Elie Assis | Bar-Ilan University (original) (raw)
Papers by Elie Assis
Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium, cccx, pp. 311-334, 2020
Scriptura 119, 2020
The Book of Judges is unique in that it includes in its inception a schematic description of the ... more The Book of Judges is unique in that it includes in its inception a schematic description of the pattern of the narratives of the Judges that reoccurs throughout the book. However, the description of the paradigmatic pattern is complex: it contains repetitions, inconsistencies, and even a significant contradiction. These textual phenomena have been typically explained in diachronic and synchronic readings. This article claims that these phenomena are literary devices to create multifaceted meaning.
Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 85, 2009
Covenant in the Persian Period: From Genesis to Chronicles, 2015
The Catholic Biblical quarterly, Jan 1, 2007
THE FIRST FOUR POEMS of the Book of Lamentations are in the form of alphabetical acrostics. 1 Eac... more THE FIRST FOUR POEMS of the Book of Lamentations are in the form of alphabetical acrostics. 1 Each poem has twenty-two verses: in chaps. 1, 2, and 3 there are three lines in each stanza; in chap. 4, two lines; and in chap. 5, one line. In Lamentations 1, 2, and 4, only the first letter of the first line in each stanza is part I would like to acknowledge the kind support of Beit-Shalom, Japan. 1 In Lamentations 1 the alphabetic order is the one known today, but in chaps. 2-4 the letter pe precedes ayin. For a review of explanations of the reversed order, see Hermann Wiesmann, Die Klagelieder übersetzt und erklärt (Frankfurt am Main: Philosophische-theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen, 1954) 32-33. According to Homer Heater ("Structure and Meaning in Lamentations," BSac 149 [1992] 304-15, esp. 314-15), the reversal of the sixteenth and seventeenth letters is a poetic device that is part of the motif of reversal, which is a dominant theme in Lamentations. In my opinion, the most reasonable explanation is that the order of the letters pe and ayin was not fixed at the time or, alternatively, that there were two traditions of alphabetic order. This fact is supported by inscriptions found at vIzbet Si art iah and Kuntillet vAjrud. See Aaron Demsky, "A Proto-Canaanite Abecedary Dating from the Period of the Judges" (in Hebrew), Bar-Ilan 14-15 (1977) 45-57 (English summary, 113-14); Moshe Kochavi and Aaron Demsky, "A Proto-Canaanite Abecedary from vIzbet-Sarta" (in Hebrew), Qadmoniot 9 (1978) 61-67; Frank Moore Cross, "Newly Found Inscriptions in Old Canaanite and Early Phoenician Scripts," BASOR 238 (1980) 13; Ze'ev Meshel, Kuntillet vAjrud-A Religious Centre from the Time of the Judaean Monarchy on the Border of Sinai (Israel Museum Catalogue 175; Jerusalem: Israel Museum, 1978). Some have explained the evidence from vIzbet-Sarta differently; see Aaron Dotan, "The Alphabet Inscription of vIzbet-Sarta" (in Hebrew), ErIsr 16 (1982) 62-69 (English summary 253*-254*); Joseph Naveh, "Some Considerations on the Ostracon from vIzbet-Sarta," IEJ 28 (1978) 31-35. Indeed, the possibility that in early times pe preceded ayin can be supported by further evidence. This is the alphabetic order in the LXX of Prov 31:10-31. Some scholars believe that vv. 15 and 16 should be reversed, yielding the order pe ayin. See, e.g., Artur Weiser, The Psalms: A Commentary (trans. Herbert Hartwell; OTL; London: SCM, 1962) 299 n. 1. Interestingly, in the Qumran text (4QLam) of Lamentations 1 the order is pe ayin, see DJD 16:234.
Prooftexts 22, 3 pp. 273-304, 2003
JSOT 39 , 2014
This article argues that Obadiah consists of three oracles, each re ecting a different time perio... more This article argues that Obadiah consists of three oracles, each re ecting a different time period. The rst oracle re ects the pre-destruction period and comprises criticism of Edomite pride. The second oracle conveys Judah's hostility to Edom, based on its participation in the destruction of 586 BCE, whereas the third depicts a later period, marked by signi cant Edomite encroachment into southern Judah. This third oracle evokes the people's aspiration to reclaim their patriarchal lands. Though it is clear that the book's authorship was a three-phase process, the unity of the work is also unequivocal. The prophecy is recorded as one sequence and lacks opening and concluding formulae. Moreover, the rhetorical and theoretical application of the lex talionis principle characterizes all three oracles. In each of the oracles the prophet attributes to Edom a distinct transgression for which commensurate retribution is anticipated. This article asserts that the author revised his treatment of Edom in view of political changes that occurred. These modi ed political realities prompted new responses from the prophet, though they did not revoke the earlier oracles. This analysis embodies, perhaps, the advantage of diachronic analysis of the prophetic text alongside serious consideration of the synchronic view. The willingness to apply both methods facilitates, in this case, a more precise understanding of the text than that allowed by the exclusive application of just one.
