Demons, Angels, and Writing in Ancient Judaism

Annette Yoshiko Reed's book explores the third century BCE as a critical moment for the beginnings of Jewish angelology and demonology, drawing on early pseudepigrapha and Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls to reconstruct scribal settings and situate this development in relation to shifting ideas about scribes and writing across the Hellenistic Near East.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 363 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The belief in demons and angels has been a subject of intrigue for centuries, particularly in the context of the Hebrew Bible, which provides relatively limited information on these supernatural entities. However, in the centuries following the conquests of Alexander the Great, there emerged a significant surge of explicit and systematic interest in demons and angels. This phenomenon can be observed in various ancient texts and writings.

In her book, "Annette Yoshiko Reed: The Beginnings of Jewish Angelology and Demonology in the Third Century BCE," Reed examines the third century BCE as a pivotal period for the emergence of Jewish angelology and demonology. Drawing on early pseudepigrapha and Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls, Reed reconstructs the scribal settings in which transmundane powers became a subject of concerted Jewish interest. She also situates this development in relation to shifting ideas about scribes and writing across the Hellenistic Near East.

Through her meticulous research, Reed offers a valuable window into a forgotten era of Jewish literary creativity that profoundly shaped the discussion of angels and demons in Judaism and Christianity. Her book sheds light on the complex interplay between religious beliefs, cultural influences, and literary expressions, providing a fresh perspective on the origins and development of these supernatural concepts.

In conclusion, "Annette Yoshiko Reed: The Beginnings of Jewish Angelology and Demonology in the Third Century BCE" is a groundbreaking work that delves into the enigmatic world of demons and angels in ancient Judaism. Reed's meticulous research and insightful analysis shed light on a forgotten era of Jewish literary creativity, contributing to our understanding of the origins and development of these supernatural concepts in Judaism and Christianity.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 229 x 173 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108746090
Edition number: New ed