Book of Zerubbabel

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The book of Zerubbabel (Hebrew Sefer Seubbabel , also known as the Zerubbabel Apocalypse ) is a Hebrew text that was written at the beginning of the 7th century AD. In the form of a revelation of the historical Zerubbabel he describes the restoration of the Jewish land of Israel at the end of the days and the establishment of the third temple .

content

Zerubbabel has a vision. In this he sees the battle between the Messiah from the house of Joseph and the leader of Rome (by which Ostrom is meant here ) 990 years after the destruction of the second temple. Rome is embodied as evil through the person of Armilus (perhaps to be equated with Emperor Herakleios ). In the text, the penultimate king (before Armilus) is mentioned as the Persian Shiroi (Siroe), which seems to be Kavadh II . Nehemiah ben Huschiel is killed in this battle, but soon afterwards the mother of the future Messiah of the house of David is born. He will restore the land of Israel at the end of the days and build the third temple.

Historical background

In 614, for the first time since 70, a Jewish leadership was established in Jerusalem. This was under the leadership of Nehemiah ben Huschiel under Persian rule. After a few months it was ended by a revolt of the Christian population in Jerusalem.

The text had a considerable influence and was subsequently changed and supplemented in terms of content. In the year 840 the text appears in a Hebrew prayer book. In the 10th century he seems to be known to various authors.

In the 11th century, the last days are expected to begin in 1058, 990 years after the destruction of the second temple.

Editions / translations

literature

  • Günter Stemberger: Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash. 9th edition CH Beck, Munich 2011, p. 376.