medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
As for Seraphim I have
> been trying
> to figure them out for years. Where did you get the winged serpent
> idea?
I am identifying them with the fiery serpents of Numbers 21:6 ff,
Deuteronomy 8:15, Isaiah 14:29 and Isaiah 30:6. I realise that not all
scholars believe we are talking about the same beasts, but Otto Kaiser
certainly does so in his commentary on Isaiah 1-12:
"According to Isa. 14:29; 30:6 and Num. 21:6; Deut 8:15, the seraphim
must be thought of as naked winged serpents with human faces and hands
(cf. v.6), and according to the meaning of the word as glowing beings
of light, on whose wings forked flashes of lightning may have appeared"
(p. 76).
Other scholars however interpret 'fiery' as referring to the burning
sensation imparted by their bite, which is how I have always understood
them.
We seem to have a throwback to a a very primitive idea of a snake-god,
rather à la Indiana Jones, perhaps an idol set in a snake-pit. If you
offend him, he sends a snake to bite you. Or perhaps his priests throw
you into the pit. Not a bad idea, actually; over the years, I have had
lots of parishioners I would liked to have thrown into a snake pit.
Bill.
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