The Spirit in First-Century Judaism

by Levison, John R.

• ISBN13: 9780391041318
• ISBN10: 0391041312
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub

Summary

The Spirit in First Century Judaism mirrors the growing recognition that the role of the Spirit in Judaism and early Christianity warrants further scholarly inquiry and moreover lays a cornerstone in the foundation of pneumatological studies by scouring the writings of the likes of Plato and Plutarch, Daniel and the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as those of Philo of Alexandria and Flavius Josephus. Levison contextualizes the material both historically and literarily, taking seriously the influence of popular Greco-Roman thinking as well as Jewish exegetical traditions. Convincingly argued, cogently presented, and thoroughly documented, this volume, in the words of the Journal of Jewish Studies, has profound ramifications for both Jewish and New Testament Studies. This publication has also been published in hardback, please click here for details."

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Introduction	1	(26)
Discerning an Appropriate Method	4	(13)
The Isolation of Exegetical Movements	4	(1)
The Identification of Relevant Milieux	5	(1)
The Elucidation of Particulars	6	(1)
Cicero	7	(3)
Plutarch	10	(3)
Cicero and Plutarch	13	(4)
Consulting Influential Antecedents	17	(10)
Paul Volz and the Vitality of Early Judaism	17	(2)
Hans Leisegang and popular Greco-Roman Religious Philosophies	19	(6)
PART ONE AN ANOMALOUS PROPHET
Prospect	25	(2)
The Spirit as an Invading Angel	27	(29)
Exegetical Movements	27	(6)
The Angel and the Spirit	28	(2)
Loss of Mental Control	30	(3)
Relevant Milieux	33	(21)
Israelite Literature	34	(8)
Platonic Literature	42	(4)
Plutarch	46	(8)
Summary	54	(2)
The Spirit as Life Itself	56	(28)
The Spirit as Life Itself	57	(8)
Exegetical Movements	57	(2)
Relevant Milieu: Israelite Literature	59	(1)
Genesis 6:3	59	(3)
Wisdom Literature	62	(2)
Summary	64	(1)
The Spirit as the Holy Spirit	65	(11)
Exegitical Movements	65	(1)
Relevant Milieux	65	(1)
Israelite Literature	65	(2)
Greek and Latin Literature	67	(1)
Stoicism and the Spirit	67	(5)
Greek Danielic Literature	72	(1)
The Dead Sea Scrolls	73	(3)
Summary	76	(8)
Retrospect	78	(5)
PART TWO AN ECLECTIC ERA
Prospect	83	(1)
The Spirit and Human Transformation: Palestinian and Dispora Perspectives	84	(15)
Pseudo-Philo's Exegetical Movements	84	(6)
Kenaz's Military Prowess	84	(4)
Gideon's Military Prowess	88	(2)
Philo Judaeus' Exegetical Movements	90	(7)
Abraham's Ancestral Character	91	(2)
Abraham's Rhetorical Prowess	93	(4)
Summary	97	(2)
The Spirit and Prophetic Transformation: A Palestinian Perspective	99	(32)
Exegetical Movements	99	(10)
Joshua's Prophecy to Israel	99	(3)
Shared Prophetic Experiences of Kenaz and Saul	102	(2)
Kenaz's Vision Amongst the Elders	104	(5)
Relevant Milieux	109	(19)
Early Jewish Accounts of Ascent	109	(5)
Popular Greco-Roman Culture	114	(14)
Summary	128	(3)
The Spirit and Philosophical Transformation: Diaspora Perspectives	131	(37)
Josephus and Jewish Philanthropy	131	(6)
Exegetical Movements	131	(2)
The Relevant Stoic Milieu	133	(4)
Philo Judaeus and the Ascent of the Mind	137	(6)
Exegetical Movements	137	(1)
Plant. 18-26	138	(1)
Gig. 19-55	139	(3)
Summary	142	(1)
Relevant Milieux	143	(15)
The Sapiential Tradition	143	(1)
Stoicism and the Sapiential Tradition	144	(7)
Philosophical Ascent and Platonism	151	(7)
Summary	158	(10)
Retrospect	161	(6)
PART THREE AN EXTRAORDINARY MIND
Prospect	167	(1)
The Spirit and Extraordinary Insight	168	(22)
Exegetical Movements	168	(10)
Daniel according to Josephus	168	(3)
Moses according to Philo Judaeus	171	(1)
Three Sorts of Inspired Oracles	171	(2)
Moses as a Prophet ``in the Strict Sense''	173	(3)
Joseph according to Philo Judaeus	176	(1)
Summary	177	(1)
Relevant Milieux	178	(5)
The Israelite and Early Jewish Sapiential Tradition	178	(1)
The Spirit of Wisdom and Israel's Leading Figures	178	(3)
The Spirit of Wisdom and the Messianic Servant	181	(2)
Socrates' Daemon in Greco-Roman Discussion	183	(7)
The Spirit and Inspired Exegesis	190	(27)
Autobiographical Reflection	190	(4)
Relevant Milieux	194	(16)
Israelite and Early Jewish Literature	194	(14)
The Greco-Roman Milieu	208	(2)
Summary	210	(7)
Retrospect	212	(5)
RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT
Retrospect	217	(20)
The Spirit and the Human Spirit	217	(3)
The Spirit and the Extraordinary Power	220	(6)
The Spirit and the Military Hero	220	(1)
The Spirit and the Prophet	221	(2)
The Spirit and the Ideal Ruler	223	(1)
The Spirit and the Philosopher	224	(2)
The Spirit and Cosmic Unity	226	(3)
The Spirit and the Temple	226	(1)
The Spirit and the Sage	227	(2)
The Spirit and Angelic Presence	229	(6)
An Invading Angel	229	(3)
A Customary Friend	232	(3)
Summary	235	(2)
Prospect	237	(24)
The Spirit and Individual Authors	238	(6)
The Spirit and Prophecy	244	(10)
The Spirit and Charismatic Exegesis	254	(7)
APPENDIX: Essential Data on Philo Judaeus, Pseudo-Philo's Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum, and Josephus	261	(12)
ABBREVIATIONS	273	(3)
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY	276	(5)
INDEXES	281	(1)
Ancient Sources	281	(15)
Subjects and Ancient Names	296	(5)
Modern Authors	301