Masters Degrees (Ancient Studies)

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Aspects of the Sabbath in the late second Temple period
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2006-03) Lizorkin, Ilya; Cook, Johann; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
This thesis is a study of five books (Jubilees, 1 and 2 Maccabees, the Damascus Document and Josephus Jewish Antiquities) that represent the literature dealing with the issue of the Sabbath in significant ways, written between 200 B.C.E. and 100 C.E. In this study the author is determined to find the most prominent ways in which various Jews of the period treated the Sabbath, considering both its theological significance and actual practical application. The author seeks to apply the literary-critical method to the study of these books by identifying how the Sabbath pericopes fit into the larger structure of each book and contribute to the overall argument of each work. After dealing with introductory issues, such as terms, methods, historical settings and methodology, the author then works through the major Sabbath-related pericopes in each book followed by a concluding summary for each book. Then author moves from detailed individual conclusions to general summaries, seeking to deduce the “big picture” of the Judaisms represented in the five works that he researched. Throughout the thesis the author is asking all of the texts the following questions: Was there a major Jewish view of the Sabbath or were the views varied within Judaisms? Was the Sabbath one of the most important issues facing the Jewish Community or was it rather a peripheral one? What was the place of Covenant with YHWH in the Sabbath thought of the day? What was the impact of the historical events of the period on the views of the Sabbath? Was the understanding(s) of the Sabbath legalistic or was there a depth of heartfelt spirituality accompanying Sabbath observance? Were the rules with regard to the Sabbath actually carried out or were they largely ignored? At the conclusion he attempts to answer these questions point by point based upon the data that he collected by studying the passages related to the Sabbath observance within the books mentioned above. This study is preliminary in nature, since it attempts to provide only some background information to the question: Did the Jewish Christians of the first century change the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday? If so, how did they do so while managing to avoid any kind of major debate over the change? This question the author plans to pursue in his forthcoming research.
Dualism in Jewish apocalyptic and Persian religion : an analysis
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2012-12) Durie, Liezl; Cook, Johann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is to investigate the possible influence of Persian religion on dualism in Jewish apocalyptic literature, with particular attention to 1 Enoch. Many studies have been conducted on Jewish apocalyptic, although relatively few studies concentrate on Persian religious influence. One of the main reasons for this is the problematic dating of Persian sources, all of which appear to date to a later period than the Jewish apocalyptic texts they are suspected of influencing. Scholars who believe in the antiquity of the traditions underlying the Persian texts, such as Boyce, Otzen and Silverman, tend to be positive about the possibility of influence, whereas scholars such as Hanson and VanderKam insist that the origins of apocalyptic traditions can be found within Jewish religion and Mesopotamian culture, respectively. The dualism between God and evil plays a central role in Jewish apocalyptic. This basic dualism manifests itself in various dualities and on four levels. Firstly, on the cosmic level God is pitted against an agent of darkness (Satan/Belial/Mastema/Azazel) and good angels oppose fallen angels or demons. Secondly, in the physical universe God manifests in order, whereas evil shows itself in every area where God’s order is transgressed. Thirdly, on an anthropological-ethical level, mankind is divided into the righteous and the wicked according to the path each individual chooses within himself. Finally, on an eschatological level, the evils of the present age are contrasted with a glorious future that will begin when the messiah has appeared and the final judgment, which is sometimes linked with a resurrection, has taken place. In order to calculate when this new age will dawn, apocalyptic writers divide history into periods. Each of the abovementioned aspects finds a parallel in Persian religious thought, which revolves around the dualism between Ahura Mazda/Spenta Mainyu and Angra Mainyu/Ahriman. Each of the dualistic principles is supported by a host of divine beings and the battle involves nature and mankind, who are expected to choose a side. There is a strong messianic expectation, as well as a well-developed concept of a final judgment that involves resurrection, and the periodization of history is fundamental to the religion. This thesis attempts to trace the development of the abovementioned concepts in Jewish thinking, depending mainly on the Hebrew Bible as representative of ancient Israelite religion. Where discrepancies between Jewish apocalyptic and the ancient religion become evident, the possibility of Persian influence is considered. The investigation will show that each of the abovementioned aspects of the dualism between God and evil in Jewish apocalyptic contain traces of what might be the influence of Persian religion.
