The Book of Jubilees and the Genesis JST

[consiglieri]

In preparation for teaching Moses 1 this coming Sunday in Gospel Doctrine class, I began to read (for the first time) the Book of Jubilees (sometimes called "little Genesis") as contained in the somewhat dated collection by R.H. Charles.

I was mildly surprised to see points of convergence with the first chapter of Jubilees and the first chapter of Moses.

Moses 1 is, of course, the first chapter of the JST translation of Genesis.

It is a completely new and original addition, written by way of prologue to the creation account which starts off Genesis, and which begins in Moses 2 after the prologue is completed.

One of the primary reasons for Moses 1 is to serve by way of introduction as to how it was that Moses came by the information of what occurred in the creation, stating that it was given to Moses by God in a vision upon an exceedingly high mountain.

The first chapter of Jubilees also serves as a prologue to the creation account (and the rest of Genesis) explaining how it was that Moses came by the information, stating that it was given to Moses by the angel of God's presence when Moses was on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights.

I note that Moses 1, though given on a mountain, appears to be a different mountain than Sinai, and was given some time in advance of the exodus, which puts it in advance of Moses trip up Mount Sinai.

Nevertheless, it is interesting that the two "retellings" of the Genesis material each commence with chapter-length prologues explaining that Moses received the information regarding creation through divine revelation while Moses was on a mountain.

Any thoughts?

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[USU78]

Interesting stuff, consig. Just re-read chapters 1 and 2 of Jubilees and agree with your great point.

Keep 'em coming!

[volgadon]

That theme was a major one in early Judaism.

There are some very intriguing fragments in the DSS, one of which seems to be the Lord reminding Moses at the Red Sea that he showed him all the days of creation.

There are also some interesting traditions in midrashim, and in the Avot deRabbi Nathan. I've posted some before.

If you don't already have them, I highly recommend Abegg, Flint and Uhlrich's The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible and Wise Abegg and Cook's The Dead Sea Scrolls, the latest editions, of course. They aren't too expensive and most useful.

Judah Goldin's the Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan is a good one on one of the midrashes.

[notHagoth7]

Reminds me of Nephi's intro to his vision(s) in 1 Nephi 11:

For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

[volgadon]

I should also have said that it is interesting that Genesis, that is, the creation and Adam and Eve, were seen as THE source for gaining a greater understanding of God and his purpose. In the 2nd temple era, during several of the big pilgrim holidays, when the high priest offered up sacrifices in the temple, those portions of Genesis were read and studied throughout the Jewish towns and villages in Israel. Now THAT is something else that Joseph could have had no idea about.

[David T]

Interesting notes of the Jubilees version:

The Day One of Creation is more fleshed out: the spiritual hosts of heaven, including the angelic hosts, are created.

The Creation, as well as the Adam and Eve story, is used as a teaching method to Moses to explain the meaning of Covenants and Commandments. The covenants and commandments are introduced within the narrative.

[David T]

Here's a list of interesting references in non-canonical literature relating to Adam and the Fall narrative that I compiled. OTP is a reference to the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha volume:

Jubilees 2:13-4:32 (OTP 2:57-64)

[consiglieri]

The covenants and commandments are introduced within the narrative.

Thank you for hitting me over the head with the italicized portion. I might not have gotten it otherwise.

I will keep your observation in mind as I continue my reading.

Thanks for the insight.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

[USU78]

During today's discussion on Moses 1, I had an apostrophe on the probable reasoning behind the structure. It is my opinion that the structure of Moses serves G-d's message throughout Chapter 1.

In Genesis, we start talking about a distant and majestic G-d Who makes the things that surround us. Only after G-d, in His loneliness, decides to make ha'adam do we see any kind of relationship forming between G-d and His creation that is even arguably greater than Maker to made.

In Moses, G-d calls Moses His son, several times, and brackets the Lucifer incident with expansions on the ha'adam's place in G-d's creation and G-d's relationship with him. This is established prior to giving Moses the vision of G-d's creation. The relationship is prior to the creation.

This puts ha'adam at the center of G-d's thoughts and desires. Indeed, at the end of Chapter 1 we have G-d declaring that He defines Himself by His relationship with ha'adam and ha'adam's successful atonement with G-d.

We thus have a G-d Who is much more approachable and personal . . . still, naturally, worthy of our profoundest worship, but as accessible as the Newborn in the manger.

[gtaggart]

Interesting. Thanks for the insight consig.

Many years ago, my mother gave me vol. 1 of Charles (and it's in a box from a move 10 years ago, and I can't for the life of me find the box). I'm reading Jubilees in Charlesworth. Should be interesting.

[David T]

While you got the volume, you sort of need to read 1 Enoch if you haven't already. Jubilees and Enoch are perfect companion pieces.

[ebeddoulos]

If any of you are looking for "The Book of Jubilees: or The little Genesis" by Robert Henry Charles, you can find it HERE.

This is free. It is a Google online photographic copy of the 1902 London edition. A free PDF copy for download is also available in the upper right hand corner at that url.