The Impact of Hellenistic Monarchy on Jewish Identity
The rise of “conversion,” i.e., the interpretation of Jewishness as an elective identity, is frequently described as a consequence of the advent of Hellenism. This article argues that while the main observations on the chronology and the nature of the phenomenon are correct, “Hellenism” as such cann...
| Published in: | Journal of ancient Judaism |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
[2020]
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| In: |
Journal of ancient Judaism
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Antiochus IV Seleucid Empire, King 215 BC-164 BC
/ Hellenism
/ Maccabees 165 BC-37 BC
/ Jews
/ Religious identity
/ Political identity
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| RelBib Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy BC Ancient Orient; religion HD Early Judaism |
| Further subjects: | B
Hasmonean dynasty
B Genealogy B Hellenistic monarchy B Hellenism B Judaism B Idumeans |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | The rise of “conversion,” i.e., the interpretation of Jewishness as an elective identity, is frequently described as a consequence of the advent of Hellenism. This article argues that while the main observations on the chronology and the nature of the phenomenon are correct, “Hellenism” as such cannot explain it. A more plausible context is the change of power relations in Judea after the interventions of Antiochus IV. When the depositions of legitimate high priests and the rise of the Hasmoneans called into question the value of genealogy as an ordering principle, the lessons learned were not limited to the political sphere. |
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| ISSN: | 2196-7954 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of ancient Judaism
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.30965/21967954-12340002 |