Topias Tanskanen’s doctoral thesis in Old Testament Exegetics. Topias Tanskanen was born in 1992, in Lempäälä.
The dissertation examines how the Old Testament, especially Genesis, was interpreted in early Judaism. The focus is on the Book of Jubilees (c. 170–150 BCE), which is one of the most important early Jewish texts, although less known in Finland. The book can be taken as an example of “Rewritten Bible,” a process where biblical stories are modified with new interpretations. The study focuses on how the Jacob Story of Genesis was interpreted and used in Jubilees.
The results show that the author interpreted Jacob as the perfect Israelite who exemplifies what it is like to follow the Mosaic Torah to the utmost. Jacob is especially associated with the stipulations of the Book of Deuteronomy, which are often addressed to “Israel.” Israel is also Jacob’s name. In Jubilees, Jacob thus follows the Deuteronomic commandments.
When Jacob fulfils the Torah, he is also the true heir of the Abrahamic Promise (Gen 12:1–3 and par.). The promise or promises are also given new interpretations so that especially the universalistic features are particularized, e.g., the interpretation that other nations would be blessed through Abraham (important in the New Testament) is interpreted so that only Israel will be blessed. The author looked forward to a time when Israel would follow the Torah and as a result would rule over the whole world. Instead of many people coming from Jacob, every people will be ruled by Jacob and his children. The Promise is also conditional. Everything depends on whether the Torah is followed, like Jacob, or not.
Jubilees provides a contrast to, e.g., apostle Paul’s interpretation of the Abrahamic Promise in Romans 4 and Galatians 3. The study sheds light on the interpretive traditions and ways to interpret in the 2nd century BCE, and thus widens our understanding of early Judaism. Understanding how these stories were interpreted in the Antiquity benefits, e.g., New Testament, Jewish Studies and modern religious dialogue where these stories still play a central role.
