Literacy in the N.T.

Hildegarde · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Birmingham

Looking at the passage about Jesus reading the scripture at the synagogue in Nazareth, I wondered whether most people in that society were literate or whether Jesus was unusual? possible because of the family connection with the priesthood (Zechariah)?

Hildegarde

rgoode · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

This is a question that is more complicated than it sounds! Generally it is accepted that Palestine at this time was fairly literate. Josephus, Apion 1.60, takes great pride in the education systems that were in place within Jewish society. This system appeared to place an emphasis on reading the Hebrew Scriptures. Therefore, it wouldn’t be uncommon to find someone who could read the scriptures in the manner of Jesus.

However, whether this can be taken as indicative of a literate society or one that is functionally literate (able to get by on a practical level) is still being argued. The question is further complicated by the number of languages that were in use at the time (Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin).

Really it comes down to how one defines 'literacy'. Although we might be surprised by the number of people who could read, I am not too sure if we would class them as 'literate' in the modern sense of the word. I am being very restrained here Laughing

as my doctoral research looked at reading and the function texts at this time.

If you are interested in more information (apart from chatting here, I can chat about this subject for years!), two very good and readable books are:

Harry Gamble Books and Readers in the Early Church New Haven:Yale University Press. 1995.

Alan Millard Reading and Writing at the Time of Jesus Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press. 2000.

Although, I personally am not convinced with some of the positions they take, they are still really good pieces of work and very worthwhile having a look at.

Hildegarde · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Birmingham

Thanks for very prompt and informative reply!

Hildegarde

rgoode · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

Sorry, I realise I've been a little bit cryptic with my reference to Josephus and should probably have explained it more.

The Jewish writer Josephus (37-100 CE) led quite a colourful life, fighting against and then for the Romans. He is most famous for writing one of the very few contemporary, non-Christian, descriptions of Jesus. His work Against Apion, to which I refer above, is a defence of the Jewish nation to the Roman Empire and provides a wealth of historical detail about the Jewish world at the time of Jesus.

The reference (Whiston's translation) about education is:
"Our principle care of all is this, to educate our children well; and we think it to be the most necessary business of our whole life to observe the laws that have been given us, and to keep the rules of piety which have been delivered down to us."
Apion 1:60

You can read this (and the other works of Josephus) on Peter Kirby's excellent 'Early Jewish Writings' site.
http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/josephus.html

Hildegarde · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Birmingham

Mm, I remember struggling with Josephus in my student days (many decades ago!) but that was the Jewish War, about which I remember very little - except that the Romans won!

When he says "children" do you think he means "boys" or were girls educated too?

Hildegarde

rgoode · Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject:

Awww, what has poor old Josephus ever done to you? Laughing

Yes, you are right - the general assumption is that "children" refers to boys.

Having said that, Kim Haines-Eitzen (Guardians of Letters: Literacy, Power and the Transmission of Early Christian Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2000) draws attention to female scribes being mentioned in the Shepherd of Hermas, an influential early Christian text that did not quite make it into the canon. The presence of female scribes suggest that at least some girls had access to education.

The situation is further complicated by the process of Hellenization. The more 'democratic' Greek idea of education appears to have been adopted in some areas. Philip Davies (Scribes and Schools: The Canonization of the Hebrew Scriptures. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press. 1998. p82) argues that at this time, "[e]ducation was sought by a wider circle: a new "middle class" of well-off merchants, artisans, and landowners who were able to capitalize their assets and invest them, and, having the resources to pay for it, they indulged their need and desire for education."

The Greek and later Latin system, as far as I know, the emphasis was on boys rather than mixed education. Nevertheless, we do know that it was not unknown for women to be literate. Furthermore, I seem to remember reading somewhere (the reference escapes me at the moment) that, among the wealthy classes, reading was seen as something a bit too mundane and prosaic (to be seen reading was rather gauche!) and was therefore reserved for slaves and women!

One of the other factors that we must not forget is the place of the home in education. Certainly within the Jewish system (Jospehus and Philo point to this), the home was expected to function in the socialisation and education of offspring.
Richard

Hildegarde · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Birmingham

Thanks. I must say coming on here has been an education - but I suppose that's what it's for!

Just waiting to see if anyone ever asks a question that I can answer Smile

Hildegarde

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