“Apotropaic” Tactics in the Matthean Temptation
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Michael Michael Morris, '“Apotropaic” Tactics in the Matthean Temptation', Graduate Students’ Union of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, Journal of Postgraduate Research;, 2014Abstract:
Among the Dead Sea Scrolls are a number of texts that provide insight
into demonological beliefs and practices in Second Temple Judaism. Some
passages are concerned principally with providing safety from demonic
influence. This anti-demonic orientation is expressed in two fundamental
ways: the first is exorcistic and intends to relieve a person of current demonic
affliction; the second is apotropaic and seeks protection from future demonic
harm. Assessments of exorcistic and apotropaic works have benefited scholars
of both early Jewish and early Christian literature. However, the majority of
discussions which intersect Qumran studies with demonological traditions in
the Synoptic Gospels have typically focused on exorcism.
Still, the growing interest in preventative, apotropaic prayer and the
illumination of this tradition by the Qumran material is resulting in recent
endeavours to broaden the conversation about anti-demonic elements
in the gospels. Building on the latest contributions, I analyse the account
of the Temptation in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt 4:1-11) with the aim
of demonstrating the presence of apotropaic features in the pericope.
Specifically, two components of the narrative are considered: quotations
from (1) Deuteronomy and (2) Psalm 91. The nature and function of these
biblical quotations in the gospel text are examined against the backdrop of
anti-demonic traditions from Qumran. This comparison reveals a similarity
between aspects of the Temptation and early Jewish apotropaisms. Not only
does this suggest the likelihood of analogous apotropaic features in Qumran
texts and a Matthean narrative, it puts key parts of the pericope into sharper
focus.
Author: Michael Morris, Michael
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Graduate Students’ Union of the University of Dublin, Trinity CollegeType of material:
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Journal of Postgraduate Research;Availability:
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Dead Sea Scrolls, Matthean temptation, apotropaic, DemonologyISSN:
2009-4787Metadata
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