An early Hellenistic fable in the bible

by HowTheBibleWasCreated 2 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • HowTheBibleWasCreated
    HowTheBibleWasCreated

    As most here know I am a bible minimalist. Not by choice. From several years of study and examining evidence and rejecting theories I previously thought valid I was forced to admit that the historical books of the Hebrew Bible date between 330-80 BCE

    The earliest is likely is Jewish version of this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fir_and_the_Bramble

    Aesop (likely a fictional person) and his fables were well know and are NOT children's literature. They were originally philosophical texts.

    But where is the bible are they?

    Isaiah 5: 1-6 is often cited as is the obvious 2 Kings 14:9

    However a more better parallel to the Greek fables is hidden is a disgusting narrative of Judges 9.

    JPS (1917)..

    The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree: Reign thou over us. But the olive-tree said unto them: Should I leave my fatness, seeing that by me they honour God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees? And the trees said to the fig-tree: Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig-tree said unto them: Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruitage, and go to hold sway over the trees? And the trees said unto the vine: Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them: Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble: Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees: If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shadow; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon

    Note 2 Kings 14:9 has a simpler version of this: 'The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying: Give thy daughter to my son to wife; and there passed by the wild beasts that were in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.

    These are versions of Greek fables that have been inserted in 'historical narratives' .


  • doubtfull1799
    doubtfull1799

    Interesting... My knowledge is a bit lacking in this area. Thanks for sharing, will look into this further. Are there any other examples you know of?

  • Crazyguy
    Crazyguy

    Nice find, this is like the 30 sayings of Amenope getting inserted into the book of proverbs.

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