Post-mortem Divine Retribution

Angukali Rotokha

Description

While a Christian understanding of divine judgement tends to focus on the afterlife, the Hebrew Bible is far more concerned with divine retribution as something experienced in this life. Yet if the same God enacts both, should there not be significant continuity between biblical accounts of divine retribution, whether experienced in this world or the hereafter?
In this study, Dr. Angukali Rotokha provides an overview of Old Testament and Second Temple sources that express conceptions of post-mortem judgement. Alongside these passages, she examines the perspective on judgement presented in Deuteronomy, with its orientation towards divine retribution as experienced on this side of death. She explores Deuteronomy’s varying emphases on the impersonal, anthropocentric, theocentric, and limited aspects of divine retribution, as well as the relevance of these conceptions to the descriptions of post-mortem judgement found in Isaiah, Daniel, 1 Enoch, and 2 Maccabees. In clarifying points of continuity and discontinuity between earthly and post-mortem divine retribution, she provides a foundation for deeper insight into the Judeo-Christian understanding of both
God’s judgement and God’s grace.

Sujets

• Biblical Interpretation
• Biblical Criticism
• Philosophie et théologie
• Old Testament
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: Langham Creative Projects
• Date de parution: 31 mai 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781839738654
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Dr. Rotokha’s fascinating study of post-mortem retribution in the Old Testament and Second Temple Jewish writings is cogent, coherent, and compelling. She presents a balanced and thorough case on an under-researched topic that provides important background for the New Testament. This is a fine example of careful research, deserving of careful reading.
Paul Barker, PhD
Assistant Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
Visiting Lecturer in Old Testament,
Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology
Angukali Rotokha’s excellent study, carefully examining and comparing the multidimensional aspects of the concept of divine retribution in Deuteronomy with four post-mortem texts, addresses a significant lacuna in biblical scholarship, and thereby makes an important contribution to the field. While adopting primarily an intertextual and synchronic approach, Rotokha does not ignore the historical questions related to authorship and the dating of the various texts she examines. Her careful and nuanced approach to the topic demonstrates an impressive knowledge of the relevant scholarly literature, while she presents a fair assessment of the various arguments and views. Written in a lucid and engaging style, Rotokha’s wonderful study demonstrates that there is both continuity and discontinuity as well as significant development in the portrayal of the nature of divine retribution in the texts about the afterlife. This book is a welcome and significant addition to the research and conversation on this important topic.
Rebecca G. S. Idestrom, PhD
Professor of Old Testament,
Tyndale University, Toronto, Canada

Post-mortem Divine Retribution
A Study in the Hebrew Bible and Select Second Temple Jewish Literature Compared with Aspects of Divine Retribution in Deuteronomy
Angukali Rotokha

© 2023 Angukali Rotokha
Published 2023 by Langham Monographs
An imprint of Langham Publishing
www.langhampublishing.org
Langham Publishing and its imprints are a ministry of Langham Partnership
Langham Partnership
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ISBNs:
978-1-83973-605-6 Print
978-1-83973-865-4 ePub
978-1-83973-867-8 PDF
Angukali Rotokha has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.
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All Scripture quotations marked (NRSV), are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
All Scripture quotations marked (NET), are from the New English Translation (NET). NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. www.bible.org. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-83973-605-6
Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com
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Contents

