S3E31: The Five Scrolls and Jewish Apocalypticism


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In this episode, we discuss the Five Scrolls: Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. Though seemingly disparate in content, authorship, chronology, and genre, Jewish tradition groups these five books within the Ketuvim. We discuss some of the reasons why, and how later tradition reads these books messianically and eschatologically. 

Show notes

  • The Five Scrolls and the Targums (2:43)
  • Song of Solomon – Ezekiel 16:7-8; Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 1-2; Targum Canticles 8:4-8 (12:16)
  • Ruth – Targum Ruth 1:1; 2:12; 4:22 (31:22)
  • Lamentations – Targum Lamentations 1:1; 2:22; 4:22 (38:18)
  • Ecclesiastes – Targum Qohelet 1:2; 12:13-14; 1 Enoch 102:6-103:4 (43:17)
  • Esther – Targum Esther 1:1 (50:50)

Resource: Targum and Testament Revisited by Martin McNamara – https://amzn.to/3L6DGB4