Early Jewish Exegesis and Theological Controversy: Studies on Scriptures in the Shadow of Internal and External Controversies

Abstract

Early Exegesis and Theological Controversy: Studies on Scriptures in Shadow of Internal and External Controversies, by Isaac Kalimi. and Christian Heritage Series 2. Assen: Van Gorcum, 2002. Pp. xvi + 209. $47.00 (hardcover). ISBN 9023237137. This book is a collection of seven essays dealing with two principal subjects: (1) theological controversies reflected both within Hebrew Scripture and in ancient biblical exegesis (pp. 9-103); and (2) Kalimi's plea that both and Christian scholars investigate and expound biblical theology (pp. 107-59). nexus between two topics, which are treated in chs. 1-5 and 6-7 respectively, is explicated by Kalimi in his epilogue (pp. 160-63). There Kalimi argues that Hebrew Scripture ought to be studied not in isolation but rather part of a long-range internal and external historical background. Moreover, he explains, Jewish literature-in larger meaning of term-flourished as a result of its dialectical contacts with different encircling cultures, religious identities as well as in diversity of thoughts and beliefs among Jews themselves (p. 160). In so arguing, Kalimi seeks to apply to analysis of ideas in biblical narrative, prophecy, and law a methodology analogous to what Robert Gordis called the vertical method of biblical philology. Horizontal biblical philology would employ only Iron Age Semitic texts for analyzing biblical texts presumed to have been written in Iron Age, while vertical philology would make use of full range of Semitic texts from third millennium B.C.E. through Middle Ages to shed light on words, idioms, grammar, and syntax in Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. Mutatis mutandis, Kalimi attempts to show by means of his vertical biblical theology that by comparing designation of site of binding of Isaac (Gen 22) as Temple Mount in Jerusalem and Mount in and Samaritan exegesis, respectively, one can understand that explicit designation of Temple Mount as Mount Moriah in 2 Chr 3:1 may possibly contain a hidden polemic with Samaritan sacred place on Mount Gerizim (p. 32). latter sentence serves as prologue, as it were, to ch. 2, The Affiliation of Abraham and Aqedah with Zion/Gerizim in and Samaritan Sources (p. 33). Here Kalimi reiterates his location of 2 Chr 3:1 within history of Jewish-Samaritan controversy concerning idealization of exclusive chosen holy place referred to in Deuteronomy. Kalimi then traces history of this argument through late antiquity and into Middle Ages. This essay is enhanced by full citation in Greek and English of presumably second-century B.C.E. Samaritan theologian Pseudo-Eupolemus. Kalimi enhances his discussion by providing a series of four pictorial illustrations: (1) silver coins of Bar Kokhba (132-135 C.E.; p. 41); (2) a fresco from Dura-Europas synagogue (244-245 C.E.; p. 43); and (3) mosaic floor of Beth-Alpha synagogue (sixth century C.E.; p. 53). use of lucid black-and-white illustrations, for which both author and publisher should be commended, probably reflects Kalimi's having earned his doctorate at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in field of biblical history, where study of ancient texts in tandem with ancient art and artifacts is taken for granted. In chs. 3 and 4, Kalimi goes beyond vertical history of ideas and deals with two specific debates that took place within a very short time span in late antiquity. first of these, which is discussed in ch. 3 (pp. 61-76), is series of rabbinic traditions concerning thirteen culture heroes who were said to have been born circumcised. Kalimi argues that backdrop for this assertion in Avot deRabbi Natan is Nag Hammadi Gospel of Thomas (70-80 C.E.) in which disciples ask Jesus, Is circumcision beneficial or not? to which Jesus replies, If it were beneficial, their father would beget them already circumcised from their mother. …