Dark Mirrors is a wide-ranging study of two central figures in early Jewish demonology--the fallen angels Azazel and Satanael. Andrei A. Orlov explores the mediating role of these paradigmatic celestial rebels in the development of Jewish demonological traditions from Second Temple apocalypticism to later Jewish mysticism, such as that of the Hekhalot and Shi'ur Qomah materials. Throughout, Orlov makes use of Jewish pseudepigraphical materials in Slavonic that are not widely known. Orlov traces the origins of Azazel and Satanael to different and competing mythologies of evil, one to the Fall in the Garden of Eden, the other to the revolt of angels in the antediluvian period. Although Azazel and Satanael are initially representatives of rival etiologies of corruption, in later Jewish and Christian demonological lore each is able to enter the other's stories in new conceptual capacities. Dark Mirrors also examines the symmetrical patterns of early Jewish demonology that are often manifested in these fallen angels' imitation of the attributes of various heavenly beings, including principal angels and even God himself.

How do we account for the explosion of demonic activity in the New Testament? Archie Wright's work traces the development of the concept of evil spirits from the Hebrew Bible through post biblical Jewish literature. The author is concerned with the reception history of Genesis 6:1-4 in early Enochic and Philonic Judaism during the Second Temple Period. He suggests that the non-specificity inherent in the biblical text of Genesis 6:1-4 opened the basis for the later emergence of an aetiology of evil spirits as Jewish authors engaged with the text. As a result, Genesis 6 1:1-4 played an important part in the development of demonology in Second Temple Period Judaism. The author has lectured on Ancient History & Modern Hebrew at Oral Roberts University and taught Biblical languages & New Testament at the University of Durham, UK. Partial Contents: 1 Enoch 1-36--The Book of Watchers: Structure. Date, Place, Authorship. Source-Critical Approach. Strategies for Interpreting Genesis 6.1-4. Reception of the "Sons of God" in the Book of Watchers. Rebellion Motif in the Book of Watchers. Reception of the Watcher Tradition in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Philo of Alexandria: Interpreting Genesis 6.1-4. Conclusions. Bibliography. References. Modern Authors. Index of Subjects.

Product Description: From classic art to modern-day television programs, angels are represented in many ways and in many forms. Although angels have permeated Jewish tradition since biblical times, they remain a mystery to most people, often thought of as distinctly un-Jewish icons...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)