Theologies in Confl ict in 4 Ezra Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism Editor John J. Collins The Divinity School, Yale University Associate Editors Florentino García Martínez Qumran Institute, University of Groningen Hindy Najman Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations University of Toronto Advisory Board j. duhaime – a. hilhorst – p.w. van der horst a. klostergaard petersen – m.a. knibb j.t.a.g.m. van ruiten – j. sievers – g. stemberger e.j.c. tigchelaar – j. tromp VOLUME 130 Theologies in Confl ict in 4 Ezra Wisdom Debate and Apocalyptic Solution By Karina Martin Hogan LEIDEN • BOSTON 2008 This book is printed on acid-free paper. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication-Data Hogan, Karina Martin. Theologies in confl ict in 4 Ezra : wisdom, debate, and apocalyptic solution / by Karina Martin Hogan. p. cm. — (Supplements to the Journal for the study of Judaism) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-90-04-12969-6 (hardback : alk. paper) 1. Bible. O.T. Ezra IV—Criticism, interpretation, etc. 2. Covenants—Biblical teaching. 3. Eschatology—Biblical teaching. I. Title. II. Series. BS1355.52.H64 2008 229’.106—dc22 2008032872 ISSN 1384-2161 ISBN 978 90 04 12969 6 Copyright 2008 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands. Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Hotei Publishing, IDC Publishers, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers and VSP. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Koninklijke Brill NV provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Suite 910, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. Fees are subject to change. printed in the netherlands For John, Maeve and Aoife CONTENTS Acknowledgements ..................................................................... xi Abbreviations .............................................................................. xiii Chapter One Introduction and History of Scholarship on 4 Ezra ...................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ....................................................................... 1 2. Major Trends in the History of Scholarship on 4 Ezra ... 9 2.1 The Source-Critical Approach ................................. 9 2.2 Fourth Ezra as Theological Debate ......................... 15 2.3 The Literary-Psychological Approach ..................... 21 2.4 Moving Toward a Synthesis .................................... 32 3. The Present Study ............................................................. 35 Chapter Two The Sapiential Background of the Confl icting Theologies in the Dialogues of 4 Ezra .................................. 41 1. Introduction ....................................................................... 41 2. Eschatological Wisdom: 4QInstruction ............................ 45 2.1 Epistemology: Revealed Wisdom ............................. 48 2.2 Election and Determinism ....................................... 52 2.3 Anthropology and Interpretation of Genesis 1–3 ... 54 2.4 Divine Justice and Mercy ......................................... 60 2.5 Eschatology: The Final Judgment and Salvation of the Righteous ............................................................ 61 2.6 4QInstruction in Relation to the Wisdom and Apocalyptic Traditions ............................................. 66 3. Covenantal Wisdom: Sirach and Baruch 3:9–4:4 ............ 71 3.1 The Wisdom-Torah Synthesis ................................. 76 3.2 Election and Covenant ............................................. 85 3.3 Anthropology and Moral Responsibility ................. 89 3.4 Epistemology ............................................................. 93 3.5 Divine Judgment and Mercy ................................... 96 3.6 The Place of Sirach and Baruch 3:9–4:4 in the Wisdom Tradition .................................................... 98 viii contents Chapter Three The Dialogues of 4 Ezra as a Wisdom Debate .................................................................................... 101 1. Introduction ....................................................................... 101 2. Narrative Overview of the Dialogues ............................... 103 3. The Content of the Debate ............................................... 111 3.1 Anthropology and Moral Responsibility ................. 112 3.2 Epistemology ............................................................. 120 3.3 Election, Covenant and Salvation ........................... 126 3.4 The Signifi cance of the Torah ................................. 134 3.5 Divine Justice and Mercy ......................................... 143 4. The Eschatology of the Dialogues .................................... 151 5. The Outcome of the Dialogues: Ezra’s Fourth Lament ... 153 Chapter Four The Apocalyptic Solution of the Visions ......... 159 1. Introduction ....................................................................... 159 2. Narrative Overview of Ezra’s Transformation ................. 162 2.1 Prior to the Turning Point: “Consoling” the Mourning Woman .................................................... 163 2.2 The Turning Point of Ezra’s Transformation ......... 166 2.3 After the Turning Point: The Completion of Ezra’s Transformation .............................................. 168 3. The Content of the Visions ............................................... 173 3.1 The Vision of the Mourning Woman Interpreted ... 174 3.2 The Vision of the Eagle and its Interpretation ....... 178 Excursus 1: The Details of the Vision of the Eagle and its Date .............................................................. 182 3.3 The Vision of the Man from the Sea and its Interpretation ............................................................ 185 Excursus 2: The Messiah: Son or Servant of the Most High? ............................................................... 195 3.4 Conclusions on the Vision of the Man from the Sea 198 4. The Eschatology of the Visions ........................................ 199 Chapter Five The Epilogue and the Context and Purpose of 4 Ezra .................................................................................... 205 1. The Epilogue ..................................................................... 205 1.1 New Moses and Renewed Torah ............................ 207 1.2 Ezra’s Speech to the People ..................................... 212 1.3 Ezra’s Scribal Legacy ............................................... 214 1.4 The Pseudepigraphic Setting ................................... 218 contents ix 2. The Author’s Social Location and Purpose ..................... 222 2.1 Social Location and Intended Audience ................. 222 2.2 The Purpose of 4 Ezra ............................................. 227 3. Conclusion ......................................................................... 231 Bibliography ................................................................................ 237 Indices Ancient Sources ...................................................................... 253 Modern Authors ..................................................................... 269