Language:
German
Year of publication:
2021
Titel der Quelle:
Deuterocanonical and Cognate Literature Yearbook (2020-2021)
Angaben zur Quelle:
(2021) 193-210
Keywords:
Wisdom of Solomon Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Maccabees, 1st Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
God in post-biblical literature
;
Night in post-biblical literature
;
Light and darkness in post-biblical literature
Abstract:
This article deals with two deuterocanonical texts (the Wisdom of Solomon and 1 Maccabees), in which the actions that God carries out at night are remarkable. The first divine act that will be examined is part of the reflection on the Passover night in the book of Wisdom. In Wisdom 17-19 the night is used in both real and metaphorical senses. The truth is that the night itself is powerless (17:13), for the whole world is shining with brilliant light (17:20). But the lawless are shackled by darkness and fettered by the long night (17:2). God’s rage is merciless, and the end of the godless, in concrete terms for the Egyptians, has been brought on by themselves (19:1). In contrast, God’s all-powerful logos leaps into the land of destruction to rescue his people (18:15). That happens at midnight (18:14), exactly at the point when night is turning into day. In accordance with tradition, God’s help may be expected at sunrise. In 1 Macc 13:22 Trypho’s cavalry is ready to conquer Jerusalem. But there is a heavy snowfall during the night so that his army cannot advance and is forced to leave. This natural wonder is presented as another indication of God’s nocturnal intervention.
DOI:
10.1515/9783110705454-010
URL:
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