4QInstruction has enriched our understanding of the way Second Temple Jewish authors interpreted Genesis 1-3. This Qumran text provides a fuller sense of the ways the figure of Adam was read during that period by adding a sectarian and primarily positive take on the biblical portrayals of the first human. Further, with 4QInstruction we are able to identify traditions that influenced other Early Jewish authors, such as Philo and the author of 4 Ezra. Philo's double creation accounts in Leg. 1.31-32 and Opif. 134-35 suggest that, although significantly influenced by Hellenistic thought, his interpretation of Genesis 1-3 was also shaped by Palestinian Jewish tradition. The author of 4 Ezra, although colored by the apocalyptic tradition in light of the destruction of the temple, turns to Genesis 1-3 exegetical traditions attested in 4QInstruction primarily to articulate the future rewards of righteous Israelites who obey the Torah. It is reasonable that Philo and 4 Ezra appropriated and reworked exegetical traditions regarding Genesis 1-3 attested in Palestinian wisdom literature in Palestine in the second century B.C.E. 4QInstruction also allows us to observe a larger shift from reading Adam in a sectarian manner in association with the elect and the angels in the second century B.C.E. to the primary way to account for human sinfulness in the first century C.E. This is exemplified in 4 Ezra. 4QInstruction not only provides a better understanding of the traditions used by individual Second Temple authors, the more complete picture of how Adam was interpreted during this period reveals a larger trend that was not available before the publication of this sapiential Qumran text. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Religion in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2013. / June 4, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references. / Matthew Goff, Professor Directing Dissertation; Jennifer Koslow, University Representative; Nicole Kelley, Committee Member; Trevor Luke, Committee Member; David Levenson, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_253350 |
| Contributors | Naizer, Eric Raymond (authoraut), Goff, Matthew (professor directing dissertation), Koslow, Jennifer (university representative), Kelley, Nicole (committee member), Luke, Trevor (committee member), Levenson, David (committee member), Department of Religion (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
Page generated in 0.0018 seconds