angelȱ ofȱ Godȱ andȱ aȱ
rulingȱspirit.25
Thus,ȱ followingȱ theȱ “Prayerȱ ofȱ Joseph,”ȱ Jacobȱ isȱ theȱ earthlyȱ nameȱ ofȱ aȱ
personȱ whoseȱ angelicȱ nameȱ isȱ Israel.ȱ Itȱ isȱ thisȱ tradition,ȱ whichȱ findsȱ itsȱ
continuationȱinȱoneȱofȱtheȱHekhalotȱtexts,ȱaccordingȱtoȱwhichȱIsraelȱisȱanȱ
angelȱstandingȱinȱtheȱcenterȱofȱheavenȱandȱleadingȱtheȱheavenlyȱchoir.26ȱ
Onȱ theȱ otherȱ hand,ȱ thisȱ conceptȱ isȱ absentȱ fromȱ theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ Wisdom,ȱ
sinceȱ itȱ containsȱ noȱ hintȱ thatȱ Jacobȱ wasȱ thoughtȱ ofȱ asȱ anȱ angel,ȱ andȱ
althoughȱ heȱ wasȱ givenȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ angels,ȱ theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ Wisdomȱ
mostȱobviouslyȱperceivesȱhimȱasȱaȱman.ȱȱ
ȱ
Ifȱweȱtryȱtoȱreceiveȱaȱconclusionȱoutȱofȱtheȱcomparisonȱofȱtheȱtraditionsȱ
analyzedȱ soȱ far,ȱ showingȱ significantȱ jointȱ featuresȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ importantȱ
differences,ȱtheȱfollowingȱpictureȱemerges:ȱȱ
x Accordingȱ toȱ Wisdomȱ 10:10ȱ andȱ Shirȱ haȬShirimȱ Zutaȱ 1:4,ȱ Jacobȱ isȱ aȱ
manȱwhoȱinȱhisȱdreamȱreceivedȱheavenlyȱknowledge.ȱ
ȱ
22ȱ “Partizipationȱ anȱ derȱ Gnosisȱ derȱ Engel,”ȱ D.ȱ Georgi,ȱ “Weisheitȱ Salomos,“ȱ inȱ
UnterweisungȱinȱlehrhafterȱFormȱ(JSHRZȱ3,ȱGütersloh:ȱMohnȱ1980)ȱ391Ȭ478,ȱ438.ȱ
23ȱOnlyȱaȱfewȱlinesȱofȱthisȱtextȱareȱpreserved,ȱthanksȱtoȱtheirȱquotationȱinȱOrigen’sȱ
writings.ȱ
24ȱSmith,ȱ“TheȱPrayerȱofȱJoseph,”ȱ258.ȱ
25ȱSmith,ȱ“TheȱPrayerȱofȱJoseph,”ȱ256.ȱ
26ȱScholem,ȱDieȱjüdischeȱMystik,ȱ67,ȱandȱcf.ȱSmith,ȱ“TheȱPrayerȱofȱJoseph,”ȱ264.ȱ
;YSTICALȱANDȱMAGICALȱTRADITIONSȱ
191
x Inȱ theȱ “Prayerȱ ofȱ Joseph,”ȱ Jacob/Israel,ȱ beingȱ anȱ angel,ȱ perȱ seȱ ownsȱ
heavenlyȱknowledge.ȱ
x TheȱHekhalotȱtextsȱcombineȱbothȱtraditions:ȱIsraelȱisȱanȱangel,ȱandȱtheȱ
ladderȱ seenȱ byȱ Jacobȱ inȱ hisȱ dreamȱ isȱ aȱ paradigmȱ forȱ theȱ ascentȱ
throughȱwhichȱtheȱmysticȱgainsȱheavenlyȱknowledge.ȱ
