Name that Messianic Tradition 2: Answer

This text is from Psalms of Solomon 17:27. With some language very reminiscent of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and yes Enochic tradition, this text depicts what appears to be a militaristic messianic figure. One who will purge the wicked:

Ps_Sol. 17:23 (21) Look, O Lord, and raise up unto them their king, the son of David,
At the time in the which you see, O God, that he may reign over Israel your servant
24 (22) And endue him with strength, that he may shatter unrighteous rulers, 25 And that he may purge Jerusalem from nations that trample (her) down to destruction. (23) Wisely, righteously 26 he shall thrust out sinners from (the) inheritance, He shall destroy the pride of the sinner as a potter’s vessel. (24) With a rod of iron he shall break in pieces all their substance,
27 He shall destroy the godless nations with the word of his mouth; (25) At his rebuke nations shall flee before him, And he shall reprove sinners for the thoughts of their heart.

Ps_Sol. 17:28 (26) And he shall gather together a holy people, whom he shall lead in righteousness, And he shall judge the tribes of the people that has been sanctified by the Lord his God.

Here we see a developed dynastic expectation, embodied in an ideal Davidite, who will “shatter” and “purge,” thereby illustrating the militaristic aspect of this messianic tradition. He will wield authority that causes the nations to retreat and will usher in an age of righteousness. His age will be the “end of exile” (e.g. “gather a holy people”). Very interesting stuff.

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Name that Messianic Tradition 2

I don’t know how much fun this is for you, but I love it. Identify this text and, if you can, describe something specific about the shape of this expectational tradition. 🙂

At his rebuke nations shall flee before him,
And he shall reprove sinners for the thoughts of their heart.

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Name that Messianic Tradition 1 Answer

Mr. Whitenton, you get the prize. This is Ezra’s dream/vision figure of a man ascending from the sea.

This text comes from 4 Ezra 13:26. I originally omitted “come up from the sea” because that would give it away. This passage is the interpretation of Ezra’s dream/vision.

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Name that Messianic Tradition 1

We are going to play a new game called “Name that Messianic Tradition.” See if you can discern the author, passage and figure-description (or round about “title”) of the figure in view. By the way, “Messiah” is not what I’m looking for, rather see if you can describe the figure’s characteristics within the literature.

1. Text: “As for your seeing a man…this is he whom the Most High has been keeping for many ages, who will himself deliver his creation.”

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