Francesco Zanella | Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (original) (raw)
I currently work for the Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum (University of Bonn), where I supervise and write articles dealing with rabbinic Judaism. Between October 22 and September 23, I was a substitute professor for Jewish Studies at the Martin Buber Institute (MBI)at the University of Cologne.
- My current research focuses on the conflicts between Judaism and its non-Jewish environment, with a particular focus on Jewish-Christian relations in late antiquity, the Middle Ages and the early modern period. I am finishing a monograph on the late antique and early medieval origins of Toledot Yeshu.
- A further, long-standing focus of my research is the history of ideas of ancient, late antique and early medieval Judaism in dialogue with its religious-plural environment: this research interest is documented by numerous publications for the RAC and my habilitation thesis on divine retribution in Tannaitic Literature (Vergeltungsvorstellungen in der Tannaitischen Literatur - Mohr Siebeck 2019 https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/uploads/tx\_sgpublisher/produkte/leseproben/9783161566707.pdf)
- The extension of this research question to the history of ideas of the entire ancient and late antique world is evidenced by my 2022 monograph that investigates silence as a cultural phenomenon in classical sources, Christian and Jewish literature, as well as in the principal works of Gnosis (Silenzio dell’uomo e Silenzio di Dio [Paideia 2022] https://www.claudiana.it/scheda-libro/francesco-zanella/silenzio-delluomo-e-silenzio-di-dio-9788839409805-2247.html.)
- My work on the Theological Dictionary of the Qumran Texts (ThWQ), where I was active before the RAC, resulted in another research focus, namely the study of the Qumran texts and the self-perception of the Qumran authors.
- My first focus of research, which simultaneously forms the philological-linguistic foundation of my approach to pre-modern Judaism, is Hebrew lexicography, or the conceptual-semantic exploration of the historical development lines of the Hebrew language. My dissertation is dedicated to this topic, among others (The lexical field of the Substantives of Gift in Ancient Hebrew [2010 Brill] https://brill.com/display/title/16468)
- I supervise and edit the Italian translation of the "Theologisches Wörterbuch zu den Qumrantexten"
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Internationale Hochschule Liebenzell, university of applied sciences
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Books by Francesco Zanella
Dizionario Teologico degli Scritti di Qumran 4 (kohen - maskil) , 2023
Quarto volume del Dizionario Teologico degli Scritti di Qumran
Studi biblici 208 (Paideia), 2022
Analysis of the theological and philosophical meaning of "Silence" in the antique and late antiqu... more Analysis of the theological and philosophical meaning of "Silence" in the antique and late antique world, with specific reference to the written sources of roman and greek literature, Judaism, Gnosticism, and Christianity.
Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism, 2019
Francesco Zanella untersucht in der vorliegenden Studie die Entstehung, Gestaltung und Entwicklun... more Francesco Zanella untersucht in der vorliegenden Studie die Entstehung, Gestaltung und Entwicklung der tannaitischen Vergeltungsvorstellungen, um die religions- und sozialgeschichtlichen Gründe für ihre Anwendung begreifbar zu machen. Er fragt nach der möglichen identitätsstiftenden Funktion der tannaitischen Vergeltungsvorstellungen bzw. nach ihrem Beitrag zur Ausgrenzung der Alterität sowie zum Selbstverständnis des tannaitischen Judentums. Wird „der Andere“ aufgrund von seiner Alterität bestraft oder belohnt von Gott? Wer sind „die Anderen“? Was geschieht hingegen im Bereich der Identität? Sind diese Vergeltungsvorstellungen in der Lage, eine zufriedenstellende Erklärung der komplexen Probleme der tannaitischen Gegenwart zu bieten und zugleich eine erfolgreiche Fortsetzung der Tradition der Väter zu ermöglichen und das Weiterleben der Gemeinschaft sicher zu stellen? Diese sind einige Fragen, auf die der Autor zu antworten versucht.
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Francesco Zanella traces the origin, formation, and development of Tannaitic ideas of divine retribution in order to understand the historical, religious, and cultural reasons for their usage. He particularly focuses on the contribution of the ideas of divine retribution to the development of the self-conception of Tannaitic Judaism, or rather to the creation of a Tannaitic identity as opposed to a punishable otherness. Does God punish or reward the “other” because of this otherness? Who are “the others” anyway? And what happens, on the other hand, in the domain of identity? Are these conceptions of divine retribution able to provide a satisfactory explanation of the troubled Tannaitic era, to offer at the same time a successful continuation of the tradition of the fathers, and, in this way, secure the survival of the Tannaitic community? These are only a few questions which the author attempts to answer in this volume.
