Category:Son of God (subject)

From 4 Enoch: : The Online Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism, and Christian and Islamic Origins
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Son of God is a phrase denoting in general the right relation between humans and God, and in a messianic context, the special relationship between God and the Messiah.

Overview

In the Canaanite tradition (shared by ancient Israelites) the anointed King was understood as the "adopted" son of God (see Psalms).

In Judaism, the phrase denoted the relationship between the righteous and God the Father. All children of Israel were called to be "sons of God" (i.e. "righteous").

In some Second Temple Jewish (and Christian) circles the phrase came to be used as a messianic title: the Messiah is "the" Son of God par excellence--the "Righteous one."

In later Christian tradition (after the first century CE), the phrase began to be used to denote the divine nature of Jesus.

Son of God in ancient sources

Earlier Jewish tradition

Psalm 2:7 -- You are my son: today I have begotten you

Psalm 45:7-8 -- Your throne, o elohim, endures forever and ever… Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

2 Samuel 7:13-14 = 1 Chronicles 17:12-13 -- Thus says the Lord… I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a Son to me.

Book of Sirach

Sirach 4:10 (Greek version) -- Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother, you will then be like a son of the Most High, [Hebrew: God will call you His son], and he will love you more than does your mother.

Book of Jubilees

Jub 1:24-25 -- “They will do my commandments. I shall be a father to them, and they will be sons to me. And they will all be called sons of the living God” (1:24-25).

Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

TestLevi 4:2 -- The Most High has given heed to your prayer that you be delivered from wrongdoing, that you should become a son to him, as minister and priest in His presence.

Christian sources

Paul, Romans 8:14 -- All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God

Mark 15:39, and Luke 23:47 -- Truly that man was a son of God (Mark) = Truly that man was a righteous person (Luke)

Gospel of John 1:12 -- To all who received him, who believed in his name, [Jesus] gave the power to become children of God

Related categories

External links

  • [ Wikipedia]

Select Bibliography (articles)