Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2019 Angels and Sub-Divine Supernatural Beings: Their Characteristics, Function, and Relationship to God and Humanity in Deuteronomy- Kings Joni Amanda McGuire-Moushon Andrews University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons Recommended Citation McGuire-Moushon, Joni Amanda, "Angels and Sub-Divine Supernatural Beings: Their Characteristics, Function, and Relationship to God and Humanity in Deuteronomy-Kings" (2019). Dissertations. 1673. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1673 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT ANGELS AND SUB-DIVINE SUPERNATURAL BEINGS: THEIR CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTION, AND RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND HUMANITY IN DEUTERONOMY-KINGS by Joni Amanda McGuire-Moushon Adviser: Roy E. Gane ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: ANGELS AND SUB-DIVINE SUPERNATURAL BEINGS: THEIR CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTION, AND RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND HUMANITY IN DEUTERONOMY-KINGS Name of Researcher: Joni Amanda McGuire-Moushon Name and Degree of Faculty Adviser: Roy E. Gane, Ph.D. Date Completed: April 2019 This research analyzes selected passages in Deuteronomy-Kings in order to determine the characteristics and roles of supernatural sub-divine beings within these books. Then this data is compared with the angelology of the Second Temple period in order to identify the similarities and the extent of the differences between them. Deuteronomy contains references to supernatural sub-divine beings, such as “demons” and “holy one(s)”. While Deuteronomy affirms the existence of sub-divine beings, it forbids the Israelites to worship them. In the books of Joshua and Judges, there is awareness of supernatural beings and their roles as warriors, messengers, and tormentors. However, in Joshua 5:13-15 and Exodus 3:2-6, appearances of the Prince of the Host (of YHWH) should be interpreted as theophanies (cf. Daniel 8:10-11). Some “angel of the LORD” passages, such as Judges 6, can also be classified as theophanies. The books of Samuel contain many references to supernatural sub-divine beings, including angels, cherubim, and spirits, providing a fuller picture of the supernatural world. The angelic messengers and evil spirits found in the books of Samuel bear strong similarities to those in the New Testament. The books of Kings present a full pre-exilic picture of the supernatural world and humanity’s awareness of it. The “divine council” motif, the ministering angel, and chariots and horses of fire are found in these books. These books also portray a lying spirit and cherubim. Exilic and post-exilic angelology have many interesting, pronounced features. Some beings are named, further roles (i.e. vision-interpreter) are assigned, and the Accuser/Satan’s role in the cosmos becomes clearer. However, the differences between exilic/post-exilic and pre-exilic angelology have been overstated. Many of the New Testament and intertestamental conceptions about the supernatural world have roots in the pre-exilic period. Angels function in similar ways, as messengers, punishers, and ministers; spirits can cause havoc, and the concept of a spiritual battle (worshipping YHWH instead of demons) is present. The building blocks for the Second Temple period concepts about angels and other sub-divine beings have their basis in Deuteronomy- Kings, and one does not need to search for foreign (i.e. Mesopotamian, Persian, or Greek) origins of these ideas. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary ANGELS AND SUB-DIVINE SUPERNATURAL BEINGS: THEIR CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTION, AND RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND HUMANITY IN DEUTERONOMY-KINGS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Joni Amanda McGuire-Moushon April 2019 © Copyright by Joni Amanda McGuire-Moushon 2019 All Rights Reserved ANGELS AND SUB-DIVINE SUPERNATURAL BEINGS: THEIR CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTION, AND RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND HUMANITY IN DEUTERONOMY-KINGS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Joni Amanda McGuire-Moushon APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Faculty Adviser, Roy E. Gane Director of PhD/ThD Religion Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Program, Thomas Shepherd Eastern Languages Jiří Moskala Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Jiří Moskala Jacques B. Doukhan Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis, Emeritus Constance E. Gane Associate Professor of Archaeology and Old Testament Daniel I. Block Date Approved Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Wheaton College For Aaron TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1 Problem and Purpose .................................................................................. 1 Background to the Problem ........................................................................ 2 Problem ..................................................................................................... 15 Purpose and Justification ............................................................................ 15 Scope and Delimitations ............................................................................. 16 Methodology .............................................................................................. 17 A Note on Terminology .............................................................................. 19 2. DEUTERONOMY ........................................................................................ 21 Introduction ................................................................................................ 21 Deuteronomy 32: Sacrificing to Demons .................................................... 22 Context ................................................................................................ 22 Analysis .............................................................................................. 23 Excursus: Sons of Israel or Sons of God? (Deut 32) ............................. 29 Deuteronomy 33: Holy Ones ...................................................................... 31 Context ................................................................................................ 31 Analysis .............................................................................................. 32 Summary and Synthesis .............................................................................. 33 3. JOSHUA-JUDGES ........................................................................................ 35 Introduction ................................................................................................ 35 Joshua 5: The Prince of the Army of YHWH .............................................. 36 Context ................................................................................................ 36 Analysis .............................................................................................. 36 Judges 2: Angel of YHWH ......................................................................... 43 Context ................................................................................................ 43 Analysis .............................................................................................. 43 Judges 5: Fighting Stars and Angel of YHWH ............................................ 46 iv Context ................................................................................................ 46 Analysis .............................................................................................. 46 Judges 6: Angel of YHWH ......................................................................... 52 Context ................................................................................................ 52 Analysis .............................................................................................. 52 Judges 9: An Evil Spirit .............................................................................. 57 Context ................................................................................................ 57 Analysis .............................................................................................. 57 Judges 13: Angel of YHWH ....................................................................... 61 Context ................................................................................................ 61 Analysis .............................................................................................. 61 Excursus: The Identity of the Angel of YHWH .................................... 66 Summary and Synthesis .............................................................................. 70 4. 1 AND 2 SAMUEL ....................................................................................... 72 Introduction ...............................................................................................