Books by Francis Borchardt
Journal Articles and Chapters in Edited Volumes by Francis Borchardt
This study will investigate the ways in which the Temple Scroll (11QT) transmits material shared ... more This study will investigate the ways in which the Temple Scroll (11QT) transmits material shared with the Pentateuch in light of the particular models by which knowledge is preserved in the Hellenistic and Graeco-Roman scholarly milieu. The paper investigates the special role epitomes, commentaries, summaries and other "derivative" text forms have in repackaging and preserving knowledge for changing settings. It will illustrate the methods and motivations for scribal transmission and interpretation of material that already appears in other texts by focusing on the discussions provided in prefaces of contemporary scholarly texts. The study will argue that the Temple Scroll is best understood as performing much the same function of preserving knowledge as we can observe within the context of Hellenistic/Graeco-Roman literature, and may well have been used for the purposes of education in community or broader Judean settings. The argument will be facilitated by concentrating on the methods and attitudes reflected in a few specific examples of Hellenistic/Graeco-Roman scholarly texts (e.g. Galen's De pulsibus, Justinus' Epitoma of Pompeius Trogus) and placing them alongside the Temple Scroll for comparison. The benefit of such a comparison is that in the case of the Graeco-Roman material we have empirical evidence for the relationship between such "derivative" texts and those that they preserve.
The textual witnesses to the book of Daniel are complex. They present a challenge to any scholar ... more The textual witnesses to the book of Daniel are complex. They present a challenge to any scholar wishing to investigate the production and transmission of the book in the ancient world. The difficulties with the text are not limited to 12 chapter Masoretic tradition, but extend also to the so-called additions to Daniel. These not only appear in divergent locations within different editions and manuscripts, but also appear in different forms. This study attempts to argue that at least some of the differences between the Old Greek of Bel and the Serpent and the Theodotion edition of the story should be attributed to a pronounced interest on the part of Theodotion to link its version of the story to Daniel 6, the other story of Daniel in the lion’s den. The study primarily examines the introductory verses, the use of divine names, and the description of the lion’s den to prove this point.
This study highlights features of the Letter of Aristeas that reveal how that story conceives of ... more This study highlights features of the Letter of Aristeas that reveal how that story conceives of the royal translation project. It will apply the concept of 'auxiliary texts' developed by Markus Dubischar based on the conversation theory of Paul Grice in order to show that Aristeas understands the Hebrew Pentateuch as a failing text. It will be shown that because Aristeas both respects the traditions and teachings contained within the Pentateuch, and recognizes the failure of the text outside of a particular context, it sees the translation as necessary for the Pentateuch's survival. The study will compare the statements related in prologues from Graeco-Roman 'auxiliary texts' to statements in the Letter of Aristeas to underline the ways how the Greek translation of the Hebrew text is simultaneously conceived of as a correction of the problems inherent in the Hebrew text tradition, and is not attempting to entirely replace that tradition. Keywords Aristeas – auxiliary texts – Septuagint – literary criticism 1 The Letter of Aristeas and the Greek Translation of the Pentateuch The Letter of Aristeas is best known as the oldest and most extensive version of the myth telling of the translation of the Judean law into Greek under the guidance of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Alexandria.1 It has long been recognized
This article investigates the prefatory material in 2 Maccabees (2:19-32; 15:38-39) in order to r... more This article investigates the prefatory material in 2 Maccabees (2:19-32; 15:38-39) in order to reveal the motivation and attitude of the epitomator of 2 Maccabees toward the text he is adapting. The article argues that the concept of auxiliary texts, recognized in Graeco-Roman and Hellenistic texts by classicist Markus Dubischar, is the lens through which to properly understand the preface and therefore the scribe’s motivation for textual adaptation. The article further employs these conclusions to question whether other texts from the Judean milieu might also be best understood in this category. [Publisher embargo is still in place for public archiving. If you are unable to download the article through access to Brill books and journals, please contact me directly]
In recounting the events leading up to and including one of the major battles of the Hasmonean re... more In recounting the events leading up to and including one of the major battles of the Hasmonean rebellion, 1Maccabees is sure to prove the “orthodoxy” of the forces. It does so by depicting Judas and his fellow officers as following the advice and instructions of the book of the law. However, the advice they follow is selectively chosen, and the justification for their actions is tied to stories unrelated to the legal material. Further, some practices tied to the law are unknown outside of their use in this context. This all illustrates a world in which legal interpretation and the interaction between law and narrative was fluid and adaptable. This paper will show just how creatively the law is used to ensure that the Hasmonean victory at Emmaus belongs to Heaven.
Many scholars recognize the importance of authority in the process of scripturalization. The pres... more Many scholars recognize the importance of authority in the process of scripturalization. The presence of words like “authority” and “authoritative” in definitions of the term “scripture” is ubiquitous. Many also identify authoritative status for a text as an important step on the way toward it becoming scripture. However, “authority” and the words that derived from it are ill-defined in most studies. Even when the term and its synonyms are defined, there is little empirical evidence for the type of reception described. Further, there is hardly any recognition of the various ways in which a text can be seen as authoritative (historically accurate, politically expedient, divinely inspired, etc.). This paper attempts to fill this gap in our knowledge by looking to ancient testimonies, which explicitly describe the reception of texts in order to discern the varieties of ways a text might be recognized as a notable source.
