The sin of the angels in 2 peter 2:4 and jude 6

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Abstract

The angelic sin of 2 Pet 2:4 and Jude 6 is thought to reflect the Watcher myth of the Book of the Watchers on the grounds of the popularity of the myth in early Judaism and the literary relationship between 1 En. 1:9 and Jude 14-15. A critical reexamination of the evidence, however, suggests contrasting approaches to the myth and a variety of traditions in the Enoch literature undermining both of the above assumptions. The nature of the angelic sin of 2 Pet 2:4 and Jude 6 can best be confirmed on contextual grounds. In this respect, the intentional parallel between examples of punishment and the sins of the false teachers in both 2 Peter and Jude identifies the angelic sin in question as blasphemy-an aspiration to the position of God-in agreement with a long tradition of angelic blasphemy in Jewish and early Christian exposition.

Journal Title

Journal of Biblical Literature

Volume

140

Issue

2

First Page

391

Last Page

408

DOI

10.1353/jbl.2021.0019

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