The Tongues of Angels: The Concept of Angelic Languages in Classical Jewish and Christian Texts

Full title
The Tongues of Angels: The Concept of Angelic Languages in Classical Jewish and Christian Texts
Updated By
Research notes

NR\Reader checked\16/06/2015

Reference type
Author(s)
Poirier, John C.
Year
2010
Journal / Book Title || Series Title
Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament
Issue / Series Volume
287
Abbreviated Series Name
WUNT
Publisher
Mohr Siebeck
Place of Publication
Tübingen
Work type
Abstract

The Apostle Paul's reference to the "tongues of angels" (1 Cor 13.1) has always aroused curiosity, but it has rarely been the object of a history-of-traditions investigation. Few readers of Paul's words are aware of the numerous references and allusions to angelic languages in Jewish and Christian texts. John C. Poirier presents the first full-length study of the concept of angelic languages, and the most exhaustive attempt to assemble the evidence for that concept in ancient Jewish and early Christian texts. He discusses possible references to angelic languages in the New Testament, pseudepigraphic writings (both Jewish and Christian), the Dead Sea scrolls, rabbinic texts, patristic references, magical writings, and epigraphy. The discussion is divided between those witnesses that understand angels to speak Hebrew, and those that understand angels to speak an esoteric heavenly language.