Prophets and Prophecy in the Late Antique Near East

Jae Han explores how Late Antique Near Eastern communities, including Jews, Christians, Manichaeans, and philosophers, discussed prophethood and revelation, using an interdisciplinary, historical approach. He tracks the shifting contours of prophecy and contextualizes the emergence of orality as the privileged medium among these communities. Han also explores the contemporary interest in divinatory knowledge among Neoplatonists and offers a critical re-reading of key Manichaean texts. His book highlights the contingent production of discourse and demonstrates how contemporary theories of rhetoric and textuality can be applied to the study of ancient texts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In this captivating volume, Jae Han delves into the intricate discussions surrounding prophets and revelation among diverse Late Antique Near Eastern communities, including Jews, Christians, Manichaeans, and philosophers. Employing an interdisciplinary and historical approach, Han examines how these communities employed discourses of prophethood and revelation to shape their identities and navigate their place in the world. Han meticulously traces the evolving contours of prophecy and contextualizes the emergence of orality as a privileged medium among rabbis, Manichaeans, and Jewish Christian communities. He also explores the contemporary fascination with divinatory knowledge among Neoplatonists. Through a critical re-reading of key Manichaean texts, Han demonstrates how Manichaeans strategically employed concepts of prophethood and revelation to address pressing concerns within their communities. This book not only sheds light on the contingent production of discourse but also highlights the potential applications of contemporary theories of rhetoric and textuality to the study of ancient texts.

In this captivating volume, Jae Han delves into the intricate discussions surrounding prophets and revelation among diverse Late Antique Near Eastern communities, including Jews, Christians, Manichaeans, and philosophers. Employing an interdisciplinary and historical approach, Han examines how these communities employed discourses of prophethood and revelation to shape their identities and navigate their place in the world. Han meticulously traces the evolving contours of prophecy and contextualizes the emergence of orality as a privileged medium among rabbis, Manichaeans, and Jewish Christian communities. He also explores the contemporary fascination with divinatory knowledge among Neoplatonists. Through a critical re-reading of key Manichaean texts, Han demonstrates how Manichaeans strategically employed concepts of prophethood and revelation to address pressing concerns within their communities. This book not only sheds light on the contingent production of discourse but also highlights the potential applications of contemporary theories of rhetoric and textuality to the study of ancient texts.

ISBN-13: 9781009297752