The Composition of Jubileesitself.^1 As James VanderKam noted, most of these contradictions should be
taken not as evidence of an editorial process, but rather as local inconsisten
cies, either errors that resulted from regular transmissional processes or in
consistencies that emerged due to the attempt to apply an extensive chrono
logical framework to all the stories in the patriarchal period.^2
Gene Davenport proposed an alternative theory of literary develop
ment.^3 On the basis of his analysis of the Ethiopic text of Jubilees and the es-
chatological ideas present in the book, he suggested that Jubilees consists of
a basic layer and two subsequent redactions. This theory too has been rightly
criticized for these reasons: (l) it is based upon Davenport's own perception
of a consistent approach to eschatology, and (2) some of his philological
analysis was based upon supposed contradictions that have subsequently
been shown not to reflect the original Hebrew text of Jubilees.^4
Thus, the scholarly consensus has remained until today that Jubilees
represents a unified composition. The question of the unity of Jubilees obvi
ously has far-reaching implications for the study of the book in many differ
ent areas. Fundamental questions, such as the date of composition of the
book, need to be reexamined or redefined if the book is composed of vari
ous materials from different periods of time. It is possible that one can con
fidently date a specific passage in the book, but that would not necessarily
reflect the date of the composition as a whole, since the dated passage might
either be a source used by the composition, or alternatively, the contribution
of the editor. Similarly, the worldview of the author would need to be reex
amined. If one can isolate or identify competing or conflicting notions
within the book, must one attempt to synthesize or harmonize them into
one single worldview, or are these differences the result of the combination
of materials of differing origins? Can one speak of the worldview of an en
tire composition if the work is the product of a complex process of literary
development?
- E. Wiesenberg, "The Jubilee of Jubilees," RevQ 3 (1961): 3-40.
- J. C. VanderKam, "Studies in the Chronology of the Book of Jubilees," in
VanderKam, From Revelation to Canon: Studies in Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Litera
ture, JSJSup 62 (Leiden: Brill, 2000), 522-44 (here 532-40); trans, of "Das chronologische
Konzept des Jubilaenbuches," ZAW 107 (1995): 80-100. - G. L. Davenport, The Eschatology of the Book of Jubilees (Leiden: Brill, 1971).
- For a summary of the arguments against Davenport, see J. C. VanderKam, "The
Origins and Purposes of the Book of Jubilees" in Studies in the Book of Jubilees, ed.
M. Albani, J. Frey, and A. Lange, TSAJ 65 (Tubingen: J. C. B. Mohr [Paul Siebeck], 1997), 3-
24 (here 12-13).