Genesis 1:26 through the Eyes of Manicheans in the Roman Empire
The present article reconstructs the evolution of the Manichaean exegesis of Genesis 1:26 based on the texts that circulated within the Roman Empire. Mani’s Epistula Fundamenti, Adimantus’ Disputationes, Kephalaia of the Teacher, Faustus’ Capitula 24, as well as polemical works of Christian authors...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2023
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| In: |
Gnosis
Year: 2023, Volume: 8, Issue: 2, Pages: 210-241 |
| Further subjects: | B
Adimantus
B Manichaeism B Faustus of Milev B Jewish Scriptures B Mani B Genesis 1:26 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The present article reconstructs the evolution of the Manichaean exegesis of Genesis 1:26 based on the texts that circulated within the Roman Empire. Mani’s Epistula Fundamenti, Adimantus’ Disputationes, Kephalaia of the Teacher, Faustus’ Capitula 24, as well as polemical works of Christian authors provide ample evidence of the Manichaean use and interpretation of the biblical narrative. Two complementary exegetical traditions can be distinguished: the first one, going back to Mani himself, introduces vetero-testamentary elements in the Manichaean doctrine without directly referencing or criticizing the Jewish Scriptures, while the second tradition that directly engages in the exegesis of the Jewish Scriptures text emerged through polemics with Christians and is likely to originate from Adimantus. The study illustrates a dual role of the Book of Genesis in Manichaeism: as one of the sources of the Manichaean mythology and as a central point of contention in Christian-Manichaean polemics. |
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| ISSN: | 2451-859X |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Gnosis
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/2451859X-00802004 |