Canter Bridge

Four densely argued chapters argue for a coherent and pervasive messianic concept in the Old Testament and subsequent Jewish literature in a way that cuts across recent trends in the field. Horbury’s first chapter (“Messianism and the Old Testament”) lays out the case for a messianism that grows organically out of the Old Testament materials from earliest times. While not rigid, a coherent messianic myth probably existed from the early monarchy. Far from being an insignificant concept, the ‘widespread currency of the unexplained technical term’ for ‘Messiah’ together with fuller designations had spread across several languages by at least the second century BC, coherently referring to a ‘rightful ruler of Israel … the coming Davidic king’. This chapter complements analysis of the textual inventory with attention to ‘landmarks in the study of the origins of messianism.’ The argument is advanced that the supposed mutual incompatibility between God’s unmediated rule and Messiah’s rule which has much occupied scholars is a false dichotomy, since the texts show little concern to exclude one while focussing upon the other. The editing of the individual biblical books reflects a messianic preoccupation that encourages finding in the canon a ‘coherent series of messianic prophecies’. This circumstance fomented both the reading of still further oracles in this light and greater specificity as the tradition advanced. Such a development of the tradition will have been influenced by forms familiar to Israel’s cultural neighbours, as by the presence of ‘messianic prototypes’ within the Bible itself (Moses, David, et al.). (more…)

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