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.
Bible Meditations
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, they speak about a Josephite Messiah, that is, a Messiah ben Joseph.
Why Do The Scots Love Unicorns?
WHY DO THE SCOTS LOVE UNICORNS?
THE SCOTS love unicorns. Well, who wouldn’t? But the Scots love them more than anyone else. Everyone is talking about it: the BBC, the National Geographic, and the Daily Mail. And, yes, unicorns are everywhere in Scotland. It’s nothing new. You see, the Scots have always loved unicorns, ever since ancient times. But the big question is Why Do The Scots Love Unicorns? Want to know more a bit more? Read on, McDuff…