RT Article
T1 Israel and the Nations: Proselytes and Apostates in 2 Baruch
JF Journal for the study of Judaism
VO 54
IS 3
SP 389
OP 407
A1 Dik, John
LA English
PB Brill
YR 2023
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1853829323
AB In this article I explore how God’s people is constituted in 2 Baruch and in which relation it stands to the nations, an issue which has not yet been dealt with in detail in recent research. It will be shown that the author, writing after the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, stresses the role of torah and true worship to encourage his addresses as Israel. In doing so, he creates a clear dichotomy between Israel and the nations to uphold group identity. However, in 2 Bar. 41–42 the firmly established walls of Israel seem to crumble, because those from Israel become apostates whereas those from the nations join God’s people. This passage is analyzed in more detail and its socio-historical background is explored, including the topics of assimilation, inter-marriage, and the joining of a Christian community.
K1 Proselytes
K1 Apostates
K1 Worship
K1 Torah
K1 God’s people
K1 Israel
K1 Nations
K1 2 Baruch
DO 10.1163/15700631-bja10068