Book SummaryHebrew Visions of Revelation, by Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Pinchas Shir

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Hebrew Visions of Revelation

Revelation's Origins and Symbols in Jewish Apocalypticism

Revelation's Roots in Jewish Apocalyptic Literature

This section reveals Revelation's profound link to Jewish apocalyptic literature, both in terms of its literary style and its key ideas. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Shir argue that Revelation engages in deliberate intertextuality with Jewish apocalyptic writings.

Depictions, Images, and Creatures Rooted in Second Temple Judaism

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Shir emphasize that many of the depictions and images in Revelation are rooted in Second Temple Judaism. For example, the authors point out the figure of a heavenly “Son of Man” that appears in Revelation is also present in Daniel, 1 Enoch, and 4 Ezra. This mysterious figure often represents Israel's faithful few who face persecution but will be exonerated and gain dominion in the end. The authors suggest that early Jewish apocalyptic texts, which deal with heavenly warfare and judgment events, provide an ideal cultural lens for interpreting similar depictions in Revelation.

Many of the monstrous creatures described in Revelation, such as the dragon, the beast, and the locusts, have direct parallels in Jewish apocalyptic writings. For example, Leviathan—the seven-headed sea monster from 1 Enoch—acts as a conceptual blueprint for the dragon described in Revelation. Many of the gruesome and strange scenes in Revelation were commonplace in Jewish apocalyptic literature of the time and are not unusual or unique.

Practical Tips

• Develop a personal meditation or reflection practice centered on the themes associated with the "Son of Man." Take time each day to meditate on the qualities, roles, and symbolism of the "Son of Man" as you understand them from the texts. This practice can deepen your personal connection to the material and offer insights into its relevance in your life.
• Create a visual representation, like a painting or collage, that symbolizes the journey from persecution to dominion. This can serve as a daily reminder of the path to overcoming challenges. You might use images of a rising sun to represent new beginnings or a mountain peak to symbolize the achievement of dominion after a difficult climb.
• Write a short story that reimagines a modern issue through the lens of ancient apocalyptic literature. Choose a current global concern, like climate change, and use the structure and style of ancient texts to craft a narrative. This exercise can enhance your appreciation for the storytelling methods of the past and their relevance today.
• Explore the influence of ancient texts on modern media by comparing characters and themes from historical literature with those in contemporary books, movies, or TV shows. This can deepen your understanding of how storytelling evolves and how ancient archetypes are repurposed in modern narratives. For example, you might compare the Leviathan from 1 Enoch to a modern fictional villain in a popular film series, noting similarities and differences in their roles and symbolism.

Revelation Incorporates Motifs and Narratives From Daniel, Enoch, and Other Jewish Apocalyptic Writings

Revelation, according to Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Shir, borrows heavily from Daniel. Its story of persecution, judgment, and triumph has obvious parallels to the story of Daniel and his friends resisting the pressure to worship idols, being elevated by pagan authorities as God miraculously protects them. In fact, both books feature descriptions of four empires and their beasts, a mysterious "Son of Humanity," a heavenly court passing judgment, and a final victory of God and his people. The authors also see a connection with the tale of Jericho's collapse in Joshua. In that narrative, the priests carry the Ark, God commands them to blow the shofars, and silence precedes the blasts. In Revelation, the seven trumpets are blown by angelic beings that resemble priests, echoing the events in the Book of Joshua. Revelation, therefore, incorporates not only Daniel but other narratives and motifs from Scripture, including the Exodus plagues and the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The authors suggest that readers ought to see Revelation through the lens of 1 Enoch in such a way that the "serpent," the "four winds of heaven," the "Watchers," and the "Book of Life" are not obscure references but things that first-century Jews would have readily understood. The authors also use the "Testament of Moses," "Apocalypse of Zephaniah," and Qumran's "War Scroll" to explain Revelation's context.

