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Re: Sons of God - Paul and 4Q246

From: "J.E.Harding" <BSP97JEH AT sheffield.ac.uk>
To: corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
Subject: Re: Sons of God - Paul and 4Q246
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 16:23:28 +0100

The relationship between 4Q246 and the NT is very difficult to
discern, and the literature on this topic is expanding. There can be
little doubt that some relationship exists between this text and
Luke 1:32-35, and I am inclined to think that both 4Q246 and Luke (or
his source) knew a common tradition which was rooted in the Book of
Daniel and its cognate traditions. I think it is problematic to see the
figure in 4Q246 as a messianic figure, because the very concept of
messianism was not well defined in this period of Judaism. David
Flusser makes an interesting case for an antichrist figure, but F.
Garcia Martinez's idea that this is an angelic figure is worth
considering, in light of OT references which refer to angels as sons
of God (e.g. Job 1.6). Reading Paul in light of this idea is
interesting: Jesus at his ascension becomes an angelic/heavenly
figure, and in Revelation (different tradition, I know) holy ones,
apostles and prophets appear in heaven, suggesting they follow Jesus
to heaven. Perhaps Paul is drawing on a similar idea: Jesus as Son of
God is a heavenly figure, and by extension aspire to a similar
vocation.

These are a few ideas, slightly underdeveloped but I hope they
stimulate further ideas.

James Harding
University of Sheffield

Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 10:50:34 -0400
From: Brian Tucker <jbtucker AT driveninc.com>
To: "Corpus-paul" <corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Subject: Sons of God - Paul and 4Q246
Reply-to: "Corpus-paul" <corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>

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Greetings

In 4Q246, written in Aramaic and dating to the turn of the era:
"Affliction will come on earth...[ ] and great carnage among
countries...[ ] the kings of Assyria [and Egypt...[he] will be great on
earth...all will serve...he will be called great...and by his name he
will be designated..."Son of God"... (Shanks, Mystery, 69)

John Collins concludes this represents a messianic figure. Geza Vermes
disagrees.

Romans 8:14 it says, "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of
God."
Galatians 4:4-7 it says, "God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born
under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we might
receive adoption as sons...You are sons...Through God you are no longer
a slave but a son."

What does Paul's usage here reveal about the continuity between
Christianity and Judaism, as it pertains to the Messiah (2 Sam. 7:14)?
What light can be shown on the issue of "Son of God" from Paul's usage
as compared with DSS? The concept of sonship expressed in Paul, is it to
be understood in light of the DSS usage or Luke's usage Luke 1:31-35?

If 4Q246 is to be understood as the antichrist, how does this
understanding relate to Paul's usage in his writings? I am inclined to
think the translation in Wise, Abegg & Cook (p. 269) is correct, but I
still am trying to understand the relationship to Paul's thoughts on the
usage of "Son of God" and for that matter if one includes apocalyptic
understanding of the term does Paul agree?

For reference, here is the translation from Wise, "[...Amid] great
[signs], tribulation is coming upon the land. [...After much killing]
and slaughter, a prince of nations [will arise...] the king of Assyria
and Egypt [...] he will be ruler over the land [...] will be subject to
him and all will obey [him]. [also his son] will be called The Great,
and be designated by his name. He will be called the Son of God..."

Thank You,
Brian Tucker
music AT riverviewcog.org
Riverview, MI
http://www.riverviewcog.org

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<HTML>
Greetings

In 4Q246, written in Aramaic and dating to the turn of the era: "Affliction
will come on earth...[ ] and great carnage among countries...[ ] the kings
of Assyria [and Egypt...[he] will be great on earth...all will serve...he
will be called great...and by his name he will be designated..."Son of
God"... (Shanks, Mystery, 69)

John Collins concludes this represents a messianic figure. Geza Vermes
disagrees.

Romans 8:14 it says, "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons
of God."
 Galatians 4:4-7 it says, "God sent forth his Son, born of a woman,
born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, so that we
might receive adoption as sons...You are sons...Through God you are no
longer a slave but a son."

What does Paul's usage here reveal about the continuity between
Christianity
and Judaism, as it pertains to the Messiah (2 Sam. 7:14)? What light can
be shown on the issue of "Son of God" from Paul's usage as compared with
DSS? The concept of sonship expressed in Paul, is it to be understood in
light of the DSS usage or Luke's usage Luke 1:31-35?

If 4Q246 is to be understood as the antichrist, how does this understanding
relate to Paul's usage in his writings? I am inclined to think the translation
in Wise, Abegg & Cook (p. 269) is correct, but I still am trying to
understand the relationship to Paul's thoughts on the usage of "Son of
God" and for that matter if one includes apocalyptic understanding of the
term does Paul agree?

For reference, here is the translation from Wise, "[...Amid] great [signs],
tribulation is coming upon the land. [...After much killing] and slaughter,
a prince of nations [will arise...] the king of Assyria and Egypt [...]
he will be ruler over the land [...] will be subject to him and all will
obey [him]. [also his son] will be called The Great, and be designated
by his name. He will be called the Son of God..."

Thank You,
 Brian Tucker
 music AT riverviewcog.org
 Riverview, MI
 <A HREF="http://www.riverviewcog.org";>http://www.riverviewcog.org</A>
  </HTML>

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Sons of God - Paul and 4Q246, Brian Tucker, 08/26/1999
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- RE: Sons of God - Paul and 4Q246, Andrew T. Dolan, MA, ABD, 08/26/1999
- Re: Sons of God - Paul and 4Q246, J.E.Harding, 08/27/1999