Visions and eschatology : a socio-historical analysis of Zechariah 1-6 / Antonios Finitsis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Finitsis, Antonios.

Series:

Library of Second Temple studies ; 79.

T & T Clark library of biblical studies

The library of Second Temple studies ; v. 79

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Zechariah--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible.

Bible. Zechariah.

Eschatology.

Visions in the Bible.

Physical Description:

x, 193 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : T&T Clark, 2011.

Summary:

Scholars often trace the origin of apocalypticism to prophecy, because both genres use eschatology. They are drawn to Zechariah as the prophetic book of the Hebrew Bible in which eschatology most frequently appears. The search then shifts to the origins and initial influences of Zechariah itself, and the first six verses are thought to contain evidence, if only it can be interpreted correctly. Finitsis (Hebrew Bible, Pacific Lutheran U., US) steps into the academic debate by arguing that a simple contrast between prophetic and apocalyptic eschatology is not sufficient for locating proto-Zechariah, and while pre-exilic and post-exilic eschatology are recognized, apocalyptic eschatology is a third type different from either. The study seems to have begun as his doctoral dissertation at the University of Chicago. T&T Clark is an imprint of Continuum. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

2 Between Prophecy and Apocalyticism: Distinguishing the Strands of Eschatology 5

2.1 Relating Prophecy and Apocalypticism 5

2.2 Defining Eschatology 6

2.3 Pre-Exilic Prophetic Eschatology 8

2.4 Post-Exilic Prophetic Eschatology 14

2.5 Probing the Grey Area of Eschatology 16

2.5.a Eschatology and Myth 16

2.5.b Eschatology and Tensions within the Community 23

2.6 Shedding light on the Grey Area 25

2.7 Defining Post-Exilic Prophetic Eschatology 25

2.8 Apocalyptic Eschatology 33

2.9 Conclusion 35

3 Priestly Politics and Millennial Hope: An Evaluation of the Socio-Historical Discussion 37

3.1 Social Scientific Criticism and Second Temple Politics 37

3.2 The Transformation into a Theocracy 38

3.3 The Struggle between Visionaries and Hierocrats 44

3.4 The Millennial Parallel 50

3.5 An Evaluation of the Use of Inter-Disciplinary Material 51

3.6 Conclusion 62

4 The Empire and the Province: A Reconstruction of the Socio-Historical Context 64

4.1 Reconstruction of the Post-Exilic Social Setting 64

4.2 The Achaemenid Administrative Policies 64

4.2.a Creating Dynastic Continuity 69

4.2.b Befriending Local Aristocracy 73

4.2.c Ingratiating Local Sanctuaries 78

4.3 Conclusion 84

4.4 Demographic Analysis 86

4.4.a The Biblical Information at Face Value 89

4.4.b The Biblical Information Subverted 93

4.4.c The Information Provided by Ethnoarchaeology 98

4.5 Conclusion 100

5 Restoration Eschatology and Messianic Presence: Haggai and Proto-Zechariah in their Socio-Historical Context 102

5.1 Proto-Zechariah and Apocalypticism 102

5.2 Restoration Eschatology 103

5.3 The Social Context of the Return 104

5.4 Haggai 114

5.5 Zechariah 1-6 125

5.6 Conclusion 135

6 The Rhetorical Function of the Heavenly World: Zechariah's Role and the Role of Visions 137

6.1 Proto-Zechariah's Role 137

6.2 The Rhetorical Potential of Visions 139

6.3 Zechariah's Message 147

6.4 Zechariah's Function 151

6.5 Zechariah as a Priest 152

6.6 Is Zechariah a Sui Generis Prophet? 154

6.7 The Visionary Technique 155

6.8 The Peculiarity of the Social Context 157

6.9 Zechariah's Societal Contribution 158

6.10 Conclusion 161

7 Conclusion 163.

Notes:

Revised version of author's thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Chicago, 2007.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [173]-186) and indexes.

ISBN:

0567430987

9780567430984

OCLC:

697459598