Practical Tips

• Engage in a creative writing exercise where you reimagine a "heavenly court" scenario in a modern context. Write a short story or a scene where characters face judgment or accountability, leading to a transformative moment. This can help you explore themes of justice, redemption, and the consequences of actions in a contemporary setting.
• Create a support group with friends or family to discuss and reinforce shared values. Regular meetings can provide a space to encourage one another to stand firm in beliefs, similar to how Daniel and his friends supported each other. You might start by discussing a current event and sharing how you each relate to it through your values.
• Create a personal ritual involving music or sound that signifies the start of a new personal endeavor or the breaking down of a barrier. For example, play a particular song or sound that inspires you every time you set out to tackle a challenging task, using the rhythm and energy to motivate and focus your efforts, much like the trumpets were a signal for action at Jericho.
• Develop a meditation or prayer routine that incorporates the theme of revelation and transformation. Use the imagery of the seven trumpets as a metaphor for awakening to new insights or personal growth. During your quiet time, focus on what areas of your life might be ready for a transformation and what 'trumpet calls'...

Hebrew Visions of Revelation Summary Key Figures and Groups in Revelation

The 144,000 Represent the Faithful Remaining Israelites

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Shir argue that the 144,000 described in Revelation represent the committed few who remain among God's followers. Their identity is tied to Israel's twelve tribes and their loyalty to their Commander, the Lion of Judah's tribe, who is also the Lamb standing as slain but now resurrected.

Sealed, Loyal, God-marked Foreheads

The authors explain that Jewish tradition interprets the concept of "binding" divine scripture to the head and hand literally. Jews, even today, use "Tefillin" containers in their daily morning prayers. This custom signifies allegiance to Israel's deity through a tangible symbol. Likewise, Revelation depicts those who belong to God as having been "marked" or sealed. Their seal is God's and the Lamb's name. They're shielded from plagues. The authors explain that having both names inscribed on the 144,000 people's foreheads symbolizes a deliberate cultural connection to the way God's name adorns the Tefillin box for the head. In essence, the 144,000 wear God's names instead of using Tefillin to publicly display this allegiance.

Practical Tips

• Personalize a...

Hebrew Visions of Revelation Summary The Connections Between Revelation and Other Biblical Texts

Revelation Draws Heavily On the Book of Daniel

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Shir point out how deeply intertwined the content and message of Revelation and Daniel are. For example, the four creatures (a lion, a bear, a leopard, and something completely unknown) from Daniel 7, representing empires, surface in Revelation as well. Both books are about the struggle for ultimate rule on this earth between forces of good and those of evil.

Apocalyptic Beasts and "Son of Man" Link Revelation and Daniel

The authors convincingly argue that the four beasts of Daniel 7 were not Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome (as many suppose) but Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece, which are then conflated into a single creature in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation. According to Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, this final beast in Revelation now represents the power of all evil empires from antiquity and beyond as a composite image. Both Daniel and Revelation deal with what the authors call "horns" - a Jewish cultural image of kings, power, dominion, and strength. Revelation's vision of the "Son of Man" coming on the clouds of heaven echoes Daniel 7 as well.

Practical Tips

• Develop a "horn of...

Hebrew Visions of Revelation Summary The Interpretation of Revelation's Symbolic Imagery

Revelation's Symbolic Visions Demand Cultural and Historical Analysis

Lizorkin-Eyzenberg and Shir argue that the symbols and figures of Revelation are best understood when the book is interpreted in its proper ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, especially through the lens of ancient Jewish anticipation of God coming to judge and deliver simultaneously.

Book's Symbols & Figures: Ancient Jewish & Greco-Roman Contexts

According to the authors, some of the most crucial figures in the Revelation of John, such as four horses, Leviathan, dragon, beasts, angels, and the celestial court , require familiarity with Jewish culture. For example, to understand the meaning of the seven candlesticks or trumpets, one has to go back to the Torah. The authors stress that most of the symbols and figures in Revelation, even though written in Greek, come from Jewish apocalyptic literature and draw on its ideas and language.

Practical Tips

• You can deepen your understanding of Jewish culture by participating in a local Jewish holiday celebration. Reach out to a nearby synagogue and inquire if they welcome guests during their festivities. Immersing yourself in the...