Thus,ȱ onȱ theȱ oneȱ hand,ȱ Wisdomȱ 10:10ȱ isȱ theȱ earliestȱ witnessȱ forȱ aȱ
mysticalȱ receptionȱ ofȱ Genȱ 28:12,ȱ andȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ fewȱ attestationsȱ thatȱ
Jacobȱ madeȱ aȱ heavenlyȱ journey,27ȱ demonstratingȱ thatȱ theȱ mysticalȱ
receptionȱ ofȱ thisȱ Biblicalȱ verseȱ wasȱ notȱ anȱ innovationȱ ofȱ theȱ Hekhalotȱ
texts,ȱbutȱreliesȱonȱearlierȱtraditions.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱthereȱisȱnoȱdirectȱ
continuationȱ fromȱ theȱ mysticalȱ exegesisȱ embeddedȱ inȱ theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ
WisdomȱtoȱHekhalotȱmysticism.ȱ
Regardingȱ Shirȱ haȬShirimȱ Zuta,ȱ aȱ midrashicȱ compositionȱ whichȱ
apparentlyȱ wasȱ redactedȱ atȱ aȱ relativelyȱ lateȱ dateȱ (10thȱ century),ȱ theȱ
traditionȱ containedȱ inȱ Wisdomȱ 10:10ȱ isȱ aȱ furtherȱ indicationȱ thatȱ thisȱ
compositionȱmadeȱuseȱofȱancientȱsources.ȱ
THEȱPRIESTLYȱVESTMENTSȱ(WISDOMȱ18:20Ȭ25)ȱ
Inȱchapterȱ18:20Ȭ25,ȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdomȱretellsȱtheȱBiblicalȱstoryȱofȱtheȱ
revoltȱofȱtheȱIsraelitesȱagainstȱMosesȱandȱAaron,ȱoriginallyȱknownȱfromȱ
Numȱ 17:6Ȭ15.ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ theȱ textȱ inȱ Numbers,ȱ theȱ Lordȱ himselfȱ
reactedȱ andȱ startedȱ toȱ attackȱ theȱ rebelliousȱ Israelitesȱ byȱ meansȱ ofȱ aȱ
plague.ȱ Aaron,ȱ onȱ theȱ otherȱ hand,ȱ withȱ theȱ helpȱ ofȱ incense,ȱ madeȱ
atonementȱ forȱ theȱ peopleȱ andȱ thusȱ stoppedȱ theȱ plague.ȱ Althoughȱ
usuallyȱ presentingȱ ratherȱ briefȱ summariesȱ ofȱ theȱ biblicalȱ stories,ȱ atȱ thisȱ
veryȱ pointȱ theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ Wisdomȱ isȱ muchȱ moreȱ detailedȱ thanȱ Numbers:ȱ
Accordingȱ toȱ Wisdomȱ 18:21,ȱ Aaronȱ usedȱ “theȱ weaponȱ ofȱ hisȱ ownȱ
ministry,ȱ prayerȱ andȱ propitiationȱ byȱ incense,”ȱ theȱ followingȱ verseȱ saysȱ
thatȱAaronȱ“byȱhisȱwordȱ[…]ȱsubduedȱtheȱchastiser,ȱcallingȱtoȱmindȱtheȱ
oathsȱandȱcovenantsȱgivenȱtoȱtheȱfathers”ȱ(Wisdomȱ18:22).ȱVersesȱ23Ȭ25,ȱ
