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date: 15 December 2019

Abstract and Keywords

This chapter examines two interrelated theses that influence the way scholars interpret the transition from prophecy to apocalypse: the genre thesis and the chronological thesis. The genre thesis posits that prophecy and apocalypse are distinct genres of ancient Jewish literature, while the chronological thesis argues that apocalypse increasingly flourished following the demise of prophecy. After explaining each of these theses, the article considers how each is related to the other. It also discusses reasons for revising the chronological thesis and the implications of this revision for the genre thesis. In addition, it looks at pluriformity and challenges to the chronological thesis in the context of the revolution, brought about by study of the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as the connection between Jubilees and apocalypse. Finally, it focuses on two examples of apocalyptic literature, Daniel 7–12 and 4Ezra.

Keywords: genre thesis, chronological thesis, prophecy, apocalypse, Jewish literature, pluriformity, revolution, Dead Sea Scrolls, Jubilees, apocalyptic literature

Hindy Najman

Hindy Najman is Associate Professor of Ancient Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale. Her books include Seconding Sinai and Recovering the Future: An Analysis of 4 Ezra.

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