in: Samson: Hero or Fool? The Many Faces of Samson, edited by: E. Eynikel and T. Nicklas, 2014
Vetus Testamentum, Jan 1, 2006
Hispania Judaica Bulletin (בין אדום לקידר: מחקרים לזכר יום טוב עסיס), vol. 10, 2014
HUCA 81 (2010), pp. 45-63 (Hebrew)
Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament 26 (pp. 212-219), 2012
Zer Rimonim: Studies in Biblical Litrature and Jewish Exegesis Presented to Professor Rimon Kasher, 2013
Studies in Bible and Exegesis 9, 2009
M. Poorthuis and J. Schwartz (eds.), Saints and Role Models in Judaism and Christianity (Jewish and Christian Perspectives, vol. VII), Leiden and Boston: Brill Academic Press, pp. 25-42, 2004
Bibliotheca Ephemeridum Theologicarum Lovaniensium, cccx, pp. 311-334, 2020
Scriptura 119, 2020
The Book of Judges is unique in that it includes in its inception a schematic description of the ... more The Book of Judges is unique in that it includes in its inception a schematic description of the pattern of the narratives of the Judges that reoccurs throughout the book. However, the description of the paradigmatic pattern is complex: it contains repetitions, inconsistencies, and even a significant contradiction. These textual phenomena have been typically explained in diachronic and synchronic readings. This article claims that these phenomena are literary devices to create multifaceted meaning.
Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 85, 2009
Covenant in the Persian Period: From Genesis to Chronicles, 2015
The Catholic Biblical quarterly, Jan 1, 2007
THE FIRST FOUR POEMS of the Book of Lamentations are in the form of alphabetical acrostics. 1 Eac... more THE FIRST FOUR POEMS of the Book of Lamentations are in the form of alphabetical acrostics. 1 Each poem has twenty-two verses: in chaps. 1, 2, and 3 there are three lines in each stanza; in chap. 4, two lines; and in chap. 5, one line. In Lamentations 1, 2, and 4, only the first letter of the first line in each stanza is part I would like to acknowledge the kind support of Beit-Shalom, Japan. 1 In Lamentations 1 the alphabetic order is the one known today, but in chaps. 2-4 the letter pe precedes ayin. For a review of explanations of the reversed order, see Hermann Wiesmann, Die Klagelieder übersetzt und erklärt (Frankfurt am Main: Philosophische-theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen, 1954) 32-33. According to Homer Heater ("Structure and Meaning in Lamentations," BSac 149 [1992] 304-15, esp. 314-15), the reversal of the sixteenth and seventeenth letters is a poetic device that is part of the motif of reversal, which is a dominant theme in Lamentations. In my opinion, the most reasonable explanation is that the order of the letters pe and ayin was not fixed at the time or, alternatively, that there were two traditions of alphabetic order. This fact is supported by inscriptions found at vIzbet Si art iah and Kuntillet vAjrud. See Aaron Demsky, "A Proto-Canaanite Abecedary Dating from the Period of the Judges" (in Hebrew), Bar-Ilan 14-15 (1977) 45-57 (English summary, 113-14); Moshe Kochavi and Aaron Demsky, "A Proto-Canaanite Abecedary from vIzbet-Sarta" (in Hebrew), Qadmoniot 9 (1978) 61-67; Frank Moore Cross, "Newly Found Inscriptions in Old Canaanite and Early Phoenician Scripts," BASOR 238 (1980) 13; Ze'ev Meshel, Kuntillet vAjrud-A Religious Centre from the Time of the Judaean Monarchy on the Border of Sinai (Israel Museum Catalogue 175; Jerusalem: Israel Museum, 1978). Some have explained the evidence from vIzbet-Sarta differently; see Aaron Dotan, "The Alphabet Inscription of vIzbet-Sarta" (in Hebrew), ErIsr 16 (1982) 62-69 (English summary 253*-254*); Joseph Naveh, "Some Considerations on the Ostracon from vIzbet-Sarta," IEJ 28 (1978) 31-35. Indeed, the possibility that in early times pe preceded ayin can be supported by further evidence. This is the alphabetic order in the LXX of Prov 31:10-31. Some scholars believe that vv. 15 and 16 should be reversed, yielding the order pe ayin. See, e.g., Artur Weiser, The Psalms: A Commentary (trans. Herbert Hartwell; OTL; London: SCM, 1962) 299 n. 1. Interestingly, in the Qumran text (4QLam) of Lamentations 1 the order is pe ayin, see DJD 16:234.
