Enochic and Mosaic Traditions in Jubilees2. Demons, Gentiles, and the Testing of Israel
Although Jubilees' angelology owes much to Enochic traditions, its demon-
ology may be more indebted to Pentateuchal and other biblical models. In
Jubilees demons serve two main roles. First and foremost is their role as
agents of divine justice. Under the leadership of Mastema, demons are
charged with testing humankind, bringing human sins to God's attention,
and destroying the wicked at God's behest (Jub 1:20; 10:11; 48:15; 49:2). Sec
ond is their role as the overseers of Gentiles. Not only do they rule Gentile
nations (15:31; 48), but they also are objects of non-Jewish worship (1:11; 11:4)
and the forces behind the efficacy of foreign "magic" (48:9-11). Accordingly,
in Jubilees demonic influence is first felt when the nations take form, with
the separation of the earth between Noah's sons (11:2-6).^15 When Israel and
its ancestors live under foreign rule (1:20; 11:18-22; 48), they too are affected
by the strife, bloodshed, famine, and disease caused by demons. Conversely,
demonic influence is absent when Jacob rules Egypt and when Israel's ene
mies are finally destroyed from the earth (23:29; 40:9; 46:2; 50:5).
In depicting demons as agents of divine justice, Jubilees appears to
develop biblical tropes of the satan (esp. Job 1), as is particularly evident in
its characterization of Mastema (e.g., Jub 10:11). Likewise, its association of
demons with Gentiles may be rooted in Deut 32:8-9 and Ps 106:35-37.^16 We
may also see traces of Enochic influence in Jubilees' demonology. For in
stance, the image of demons as objects of sacrificial worship finds prece
dent in the Book of the Watchers (1 En 19:1), as does the understanding of
demons as deriving from the spirits of the slain sons of the fallen angels
(i 5 :8- 9 ).^17
Nevertheless, Jubilees' demonology departs from Enochic literature in
significant ways. In the Book of the Watchers, the demonic terrorization of
humankind is definitive of postdiluvian history; after the flood, the wicked
spirits of the Giants rise up against humankind (1 En 15:11), and it is pro
claimed that they will continue to do so until the last judgment (16:1; 19:1). In
Jubilees the spirits of the Watchers' sons cause sin, bloodshed, pollution, ill
ness, and famine after the flood (esp. Jub 11:2-6). It is made explicit, however,
- Hanneken, "Angels," 18.
- J. C. VanderKam, "The Demons in the Book of Jubilees," in Die Ddmonen, ed.
A. Lange, H. Lichtenberger, and K. F. Diethard Romheld (Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2003),
353-54- - See Giovanni Ibba, "The Evil Spirits in Jubilees and the Spirits of the Bastards in
4Q510, with Some Remarks on Other Qumran Manuscripts," Hen 31, no. 1 (2009).