Ancient Jewish and Christian Perceptions of Crucifixion

Research notes: 
Reader Checked 24/01/2013 SE
Reference type: 
Book
Author(s): 
Chapman, David W.
year: 
2008
Full title: 

Ancient Jewish and Christian Perceptions of Crucifixion

Translated title: 
Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe
Volume: 
Issue / Series Volume: 
2.244
Number of volumes: 
0
Series Title: 
Abbreviated Series Name: 
Collaborating Author: 
Place of Publication: 
Tübingen
Publisher: 
Mohr Siebeck
Pages: 
Chapter: 
Work type: 
Abstract: 

David W. Chapman examines Second Temple and early rabbinic literature and material remains in order to demonstrate the range of ancient Jewish perceptions about crucifixion. Early Christian literature is then shown to reflect awareness of, and interaction with, these Jewish perceptions.
Ancient Jewish historical accounts of crucifixion are examined, magical literature is analyzed, and the proverbial use of crucifixion imagery is studied. He pays special attention to Jewish interpretations of key Old Testament texts that mention human bodily suspension in association with execution.
Previous studies have demonstrated how pervasive in antiquity was the view of the cross as a terrible and shameful death. In this volume, the author provides further evidence of such views in ancient Jewish communities. More positive perceptions could also be attached to crucifixion insofar as the death could be associated with the innocent sufferer or martyr as well as with latent sacrificial images.
Christian literature, proclaiming a crucified Messiah, betrays awareness of these various perceptions by seeking to reject or transform negative stereotypes, or by embracing some of these more positive associations. Thus early Christian literature on the cross exhibits, to a greater degree than is commonly recognized, a reflection upon the various Jewish perceptions of the cross in antiquity.

Notes: 
Language: 
Alternative title: 
WUNT II
Date: 
Hebrew bible: 
Book: 
Exodus
Chapter(s): 
40
Verse(s): 
Book: 
Numbers
Chapter(s): 
25
Verse(s): 
Book: 
Deuteronomy
Chapter(s): 
21
Verse(s): 
Book: 
Esther
Chapter(s): 
Verse(s): 
Book: 
Ezra
Chapter(s): 
6
Verse(s): 
Primary Texts: Judean Desert Documents: 
Scroll / Document: 
4Q169
Section type: 
Fragment
Passage: 
3-4 i
Scroll / Document: 
11Q19
Section type: 
Column
Passage: 
64
Edition: 
Original Publication: 
Reprint edition: 
URL: 
DOI: 
ISBN: 
Accession number: 
Call num: 
Label: 
25/08/2008
Record number: 
17 055