What is it about?
After discussing issues surrounding the distinction between Christian and Jewish apocryphal/pseudepigraphic texts, this paper suggests that the composition of (Joseph and) Aseneth could have been stimulated by the shift to a matrilineal definition of inherited Jewish status, datable to the 2nd century CE. It is further argued that this text cannot have originated in either Christian or rabbinic Jewish circles, but most probably belongs in a mystically-inclined, fringe Jewish group, perhaps identifying themselves as “God fearers” (theosebeis), and possibly influenced by Valentinian Gnosticism. The paper accepts a view of the text as tending towards syncretism in its spirituality and notes the importance of erotic and novelistic features in the narrative.
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Why is it important?
The paper links the dating of the text (Joseph &) Aseneth to the adoption of a matrilineal definition of inherited Jewish status, datable to the 2nd century CE. It positions the text on the borders of Judaism, paganism and Gnosticism.
Perspectives
This paper arose from using 'Aseneth' as an accessible illustration of Jewish literature in Greek when teaching the history of Judaism in the Greco-Roman period. It's an entertaining text, as well as posing a range of fascinating issues, both historical and contemporary.
Anthony Sheppard
British Institute at Ankara
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This page is a summary of: Aseneth: A tale from the religious frontier, Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, September 2022, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/09518207221085652.
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