1970] BOOK REVIEWS AND SHORT NOTICES 123

The aesthetic perceptions expressed, especially in the first and last chapters,
reminded the reviewer of the delicate excellence of Alonso Schkel's Inspired
Word and suggest that these two Spaniards share the rare combination of
aesthetic insight and critical precision which add the dimension of flavor to such
works.
Although there are several printing errors, some of which distort biblical cita-
tions, still these defects of the publisher do not seriously detract from the excel-
lence of G/s work as a whole.
English counterparts to the type of material presented here are currently
available, so that we may not soon see a translation of this work. Nevertheless,
its sobriety, thoroughness, and aesthetic quality commend it highly, even beyond
the level of its already evident scientific merit.
St John Vianney Seminary, East Aurora, NY. THOMAS E. CRANE

WOLFGANG HARNISCH, Verhngnis und Verheissung der Geschichte: Unter-

suchungen zum Zeit- und Geschichtsverstndnis im 4. Buch Esra und in der
syr. Baruchapokalypse (FRLANT 97; Gttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht,
1969). Pp. 362. Cloth DM 48; paper DM 44.
The nature, origin, and history of apocalyptic thought in postexilic Judaism
have been topics of special interest for contemporary historians and theologians,
but too often, according to H., those writings which are commonly described as
apocalyptic have been studied without regard for the peculiar historical setting
and character of the individual documents. Text is piled on text, and the result
is a blurring of perspective. This volume, a revised and abbreviated version of a
Marburg thesis done under the direction of E. Fuchs, limits itself to describing
the understanding of time and history in 4 Ezra and 2 Bar, both of which were
composed after the destruction of the second Temple and apparently arose from
within the same circle. In the first part of the book, the author attempts to deter-
mine the questions posed to the authors of 4 Ezra and 2 Bar, and in the second
part, he explores subjects such as apocalyptic dualism, the meaning and function
of the doctrine of the Two Ages, determinism, and the calculation of the final
times.
Both writings seek to refute the skepticism which had arisen after the fall of
Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The skeptics were asking disturbing questions : How can
the God of Israel still be considered faithful and powerful, if the promises made
to Israel have not been fulfilled ? What benefit is there in keeping the Law, if all
men are under the sway of the evil impulse ? In their response to such challenges,
both authors rely heavily upon the notion of the Two Ages. The present age,
inaugurated by Adam's fall, only prepares for the divine intervention which will
begin the new age. In the present age, God is distant, but at the end of this age,
he will be present again as the judge of the godless and as the savior of the
righteous, just as he was present in the primeval times as the creator. What is
124 THE CATHOLIC BIBLICAL QUARTERLY [Vol. 32

the function of the present age? Although history (or the present age) is
basically the time of evil and corruption, in this period, each man determines his
future fate by either observing or rejecting the Law. Adam's sin has brought
suffering and disease into the world, but each individual can and must choose
either to do good or to do evil. According to his observance in the present age,
he will be judged at the end of history; the lex talionis has been given an
eschatological dimension. When will this divine intervention happen? While
the question concerning the exact time is left open in the two documents, both
authors affirm that God is the Lord of time and history and as such has no
obligation to reveal his plans to man. The destruction of Jerusalem and the
defeat of the chosen people are only a part of the unfolding divine plan and
prepare for the end of history and the beginning of the new age.
There are many significant issues (for example, the source analysis of 4 Ezra
and 2 Bar, the interrelation of the two books, their relation to Pseudo-Philo,
etc.) which H. has chosen not to discuss at any length. Yet if we confine our
judgment to what H. has actually done, then we must conclude that this book is
a fine contribution to the understanding of 4 Ezra and 2 Bar as well as a sig
nificant step toward determining the nature of apocalytic thought. By means
of painstaking literary analysis, the author has been able to illumine much that
has long seemed obscure and confused. Every general statement comes only as
the conclusion of a close and exhaustive examination of the relevant texts.
Furthermore, the volume lays bare the basic concerns and structures of at least
one variety of apocalyptic thought and so furnishes a clear and detailed frame
work to which other apocalyptic writings may be compared and contrasted.

Weston College, Cambridge, Mass. DANIEL J. HARRINGTON, S.J.

Hebrew Union College Annual. 37 vols. (1924-66). Reprinted by Ktav Pub

lishing House, Inc., New York, 1968. Analytical Subject Index to . . . Volumes
1-37, Isaiah Berger, ed. (1969) ; pp. -136. $650.00 the set.

Reviewing the reprint of this learned journal is altogether different from

reviewing a new bookfor some very obvious reasons. Among these is the fact
that the readers of CBQ know what HUCA is and appreciate its value; at the
same time, they are not unduly ruffled when the contents of a particular volume
turn out to be uneven. Nevertheless, the reprint of HUCA is an event that should
be noted, especially for the benefit of younger scholars and students who may
need to be reminded of the riches to be found in the 37 volumes under review.
In these volumes, one finds among the contributors such stalwarts in biblical
studies and related sciences as W. F. Albright, W. Baumgartner, A. Bertholet,
S. H. Blank, M. Buttenwieser, J. Coppens, R. Dussaud, O. Eissfeldt, M. Gaster,
H. L. Ginsberg, L. Ginzberg, N. Glueck, R. Gordis, C. H. Gordon, J. C. Green
field, P. Kahle, L. Koehler, J. Lewy, J. Lindblom, R. Marcus, H. G. May, T. J.
Meek, J. Morgenstern (who wrote the largest number of articles, 37), S.
 ^ s
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