A Dying and Rising Josephite Messiah in 4Q372
What is the Dead Sea Scrolls Text called the Joseph Apocryphon (4Q372) really about? I propose here that it is about a dying and rising Josephite Messiah.
Search Results for: dying messiah
Messiah son of Joseph: 25 Questions and Answers
Since I published Messiah ben Joseph in 2016 I often get questions about this mysterious Messiah son of Joseph. Here are some of the questions I am asked most often and the answers. This is quite a long video. So, if you want the full info, stay tuned. Or if you want an overview of … Read more
Messiah ben Joseph: A Sacrifice of Atonement for Israel
Abstract. Does Messiah ben Joseph die as a sacrifice of atonement? Scholars say no. But it’s a misconception which I would like to challenge. An examination of rabbinic literature from Renaissance to temple times, and a consideration of the conceptual background of atoning death in the near east, suggests that this view is mistaken, and that Messiah ben Joseph’s death was indeed viewed as an atonement in every period.
Messiah bar Ephraim in the Targums
Messiah bar Ephraim (Messiah ben Joseph) appears in the targums of Zech. 12:10, Exodus 40.9-11, and the Song of Songs. I examine all three passages here. I conclude that the Targumic Tosefta to Zech. 12.10, where Messiah bar Ephraim is vanquished, and Targum Pseudo-Jonathan to Exod. 40.9-11, where he is the vanquisher, both predate the Christian period. The apparent conflict between his suffering and conquering roles may indicate a belief that bar Ephraim’s death effects the final redemption. References in the Targum to the Song of Songs are also considered.
Firstborn Shor and Rem: A Sacrificial Josephite Messiah
Two mysterious bull figures, a firstborn shor and a rem, feature in 1 Enoch 90 and in Deuteronomy 33. All agree that the figures in 1 Enoch speak of the Messiah. But what about those in Deuteronomy? Could they be about the Messiah too? Here I argue that they are. In fact, the speak about a Josephite Messiah, that is, a Messiah ben Joseph.
Messiah ben Joseph in the Talmud: Rabbi Dosa & the Rabbis Differ
Bavli tractate Suk. 52a/b features the earliest known references to Messiah ben Joseph, a figure who appears throughout subsequent rabbinic literature. An examination of these talmudic references suggest that this figure was established in all essentials in Temple times.
Messiah ben Joseph | Origins #2 (Deuteronomy)
In Deuteronomy, Moses promises that a hero will arise to the tribes of Joseph who will die like a firstborn ox and rise to glory like a conquering aurochs.
A Josephite Messiah in 4QTestimonia
It is generally recognized that Messianic belief at Qumran was not rigid. Some texts witness to two deliverers. Others are thought to have three: priest messiah, king messiah, and prophet [1]. I wish to suggest here that one text, so far understood as having three deliverers, has in fact four deliverers, and one of them is … Read more
Messiah ben Joseph (2016)
MESSIAH BEN JOSEPH What’s the best-kept secret of Rabbinic Judaism?Is it the hiding place of the holy ark?Is it the vowels of the Sacred Name?Is it the golem that walks by night? No. It’s none of these things. The best-kept secret of Rabbinic Judaism is Messiah ben Joseph. If you love the Bible, you should … Read more
The Best-Kept Secret of Rabbinic Judaism
THE RABBIS’ BEST-KEPT SECRET WHAT is the best-kept secret of rabbinic Judaism? Is it the kabbalah? No, that’s not it.Is it the explicit letters of the Ineffable Name? No, not that.Is it the resting place of the holy ark? No, that’s not it either.Or the golem that walks by night? No, not at all. The … Read more