Jahrbuch für Antike und Chrisrtentum, 2015
The paper focuses on the presence and the perception of the Nile and the Euphrates in ancient and... more The paper focuses on the presence and the perception of the Nile and the Euphrates in ancient and late antique sources, with a specific focus on Jewish sources. The paper investigates the reception of Biblical traditions concerning these rivers and their perception in post-Biblical sources. In this way, the paper intends to examine the possible theological relevance of the Nile and the Euphrates and, specifically, their role both in the reception of the history of Ancient Israel and in the foundation of the identity of Ancient Judaism.
Papers by Francesco Zanella
Homepage Schöningh Brill, 2025
Dieser Sammelband ist das Produkt einer internationalen Konferenz, die die frühen Bände des Reall... more Dieser Sammelband ist das Produkt einer internationalen Konferenz, die die frühen Bände des Reallexikons für Antike und Christentum auf Spuren einer Kontamination mit dem Nationalsozialismus untersucht. Dazu wurden erstmals die Archive des Dölger Instituts in Bonn zugänglich gemacht, um die Anfänge des Lexikons währen der NS Zeit zu beleuchten. Die Untersuchungen sind teils thematisch oder historisch-vergleichend und teils auf bestimmte Artikel und Forscher fokussiert.
Dizionario teologico degli scritti di Qumran, 2020
Rivista biblica, 2009
The present article attempts an analysis and comparison between two examples that are apparently ... more The present article attempts an analysis and comparison between two examples that are apparently separate and different — the stories of Oedipus and Job — on the basis of the violent dynamics innate in the nature of the sacred. The difference in the routes taken by Oedipus and Job is clear also from the respective epilogues of the two stories. It is precisely the analysis of these epilogues which allows us to situate the example of Oedipus within the category of sacred violence while considering that of Job as foreign to it — at least in part.
European Journal of Jewish Studies, 2008
The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic method... more The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic methodology known as “componential analysis of meaning” (CA), especially focusing on their heuristic relevance in their application to Ancient Hebrew (AH). The elucidation of the theoretical principles and importance of CA will be carried out with a continuous and concrete reference to meaningful examples from the lexical field (LF) of the substantives of “gift” in Ancient Hebrew. As a derived effect, the present paper will also demonstrate that CA can be considered as a theory that actually produces positive results (viz. problem solving, explanatory coherence as well as innovative data). As far as the future scientific role of CA is concerned, it is in fact crucial to insist on the coherence between CA's theoretical principles, its results and its aims—i.e. to claim that CA is a theory. In this regard, in the final part of this paper I will try to describe briefly what the future challenges for CA could be: I will refer in particular to the opportunity of drawing cultural conclusions in the light of the purely linguistic data that are provided by CA, without necessarily removing it from its structuralist constraints. The present paper will be developed into four specific sections: (a) The first—preliminary—section will briefly describe the main theoretical notions of CA. (b) The second part will focus on the analysis and the explanation of the theoretical grounds and the concrete procedures of CA. (c) The third section will provide specific examples from the LF of the substantives of “gift” in order to show the heuristic relevance of CA, especially in cases when problem solving and explanatory coherence are required. (d) The fourth section will try to illustrate what the future challenges for CA could be.
This volume offers a multi-disciplinary examination into the Hebrew of the Second Temple period a... more This volume offers a multi-disciplinary examination into the Hebrew of the Second Temple period as reflected in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Ben Sira, inscriptions, Greek and Latin transcriptions, the Samaritan oral and reading traditions of the Pentateuch, and Mishnaic Hebrew.
Dizionario Teologico degli Scritti di Qumran 4 (kohen - maskil) , 2023
Quarto volume del Dizionario Teologico degli Scritti di Qumran
Studi biblici 208 (Paideia), 2022
Analysis of the theological and philosophical meaning of "Silence" in the antique and late antiqu... more Analysis of the theological and philosophical meaning of "Silence" in the antique and late antique world, with specific reference to the written sources of roman and greek literature, Judaism, Gnosticism, and Christianity.
Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism, 2019
Francesco Zanella untersucht in der vorliegenden Studie die Entstehung, Gestaltung und Entwicklun... more Francesco Zanella untersucht in der vorliegenden Studie die Entstehung, Gestaltung und Entwicklung der tannaitischen Vergeltungsvorstellungen, um die religions- und sozialgeschichtlichen Gründe für ihre Anwendung begreifbar zu machen. Er fragt nach der möglichen identitätsstiftenden Funktion der tannaitischen Vergeltungsvorstellungen bzw. nach ihrem Beitrag zur Ausgrenzung der Alterität sowie zum Selbstverständnis des tannaitischen Judentums. Wird „der Andere“ aufgrund von seiner Alterität bestraft oder belohnt von Gott? Wer sind „die Anderen“? Was geschieht hingegen im Bereich der Identität? Sind diese Vergeltungsvorstellungen in der Lage, eine zufriedenstellende Erklärung der komplexen Probleme der tannaitischen Gegenwart zu bieten und zugleich eine erfolgreiche Fortsetzung der Tradition der Väter zu ermöglichen und das Weiterleben der Gemeinschaft sicher zu stellen? Diese sind einige Fragen, auf die der Autor zu antworten versucht.