Both 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees portray the Sabbath law as a central point of contention during ... more Both 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees portray the Sabbath law as a central point of contention during the struggle over Judean law and tradition in the second century bce (e.g., 1 Macc 1:41-50; 2 Macc 6:4-6). The Hasmonean family in particular is at times highlighted as holding the Sabbath in high regard (2 Macc 5:27). In every available source, there is no question of the commitment to the inherited traditions concerning the Sabbath. However, in two passages, 1 Macc 2:29-41 and 9:43-53, the Hasmoneans are portrayed as acting in a way supported by few extant writings associated with Judean legal tradition: they engage in battle on the Sabbath. First Maccabees presents this as innovation on the part of the Hasmoneans. Josephus, who summarizes these events based upon 1 Maccabees, even recognizes this decision as the basis for normative practice (Ant. 12.272-277). As several scholars (e.g., Bar Kochva, Weiss, Scolnic) have pointed out, this event could hardly have been the first time in Judean history the issue arose. They argue against this reading of the sources. This paper contends that the plain reading of the texts is correct and 1 Maccabees is being used as the basis for legal practice in Josephus’ writings.
Many scholars have used two verses from an epistle appended to the main body of 2 Maccabees to su... more Many scholars have used two verses from an epistle appended to the main body of 2 Maccabees to suggest a canon, proto-canon, or body of scripture is present already during the Hasmonean era and even before. We question such conclusions by investigating the background and contents of the epistle, using both historical-critical and rhetorical methods. This investigation concludes that it is more likely that the collections of books gathered by both Nehemiah and Judas Maccabeus are nationally edifying prooftexts for the customs argued for in the epistle. It is clear from the statements in 2 Maccabees 2:13-15 that the collection assembled by Nehemiah and Judas would be vastly different from any later notions of canon in the Judaeo-Christian tradition. These texts are not being offered to the addressees as the official word (whether of God, or of the temple authorities in Jerusalem), but as evidence of practices for which the epistle is advocating on the basis of their antiquity.
This brief study investigates the desire for a fixed textual form as it pertains to scripture in ... more This brief study investigates the desire for a fixed textual form as it pertains to scripture in the Judean tradition. It particularly delves into this phenomenon in three early versions of the Septuagint origin myth. This paper argues that this myth is invaluable for the study of transmission and reception of scripture, as it is one of the earliest testimonies to the desire for a scriptural text to be frozen. By highlighting the ways the author of the Letter of Aristeas, Philo, and Josephus deal with the issue of textual fixity in the origin myth, this study aims to elucidate the range of opinions held by Judeans concerning the process of transmission of their holy books.
The Deuteronomic Heritage of 1Maccabees
Conference Papers by Francis Borchardt
One of the more enduring legacies of 1Maccabees within the study of the book itself, the Hasmonea... more One of the more enduring legacies of 1Maccabees within the study of the book itself, the Hasmoneans, and more broadly in studies of Halakah, is the apparent claim that Mattathias, patriarch of the Maccabees, initiated the interpretation of the Sabbath ordinance allowing for defensive war on the seventh day. This claim has been investigated by numerous scholars, some trying to prove the impracticability of the ostensible status quo ante, while others try to confirm the traditional reading of the text as historically reliable. This discussion is seemingly interminable, and fraught with difficulties. Discussions of the history of Judean interpretation of this custom necessitate knowledge of availability and status of the texts through which it is transmitted to us that is simply unavailable in sufficient breadth and diversity to make solid conclusions. While it may be possible to prove that a specific text, or more broadly, a given community betrays a willingness to fight on the sabbath, it is often difficult to know whether this decision is based on texts at all, let alone which texts, and whether they were authoritative. Further, even in the cases where this is a possibility, as many would argue for 1Maccabees, we have little way of showing how much diversity of opinion existed on the issue of interpretation among contemporary Judeans. It would seem very likely, that even based only on interpretation of the general place of sabbath among Judeans in various literary texts and papyri, multiple attitudes existed. Because of these difficulties, and others stemming from them, this paper will largely ignore the interesting question of the historicity of Mattathias' decision. Instead, our focus will be on the more narrowly focus issue of whether and how 1Maccabees, and later Josephus, present this as a lasting legal innovation. More succinctly: Why is it that this narrative in 1Maccabees 2 becomes law for at least one reader?
In studying how and why texts are changed in antiquity, the empirical comparison of ancient textu... more In studying how and why texts are changed in antiquity, the empirical comparison of ancient textual witnesses is undoubtedly valuable. It shows for us what changes were possible and to what types of text they were made. However, this type of evidence does not provide the whole story. It cannot tell us why particular changes were made or versions selected over and against others. It further cannot give us much of a clue about the reception of such changes. There is evidence from the ancient Judean context that may help provide some insight: the testimony of ancient scribes who make such changes. 2Maccabees provides just such an example. The scribe claims to have abbreviated a five volume work by Jason of Cyrene, producing his one volume work. The scribe goes on to explain how and why such an abbreviation is being published. This paper will reflect on the testimony offered by this scribe particularly as it relates to 1) the reasons scribes might change texts, 2) the impact such changes may have had on the newly produced text, and 3) the reception of texts known to have been changed. Comparisons to other texts from the ancient world will be brought into the discussion.
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Books by Francis Borchardt
Journal Articles and Chapters in Edited Volumes by Francis Borchardt
Conference Papers by Francis Borchardt
Since the organizers of the panel, the authors and all the CSTT community would like to continue this important discussion, all the papers available in a small e-booklet entitled “CSTT and Gender” that is stored and freely accessible in Zenodo’s Open Repository (doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.998281).
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.998282