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show_no_mercy · 02-12-2010, 08:02 AM

I was doing som research on the Psalms and I came across an (internet) gem that Psalm 110 was written during the Hasmonean era - written to give authority to Hasmonean preist-kings. Is there any scholarly support for this, or just an internet meme?

Toto · 02-12-2010, 12:15 PM

It appears to have some support, but is not the majority view.

See: Psalm 110:1 and the New Testament by Herbert W. Bateman IV, Bibliotheca Sacra 149 (Oct. 1992): 438-53 © 1992 by Dallas Theological Seminary

Quote:

Those who propose a postexilic time frame suggest that Psalm 110 is a Maccabean psalm on the basis of literary and historical evidence. On the one hand Treves proposes that Psalm 110 speaks of a “warrior-priest” who is identified as Simon Maccabeus through a literary acrostic.⁶ On the other hand Pfeiffer suggests the psalm was composed for Simon to confer on him and his descendants the "legitimate and permanent authority as ruling high priests (1 Macc. 14:25-49).”⁷ Though some evidence may support a Hasmonean time frame,⁸ many adamantly oppose this postexilic view for several reasons. . .

* * *

footnote 8: Possible evidence favoring a postexilic view is 1 Maccabees 14:41, which describes Simon's appointment to the office of "governor and high priest forever." The Testament of Moses 6:1-2 refers to the Hasmoneans as powerful kings and priests of the Most High, and the Testament of Levi 8:2 refers to the Hasmonean kings as putting on priestly garments

show_no_mercy · 02-12-2010, 12:30 PM

Thanks Toto! It also seems that Psalm 110 might not have been known to the Qumran group since it's not quoted in their "Melchizedek Scroll". If it was written to give authority to the Maccabees, I can see why they wouldn't cite it.

Loomis · 02-15-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by show_no_mercy

Is there any scholarly support for this, or just an internet meme?

Internet meme.

It’s much older than that. The author of 110 seems to know who the god Shahar (the god of dawn) is. In verse 3b he refers to the “mountains of holiness” and “the womb of Shahar.” These could be allusions to the breast of Asherah and the crotch of Anat – as they are the goddesses who gave birth to the gracious gods.

Other references to Canaanite mythology include verse 2 where the lord is invited to sit at Yahweh’s right hand – just like Kothar sat at the right hand of the storm god Baal. (And Baal would also explain the shit about the dew in verse 3.)

Also note the mention of Melchizedek in verse 4. Melchizedek comes from Genesis 14 which is Canaanite (not Yahwistic). Melchizedek was was described as the king of Shalim (god of dusk) – Shahar’s half-brother.

02-12-2010, 08:02 AM	#1
show_no_mercy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dancing Posts: 9,940	Dating of Psalm 110 I was doing som research on the Psalms and I came across an (internet) gem that Psalm 110 was written during the Hasmonean era - written to give authority to Hasmonean preist-kings. Is there any scholarly support for this, or just an internet meme?

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02-12-2010, 12:30 PM	#3
show_no_mercy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dancing Posts: 9,940	Thanks Toto! It also seems that Psalm 110 might not have been known to the Qumran group since it's not quoted in their "Melchizedek Scroll". If it was written to give authority to the Maccabees, I can see why they wouldn't cite it.

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