Discovering the Traditions of Prose Prayers in Early Jewish Literature

Full title
Discovering the Traditions of Prose Prayers in Early Jewish Literature
Research notes

Reader Checked|OA 09/09/2013

Reference type
Author(s)
Matlock, Michael D.
Year
2012
Issue / Series Volume
81
Series Title
Library of Second Temple Studies
Abbreviated Series Name
LSTS
Publisher
T&T Clark
Place of Publication
London
Label
11/02/2013
Abstract

Matlock analyses five lengthy biblical prose prayers from the exilic and post-exilic period: Solomon's prayer (1 Kings 8.14-61), Ezra's prayer (Ezra 9.5-15), Nehemiah's prayer (Nehemiah 1.4-11), the Levites' prayer (Nehemiah 9.4-37), and the prayer of Daniel (Daniel 9:3-19). He also examines prayers from Second Temple literature including texts from the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, the writings of Philo and Josephus, and texts from Qumran. Matlock also discusses the Septuagintal versions of the five biblical prayers and Targum Jonathan's treatment of Solomon's prayer.
|He offers a new English translation of each prayer, examines the prayers' rhetorical characteristics, and demonstrates how each prayer draws upon and reinterprets traditional images and materials. Matlock describes how each prayer relates to its larger narrative context and examines its functions within that context. Finally, the author appraises the various similarities and differences in these prayers in terms of their different contexts in the Second Commonwealth period noting particular theologies and ideologies.