however,ȱ seemȱ toȱ presentȱ anȱ additionalȱ andȱ differentȱ versionȱ ofȱ howȱ
Aaronȱstoppedȱtheȱplague,ȱdepictedȱinȱthisȱtextsȱinȱaȱpersonalizedȱform28ȱ
asȱ“bitterȱanger”ȱ(kola,zwn,ȱv.ȱ22)ȱandȱ“destroyer”ȱ(ovleqreu,wn,ȱv.ȱ25):ȱ
Forȱwhenȱtheȱdeadȱhadȱalreadyȱfallenȱonȱoneȱanotherȱinȱheaps,ȱheȱintervened,ȱ
heldȱbackȱ theȱ anger,ȱ andȱ cutȱoffȱ itsȱ wayȱ toȱ theȱ living.ȱ Forȱ onȱ hisȱ fullȬlengthȱ
robeȱ theȱ wholeȱ worldȱ [o[loj o` ko,smoj]ȱ wasȱ depicted,ȱ andȱ theȱ gloriesȱ ofȱ theȱ
ȱ
27ȱThus,ȱSegalȱdoesȱnotȱevenȱlistȱJacobȱamongȱtheȱ“ascendingȱheroes”ȱofȱHellenisticȱ
Judaism,ȱ seeȱ A.F.ȱ Segal,ȱ “Heavenlyȱ Ascentȱ inȱ Hellenisticȱ Judaism,ȱ Earlyȱ Christianityȱ
andȱtheirȱEnvironment,”ȱinȱANRWȱ2.23.2ȱ(Berlin:ȱdeȱGruyterȱ1980)ȱ1333Ȭ94,ȱ1354.ȱ
28ȱ Thisȱ personalizationȱ hasȱ itsȱ biblicalȱ pointȱ ofȱ departureȱ inȱ Exodȱ 12:23;ȱ seeȱ
Schmitt,ȱWeisheit,ȱ78.ȱ
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<TEFANȱSCHORCHȱ
fathersȱ wereȱ engravedȱ onȱ theȱ fourȱ rowsȱ ofȱ stones,ȱ andȱ yourȱ majestyȱ wasȱ
representedȱonȱtheȱdiademȱonȱhisȱhead.ȱFromȱtheseȱtheȱdestroyerȱwithdrew,ȱ
theseȱ heȱ feared;ȱ forȱ merelyȱ theȱ experienceȱ ofȱ angerȱ wasȱ enough.ȱ (Wisdomȱ
18:23Ȭ25)ȱ
Whileȱinȱtheȱfirstȱversionȱofȱtheȱstory,ȱcontainedȱinȱversesȱ20Ȭ22,ȱitȱisȱtheȱ
“typicalȱ sapiential”ȱ featureȱ ofȱ “theȱ intercessoryȱ powerȱ ofȱ theȱ justȱ manȱ
whichȱ canȱ effectivelyȱ turnȱ awayȱ theȱ destructiveȱ powersȱ ofȱ divineȱ
punishment,”29ȱitȱisȱtheȱvestmentsȱofȱtheȱhighȱpriestȱbyȱmeansȱofȱwhichȱ
theȱ“destroyer”ȱisȱrepelled,ȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱsecondȱversionȱofȱtheȱstoryȱ
inȱversesȱ23Ȭ25.30ȱFromȱtheȱpartsȱofȱAaron’sȱvestmentsȱwhichȱareȱlistedȱinȱ
theȱHebrewȱtextȱofȱExodȱ28ȱasȱwellȱasȱinȱtheȱdescriptionȱofȱtheȱgarmentsȱ
ofȱ theȱ Highȱ priestȱ inȱ m.ȱYomaȱ 7:531ȱ theȱ followingȱ areȱ mentionedȱ inȱ theȱ
passageȱ underȱ discussion:ȱ Theȱ fullȬlengthȱ robeȱ (podh,rouj evndu,matoj,ȱ MTȱ
ʬʩʑʲʮʍ ),ȱtheȱfourȱrowsȱofȱstonesȱ(tetrasti,coj li,qoi)ȱonȱtheȱbreastpieceȱ(MTȱ
