Animals, Humans, Angels and God: Animal Symbolism in the Historiography of the ‘Animal Apocalypse’ of 1 Enoch

Updated by: 
Neta Rozenblit
Research notes: 
NR\Reader checked\08/07/2015
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Gore-Jones, Lydia
year: 
2015
Full title: 

Animals, Humans, Angels and God: Animal Symbolism in the Historiography of the ‘Animal Apocalypse’ of 1 Enoch

Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha
Volume: 
24
Issue / Series Volume: 
4
Pages: 
268-287
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

The ‘Animal Apocalypse’ in the Ethiopic Book of Enoch (1 Enoch) presents a fascinating rendition of human history, and Israelite history in particular, entirely in an extended metaphor of animals. This article argues that the author's animal symbols are systematically applied, based on his ethical understanding of the Law regarding clean and unclean animals. Under its symbolic imagery the ‘Animal Apocalypse’ offers an alternative view on human history which combines both the earthly and the cosmic realms. The animal symbolism reveals the author's worldview and carries a depth of meaning which otherwise would be lost in a story told in a literal sense.

URL: 
http://jsp.sagepub.com/content/24/4/268.full.pdf+html
Label: 
03/08/2015
Record number: 
100 760