--
Francesco Zanella traces the origin, formation, and development of Tannaitic ideas of divine retribution in order to understand the historical, religious, and cultural reasons for their usage. He particularly focuses on the contribution of the ideas of divine retribution to the development of the self-conception of Tannaitic Judaism, or rather to the creation of a Tannaitic identity as opposed to a punishable otherness. Does God punish or reward the “other” because of this otherness? Who are “the others” anyway? And what happens, on the other hand, in the domain of identity? Are these conceptions of divine retribution able to provide a satisfactory explanation of the troubled Tannaitic era, to offer at the same time a successful continuation of the tradition of the fathers, and, in this way, secure the survival of the Tannaitic community? These are only a few questions which the author attempts to answer in this volume.
Jahrbuch für Antike und Chrisrtentum, 2015
The paper focuses on the presence and the perception of the Nile and the Euphrates in ancient and... more The paper focuses on the presence and the perception of the Nile and the Euphrates in ancient and late antique sources, with a specific focus on Jewish sources. The paper investigates the reception of Biblical traditions concerning these rivers and their perception in post-Biblical sources. In this way, the paper intends to examine the possible theological relevance of the Nile and the Euphrates and, specifically, their role both in the reception of the history of Ancient Israel and in the foundation of the identity of Ancient Judaism.
Homepage Schöningh Brill, 2025
Dieser Sammelband ist das Produkt einer internationalen Konferenz, die die frühen Bände des Reall... more Dieser Sammelband ist das Produkt einer internationalen Konferenz, die die frühen Bände des Reallexikons für Antike und Christentum auf Spuren einer Kontamination mit dem Nationalsozialismus untersucht. Dazu wurden erstmals die Archive des Dölger Instituts in Bonn zugänglich gemacht, um die Anfänge des Lexikons währen der NS Zeit zu beleuchten. Die Untersuchungen sind teils thematisch oder historisch-vergleichend und teils auf bestimmte Artikel und Forscher fokussiert.
Dizionario teologico degli scritti di Qumran, 2020
Rivista biblica, 2009
The present article attempts an analysis and comparison between two examples that are apparently ... more The present article attempts an analysis and comparison between two examples that are apparently separate and different — the stories of Oedipus and Job — on the basis of the violent dynamics innate in the nature of the sacred. The difference in the routes taken by Oedipus and Job is clear also from the respective epilogues of the two stories. It is precisely the analysis of these epilogues which allows us to situate the example of Oedipus within the category of sacred violence while considering that of Job as foreign to it — at least in part.
European Journal of Jewish Studies, 2008
The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic method... more The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic methodology known as “componential analysis of meaning” (CA), especially focusing on their heuristic relevance in their application to Ancient Hebrew (AH). The elucidation of the theoretical principles and importance of CA will be carried out with a continuous and concrete reference to meaningful examples from the lexical field (LF) of the substantives of “gift” in Ancient Hebrew. As a derived effect, the present paper will also demonstrate that CA can be considered as a theory that actually produces positive results (viz. problem solving, explanatory coherence as well as innovative data). As far as the future scientific role of CA is concerned, it is in fact crucial to insist on the coherence between CA's theoretical principles, its results and its aims—i.e. to claim that CA is a theory. In this regard, in the final part of this paper I will try to describe briefly what the future challenges for CA could be: I will refer in particular to the opportunity of drawing cultural conclusions in the light of the purely linguistic data that are provided by CA, without necessarily removing it from its structuralist constraints. The present paper will be developed into four specific sections: (a) The first—preliminary—section will briefly describe the main theoretical notions of CA. (b) The second part will focus on the analysis and the explanation of the theoretical grounds and the concrete procedures of CA. (c) The third section will provide specific examples from the LF of the substantives of “gift” in order to show the heuristic relevance of CA, especially in cases when problem solving and explanatory coherence are required. (d) The fourth section will try to illustrate what the future challenges for CA could be.
This volume offers a multi-disciplinary examination into the Hebrew of the Second Temple period a... more This volume offers a multi-disciplinary examination into the Hebrew of the Second Temple period as reflected in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Ben Sira, inscriptions, Greek and Latin transcriptions, the Samaritan oral and reading traditions of the Pentateuch, and Mishnaic Hebrew.
The present article attempts an analysis and comparison between two examples that are apparently ... more The present article attempts an analysis and comparison between two examples that are apparently separate and different — the stories of Oedipus and Job — on the basis of the violent dynamics innate in the nature of the sacred. The difference in the routes taken by Oedipus and Job is clear also from the respective epilogues of the two stories. It is precisely the analysis of these epilogues which allows us to situate the example of Oedipus within the category of sacred violence while considering that of Job as foreign to it — at least in part.