ʯ ʓ̌ ʧ),ȱ andȱ theȱ frontletȱ (dia,dhma kefalh/j,ȱ MTȱ ʵʩʑʶ),ȱ uponȱ whichȱ theȱ wordsȱ
ʤʥʤʩʬ ˇʓʣʷȱ wereȱ engraved,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ Exodȱ 28:36,ȱ orȱ solelyȱ theȱ
Tetragrammaton,ȱaccordingȱtoȱLateȱSecondȱTempleȱsources.32ȱRegardingȱ
theȱ contentȱ ofȱ thisȱ inscription,ȱ Wisdomȱ 18:24ȱ speaksȱ ofȱ megalwsu,nh souȱ
“yourȱ greatness.”ȱ Inȱ anyȱ case,ȱ dueȱ toȱ theȱ apotropaicȱ functionȱ ofȱ theseȱ
vestments,ȱtheȱdestroyerȱisȱunableȱtoȱpassȱAaronȱtheȱHighȱpriest.ȱThus,ȱ
accordingȱ toȱ Wisdomȱ 18,ȱ theȱ priestlyȱ vestmentsȱ inȱ themselvesȱ ownȱ anȱ
effectiveȱmagicalȱforce,ȱindependentȱfromȱtheȱritualȱcarriedȱout.ȱ
Thatȱ theȱ priestlyȱ vestmentsȱ areȱ perceivedȱ ofȱ asȱ havingȱ anȱ effectiveȱ
forceȱ isȱ notȱ aȱ featureȱ uniqueȱ toȱ theȱ currentȱ text,ȱ butȱ itȱ isȱ attestedȱ inȱ
sourcesȱ fromȱ theȱ corpusȱ ofȱ rabbinicalȱ literatureȱ asȱ well.ȱ Theȱ latter,ȱ
however,ȱ usuallyȱ relateȱ theȱ effectiveȱ forceȱ ofȱ theȱ vestmentsȱ toȱ theȱ
ȱ
29ȱ L.G.ȱ Perdue,ȱ Wisdomȱ andȱ Cult:ȱ Aȱ Criticalȱ Analysisȱ ofȱ theȱ Viewsȱ ofȱ Cultȱ inȱ theȱ
Wisdomȱ Literaturesȱ ofȱ Israelȱ andȱ theȱ Ancientȱ Nearȱ Eastȱ (SBLDSȱ 30,ȱ Missoula:ȱ Scholarsȱ
Pressȱ1977)ȱ224.ȱ
30ȱ Itȱ hasȱ beenȱ suggestedȱ byȱ SchwenkȬBresslerȱ thatȱ theȱ formulationȱ “byȱ hisȱ wordȱ
[lo,gw|]ȱheȱ[i.e.ȱAaron]ȱsubduedȱtheȱchastiser…”ȱ(Wisdomȱ18:22)ȱalludesȱtoȱtheȱpriestlyȱ
logeionȱ (U.ȱ SchwenkȬBressler,ȱ Sapientiaȱ Salomonisȱ alsȱ einȱ Beispielȱ frühjüdischerȱ
Textauslegung:ȱ dieȱ Auslegungȱ desȱ Buchesȱ Genesis,ȱ Exodusȱ 1Ȭ15ȱ undȱ Teilenȱ derȱ
WüstentraditionȱinȱSapȱ10Ȭ19ȱ[BEATAJȱ32,ȱFrankfurt:ȱLangȱ1993]ȱ290),ȱandȱthat,ȱasȱtheȱ
consequenceȱofȱthis,ȱtheȱpriestlyȱvestmentsȱareȱreferredȱtoȱalreadyȱinȱverseȱ22.ȱInȱlightȱ
ofȱ theȱ continuationȱ inȱ theȱ secondȱ partȱ ofȱ verseȱ 22,ȱ however,ȱ whichȱ explainsȱ Aaron’sȱ
useȱofȱtheȱwordȱasȱ“…callingȱtoȱmindȱ[u`pomnh,saj]ȱtheȱoathsȱandȱcovenantsȱgivenȱtoȱtheȱ
