Minimalist

because its too expensive in hardcover but this looks to be interesting.

http://www.equinoxpub.com/equinox/bo...k.asp?bkid=466

dockeen

Very cool!

Toto

This is evidently based on his doctoral thesis. Vridar has some posts on it:

The Bible’s roots in Greek mythology and classical authors: Isaac and Phrixus

jakejonesiv

What a hoot. Even the Torah may not be Jewish. Don't mention this to NO Robots.

Horatio Parker

No surprise here.

When I found ancient Greek lit, my reaction was why didn't anybody ever tell me about this stuff. Hard to believe that it had any lesser impact years ago.

So the double tradition isn't really double after all.

Sheshbazzar

This fits in extremely well with what I have long suspected, based upon peculiar word plays, usages and 'types' subtly incorporated within the Hebrew texts, that once they are discerned, quite blatantly mock and taunt many Hellenic cultural idioms and religious ideas.
While the Jews might well adopt many Hellenic laws and political ideas, Hellenistc religious ideas and practices were an utter anathema (chrem) to the Jewish patriotic ideals. 'Swine flesh' being a Hebrew idiom virtually synonymous with 'Greek culture'.

Seems this ancient Judean scholar (or scholars) had little very use for, or respect for the pride of Hellenic culture and its gods, and thus craftily drew upon the ancient idioms of the Hebrew language to both lampoon and to scorn the Hellenic religion throughout the Torah, Proverbs, and Psalms.
(which is quite to be expected of a culturally proud people constantly under the threat of that overbearing and creeping Hellenistic syncretism that would soon otherwise permanently over-run, obscure, and devour their own ancient and traditional culture.)
The Tanaka serves as a vehicle of Hebrew cultural survival (and internally, because of its peculiar idioms and word plays, an always subtle and constant reminder to the Hebrew literate to be ever on guard against Hellenistic intrusions against their ancient Hebrew cultural heritage.)

Certainly many Hebrew reading Hebrew scholars never do become personally and openly aware of these subtle lampoonings and mockeries of Hellenism.
(even if they did so, long ages of experience with the bloodthirsty wrath of enraged Grecko-Hellenic civilizations and their contemporary continuators would suffice to make them hold their private thoughts close)
Rather, with most Hebrew readers these subtly anti-Hellenic texts would only cause a general overall unease and distrust of the Greek language and its culture, one that would remain unexamined and unexpressed in doctrinal dissertations, but still build a mighty strong and enduring wall betwixt the two.

The cultural battle between Hebrewisim and Hellenism is older than the Bible itself, and the stresses thereof are most certainly and craftily reflected therein.
Very much a text of cultural hero's, and of its traitors.

Or as a very astute writer phrased it many years ago; "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
Both prophetic and perceptive





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