The seventh-century CE Hebrew work Sefer Zerubbabel (Book of Zerubbabel); composed during the period of conflict between Persia and the Byzantine Empire for control over Palestine; is the first full-fledged messianic narrative in Jewish literature. Martha Himmelfarb offers a comprehensive analysis of this rich but understudied text; illuminating its distinctive literary features and the complex milieu from which it arose.Sefer Zerubbabel presents itself as an angelic revelation of the end of times to Zerubbabel; a biblical leader of the sixth century BCE; and relates a tale of two messiahs who; as Himmelfarb shows; play a major role in later Jewish narratives. The first messiah; a descendant of Joseph; dies in battle at the hands of Armilos; the son of Satan who embodies the Byzantine Empire. He is followed by a messiah descended from David modeled on the suffering servant of Isaiah; who brings him back to life and triumphs over Armilos. The mother of the Davidic messiah also figures in the work as a warrior.Himmelfarb places Sefer Zerubbabel in the dual context of earlier Jewish eschatology and Byzantine Christianity. The role of the messiah’s mother; for example; reflects the Byzantine notion of the Virgin Mary as the protector of Constantinople. On the other hand; Sefer Zerubbabel shares traditions about the messiahs with rabbinic literature. But while the rabbis are ambivalent about these traditions; Sefer Zerubbabel embraces them with enthusiasm.
#946437 in Books Belknap Press 2010-04-30 2010-05-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.48 x 1.12 x 6.60l; 1.45 #File Name: 0674046544352 pages
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I read this work and was present at a lecture ...By GodsAmbassadorI read this work and was present at a lecture by author through a corporate presentation of seminary and Rice University. At the end of lecture I still am trying to find a center for the view presented both in book and lecture. The book and lecture were required by professor as a part of the class.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. THE book on the subject!By MaiaThis is THE book on the subject of church and state.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very InformativeBy BabsMy husband read this book. He was very satisifed with the book.Good book. Would recommend it. Thank you much.
