$32.00

In this first wholistic comparison of two Jewish texts from the early second century BCE, Randal Argall demonstrates that “apocalyptic” and “wisdom” literature display some remarkable correspondences in terms of form and content. Themes of revelation, creation, and judgement are treated in separate sections of the volume. Each section contains a chapter on evidence from 1 Enoch , a chapter on evidence from Sirach, and a third section comparing the two texts. The author concludes that 1 Enoch and Sirach adopt common literary forms and conceptual patterns, and that such similarities indicate a shared religious and social envionment. Differences in style and thought between the two texts are also significant and, combined with polemical passages, suggest that each tradition regards the other among its contemporary rivals. The volume includes a bibliography and indexes of names and textual passages.