Cover


Acknowledgments


Abstract


Abbreviations


Chapter 1 Introduction


1.1. Focal Statement


1.2. Definition of Retribution


1.3. Rationale


1.4. Selection of Texts


1.5. Review of Literature


1.6. Method: Intertextuality


Chapter 2 The Aspects of Divine Retribution in the Book of Deuteronomy


2.1. Introduction


2.2. Divine Retribution in the Hebrew Bible: The Traditional View


2.3. Klaus Koch’s Challenge


2.4. Towards a More Nuanced Understanding of Divine Retribution


2.5. The Aspects of Divine Retribution in the Book of Deuteronomy


2.6. Conclusion


Chapter 3 Post-mortem Divine Retribution in Isaiah 26:19


3.1. Introduction


3.2. Isaiah 24–27: A Distinct Textual Complex


3.3. Date of Isaiah 24–27


3.4. Structure of Isaiah 26


3.5. Text: Isaiah 26:19


3.6. Resurrection: Metaphorical or Literal


3.7. Basis and Aspect of Post-mortem Divine Retribution in Isaiah 26:19


3.8. Conclusion


Chapter 4 Post-mortem Divine Retribution in Daniel 12:1–3


4.1. Introduction


4.2. Date of the Book of Daniel


4.3. Resurrection: Literal or Metaphorical


4.4. Resurrection and Post-mortem Divine Retribution in Daniel 12:1–3


4.5. Basis and Aspect of Post-mortem Divine Retribution


4.6. Nature of Divine Retribution: An Emphasis on Individuals


4.7. Conclusion


Chapter 5 Post-mortem Divine Retribution in the Book of Watchers 22


5.1. Introduction


5.2. 1 Enoch


5.3. Enochic Judaism


5.4. Post-mortem Divine Retribution in BW 22


5.5. Basis and Aspect of Post-mortem Divine Retribution


5.6. Nature of Post-mortem Divine Retribution: Individual or Corporate


5.7. Conclusion


Chapter 6 Post-mortem Divine Retribution in 2 Maccabees 7


6.1. Introduction


6.2. The Book of 2 Maccabees: Contents and Provenance


6.3. Historiographic Value of 2 Maccabees


6.4. 2 Maccabees 7: Story and Background


6.5. Post-mortem Divine Retribution in 2 Maccabees 7


6.6. Basis and Aspects of Post-mortem Divine Retribution


6.7. Nature of Post-mortem Divine Retribution: Corporate and Individual


6.8. Excursus: Divine Retribution for the Agent of Divine Punishment


6.9. Conclusion


Chapter 7 Conclusion


7.1. Introduction


7.2. Summary of the Chapters


7.3. Overall Observations


7.4. Potential for Further Research: The Nature of Post-Mortem Divine Retribution in the New Testament


7.5. Conclusion


Appendix Annotated Bibliography for the Themes of Divine Retribution and Afterlife in the Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Period Jewish Literature


Introduction


Bibliography


About Langham Partnership

Endnotes

Index
Acknowledgments
The thesis bears my name, but I owe a debt of gratitude to many people and institutions who invested as much as I did to see it completed.
My first offering of thanks is to God whose faithfulness I experienced in so many tangible and unexpected ways during my four-year doctoral program. Knowing that he is quietly bringing all things together gave me the conviction I needed to persevere.
I am deeply indebted to my supervisor, Dr. Havilah Dharamraj, for her academic acuity, efficiency, and encouragement at all stages of my doctoral program which helped give shape and direction to my thesis. Her knack for knowing when to point me in the right direction and when to walk along with me was crucial to my academic progress and I truly appreciate it.
I also owe special thanks to Dr. Eric Montgomery, Dr. Mark Awabdy, and Dr. Ernest Clark, who read various chapters of my thesis. Their incisive and detailed feedback helped further sharpen my work.
I have been able to pursue my studies because of the generous scholarship I received from Langham Partnership International, for which I am truly grateful. Their support, however, was more than financial. They have worked closely with me to provide all the help I needed to progress academically by sending me on fully paid research residency trips, and organizing annual consultations for Langham scholars, among other things. Langham also provided me with pastoral support, especially through Dr. Federico Villanueva and his wife Rosemarie, and I thank them for the constant love and care I received from them over the years.
My Langham supported research trips helped me access resources that were not readily available in India, and I want to thank the following institutions and people:
i) Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia, whose library resources I used for two months. My heartfelt gratitude to Ruth Weatherlake, the librarian at Ridley College, who hosted me for the entire duration of my stay and showed me how wonderful Australia and Australians are. During my stay in Melbourne I was also able to use the resources of the Dalton McCaughey Library for which I am very grateful.
ii) Nagel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA, whose hospitality I enjoyed for three months. They took care of all my needs and gave me access to the library resources at Calvin College. My special thanks to Donna Romanowski who did everything to ensure that my stay there was productive and comfortable.
iii) Tyndale House, Cambridge, UK, where I stayed for two months using their vast library resources and met some amazing women. Tyndale House also provided me access to the Cambridge University Library and database which were invaluable for my work.
My sincere gratitude also goes to my external examiners, Dr. K. Jesurathnam and Dr. Rajkumar Boaz Johnson, for insightful comments and encouragement. I am also immensely grateful to my parents, parents-in-law, and siblings for consistently and earnestly praying for me through these years. Lastly, I thank my husband, Luke Haokip. I do not have words good enough to express my gratitude for the unswerving dedication and support he has shown to me and my work every single day in the past four years. From reading my every chapter to rearranging his life and schedule around mine, he did every