fathers”ȱ andȱ wasȱ obviouslyȱ meantȱ toȱ involveȱ aȱ speechȱ act,ȱ thisȱ seemsȱ ratherȱ
improbable.ȱ
31ȱSeeȱM.D.ȱSwartz,ȱ“TheȱSemioticsȱofȱtheȱPriestlyȱVestmentsȱinȱAncientȱJudaism,”ȱ
inȱSacrificeȱinȱReligiousȱExperienceȱ(ed.ȱA.I.ȱBaumgarten,ȱLeiden:ȱBrillȱ2002)ȱ57Ȭ80,ȱ61Ȭ63.ȱ
32ȱE.g.ȱJosephus,ȱAntiquitatesȱIIIȱviiȱ6;ȱPhilo,ȱVitaȱMosisȱ2:115;ȱ2:132.ȱ
=YSTICALȱANDȱMAGICALȱTRADITIONSȱ
193
functionȱofȱatonement,33ȱandȱnotȱtoȱapotropaicȱmagic,ȱasȱcanȱbeȱseenȱinȱ
theȱfollowingȱpassageȱfromȱtheȱBabylonianȱTalmud:ȱ
R.ȱAnaniȱbarȱSassonȱsaid:ȱWhyȱisȱtheȱpassageȱaboutȱtheȱsacrificesȱ[i.e.ȱLevȱ7]ȱ
placedȱnextȱtoȱtheȱpassageȱaboutȱtheȱpriestlyȱvestments?ȱToȱtellȱyouȱthatȱjustȱ
asȱtheȱsacrificesȱatoneȱsoȱdoȱtheȱvestmentsȱatone.ȱ(b.ȱZebah.ȱ88b)ȱ
Otherȱ sources,ȱ Jewishȱ hellenisticȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ rabbinic,ȱ illustrateȱ thatȱ theȱ
priestlyȱvestmentsȱwereȱexplainedȱinȱaȱsymbolicȱway.ȱMostȱprominently,ȱ
thisȱ isȱ theȱ caseȱ inȱ bothȱ Josephus’ȱ andȱ Philo’sȱ writings.34ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ
Philo’sȱLifeȱofȱMoses,ȱtheȱrobeȱofȱtheȱHighȱpriestȱisȱanȱimageȱofȱtheȱair,ȱ
whileȱ theȱ pomegranatesȱ onȱ theȱ robeȱ representȱ earthȱ andȱ waterȱ
respectively,ȱandȱtheȱbellsȱareȱsymbolsȱofȱtheȱharmonyȱbetweenȱtheȱtwo.ȱ
Similarly,ȱ linksȱ connectȱ theȱ ephodȱ withȱ theȱ heaven,ȱ andȱ theȱ twelveȱ
stonesȱonȱtheȱbreastpieceȱwithȱtheȱsignsȱofȱtheȱzodiac.35
Mostȱ obviously,ȱ thisȱ symbolicȱ elementȱ isȱ alreadyȱ containedȱ inȱ theȱ
way,ȱinȱwhichȱWisdomȱ18ȱperceivesȱtheȱpriestlyȱvestments,36ȱtellingȱthatȱ
onȱ theȱ Highȱ priest’sȱ fullȬlengthȱ robeȱ “theȱ wholeȱ world”ȱ (o[loj o` ko,smoj)ȱ
wasȱ depicted.ȱ However,ȱ thisȱ elementȱ isȱ notȱ theȱ centralȱ focusȱ ofȱ theȱ
interpretationȱinȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdom,ȱandȱitȱservesȱonlyȱasȱtheȱbasisȱforȱ
theȱ effectiveȱ magicalȱ forcesȱ theȱ vestmentsȱ own.ȱ Thisȱ marksȱ aȱ clearȱ
