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In the third volume of his epic exploration of the use of the Evil Eye motif in ancient texts, John H. Elliott turns his attention to biblical writings. A repeated theme in the Old Testament, which contains around twenty explicit references, mentions of the Evil Eye also appear in the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as in the writings of Philo and Josephus. Evil Eye belief and practice continued into the early Jesus movement, appearing not only in the Gospels but in Paul's letter to the Galatians. The Evil Eye in the ancient world acted in a number of ways - physiological, psychological, economic, social and moral - and the place it occupied was not easily usurped. Beware the Evil Eye is a fascinating analysis of one of the most prevalent superstitions in the ancient world and its cultural influence.
Price: $39.95
Pages: 378
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Clarke
Publication Date:
27 July 2017
Trim Size: 9.02 X 5.98 in
ISBN: 9780227176672
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General, Second World War, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / General, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, Bibles
This volume on the Bible takes central place in Elliott's masterful 4-volume study of the Evil Eye. With full command of the biblical material as well as the history of research, Elliott's exemplary investigation shows how belief in the Evil Eye illuminates the culture and perceptions of the world shared with the Greco-Roman context. But Elliott also highlights the distinctive character of Jesus' Evil Eye sayings with focus on generosity and sharing of resources.
— Halvor Moxnes, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, University of Oslo
Elliott's richly illustrated analysis of the Evil Eye in the Bible and related texts provides background and detailed interpretation of key texts. Often obscured by sanitized translations or misrecognition, Elliott finds the trope pervasive in the Bible though consistently linked to an ethics of generosity and solidarity versus envy, rather than to the fear of demons as elsewhere. A fascinating and convincing read, this is an essential reference work for biblical scholars and Bible translators.
— Jonathan A. Draper, Fellow and Emeritus Professor of New Testament, School of Religion, Philosophy & Classics, the University of KwaZulu-Natal; author (with Richard A. Horsley) of Whoever Hears You Hears Me: Prophets, Performance, and Tradition in Q
Few phenomena so sharply differentiate the world of the Bible from the cultures of North America and northern Europe as belief in the Evil Eye that was prevalent everywhere. In this, the third volume of his long-awaited and magisterial treatment of the subject, John Elliott, in a project without scholarly precedent, illuminates the many Old and New Testament texts where Evil Eye belief appears. This book is destined to become a classic of biblical scholarship.
— Philip Esler, Portland Professor in New Testament Studies, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham
Without a doubt, this is the definitive work on the Evil Eye. Amazingly, a topic so small in scope manages to inform us on a wide range of cultural and theological concerns, while simultaneously providing an incisive commentary on the many biblical texts it illuminates.
— Norman K. Gottwald, author of Social Justice and the Hebrew Bible
— Halvor Moxnes, Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, University of Oslo
Elliott's richly illustrated analysis of the Evil Eye in the Bible and related texts provides background and detailed interpretation of key texts. Often obscured by sanitized translations or misrecognition, Elliott finds the trope pervasive in the Bible though consistently linked to an ethics of generosity and solidarity versus envy, rather than to the fear of demons as elsewhere. A fascinating and convincing read, this is an essential reference work for biblical scholars and Bible translators.
— Jonathan A. Draper, Fellow and Emeritus Professor of New Testament, School of Religion, Philosophy & Classics, the University of KwaZulu-Natal; author (with Richard A. Horsley) of Whoever Hears You Hears Me: Prophets, Performance, and Tradition in Q
Few phenomena so sharply differentiate the world of the Bible from the cultures of North America and northern Europe as belief in the Evil Eye that was prevalent everywhere. In this, the third volume of his long-awaited and magisterial treatment of the subject, John Elliott, in a project without scholarly precedent, illuminates the many Old and New Testament texts where Evil Eye belief appears. This book is destined to become a classic of biblical scholarship.
— Philip Esler, Portland Professor in New Testament Studies, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham
Without a doubt, this is the definitive work on the Evil Eye. Amazingly, a topic so small in scope manages to inform us on a wide range of cultural and theological concerns, while simultaneously providing an incisive commentary on the many biblical texts it illuminates.
— Norman K. Gottwald, author of Social Justice and the Hebrew Bible
Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
1 The Old Testament, Parabiblical Literature, and Related Material Evidence Concerning the Evil Eye
Introduction
The Matrix of Biblical Evil Eye Belief and Behavior
Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments
Hebrew and Greek Evil Eye Terminology
The Latin Terminology of Jerome's Vulgate
Original Languages and Translations
The Old Testament Evil Eye Texts
A Good Eye
Israel's Parabiblical Literature
Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Philo of Alexandria
Flavius Josephus
Anti-Evil Eye Apotropaics in Israel: The Material Evidence
Conclusion
2 The New Testament Concerning the Evil Eye
Introduction
The Evil Eye Sayings of Jesus
The Evil Eye Saying in the Q Sayings Source (Q11:34-35)
The Evil Eye Saying in Matthew 6:22-23 and Luke 11:33-36
The Evil Eye Saying in Matthew 20:1-15/16
The Evil Eye in Mark 7:22
Paul, Galatians, and Evil Eye Accusations
Witchcraft, Witchcraft Societies, and the Evil Eye
Paul's Letter to the Galatians
Implicit References to the Evil Eye in the New Testament?
Evil Eye Belief and Practice in the New Testament-Conclusion
Evil Eye Belief and Practice in the Bible-Conclusion
Differences and Distinctive Biblical Emphases
The Various Capacities of Evil Eye Belief
Approaching the Biblical World
Bibliography
Index
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
1 The Old Testament, Parabiblical Literature, and Related Material Evidence Concerning the Evil Eye
Introduction
The Matrix of Biblical Evil Eye Belief and Behavior
Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments
Hebrew and Greek Evil Eye Terminology
The Latin Terminology of Jerome's Vulgate
Original Languages and Translations
The Old Testament Evil Eye Texts
A Good Eye
Israel's Parabiblical Literature
Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Philo of Alexandria
Flavius Josephus
Anti-Evil Eye Apotropaics in Israel: The Material Evidence
Conclusion
2 The New Testament Concerning the Evil Eye
Introduction
The Evil Eye Sayings of Jesus
The Evil Eye Saying in the Q Sayings Source (Q11:34-35)
The Evil Eye Saying in Matthew 6:22-23 and Luke 11:33-36
The Evil Eye Saying in Matthew 20:1-15/16
The Evil Eye in Mark 7:22
Paul, Galatians, and Evil Eye Accusations
Witchcraft, Witchcraft Societies, and the Evil Eye
Paul's Letter to the Galatians
Implicit References to the Evil Eye in the New Testament?
Evil Eye Belief and Practice in the New Testament-Conclusion
Evil Eye Belief and Practice in the Bible-Conclusion
Differences and Distinctive Biblical Emphases
The Various Capacities of Evil Eye Belief
Approaching the Biblical World
Bibliography
Index