this issue
previous article in this issuenext article in this issue

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.

Download article