Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Malachi151 · 06-16-2006, 09:30 PM

This is a hymn to Dionysus, and was a part of the mystery religion of Dionysus.

Quote:

Blessed, blessed are those who know the mysteries of god.
Blessed is he who hallows his life in the worship of god,
he whom the spirit of god possesseth, who is one
with those who belong to the holy body of god.
Blessed are the dancers and those who are purified,
who dance on the hill in the holy dance of god.
Blessed are they who keep the rite of Kybele the mother.
Blessed are the thyrsus-bearers, those who wield in their
hands the holy wand of god.
Blessed are those who wear the crown of the ivy of god.
Blessed, blessed are they: Dionysos is their god!

- Song of the Bacchae; 440 BCE?

Quote:

Matthew 5:

3Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Any relation? Of course they say quite different things, but 500 years is a long time as well. Certianly if the Dionysus hymn were a common hymn or prayer, even in some altered form during the 1st century it could reflect a motif that was the basis for the Matthew piece.

Perhaps, however, it is simply unrelated in any direct way.

Chris Weimer · 06-17-2006, 05:23 PM

It's much simpler to posit a relationship to Judaism instead - see the Demons of Death scroll and the Ben Sira which Matthew would have been more familiar with than the Song of Bacchae.

(And another parallel bites the dust - everyone smell that? It's archaya s' stench seeping into BC&H again.)

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06-17-2006, 05:23 PM	#2
Chris Weimer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: none Posts: 9,879	It's much simpler to posit a relationship to Judaism instead - see the Demons of Death scroll and the Ben Sira which Matthew would have been more familiar with than the Song of Bacchae. (And another parallel bites the dust - everyone smell that? It's archaya s' stench seeping into BC&H again.)

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