Prooftexts 22, 3 pp. 273-304, 2003
JSOT 39 , 2014
This article argues that Obadiah consists of three oracles, each re ecting a different time perio... more This article argues that Obadiah consists of three oracles, each re ecting a different time period. The rst oracle re ects the pre-destruction period and comprises criticism of Edomite pride. The second oracle conveys Judah's hostility to Edom, based on its participation in the destruction of 586 BCE, whereas the third depicts a later period, marked by signi cant Edomite encroachment into southern Judah. This third oracle evokes the people's aspiration to reclaim their patriarchal lands. Though it is clear that the book's authorship was a three-phase process, the unity of the work is also unequivocal. The prophecy is recorded as one sequence and lacks opening and concluding formulae. Moreover, the rhetorical and theoretical application of the lex talionis principle characterizes all three oracles. In each of the oracles the prophet attributes to Edom a distinct transgression for which commensurate retribution is anticipated. This article asserts that the author revised his treatment of Edom in view of political changes that occurred. These modi ed political realities prompted new responses from the prophet, though they did not revoke the earlier oracles. This analysis embodies, perhaps, the advantage of diachronic analysis of the prophetic text alongside serious consideration of the synchronic view. The willingness to apply both methods facilitates, in this case, a more precise understanding of the text than that allowed by the exclusive application of just one.
in: Samson: Hero or Fool? The Many Faces of Samson, edited by: E. Eynikel and T. Nicklas, 2014
Vetus Testamentum, Jan 1, 2006
Hispania Judaica Bulletin (בין אדום לקידר: מחקרים לזכר יום טוב עסיס), vol. 10, 2014
HUCA 81 (2010), pp. 45-63 (Hebrew)
Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament 26 (pp. 212-219), 2012
Zer Rimonim: Studies in Biblical Litrature and Jewish Exegesis Presented to Professor Rimon Kasher, 2013
Studies in Bible and Exegesis 9, 2009
M. Poorthuis and J. Schwartz (eds.), Saints and Role Models in Judaism and Christianity (Jewish and Christian Perspectives, vol. VII), Leiden and Boston: Brill Academic Press, pp. 25-42, 2004
תבונות, 2018
יחסם של המקורות המקראיים לאדום איננו אחיד, והוא אף משתנה מקצה לקצה. מצד אחד אדום נתפס בכמה מקורות... more יחסם של המקורות המקראיים לאדום איננו אחיד, והוא אף משתנה מקצה לקצה. מצד אחד אדום נתפס בכמה מקורות כאח של ישראל, ומצד שני במקומות רבים העוינות המופגנת כלפיו היא עצומה.
בספר בראשית מתוארת משפחת יצחק ורבקה אשר לה שני בנים תאומים: עשו ויעקב. התחרות והיריבות בין האחים מתגלות עוד לפני לידתם, והולכות ומתגברות במהלך חייהם, והסיפור מתאר בהרחבה את העימות ביניהם. גם יחסי ההורים סביב השאלה מי מהבנים יש להעדיף הנם יחסים מתוחים, התיאור המקראי בספר בראשית ביחס לרבקה ויצחק נסוב ברובו המכריע סביב שאלה זו.
רבים סבורים שהתיאור משקף את היחסים העכורים שבין אדום לישראל; ואולם, על פי המתואר בבראשית ובמקורות מקראיים אחרים, היחסים בין האחים אינם תמיד כה גרועים. כפל היחסים בספר בראשית - אחוות האחים מחד והשנאה והיריבות מאידך - ממשיך גם בשאר ספרי המקרא.
בספר זה המחבר מבהיר את היחסים המורכבים בין ישראל ואדום ומנסה להסביר את יסודם של יחסים אלה ואת תפקידם במקורות המקראיים הרבים. הוא מראה כיצד יחסים אלה תופסים מקום מרכזי בעיצוב הזהות הישראלית, וכיצד האינטראקציה בין העמים השפיעה על התפיסות האידיאולוגיות והדתיות של ישראל. עוד מראה המחבר כיצד יחסים אלה הנם יסוד להבנת המעתק של השם 'אדום' מהעם האדומי אל רומא ואל הנצרות בספרות חז"ל ובספרות הרבנית.