The Lexical Field of the Substantives of “Gift” in Ancient Hebrew
This book provides an exhaustive analysis of the semantic domain of ‘gift’ in Ancient Hebrew. The... more This book provides an exhaustive analysis of the semantic domain of ‘gift’ in Ancient Hebrew. The investigation focuses on the single lexemes and provides an overall picture of the developments of the lexical field across the linguistic layers of Ancient Hebrew.
The Lexical Field of the Substantives of “Gift” in Ancient Hebrew
This book provides an exhaustive analysis of the semantic domain of ‘gift’ in Ancient Hebrew. The... more This book provides an exhaustive analysis of the semantic domain of ‘gift’ in Ancient Hebrew. The investigation focuses on the single lexemes and provides an overall picture of the developments of the lexical field across the linguistic layers of Ancient Hebrew.
The Lexical Field of the Substantives of “Gift” in Ancient Hebrew
This book provides an exhaustive analysis of the semantic domain of ‘gift’ in Ancient Hebrew. The... more This book provides an exhaustive analysis of the semantic domain of ‘gift’ in Ancient Hebrew. The investigation focuses on the single lexemes and provides an overall picture of the developments of the lexical field across the linguistic layers of Ancient Hebrew.
The Lexical Field of the Substantives of “Gift” in Ancient Hebrew
This chapter discusses the distributional and paradigmatic data, and the paradigmatic relations a... more This chapter discusses the distributional and paradigmatic data, and the paradigmatic relations and semes of 28 Lexemes. It also provides synthetic definition of each Lexeme. Keywords:lexeme; paradigmatic data; paradigmatic relations
Review of Rabbinic Judaism
This essay deals with the notion of divine retribution in Tannaitic literature. It argues that th... more This essay deals with the notion of divine retribution in Tannaitic literature. It argues that this concept can be used to establish traditions and create identity. After introductory remarks on the different Tannaitic perspectives on divine retribution, the paper focuses on the main features of the Tannaitic idea of divine retribution, exploring the key questions: Why and when does God punish? Why and when does God bestow a reward? Who is supposed to be rewarded, and why? Who will be punished, and why? It then deals with the different uses the Tannaim made of the concept of retribution.
The Lexical Field of the Substantives of “Gift” in Ancient Hebrew, 2000
"Let the Wise Listen and add to Their Learning" (Prov 1:5), 2000
European Journal of Jewish Studies, 2008
The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic method... more The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic methodology known as “componential analysis of meaning” (CA), especially focusing on their heuristic relevance in their application to Ancient Hebrew (AH). The elucidation of the theoretical principles and importance of CA will be carried out with a continuous and concrete reference to meaningful examples from the lexical field (LF) of the substantives of “gift” in Ancient Hebrew. As a derived effect, the present paper will also demonstrate that CA can be considered as a theory that actually produces positive results (viz. problem solving, explanatory coherence as well as innovative data). As far as the future scientific role of CA is concerned, it is in fact crucial to insist on the coherence between CA's theoretical principles, its results and its aims—i.e. to claim that CA is a theory. In this regard, in the final part of this paper I will try to describe briefly what the future challen...
European Journal of Jewish Studies
The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic method... more The aim of the present paper is to highlight the main theoretical features of the semantic methodology known as “componential analysis of meaning” (CA), especially focusing on their heuristic relevance in their application to Ancient Hebrew (AH). The elucidation of the theoretical principles and importance of CA will be carried out with a continuous and concrete reference to meaningful examples from the lexical field (LF) of the substantives of “gift” in Ancient Hebrew. As a derived effect, the present paper will also demonstrate that CA can be considered as a theory that actually produces positive results (viz. problem solving, explanatory coherence as well as innovative data). As far as the future scientific role of CA is concerned, it is in fact crucial to insist on the coherence between CA's theoretical principles, its results and its aims—i.e. to claim that CA is a theory. In this regard, in the final part of this paper I will try to describe briefly what the future challenges for CA could be: I will refer in particular to the opportunity of drawing cultural conclusions in the light of the purely linguistic data that are provided by CA, without necessarily removing it from its structuralist constraints. The present paper will be developed into four specific sections: (a) The first—preliminary—section will briefly describe the main theoretical notions of CA. (b) The second part will focus on the analysis and the explanation of the theoretical grounds and the concrete procedures of CA. (c) The third section will provide specific examples from the LF of the substantives of “gift” in order to show the heuristic relevance of CA, especially in cases when problem solving and explanatory coherence are required. (d) The fourth section will try to illustrate what the future challenges for CA could be.
