IV. Systematic Exposition of Jewish Es- CHATOLOGY (B.C. 200-A.D. 100). — In the preceding section we have given a suney of eschatological ideas in the order of their historical attestation, and consequently, in large measure, of their actual evolution. By presenting the eschatological scheme of each \mter oy itself in that section, we have made it possible for the reader to see the various conceptions, such as Sheol, Gehenna, Messiah, Resurrection, in their actual organic relations and historical environment. In this section, however, we shall isolate several of these conceptions, and deal briefly with the various forms they assumed from B.C. 200 to A.D. 100 in Jewish circles. These conceptions are : the Last Woes, the Messiah, the Messianic Kingdom, the Return of the Dispersion, the Resurrection, Judgment, Sheol or Hades, Gehenna, Paradise, Heaven.
The Last IKofts. — It ^^•ill be sufficient for our present purpose to mention the passages where these woes preluding the Messianic kingdom are recounted. These are : Dn 12', Or. Sibyll. 3™-»», 2 Mac 52- ', Jubilees 23"- "• », Apoc. Bar 27. 48"-'" 70--», 4 Ezr 51-" 6'«-»» 9'-" 13»-". For further in- formation the reader should consult Dnimmond, The Jeieish Messiah, in loc; Scliiirer, HJP II. ii. 154-156; Schoettgen, Hor. Hebr. ii. 509 sqq. 550 sqq.
The Messiah. — As this subject will be treated under the general art. MESSIAH, we shall sketch here only its leading phases.
i. The Messiah — conceived merely as a passive though supreme member of the Alessianic king- dom. He is so represented in Eth. En. 83-90, where his appearance is largely otiose, and due probably to literary reminiscence. He rules over a transhgured Israel, with the Heavenly Jerusalem set up as the centre of his kingdom, and his reign is apparently for ever. In the 1st cent, of the Chnstian era this conception reappears tT\ice in Apoc. Bar 27-30* where riis rule is of temporary duration, and in 4 Ezr 7^ (i.e. in the Ezra Apoc. See p. 747*), where he dies after a reign of 400 years. In the second and third cases the Messiah appears after the Messianic woes and judgment ; in the third, simultaneously with the first resur- rection.
ii. The Messiah — conceived as an active warrior, who slays his enemies with his own hand. This conception is attested in the Or. Sibyll. 3«2-«<»j which belongs to the 2nd cent. B.C. ; in the Pss. of Sol n*'- ^, where the Messiah is to be of Davidic descent— but this book belongs properly to the next division ; in Apoc. Bar 36-40 ; also in another independent writing in the same book, 5S-74 ; 4 Ezr lO'"-!^". In the last the Messiah is of Davidic origin. In all these books save the first (?) the Messianic kingdom is of temporary duration.
iii. The Messiah — conceived more loftily as one who slays his enemies by the word of his mouth, and rules by virtue of his justice, faith, and holi- ness (cf. Ps.-Sol 1727. »'• 87. s». 41) ^ similar concep- tion is found in 4 Ezr 13. In both writings his reign is probably of temporary duration.
iv. Tlie Messiah — conceived as supernatural, as eternal Ruler and Judge of mankind (Eth. En.
37-70). This conception of the Messiah is logic- ally in some measure a development of that in the third division, and yet it is cnronologically ante- cedent to it. It is the most sublime conception oi the Messiah to be found in all Jewish literature outside the Canon. For further detaUs see above, p. 744«.
Tlie Messianic Kingdom. — Three views in the main prevailed amongst the Jews as to this kingdom, i. It was to be of eternal duration, ii. It was to be of temporary duration, iii. There was to be no Messianic kingdom.
i. The Messianic kingdom was to be of eternal duration.
(a) On earth as it is (Eth. En. 1-36, Dn, Or. SibwU. S'*'-'*^ (?)).
(0) On a transformed earth and in heaven (Eth. En. 37-70). As the Messianic kingdom is here eternal, it is preceded in Palestinian literature by the resurrection and the final judgment.
ii. The Messianic kingdom was to be of tem- porary duration on earth (Eth. En. 91-104, Ps.- hol 17. 18, 2 Mac, Jubilees, Slav. En., Assumption of Moses, Book of Wisdom, Apoc. Bar — parts A' A" A' B', — 4 Ezr — all parts but Salathiel Apoc).
When the Messianic kingdom is of temporary duration, there appears to be no transformation of the earth. Tlie resurrection and final judgment take place at its close. The resurrection is all but universally a resurrection of the righteous only. Hence in many of these books the wicked are held to enter at once into their final abode. Thus Hades in these cases becomes Hell.
iii. No Messianic kingdom expected [4 Mac (?), Apoc. Bar (B-), 4 Ezr, Salathiel Apoc.].
In these books man does not enter till after the last judgment on his final award. After death he meets with a foretaste of his final lot in Hades or Sheol.
The Return from the Dispersion. — The promise that God would turn again the captivity of Israel is frequently made in the OT ; also in Sir 33" (AV 36"), To 13", Eth. En. 57"-' 90^, Or. Sibyll. 2170-m Bar 2"-» 4"" 5»-', Ps.-Sol 11, 2 Mac 2", Apoc. Bar 77* 78' (cf. 84»- «• '»), 4 Ezr 13"- »»-", Targ. Jon. on Jer 33'*, and Shcmoneh Esreh : ' Lift up a banner to gather our dispersed, and assemble us from the four ends of the earth.' Yet Rabbi Akiba {Sank. 10*), in the 2nd cent. A.D., denied this return.