Aramaic Calendars and the Question of Divination in Late Second Temple Judaism

Helen R Jacobus

doi:10.1163/9789004445703_004

Aramaic Calendars and the Question of Divination in Late Second Temple Judaism

Helen R Jacobus

Religions & Theology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

The main focus of this chapter is research on the proposed calendrical cycles of the Aramaic calendars from Qumran, which, it is suggested, could be used to construct a form of astrology using only the sun, the moon and the zodiac. The paper shows, using extant fragments, how these texts could function as ephemerides. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the ideal calendars may have been intercalated in accordance with a 19-year (‘Metonic’) cycle.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Unveiling the Hidden--Anticipating the Future
Subtitle of host publication	Divinatory Practices Among Jews Between Qumran and the Modern Period.
Editors	Josefina Rodríquez-Arribas, Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum
Place of Publication	Leiden
Publisher	Brill
Chapter	2
Pages	46-100
Number of pages	65
ISBN (Electronic)	9789004445703
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004445703_004
Publication status	Published - 18 Feb 2021

Publication series

Name	Prognostication in History
Publisher	Brill
Volume	5

Keywords

Dead Sea Scrolls;
Qumran calendars
Qumran calendars; lunar calendar;cryptic
Qumran zodiac
Qumran zodiac calendars
ancient astrology
Jewish astrology
Jewish divination
Second Temple Judaism

Access to Document

10.1163/9789004445703_004

8 Chapter
2 Article
1 Book
1 Other contribution

Astral Divination in the Dead Sea Scrolls
Jacobus, H., 20 Feb 2020, Ancient Astronomy in Its Mediterranean and Near East Contexts (300 BC- AD 300): The Science in Its Contexts. Bowen, A. & Rochberg, F. (eds.). Leiden: Brill , p. 453-462 10 p. (Brill's Companions to Classical Studies).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Function and Creativity in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Cryptic Calendars from Qumran
Jacobus, H. R., 23 Oct 2020, Dead Sea Scrolls, Revise and Repeat: New Methods and Perspectives. Palmer, C., Krause, A., Schuller, E. & Screnock, J. (eds.). Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, p. 199-250 52 p. (Early Judaism and Its Literature; vol. 52).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Reconstructing the Calendar of 4Q208-4Q209 (and a Response to Eshbal Ratzon)
Jacobus, H. R., 31 Dec 2019, In: Revue de Qumran. 31, 2 (no. 114), p. 251 22 p., 5.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Jacobus, H. R. (2021). Aramaic Calendars and the Question of Divination in Late Second Temple Judaism. In J. Rodríquez-Arribas, & D. Gieseler Greenbaum (Eds.), Unveiling the Hidden--Anticipating the Future: Divinatory Practices Among Jews Between Qumran and the Modern Period. (pp. 46-100). (Prognostication in History; Vol. 5). Brill . https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004445703_004

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abstract = "The main focus of this chapter is research on the proposed calendrical cycles of the Aramaic calendars from Qumran, which, it is suggested, could be used to construct a form of astrology using only the sun, the moon and the zodiac. The paper shows, using extant fragments, how these texts could function as ephemerides. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the ideal calendars may have been intercalated in accordance with a 19-year ({\textquoteleft}Metonic{\textquoteright}) cycle. ",

keywords = "Dead Sea Scrolls;, Qumran calendars, Qumran calendars; lunar calendar;cryptic, Qumran zodiac, Qumran zodiac calendars, ancient astrology, Jewish astrology, Jewish divination, Second Temple Judaism",

author = "Jacobus, {Helen R}",

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language = "English",

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Jacobus, HR 2021, Aramaic Calendars and the Question of Divination in Late Second Temple Judaism. in J Rodríquez-Arribas & D Gieseler Greenbaum (eds), Unveiling the Hidden--Anticipating the Future: Divinatory Practices Among Jews Between Qumran and the Modern Period.. Prognostication in History, vol. 5, Brill , Leiden, pp. 46-100. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004445703_004

Aramaic Calendars and the Question of Divination in Late Second Temple Judaism. / Jacobus, Helen R.
Unveiling the Hidden--Anticipating the Future: Divinatory Practices Among Jews Between Qumran and the Modern Period.. ed. / Josefina Rodríquez-Arribas; Dorian Gieseler Greenbaum. Leiden: Brill , 2021. p. 46-100 (Prognostication in History; Vol. 5).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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AB - The main focus of this chapter is research on the proposed calendrical cycles of the Aramaic calendars from Qumran, which, it is suggested, could be used to construct a form of astrology using only the sun, the moon and the zodiac. The paper shows, using extant fragments, how these texts could function as ephemerides. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the ideal calendars may have been intercalated in accordance with a 19-year (‘Metonic’) cycle.

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KW - Qumran calendars; lunar calendar;cryptic

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KW - Qumran zodiac calendars

KW - ancient astrology

KW - Jewish astrology

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BT - Unveiling the Hidden--Anticipating the Future

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Aramaic Calendars and the Question of Divination in Late Second Temple Judaism

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

Access to Document

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Research output

Astral Divination in the Dead Sea Scrolls

Function and Creativity in the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Cryptic Calendars from Qumran

Reconstructing the Calendar of 4Q208-4Q209 (and a Response to Eshbal Ratzon)

Cite this