differenceȱ betweenȱ Josephus’ȱ andȱ Philo’sȱ perceptionȱ ofȱ theȱ priestlyȱ
garmentsȱ onȱ theȱ oneȱ hand,ȱ andȱ theȱ conceptȱ whichȱ standsȱ behindȱ
Wisdomȱ18,ȱonȱtheȱother.ȱȱ
Furtherȱ sourcesȱ whichȱ ascribeȱ aȱ magicȱ functionȱ toȱ theȱ priestlyȱ
vestmentsȱ doȱ notȱ seemȱ toȱ haveȱ beenȱ identifiedȱ soȱ far.ȱ Inȱ thisȱ regard,ȱ
however,ȱ theȱ Seferȱ haȬMalbushȱ (“Theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ theȱ Garment”)ȱ shouldȱ beȱ
ȱ
33ȱCompareȱtheȱinstrumentalȱdimensionȱisȱascribedȱtoȱtheȱpriestlyȱvestmentsȱinȱtheȱ
Avodahȱpiyyutim,ȱseeȱSwartz,ȱ“TheȱSemioticsȱofȱtheȱPriestlyȱVestments,”ȱ72Ȭ76.ȱ
34ȱ Josephus,ȱ Antiquitatesȱ IIIȱ viiȱ 7;ȱ Philo,ȱ Vitaȱ Mosisȱ 2:109Ȭ135;ȱ Spec.ȱ Leg.ȱ 1:84Ȭ97;ȱ
compareȱ B.ȱ Ponizy,ȱ “HighȬPriestlyȱ Ministrationȱ ofȱ Aaronȱ accordingȱ toȱ theȱ Bookȱ ofȱ
Wisdom,”ȱ inȱ Goldeneȱ Äpfelȱ inȱ silbernenȱ Schalen;ȱ Collectedȱ Communicationsȱ toȱ theȱ XIIIthȱ
CongressȱofȱtheȱInternationalȱOrganizationȱforȱtheȱStudyȱofȱtheȱOldȱTestament,ȱLeuven,ȱ1989ȱ
(eds.ȱ K.ȬD.ȱ Schunckȱ andȱ M.ȱ Augustin,ȱ Frankfurt:ȱ Langȱ 1992)ȱ 135Ȭ46,ȱ 143Ȭ44ȱ andȱ
Swartz,ȱ “Theȱ Semioticsȱ ofȱ theȱ Priestlyȱ Vestments,”ȱ 68Ȭ69.ȱ Forȱ aȱ comprehensiveȱ
analysisȱ ofȱ Philo’sȱ cosmologicalȱ interpretationȱ ofȱ theȱ Templeȱ seeȱ U.ȱ Früchtel,ȱ Dieȱ
kosmologischenȱ Vorstellungenȱ beiȱ Philoȱ vonȱ Alexandrien:ȱ Einȱ Beitragȱ zurȱ Geschichteȱ derȱ
Genesisexegeseȱ(ALGHJȱ2,ȱLeiden:ȱBrillȱ1968)ȱ69Ȭ112.ȱOnȱtheȱbasisȱofȱbothȱJosephus’ȱandȱ
Philo’sȱwritings,ȱSt.ȱJeromeȱdevelopedȱhisȱownȱsymbolicȱexplanationȱofȱtheȱvestments,ȱ
seeȱ R.ȱ Hayward,ȱ “St.ȱ Jeromeȱ andȱ theȱ Meaningȱ ofȱ theȱ HighȬPriestlyȱ Vestments,”ȱ inȱ
Hebrewȱ Studyȱ fromȱ Ezraȱ toȱ BenȬYehudaȱ (ed.ȱ W.ȱ Horbury,ȱ Edinburgh:ȱ T&Tȱ Clarkȱ 1999)ȱ
90Ȭ105.ȱ
35ȱSeeȱPhilo,ȱVitaȱMosisȱ2:117Ȭ124.ȱ
36ȱ“DerȱkosmologischeȱSymbolismusȱinȱSapȱ18ȱistȱdeutlichȱälterȱalsȱdieȱallegorischeȱ
AuslegungȱPhilos,ȱaberȱdochȱauchȱeindeutligȱverwandt,”ȱGeorgi,ȱ“WeisheitȱSalomos,”ȱ
467.ȱ
