Historia, historiografia a wiarygodność historyczna. Księga Kronik na tle starożytnego piśmiennictwa bliskowschodniego i grecko-rzymskiego

he purpose of this article is to express, expand and sharpen views concerning history, historiography, historical evaluation and reliability, and the main literary nature of the book of Chronicles as a whole in its own historical context. These are vital issues that have direct implications for understanding the book, its content, its purpose, and credibility as a source for the history of Israel in the monarchic period, and for the development of Judaism in the Second Temple era. In order to accomplish this task, some common features of the Chronicler’s writing and the related ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman historical writings are provided. Furthermore, the presumed Chronicler’s lines of thought and his evaluations of sources are scrutinized and exemplified, and the historical trustworthiness of some details, which appear only in Chronicles, is examined in order to demonstrate that the book contains some potential reliable data

Weź twego syna, którego miłujesz, idź i złóż go w ofierze! „Związanie" Izaaka w literaturze i myśli rabinicznej

The Aqedah story is a crown jewel of the biblical literature. Highlighting genuine emotions and important theological and ethical problems, it holds ground in all monotheistic religions. It brings about several questions concerning the mutual relationship between man and God, and man’s relationship with his son, wife and surroundings. Rabbinic literature provides plurality of perspectives on the Aqedah. It fills in gaps of the narrative and suggests directions o f interpretation that reflects in Josephus and perhaps in the Qumranic literature. Some interpretations are rooted in Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha literature, and many continue in the medieval Jewish interpretation. Usually the rabbis see God’s request as a test of Abraham’s unconditional belief. Some view the text as Abraham mistaking God’s intent. Others are justifying the placement of God and blaming Satan and Abraham. Several rabbis considered the Aqedah as an act of Kiddush Hashem (martyrdom). Abraham is viewed as one who is truly motivated by his religious belief over moral command, and his immediate acceptance of the command was praised. Many consider the Aqedah also as Isaac’s test. There are several approaches regarding what truly happened on the mount. However, Isaac’s blood cannot be viewed as a counterblast to Jesus’ blood. Sarah’s death was related with the Aqedah. Abraham’s act is considered to be an enduring eminence of Israel

Weź twego syna, którego miłujesz, idź i złóż go w ofierze! „Związanie" Izaaka w literaturze i myśli rabinicznej

The Aqedah story is a crown jewel of the biblical literature. Highlighting genuine emotions and important theological and ethical problems, it holds ground in all monotheistic religions. It brings about several questions concerning the mutual relationship between man and God, and man’s relationship with his son, wife and surroundings. Rabbinic literature provides plurality of perspectives on the Aqedah. It fills in gaps of the narrative and suggests directions o f interpretation that reflects in Josephus and perhaps in the Qumranic literature. Some interpretations are rooted in Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha literature, and many continue in the medieval Jewish interpretation. Usually the rabbis see God’s request as a test of Abraham’s unconditional belief. Some view the text as Abraham mistaking God’s intent. Others are justifying the placement of God and blaming Satan and Abraham. Several rabbis considered the Aqedah as an act of Kiddush Hashem (martyrdom). Abraham is viewed as one who is truly motivated by his religious belief over moral command, and his immediate acceptance of the command was praised. Many consider the Aqedah also as Isaac’s test. There are several approaches regarding what truly happened on the mount. However, Isaac’s blood cannot be viewed as a counterblast to Jesus’ blood. Sarah’s death was related with the Aqedah. Abraham’s act is considered to be an enduring eminence of Israel

Love of God and Apologia for a King

The birth story of Solomon is unique in the ancient Israelite historiography from the monarchic period. Though the birth name of the newborn child was “Solomon,” he received an additional name “Yedidyah.” The purpose of this name should be understood within three contexts: the immediate passage in 2 Samuel 12; the wider story regarding Solomon’s rise to power in 1 King 1–2; and comparable ancient Near Eastern texts that recount the claims of usurpers outside the royal line to a throne. The latter attempted to legitimize their kingship by introducing themselves as beloved or chosen by patron deities, occasionally taking a new throne-name to reflect their status vis-à-vis the god or gods. This historical and literary phenomenon is clearly reflected from Mesopotamian, Anatolian, Persian, and Egyptian writings of different periods. The discussion here reveals that in ancient Israel and in the surrounding cultures, both Semitic and non-Semitic, the method of self-legitimation by usurpers was to claim that they had divine legitimization