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THE SUBVERSION OF THE APOCALYPSES
IN THE BOOK OF JUBILEES
Todd R. Hanneken
Society of Biblical Literature
Atlanta

THE SUBVERSION OF THE APOCALYPSES
IN THE BOOK OF JUBILEES
Copyright © 2012 by the Society of Biblical Literature
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hanneken, Todd Russell.
The subversion of the apocalypses in the Book of Jubilees / by Todd R. Hanneken.
p. cm. — (Early Judaism and its literature ; no. 34)
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
ISBN 978-1-58983-642-6 (paper binding : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-58983-643-3
(electronic format)
1. Book of Jubilees—Criticism, Textual. 2. Apocalyptic literature—History and criticism.
3. Hebrew language—Morphology. I. Title.
BS1830.J8H37 2012
229'.911—dc23 2012003461
Printed on acid-free, recycled paper conforming to
ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (R1997) and ISO 9706:1994
standards for paper permanence.

Contents
Preface ................................................................................................................ix
Abbreviations ................................................................................................. xiii
1. Introduction ................................................................................................1
1.1. The Problem 3
1.1.1. Overestimating the Similarity to the Apocalypses 5
1.1.2. Underestimating the Similarity to the Apocalypses 8
1.2. The Solution 11
1.2.1. Distinguish Layers of Abstraction: Literary
Morphology, Typical Ideas, and Social Context 11
1.2.2. Define the Genre Based on Literary Morphology 16
1.2.3. Other Layers Follow: Ideas, Social Movements,
and Function 22
1.2.4. Jubilees Uses the Typical Literary Morphology to
Express Atypical Ideas 24
1.3. Introductory Examples of Subversion 26
1.3.1. Survey of Pervasive and Structurally Significant
Use of the Literary Genre 26
1.3.2. Evil, Injustice, and the Lack Thereof 31
1.3.3. Eschatology 38
1.3.4. Conclusion 49
2. The Spatial Axis ........................................................................................51
2.1. Angels and Demons 53
2.1.1. Before the Flood: The Origin of Evil 54
2.1.1.1. The Enochic Apocalypses 54
2.1.1.2. The Danielic Apocalypses 57
2.1.1.3. Jubilees 57
2.1.2. After the Flood: The Persistence of Demons 60
2.1.2.1. The Early Apocalypses 61

vi
CONTENTS
2.1.2.2. Jubilees 61
2.1.3. Angelic Mediation 64
2.1.3.1. Evidence outside the Apocalypses 64
2.1.3.2. The Early Apocalypses 68
2.1.3.3. Jubilees 69
2.1.4. The Leader of Evil 70
2.1.4.1. Terms, Names, and Titles 71
2.1.4.2. Satan in Nonapocalypse Received Scriptures 75
2.1.4.3. The Early Apocalypses 76
2.1.4.4. Mastema in Jubilees 77
2.1.5. Angels and Demons in the Eschatological Crisis
and Restoration 82
2.1.5.1. The Early Apocalypses 83
2.1.5.2. Jubilees 84
2.2. Humans 88
2.2.1. Groups 88
2.2.1.1. Third Isaiah 90
2.2.1.2. The Enochic Apocalypses 91
2.2.1.3. The Danielic Apocalypses 95
2.2.1.4. Jubilees 97
2.2.2. Violence 105
2.2.2.1. The Enochic Apocalypses 107
2.2.2.2. The Danielic Apocalypses 108
2.2.2.3. Jubilees 111
3. The Temporal Axis .................................................................................119
3.1. The Decline of History 120
3.1.1. The Enochic Apocalypses 120
3.1.2. The Danielic Apocalypses and the Book of Daniel 123
3.1.3. Jubilees 125
3.2. The Final Woes 127
3.2.1. The Enochic Apocalypses 129
3.2.2. The Danielic Apocalypses 135
3.2.3. Jubilees 136
3.2.3.1. The “Final Woes” Are Just Chastisement
from God as Prescribed by the Covenant 136
3.2.3.2. The “Final Woes” Have Already Been Fulfilled 138
3.2.3.3. The White Children 144
3.3. The Judgment 148

CONTENTS
vii
3.3.1. The Enochic Apocalypses 149
3.3.2. The Danielic Apocalypses and the Book of Daniel 151
3.3.3. Jubilees 153
3.3.3.1. Jubilees 23 154
3.3.3.2. The Judgment Discourse in Jubilees 5 157
3.3.3.3. The Role of Enoch in Judgment 158
3.3.3.4. The Judgment of Individual Nations 161
3.4. The Restoration 165
3.4.1. Third Isaiah 166
3.4.2. The Enochic Apocalypses 167
3.4.3. The Danielic Apocalypses and the Book of Daniel 170
3.4.4. Jubilees 171
3.4.4.1. The Restoration in Jubilees 23 Is Gradual
and Has Already Begun 172
3.4.4.2. Jubilees 1:26–29 Identifies the Indwelling
of the Sanctuary in the Restoration with the
Indwelling of the Sanctuary of Aaron 174
3.4.4.3. The Law Revealed at Sinai Will Not Be
Surpassed 181
3.4.4.4. The Separation of the Israelites Was Planned
from the Beginning 183
3.4.4.5. The Borders of the Land of Israel Will Be
Restored, Not Dissolved 187
3.4.4.6. The Eschatological Calendar Will Restore,
Not Replace, the Calendar Observed in the Past
and in Heaven 190
3.5. Conclusion 193
4. The View of Revelation ..........................................................................195
4.1. The Use and View of Received Authority 196
4.1.1. The Enochic Apocalypses 201
4.1.1.1. The Use of Enochic Traditions 202
4.1.1.2. The Use of Non-Enochic Jewish Traditions 203
4.1.2. The Danielic Apocalypses 207
4.1.2.1. The Use of Danielic Traditions 207
4.1.2.2. The Use of Non-Danielic Jewish Traditions 212
4.1.3. Jubilees 217
4.1.3.1. The Heavenly Tablets 220
4.1.3.2. Departures from Genesis and Exodus 225

viii
CONTENTS
4.2. The Dependence of Revelation on Wisdom 236
4.2.1. The Enochic Apocalypses 240
4.2.2. The Danielic Apocalypses 242
4.2.3. Jubilees 246
4.2.3.1. Revelation without the Elitism of Wisdom 247
4.2.3.2. Revelation Made Unambiguous and Accessible 252
5. Explanation .............................................................................................259
5.1. Literary Insights into the Author’s Process 261
5.2. Literary Insights into the Audience’s Process 266
5.3. Historical Context 272
5.4. Cultural Context 284
5.5. Conclusion 290
Bibliography ...................................................................................................295
Index of Ancient Sources..............................................................................313
Index of Modern Authors.............................................................................325
Index of Subjects ............................................................................................329