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>TEFANȱSCHORCHȱ
mentioned,ȱaȱJewishȱmysticalȬmagicalȱcompositionȱinȱHebrewȱlanguage,ȱ
datedȱbyȱScholemȱtoȱtheȱ7thȱcenturyȱCE.37ȱȱ
Theȱ mainȱ focusȱ ofȱ Seferȱ haȬMalbushȱ isȱ theȱ magicalȬmysticalȱ ritualȱ ofȱ
“puttingȱ onȱ theȱ name”ȱ (ʭʹʤ ʺʹʩʡʬ),ȱ basicallyȱ consistingȱ ofȱ puttingȱ onȱ aȱ
robeȱ madeȱ fromȱ theȱ skinȱ ofȱ aȱ gazelleȱ andȱ aȱ frontletȱ fromȱ metal,ȱ bothȱ
inscribedȱwithȱmagicalȱnames.ȱThanksȱtoȱtheseȱvestments,ȱtheȱmagicianȱ
gainsȱtheȱmagicalȱpowerȱheȱseeksȱfor.ȱJudgingȱfromȱbothȱtheȱcontextȱasȱ
wellȱasȱtheȱexpressionsȱusedȱinȱtheȱrelevantȱpassagesȱitȱisȱentirelyȱclear,ȱ
thatȱtheȱvestmentsȱreferredȱtoȱinȱSeferȱhaȬMalbushȱareȱthoughtȱofȱasȱactualȱ
realizationsȱ ofȱ theȱ Highȱ priest’sȱ vestmentsȱ whichȱ areȱ describedȱ inȱ
Exodusȱ andȱ inȱ theȱ Mishna.ȱ Thus,ȱ Seferȱ haȬMalbushȱ providesȱ aȱ clearȱ
attestationȱ forȱ theȱ magicalȱ interpretationȱ ofȱ theȱ vestmentsȱ ofȱ theȱ Highȱ
priestȱandȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheȱaccountȱinȱWisdomȱ18:23Ȭ25ȱshouldȱbeȱseenȱ
asȱpartȱofȱanȱbroaderȱstreamȱofȱinterpretationȱandȱreȬinterpretation.ȱȱ
Moreover,ȱ theȱ observationȱ thatȱ Wisdomȱ 18:23Ȭ25ȱ preservesȱ anȱ
magicalȱ interpretationȱ ofȱ theȱ highȬpriestlyȱ vestmentsȱ isȱ notȱ onlyȱ
importantȱforȱtheȱunderstandingȱofȱthisȱpieceȱofȱWisdomȱliterature,ȱbutȱ
itȱ alsoȱ providesȱ valuableȱ informationȱ regardingȱ theȱ originsȱ ofȱ Jewishȱ
magic:ȱItȱhasȱbeenȱsuggestedȱthatȱmagicalȱritualsȱwereȱregarded,ȱatȱleastȱ
toȱsomeȱextant,ȱasȱ“substitutes”ȱofȱritualsȱoriginallyȱboundȱtoȱtheȱtempleȱ
ofȱ Jerusalem,38ȱ attestingȱ aȱ “transitionȱ fromȱ Templeȱ toȱ magicalȱ ritual.”39ȱ
Wisdomȱ 18:23Ȭ25,ȱ writtenȱ atȱ aȱ time,ȱ whenȱ theȱ templeȱ ofȱ Jerusalemȱ wasȱ
stillȱfunctioningȱwithȱtheȱministryȱofȱtheȱHighȱpriestȱstillȱtakingȱplaceȱinȱ
it,ȱleadsȱtoȱaȱsomewhatȱdifferentȱpicture.ȱTheȱpassageȱdemonstratesȱthatȱ
theȱ magicalȱ interpretationȱ ofȱ theȱ Highȱ priestlyȱ ritualȱ wasȱ alreadyȱ inȱ
