Oedipus Judaicus
Encyclopedia
Oedipus Judaicus by William Drummond
was first published in 1811 to a limited release of 200 copies. The book was originally intended for use in a scholastic setting in an attempt to protect Drummond's political career from ridicule.
The work is a commentary on a supposed astrological allegory
in the Old Testament
of the Bible, patterned after the Oedipus Aegyptiacus
of Kircher
. In the book, Drummond seeks possible sources of the Biblical writings, from the Temple of Denderah
to parallels with the Roman god
s, dealing primarily with the 49th chapter of Genesis and the book of Joshua
to draw his conclusions.
The book was rereleased in 1866 and again in 1986, and is currently still in print.
William Drummond of Logiealmond
Sir William Drummond of Logiealmond was a Scottish diplomat and Member of Parliament, poet and philosopher. His book Academical Questions is arguably important in the development of the ideas of English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.-Career:In 1795 he was MP for St. Mawes, and in the...
was first published in 1811 to a limited release of 200 copies. The book was originally intended for use in a scholastic setting in an attempt to protect Drummond's political career from ridicule.
The work is a commentary on a supposed astrological allegory
Astrological allegory
An astrological allegory is an allegory , based on astrology, that is the movement of stars and planet as seen from the Earth...
in the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
of the Bible, patterned after the Oedipus Aegyptiacus
Oedipus Aegyptiacus
Oedipus Aegyptiacus is Athanasius Kircher's supreme work of Egyptology.The three full folio tomes of ornate illustrations and diagrams were published in Rome over the period 1652–54...
of Kircher
Athanasius Kircher
Athanasius Kircher was a 17th century German Jesuit scholar who published around 40 works, most notably in the fields of oriental studies, geology, and medicine...
. In the book, Drummond seeks possible sources of the Biblical writings, from the Temple of Denderah
Dendera Temple complex
Dendera Temple complex, . located about 2.5 km south-east of Dendera, Egypt. It is one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt...
to parallels with the Roman god
Roman mythology
Roman mythology is the body of traditional stories pertaining to ancient Rome's legendary origins and religious system, as represented in the literature and visual arts of the Romans...
s, dealing primarily with the 49th chapter of Genesis and the book of Joshua
Book of Joshua
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and of the Old Testament. Its 24 chapters tell of the entry of the Israelites into Canaan, their conquest and division of the land under the leadership of Joshua, and of serving God in the land....
to draw his conclusions.
The book was rereleased in 1866 and again in 1986, and is currently still in print.
External articles and references
- The Oedipus Judaicus. Entire text at Google Books