Investigating apparent commonalities between the apocalyptic traditions from iIan and second-temple Judaism
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008-03) Van der Merwe, Jeanne; Cook, Johann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
This thesis seeks to investigate the possible influence of Iranian apocalyptic on the Judaean apocalyptic literature, which was widely disseminated in the Near East during the Hellenistic and Roman phases of the Second Temple Period (c. 539 BCE- 70 CE). The similarities between Zoroastrianism and Judaism have been the object of scholarly study for more than a century. Iranologists such as Zaehner, Widengren and Boyce were particularly partial to the notion that Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism. They felt such influences were an inevitable consequence of the Judaeans living under Achaemenian rule for almost two centuries, and in close proximity of Persian communities for some centuries after the demise of the Achaemenid Empire. They based their conclusions on literary parallels between some key biblical passages and Persian literature, linguistic evidence and the obviously dualistic nature of both religions. Recently, however, this point of view has come in for criticism from biblical scholars like Barr and Hanson, who have pointed out that many seemingly Iranian concepts could as easily have emanated from other Near Eastern influences or evolved from within the Judaean tradition. The similarities between the Iranian and Judaean world-view are particularly apparent when considering the apocalyptic traditions from Zoroastrianism and Judaism: Both traditions view the course of history as a pre-determined, linear process in which good and evil are in constant conflict on both a physical and metaphysical level, until a great eschatological battle, introduced by a “messiah” figure, will rid all creation of evil. A judgment of all humanity and resurrection are envisaged in both traditions, as well as an utopian eternal life free of evil. However, it is very difficult to prove that these two apocalyptic traditions are in any way related, as most of the apocalyptic works from Iran are dated considerably later than the Judaean apocalypses, which mostly originated during the Hellenistic period. The apocalyptic phenomena within the two traditions are also not always entirely similar, raising the possibility that they are indeed not the result of cultural interaction between the Iranians and Judaeans. Furthermore, one must also consider that many phenomena constituting apocalyptic occurred widely during the Second Temple Period in the Ancient Near East, on account of the general state of powerlessness and disillusionment brought about by the Macedonian conquest of the Achaemenid Empire and the resulting political unrest. This study investigates the relations between Judaeans and Iranians under Achaemenian rule, the political and religious background and apocalyptic traditions of both these peoples in an attempt to ascertain whether Iranian beliefs did indeed influence Judaean apocalypticism. These investigations will show that, given the cultural milieu of the Ancient Near East in the Second Temple period, contemporary Greek evidence of Zoroastrian beliefs and the interpretative bent of Judaean scribal and priestly classes, there is a strong likelihood that seemingly Iranian concepts in Judaean apocalypticism were indeed of Iranian origin.
Joodse Gnostiek in die ‘Evangelie van Judas’
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2008-02-19) De Villiers, Johannes Albertus; Cook, Johann; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
Recent studies, especially since the Nag Hammadi discoveries, indicate that “Gnosticism” often functions as a constructed “Other” in attempts to define Christian orthodoxy, as well as a catch-phrase for a range of diverse religious phenomena in late Hellenism. If the unity of Gnosticism is a construct, the search for a single origin of Gnosticism is probably also futile. Rather, the influence of several sources – Platonic, Christian, Iranian, existential and Jewish – to the Gnostic phenomena should be studied. Texts labled Sethian by modern scholars show strong traces of a Jewish cosmology, vocabulary and mythology. Five possible routes for the transmission of Jewish motifs to Sethian Gnosticism are pointed out: failed apocalyptic expectations (Grant); allegorical interpretations of the Law among Philo and Alexandrian Jews (Pearson); Christianity as vehicle for transmission (Pétrement); Palestinian and Samaritan speculation (Perkins); and the influence of the Jewish Wisdom tradition (Rudolph and MacRae). Traces of Judaism in Gnostic Sethian texts can be located using a motif study. Fallon has done such a study of the so-called Sabaoth pericopes. In this thesis a similar study is done of the “Gospel of Judas”. The study shows that this text is Christian, preoccupied with a sectarian Christian debate. The apostolic church is denounced and a Sethian Gnosticism (noticeably influenced by Judaism) is posited as alternative. To that end a Sethian cosmological sermon, with strong Jewish motifs, is attributed to Jesus in which he holds forth Sethian cosmology as an alternative to a discredited rival form of Christianity. The most prominent of Jewish motifs in the cosmological passage of the Judas text are the names, functions and descriptions of angels, but it also includes numerological speculation and figures such as Seth.
Kleopatra VII in Egipte en Salome Aleksandra in Palestina : n kultuur-antropologiese studie van twee vroue uit die Hellenistiese tydvlak
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1998) Rabie, Letitia; Cook, Johann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Hellenistic age is regarded as one of the most important periods in world history. It commenced in 330 B.C. with Alexander the Great's successful expeditions to the countries of the ANE. After his death in 323 B.C., the Empire which he founded was subdivided between his successors, the Diadochi. The western part of the Empire went to Lysimachus and Cassander, and the eastern part to Seleucus. Egypt went to Ptolemy, who promptly annexed Palestine. With this move Ptolemy gained control of the eastern trade and caravan routes. These territories remained under Hellenistic rule for ±300 years until they became Roman Provinces towards the end of the first century B.C. As a result of the eastward expansion of Greece, the inhabitants of the ANE were exposed to Hellenistic influence. They came into close contact with the Greek way of life, thought and culture as well as the military expertise of their conquerors. The meeting which took place between the cultures of the East and the West resulted in a new phenomenon, namely Hellenism. This new culture had a profound impact on the development of the economy, religion and culture of Egypt and Palestine. The impact of Hellenism brought about significant changes in practically all facets of the people's lives in those two countries, which were dominated by the Hellenists. The changes were profound and became the basis of our Western civilization, especially in fhe fields of science, religion and culture. Certain modern historians differ from the traditional view emphasizing the cultural influence that Hellenism had on the peoples of the ANE and that the Greeks spread their culture to the countries of the ANE intentionally. They are of the opinion that Hellenism is badly misrepresented by traditional historians, who have been biased and one sided in their research. They claim that newly discovered papyri and artifacts enable them to take a holistic view of this very important period and accordingly their views differ from those of the traditionally accepted views of Hellenism. They are of the opinion that the traditional view was designed as moral justification for what was, in essence, a largescale economic and imperial exploitation of the countries of the ANE. · Cleopatra VII was the last Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt. She reigned for 19 years, from 51 B.C. until her death in 30 B.C., when the Romans took possession of Egypt. Salome Alexandra was the last Hasmonian Queen. She ruled her country for 9 years until her death in 67 B.C. Both queens had to cope with internal conflicts between certain factions as well as with international pressure, which they dealt with in an exemplary fashion. Both were exceptional and remarkable women who ruled their countries with insight, wisdom and diplomacy. They are badly misrepresented in literature as a result of their opponents' malicious propaganda. Cleopatra is remembered as the immoral and seductive eastern queen who beguiled the two most famous and powerful Roman generals, while Salome Alexandra is regarded as the lackey of the Pharisees. The resemblance of the Hellenistic world to our own world is overwhelming. In the modern world socio-economic circumstances, religious groupings, political manoeuvring, dissatisfaction, strikes and violence, bear a remarkable resemblance to similar situations in the Hellenistic period, especially in South Africa, where the transitional phase is causing fundamental changes and adjustments which bear interesting similarities to the impact of Hellenism in antiquity.