existenceȱbeforeȱtheȱdestructionȱofȱtheȱTempleȱandȱitsȱcult.ȱ
CONCLUSIONȱ
LookingȱatȱtheȱtraditionsȱregardingȱJacob’sȱdreamȱandȱtheȱvestmentsȱofȱ
theȱHighȱpriest,ȱwhichȱsurfaceȱinȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdom,ȱweȱhaveȱtoȱrealizeȱ
ȱ
37ȱ Seeȱ G.ȱ Scholem,ȱ Articleȱ “Kabbalah,”ȱ inȱ Encyclopediaȱ Judaicaȱ (CDȬROMȱ editionȱ
1997),ȱ“beginningȱofȱtheȱgeonicȱera”.ȱTheȱoldestȱmanuscriptsȱofȱthisȱcompositionȱdateȱ
toȱtheȱ11thȱ centuryȱCE.ȱ Althoughȱtheȱ highȱimportanceȱofȱthisȱcompositionȱwasȱ notedȱ
sinceȱ longȱ ago,ȱ itȱ wasȱ editedȱ forȱ theȱ firstȱ timeȱ onlyȱ recentlyȱ byȱ Irinaȱ Wandrey,ȱ “Dasȱ
Buchȱ desȱ Gewandes”ȱ undȱ “Dasȱ Buchȱ desȱ Aufrechten:”ȱ Dokumenteȱ einesȱ magischenȱ
spätantikenȱRituals,ȱediert,ȱkommentiertȱundȱübersetztȱ(TSAJȱ96,ȱTübingen:ȱMohrȱSiebeckȱ
2004).ȱ
38ȱ M.D.ȱ Swartz,ȱ “Sacrificialȱ Themesȱ inȱ Jewishȱ Magic,”ȱ inȱ Magicȱ andȱ Ritualȱ inȱ theȱ
Ancientȱ Worldȱ (eds.ȱ P.ȱ Mireckiȱ andȱ M.ȱ Meyer,ȱ RGRWȱ 141,ȱ Leiden:ȱ Brillȱ 2002)ȱ 303Ȭ15,ȱ
307Ȭ15.ȱ Aȱ veryȱ detailedȱ andȱ wellȱ balancedȱ analysisȱ ofȱ theȱ interpretationȱ ofȱ theȱ culticȱ
traditionȱ ofȱ theȱ Jerusalemȱ templeȱ inȱ Jewishȱ magicȱ isȱ providedȱ byȱ D.ȱ Salzer,ȱ Bibliaȱ
magica:ȱ DerȱGebrauchȱbiblischerȱAnspielungenȱinȱdenȱmagischenȱ TextenȱderȱKairoerȱGenizaȱ
(Dissertation,ȱFreieȱUniversitätȱBerlinȱ2008)ȱ335Ȭ64.ȱȱ
39ȱSwartz,ȱ“SacrificialȱThemes,”ȱ315.ȱ
?YSTICALȱANDȱMAGICALȱTRADITIONSȱ
195
thatȱ thisȱ compositionȱ hasȱ someȱ strongȱ linksȱ withȱ theȱ mysticalȱ andȱ
magicalȱ traditionȱ ofȱ Judaism.ȱ Thus,ȱ onȱ theȱ oneȱ handȱ side,ȱ theȱ Jewishȱ
magicalȱ andȱ mysticalȱ literatureȱ mayȱ provideȱ importantȱ insidesȱ intoȱ
someȱpassagesȱinȱtheȱBookȱofȱWisdom.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱhowever,ȱtheȱ
Bookȱ ofȱ Wisdomȱ contributesȱ someȱ importantȱ informationȱ toȱ theȱ
question,ȱ howȱ andȱ whereȱ weȱ mayȱ findȱ theȱ backgroundȱ outȱ ofȱ whichȱ
theseȱtraditionsȱdeveloped.ȱ
ȱ
ȱ