The Prophet Elijah In The Literature Of The Second Temple Period: The Growth Of A Tradition

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO THE PROPHET ELIJAH IN THE LITERATURE OF THE SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD: THE GROWTH OF A TRADITION A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY O F THE DIVINITY SCHOOL IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY BRENDA J. SHAVER CHICAGO, ILLINOIS DECEMBER 2001 Copyright © 2001 by Brenda J. Shaver All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABBREVIATIONS v vii INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 1: ELIJAH IN THE BOOK OF KINGS The Question of Genre The Issue of Redactional Development Elijah as a Miracle Worker Excursus: The Assumption of Elijah Elijah as Zealot Elijah as a "Second Moses" Conclusion 10 11 23 41 52 55 58 62 CHAPTER 2: ELIJAH IN THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES AND MALACHI Elijah in the Book of Chronicles Elijah in the Book of Malachi The Authorship, Date, Structure and Situation of Malachi The Disunity of Mai 3:1 Mai 3:1a: The Identity and Function of "My Messenger" Mai 3:1b—4: The Identity and Function of the "Messenger of the Covenant" Mai 3:22—24: The Torah of Moses and the Return of Elijah Conclusion 92 102 121 CHAPTER 3: ELIJAH IN THE BOOK OF BEN SIRA Ben Sira: The Author and the Text The Praise of the Fathers Sir 48:1—9: The Glorious Deeds of the Past Elijah Sir 48:10—11: The Return of Elijah and His Future Role Conclusion 124 125 127 129 140 159 iii 65 65 71 73 76 80 CHAPTER 4: ELIJAH IN THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS 4Q558 4Q521: "A Messianic Apocalypse" Is Elijah the "Prophet" of the Community Rule (1QS 9:11)? Is Elijah the "Messiah of Aaron?" Conclusion 162 164 168 185 192 196 EPILOGUE: A SURVEY OF ELIJAH IN LATER JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN UTERATURE Elijah in the Early Christian Writings Elijah in the Rabbinic Writings Elijah and Eschatological Reconciliation Elijah and the Resurrection of the Dead Elijah's Zeal and His Identification with Phinehas 198 199 206 206 212 217 BIBLIOGRAPHY 224 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my deepest gratitude to certain family, friends and colleagues who made the completion of this dissertation possible. First and foremost, I would like to thank my mentor and adviser, Professor John J. Collins, who offered his support and encouragement throughout my years of graduate education and from whom I learned a great deal. I also thank my readers, Professor Tikva Frymer-Kensky, whose close reading of texts inspired me, and Professor Michael Fishbane, who instilled in me a love for "the exegetical imagination." It is nearly impossible for me to express the overwhelming love and gratitude that I feel toward my husband, Timothy E. Shaver, who worked tremendously hard for many years so that I could achieve my goals. His pride in me and his certainty in my abilities were, and are, unwavering. This dissertation is dedicated to him. Recognition must also go out to my parents, Berneace and Earl Beckner, for their belief in me from day one. Thanks also to June and all my family in Cleveland, and Susan, Jim and the girls! Last but certainly not least are my friends and colleagues who were instrumental in keeping me happy and on top of things throughout my grad school days. I would like to thank Vicky Nimmo most of all for showing me that "it's all good!" I would also like to thank Claudia Bergmann for helping me on v vi countless occasions with German texts. (Naturally, if any mistranslation or misunderstanding of a German source is found in this dissertation it is entirely my own fault.) Appreciation for the many lively conversations and fun times goes out to Shannon Burkes, Karina Martin Hogan, Sharon Albert, Scott Moore, Tom Blanton and Phil Ramos. Thanks, all! ABBREVIATIONS AB ABD AEL ANET AOAT ATD BDB BZAW BZNW CBQ CBQMS DDD FOIL FRLANT HSS ICC J