 previous article in this issue | next article in this issue  |
Preview first page |
Document Details : Title: The Punishment of Asael (1 En. 10:4-8) and Mesopotamian Anti-Witchcraft Literature Author(s): DRAWNEL, Henryk Journal: Revue de Qumran Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Date: numéro 99, 2012 Pages: 369-394 DOI: 10.2143/RQ.25.3.3206350 Abstract : The literary pattern of Asael’s punishment in the Enochic myth does not seem to stem from biblical literature or Greek mythology. It is far more probable that one has to look for its antecedents in Babylonian anti-witchcraft literature. The Jewish author who lived in Mesopotamia in Late Babylonian period treated Asael and other Watchers as warlocks against whom exorcistic rituals have to be applied. The elimination of Asael and other Watchers from the earthly realm paved the way for the Jewish context of knowledge transmission, exemplified by Enoch and his insight into the structure of the world, revealed to him by angels faithful to God of Israel. |
|
