Abstract
A variety of texts from the ancient world depict human beings escaping the constraints of their physical existence even before death and ascending to a supernal realm. This chapter discusses and compares two bodies of ancient esoteric literature in which the ascent theme is prominently presentHekhalot texts, and some of the early Christian-gnostic texts. In the analysis of the relevant texts, the chapter addresses such questions as who the subject or protagonist of the ascension is, how the journey on high is imagined and depicted, and what its ultimate goal is regarded as. In this way the chapter throws some light onto the distinct features of these two literary corpora as well as onto the possible relationship between them. Finally, the chapter summarizes the most striking similarities and dissimilarities, paying special attention to agreements and disagreements in the religious thought structure expressed or presupposed in the texts. Keywords: ancient esoteric literature; Christian-gnostic texts; Hekhalot texts; medieval Jewish mystical writings
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