No nation has been subjected to a wider range of biblical attitudes and emotions than Edom. In so... more No nation has been subjected to a wider range of biblical attitudes and emotions than Edom. In some sources, Edom is perceived as Israel's brother; in many others, the animosity toward Edom is tremendous. The book of Genesis introduces Isaac, his wife Rebecca, and their twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Rivalry between the brothers emerges even before their birth and escalates over the course of their lives. The question which son should be favored also causes tension in the parents' relationship, and most of the Genesis text concerning Isaac and Rebecca revolves around this issue. The narrative describes the fraternal conflict between Jacob and Esau at length, and many hold that this description is a reflection of the hostility between Edom and Israel. However, the relationship between the brothers is not always depicted as strained. The twofold relationship between the brothers in Genesis—brotherhood and fraternity coupled with hatred and rivalry— introduces a dichotomy that is retained throughout the Hebrew Bible. In this monograph, Assis elucidates the complex relationship between Edom and Israel reflected in the Bible, to attempt to clarify the source of this complexity and the function that this relationship serves in the various biblical texts and Israel's early history. He shows how this relationship plays an important role in the formation of Israel's identity and how the historical interaction between the nations influenced the people's theological conception, as reflected in prophetic literature, poetry, and biblical narrative. Eisenbrauns, 2016. Pp. x + 214. English. Cloth. ISBN: 978-1-57506-417-8 List Price: $47.50
מכל הנביאים במקרא יואל הוא החידתי ביותר. מתי חי? על איזו תקופה ניבא? בספר לא מצויין שום אירוע היס... more מכל הנביאים במקרא יואל הוא החידתי ביותר. מתי חי? על איזו תקופה ניבא? בספר לא מצויין שום אירוע היסטורי וגם לא שמו של מנהיג שיאפשר לענות על שאלות אלה. במרוצת הדורות פרשנים וחוקרים ניסו לפתור את התעלומה אך השלאה נשארה פתוחה.
בספר חדשני זה חושף חוקר התנ"ך פרופ' אליהו עסיס את הרקע ההיסטורי של נבואות יואל בהשוואה בין פסוקי הספר לפסוקים דומים במקומות חארים בתנ"ך. פסוק אחר פסוק דולה עסיס את הרמזים הטמונים בנבואות יואל ומפענח את השעה ההיסטורית החבויה בה.
This book provides an extensive literary analysis of the Gideon, Abimelech and Jephthah narrative... more This book provides an extensive literary analysis of the Gideon, Abimelech and Jephthah narratives in Judges 6-12, and discloses the main intention of these stories. The book consists of three chapters, each of which analyses the respective biblical narratives. These narratives show the two parameters by which the Israelite leaders are examined, namely their loyalty to God and their altruistic character: A leader who prefers his own interest is doomed to his own demise and brings devastation upon his people. Judges does not establish a preferred governmental model, instead it considers the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of regimes. In the epilogue it is suggested that these narratives are conveniently placed in the pre-monarchic period when the question of the regime becomes part of the political debate. The book of Judges offers criteria for the choice of the right leader.
LHBOTS, 503, 2009
This literary analysis of the "Song of Songs" employs the methods of New Criticism. Each analysis... more This literary analysis of the "Song of Songs" employs the methods of New Criticism. Each analysis aims to uncover the messages conveyed by the poems, the inner world of the characters. The analysis brings to the fore the highly sophisticated and the original creativity of the love poetry of the "Song of Songs". In the introduction, the question is posed as to whether the "Song of Songs" is an anthology or one literary whole. After discussing the strengths and weakness of the various approaches, the author proposes a novel structure for the Book predicated on the various genres of the love poems.Assis discerns poems of physical description, poems of adoration, and poems of yearning. In addition, he discerns what he takes to be a previously unrecognized genre, poems of rendezvous - a new structure which is based on a psychological understanding of passionate love is now discovered. One of the undisputed dominant features of passionate love is the longing for union with the beloved. Based on this premise, the book is divided into five sections, each of which ends with an attempt to unite or in a union. The structure of the book reflects an emotional and inner development in the psyche of the lovers and in the relationship between them. Throughout the book the interrelationships between the various genres of the love poems, and the development of the characters is spelled out.A critical feature of this reading is that the most intimate union of the lovers occurs in the middle of the book while the book ends with their separation, leaving the reader with a thirst for something more. Assis posits that this ending signifies that true love is infinite, and can never be fully realized. The essence of true love is in the yearning not in the consummation.Over the last 30 years this pioneering series has established an unrivaled reputation for cutting-edge international scholarship in Biblical Studies and has attracted leading authors and editors in the field. The series takes many original and creative approaches to its subjects, including innovative work from historical and theological perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and more recent developments in cultural studies and reception history.