Jewish tradition and mythology
 

I know we've previously discussed the biblical use of Jewish tradition and mythology in the book of Jude as a reference from current culture to support biblical concepts. Could the same could be true for the Nephilim and Melchizedek?

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Genesis 6:1-8 is often seen as incorporating elements from ancient Near Eastern and Jewish traditions to convey themes about humanity's depravity before the Flood:

*Borrowed Elements:*
1. Divine beings (Nephilim) and human intermarriage: Similar to Greek mythology's demigods and Mesopotamian tales of divine-human hybrids.
2. Giant legends: Found in various ancient cultures, including the Rephaim in Ugaritic texts.
3. Corruption and violence: Echoes Mesopotamian flood accounts (e.g., Epic of Gilgamesh).

*Jewish Tradition and Mythology:*
1. Book of Enoch (6-11): Expands on Genesis 6, detailing angelic descent and human corruption.
2. Book of Jasher (4:15-16): Similar account of angelic beings and human wickedness.
3. Targumic and Midrashic interpretations: Emphasize the wickedness of the Nephilim.

*Genesis 6's Unique Emphasis:*
1. Focus on humanity's depravity, rather than divine beings' actions.
2. Connection to the Flood narrative, highlighting God's judgment.
3. Theological theme: Humanity's sinfulness and God's righteous response.

*Theological Implications:*
1. Human wickedness necessitates divine judgment.
2. God's sovereignty and righteousness in the face of human corruption.
3. The Flood as a catalyst for new creation.

*Recommended Resources:*
1. "The Book of Enoch" translated by R.H. Charles
2. "The Book of Jasher" translated by J.H. Parry
3. "Genesis 1-11" by Gordon J. Wenham (Word Biblical Commentary)
4. "The Targums" by John F. Healey

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Melchizedek is a pivotal figure in Jewish tradition and mythology, providing background for understanding the Book of Hebrews:

*Biblical Account:*
Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4

*Jewish Tradition:*
1. Targums: Melchizedek is identified as Shem, Noah's son.
2. Talmud (Nedarim 32b): Melchizedek is considered a righteous Gentile.
3. Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 43:8): Melchizedek's priesthood is seen as superior to Abraham's.

*Mythological and Apocryphal Accounts:*
1. Book of Jasher (Chapter 16): Expands on Melchizedek's story, emphasizing his priestly role.
2. Book of Enoch (69:1-12): Melchizedek is associated with the archangel Michael.
3. 2 Enoch (71-72): Melchizedek's ascension and enthronement are described.

*Qumran Texts:*
1. 11QMelchizedek (11Q13): Presents Melchizedek as a heavenly figure, leading angels.
2. 4QAmram (4Q544-547): Melchizedek is depicted as a divine being.

*Hebrews' Use of Melchizedek:*
Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:1-17

The author of Hebrews uses Melchizedek to:
1. Establish Jesus' priesthood as superior to the Levitical order.
2. Emphasize Jesus' eternal and unchanging priesthood.
3. Illustrate Jesus' role as mediator between God and humanity.

*Implications:*
*Hebrews presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Melchizedek's priestly role.
*The Book of Hebrews uses Melchizedek to demonstrate Jesus' superiority over the Old Covenant.

*Recommended Resources:*
1. "The Melchizedek Tradition" by Frederick L. Horton Jr.
2. "Melchizedek: Genesis 14, Psalm 110, and the Malki-zedek Tradition" by John D. W. Watts
3. "The Hebrews' Use of Melchizedek" by Eric F. Mason

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The Book of Jude draws upon Jewish tradition and mythology to address early Christian concerns:

*Specific References:*
1. Jude 6: Fallen angels (1 Enoch 6-11; Genesis 6:1-4)
2. Jude 7: Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19; 2 Peter 2:6-7)
3. Jude 9: Michael's dispute with Satan (Daniel 10:13-21; 1 Enoch 20:1-8)
4. Jude 11: Cain, Balaam, Korah (Genesis 4:8; Numbers 16:1-35; 31:16)
5. Jude 14-15: Enoch's prophecy (1 Enoch 1:9; 60:1-10)

*Jewish Tradition and Mythology:*
1. Book of Enoch: Influences Jude's language and concepts.
2. Book of Jasher: Shared themes and motifs.
3. Targums and Midrashim: Interpretive traditions reflected in Jude.
4. Jewish apocalyptic literature: Similarities in style and themes.

*Theological Emphases:*
1. Warning against false teachers and apostasy.
2. Emphasis on God's judgment and punishment.
3. Importance of faithfulness and perseverance.

*Interpretive Considerations:*
1. Jude's use of Jewish tradition reinforces Christian doctrine.
2. Allusions to Jewish mythology underscore moral lessons.
3. Jude's brief, urgent tone reflects early Christian concerns.

*Recommended Resources:*
1. "The Book of Enoch" translated by R.H. Charles
2. "The Book of Jasher" translated by J.H. Parry
3. "The Jewish Apocalyptic Tradition" by John J. Collins
4. "The Epistle of Jude" by Richard Bauckham (Word Biblical Commentary)

Re: Jewish tradition and mythology
 

I don't know about "Mesopotamian tales of divine-human hybrids", as there are a lot of claims made about Mesopotamian religious beliefs that turn out to be not quite so accurate. However, I would say that the pagan beliefs in "divine-human hybrids" is a case of THEM borrowing from the Bible. Or rather, they are both telling the same story, but one version is correct and the other is corrupted. The belief in demigods (near-superhuman heroes descended from marriages or relations between gods and humans) is the corrupted version of the Genesis account of the sons of God and the daughters of men and the mighty men which were the result of those unions.

The Bible also mentions "giants", and so do the pagan legends. However, there has been extensive archaeological evidence of "giants" existing in the past. So if there were giants, then it would make sense that the Bible records that information, as well as the local histories of the cultures involved and related to the original Adamic culture.

As for an age of violence and corruption in the Mesopotamian accounts, we should remember that Abraham was from Mesopotamia, that Mesopotamia is where the descendants of Noah established themselves after the Flood. So of course that culture will have the story of the Flood and the basic gist of what led up to it.

I think it has generally been established that the story of Samson is in fact the source of the Greek Heracles myths. Just because a pagan culture has a story similar to a Biblical account does not mean that the Bible borrowed it from the pagans. It is likely very often the other way around.

In fact, we often hear about for example how the catholics borrowed the trinity from Hinduism and other pagan triadic concepts. Yet the Hindu trinity (Trimurka) is actually later in date than the catholic trinity, and was apparently a Hindu adaptation of catholic concepts imported into India in the early medieval period.

The "timeline" of history has been intentionally corrupted by the gatekeepers, in other words.

Re: Jewish tradition and mythology
 

Bible interpretation is a slippery slope.
You can either over literalize it or over symbolize it.
And I think that's particularly true for Genesis 1-6 and Revelation.

And it seems that a person's views on Eschatology heavily influences interpretation.

Re: Jewish tradition and mythology
 

:highfive