Chapter Fifteen

A command to the prophet to record the present revelation (1–4). The impending punishment of the ungodly and the liberation of God’s people from the Egyptian bondage (5–13). The misfortunes threatening the world in public life (14–27). The devastation of Assyria by Arabs and Carmanians (28–37). The destruction of Babylon through terrible manifestations in nature (38–45). The misfortunes threatening Asia, a co-conspirator with Babylon (46–63).

Chapters XV and XVI form a wholly independent work, usually entitled in the manuscripts of the Latin text “Liber Quintus Esdrae” or briefly “Esdras V.” Hilgenfeld (Messias Judaeorum, XLVI-XLIX), Fritzsche (Libri Veteris Testamenti pseudepigraphi selecti. Liptiae 1871 S. X) and Shavrov (92–94; 158–163) join these chapters to the first two, considering them merely a continuation of the first. Hilgenfeld acknowledges that the “second book of the prophet Ezra” thus obtained came from the author’s pen in its present form. Fritzsche and Shavrov suppose that it has not reached us in its entirety. Both suppositions are not justified by the content of the last chapters, which differ sharply from the first two. While the author of the first two chapters uses New Testament images and expressions at every turn, the author of the last two reveals almost nothing of Christian literature’s influence on him. His models are the Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nahum, and Joel. All this compels us to acknowledge the independence of the final chapters.

2 Esdras 15:1. Speak to My people the words of prophecy which I put in your mouth, says the Lord; 2 Esdras 15:2. and cause them to be written on parchment, for they are faithful and true. 2 Esdras 15:3. Fear not that they will plot against you, and do not be troubled by the unbelief of those who will speak against you, 2 Esdras 15:4. for every unbeliever in his unbelief will die. 2 Esdras 15:5. Behold, I bring, says the Lord, upon the circle of the earth misfortunes: sword and famine, death and destruction 2 Esdras 15:6. for the wickedness of men has defiled the whole earth, and their destructive deeds have been filled to the brim. 2 Esdras 15:7. Therefore says the Lord: 2 Esdras 15:8. I will no longer be silent about the iniquities which they commit wickedly, nor will I tolerate in them what they do unlawfully: behold, innocent and righteous blood cries out to Me, and the souls of the righteous cry continually. 2 Esdras 15:9. I will avenge them, says the Lord, and will take every innocent blood from them to Myself. 2 Esdras 15:10. Behold, My people is led like a flock to the slaughter; I will not suffer that it should live in Egypt any longer, 8–10. Cf. Rev 6:10. The book was written during a time of fierce persecution of Christians. Shavrov (101–163) sees in it the persecution of Domitian, Lucke (186–187) of Decius, Trajan, or Diocletian. The mention of Arabs prompts relating the origin of the book no earlier than the second half of the 3rd century, when Arabs first became prominent among the peoples of antiquity. Gutschmid (212–232) places it in 263 A.D., Volkmar (277) in 260, Hilgenfeld (XLVII, 208–211), Fritzsche (X) and James (LXXVIII) in 268. Ewald (Geschichte des Volkes Israel, VII, 82–83; Jahrbücher der Biblischen Wissenschaft, X, 223–224) completely disregards this detail, placing the book’s appearance in the reign of Trajan (98–117) around 116 A.D. and considering it to have come from Jewish circles. Trajan did not undertake any bloody persecution of Jewry at all. Although the name Egypt could be used in a figurative sense, as a designation of the land of captivity, the subsequent details leave no doubt that Egypt in the exact sense of the word is meant here. This is confirmed by the fact that the prophet directs his accusations against separate provinces of the Roman Empire: Egypt, