Abraham in the Book of Jubilees
The Rewriting of Genesis 11:26-25:10 in the Book of Jubilees 11:14-23:8
Series: - Supplements to the Journal for the Study of Judaism, Volume: 161
In
Abraham in the Book of Jubilees, Jacques van Ruiten offers a systematic analysis of one of the most important and extensive Second Temple Jewish treatments of the figure of Abraham (Jub. 11:14-23:8). Given the importance of representations and reinterpretations of Abraham within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, a careful analysis of this early source is an important contribution to research both on the evolving images of biblical patriarchs and on the history of biblical interpretation.
There are many references to Jubilees in articles and books on images of Abraham. They are chosen for exegetical motifs, with little attention for its own literary and narrative dynamics, or for the specific writing and reading practices that it embodies and attests. Van Ruiten’s careful analysis thus provides important context and corrective.
There are many references to Jubilees in articles and books on images of Abraham. They are chosen for exegetical motifs, with little attention for its own literary and narrative dynamics, or for the specific writing and reading practices that it embodies and attests. Van Ruiten’s careful analysis thus provides important context and corrective.
Jacques T.A.G.M. van Ruiten (Ph.D. 1990, Amsterdam), is Professor of the Reception History of the Bible at the University of Groningen. He has published extensively on the reception history of biblical texts, especially in early Judaism, including
Primaeval History Interpreted: The Rewriting of Genesis 1-11 in the Book of Jubilees (Brill, 2000).
'
The most helpful feature of the book for me was Van Ruiten’s markedup synopses of the Genesis and Jubilees texts. [...] This system makes it easy to tell the similarities and differences between Genesis and Jubilees, even on a first perusal. [...] Overall, the book is well written and well edited, with only rare typos. The sequential structure of the book reads very much like a commentary, which makes for a very helpful reference work, but a book which is somewhat difficult to read from cover to cover. Nevertheless, the analysis of each passage is
rich, and scholars working on particular passages in Jubilees cannot afford not to consult it.'
Drew Longacre, Dead Sea Discoveries 24 (2017), p. 143.
rich, and scholars working on particular passages in Jubilees cannot afford not to consult it.'
Drew Longacre, Dead Sea Discoveries 24 (2017), p. 143.
1. The Early Abram (Gen 11:26–12:3;
Jub. 11:14–12:31)
2. Abram’s Travels (Gen 12:4–14:24; Jub. 13)
3. Land and Covenant (Gen 15–16; Jub. 14)
4. Abraham, Israel and the Nations (Gen 17; Jub. 15)
5. Events surrounding Isaac’s Birth (Gen 18–21; Jub. 16:1–17:14)
6. Isaac’s Binding (Gen 22:1–19; Jub. 17:15–18:19)
7. Events after Sarah’s Death until Abraham’s Blessing for Jacob (Gen 22:20–25:4; 25:21–28; Jub. 19)
8. Abraham’s Testament to All His Children and Grandchildren ( Jub. 20:1–13)
9. Abraham’s Testament to Isaac ( Jub. 21:1–26)
10. Abraham’s Last Day ( Jub. 22:1–23:8)
2. Abram’s Travels (Gen 12:4–14:24; Jub. 13)
3. Land and Covenant (Gen 15–16; Jub. 14)
4. Abraham, Israel and the Nations (Gen 17; Jub. 15)
5. Events surrounding Isaac’s Birth (Gen 18–21; Jub. 16:1–17:14)
6. Isaac’s Binding (Gen 22:1–19; Jub. 17:15–18:19)
7. Events after Sarah’s Death until Abraham’s Blessing for Jacob (Gen 22:20–25:4; 25:21–28; Jub. 19)
8. Abraham’s Testament to All His Children and Grandchildren ( Jub. 20:1–13)
9. Abraham’s Testament to Isaac ( Jub. 21:1–26)
10. Abraham’s Last Day ( Jub. 22:1–23:8)
All those interested in Biblical Studies, Ancient Judaism, Abraham Traditions, History of Reception and Intertextuality, rewritten Bible.