Legalism and apocalypticism in early Judaism
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1999-11) Depoix, D. J.; Cook, Johann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Early Judaism, between approximately 200 BCE and 70 CE, had developed two significant strains of belief which affected the religious and social conduct of the various sections of the population: legalism and apocalypticism. They had evolved over a long historical period, influenced by political developments and social insecurity within Palestine, and by the destabilizing effects of Hellenization on the traditional values of Judaism. The literature of the period indicates separate groups within the diversified culture of Judaism, in which allegiance was to either Temple-based adherence to the Law or to the dissident apocalyptic tradition, with different eschatological expectations. In contrast, the Qumranic, socially-integrated, sectarians combined within their thought-processes and praxis both an extremely strict legalism and also significant elements of apocalyptic belief. They were able to accommodate both aspects because of a realized eschatology which considered the group to be the sole chosen remnant of Israel, already in the company of the holy angels and predestined for salvation. Within the greater Jewish milieu, legalism and apocalypticism were oppositional forces : within Qumran they were complementary. Rigid legalism, to maintain ritual purity, would hasten the imminent eschaton, with apocalyptic annihilation of evil by God and his angels.
Matthew 22:37-40 : a contextual approach
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1993-03) Barkhuizen, Glenn Warren; Cook, Johann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The assumption that contextuality only refers to contemporary extra-textual issues and that texts from the past could be read without taking full cognisance of the diversity of contextual influences impinging on them is challenged. This is done by redefming contextuality as a timeless phenomenon. Different contextual levels in and around a text are identified, viz. the reader's context, textual context, growing context and original context. The interplay between and role of each context is described with reference to Matthew 22:37-40. The influence of the Old Testament on this particular section, with reference to the same variety of contextual aspects, is also illustrated. The manner in which Matthew interpreted the relevant Old Testament texts, viz. Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, is used to sustain the argument. The conclusion describes the relation between a text and its context, remembering that this implies all identified contextual aspects.
Reconstructing 1 Samuel chapter 3
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1993-03) Adair, James Robert; Cook, Johann; Deist, F. E.; Van Rooy, H. R.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Science . Dept. of Ancient Studies.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: My Ph.D. dissertation proposed a four-step procedure for recovering the earliest possible text of the Old Testament: (1) detennining the lexical and grammatical characteristics of the various secondary (non-Hebrew) witnesses; (2) determining the literary and theological characteristics of the same witnesses; (3) retroverting the non-Hebrew witnesses wherever significant variants occur; (4) evaluating the Hebrew and retroverted variants and reconstructing a Hebrew Vorlage presumed to lie behind all of the extant witnesses. The dissertation itselfcompleted the fIrst two of these steps, which a..rnount to a determination of the significant variants (i.e., those that probably point to a Hebrew reading different from M'I) of the secondary wiblesses. It is the goal of this thesis to complete the analysis and produce a critical, eclectic Hebrew text of 1 Samuel 3. Before attempting to retrovert the different secondary witnesses, a number ofproblem areas need to be addressed, including developing a methodology for retroverting versional readings that is as scientific as possible, the Hebrew script used in the Vorlagen of the various versions, and the orthography of the Vorlagen and of the reconstructed archetype. The methodology used for retroverting secondary witnesses is informed by the works of Margolis, Tov, and others, and the translation techniques of the versions as. determined in mydissertation playa large role. The methodology must be modified somewhat when analyzing the partial secondary witnesses (the Lucianic and Hexaplaric recensions of LXX). Once the secondary witnesses have been retrov~their data is combined with that of MT, 4QSama, and a few other Hebrew witnesses and evaluated. The problems of multiple literary editions and conjectural emendations are examined, as are the merits ofexternal and internal evidence in making text-critical decisions. After each of the units ofvariation has been evaluated, the possibility that LXX represents an edition of Samuel different from MT is considered on the basis of the evidence from chapter 3. Finally, a critical edition of the chapter, replete with critical apparatuses containing both the original and retroverted readings of the secondary witnesses, presents the fruits of the study.
A socio-historical analysis of Jewish banditry in first century Palestine 6 to 70 CE
(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005-12) Lincoln, Lawrence Ronald; Cook, Johann; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
This thesis sets out to examine, as far as possible within the constraints of a limited study such as this, the nature of the Jewish protest movement against the occupation of their homeland by the Roman Empire in the years after the territory had become a direct province of the Empire. These protests were mainly instigated by and initially led by Jewish peasants who experienced the worst aspects of becoming a part of the larger Roman world.

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Ancient Studies) by browse.metadata.advisor "Cook, Johann"

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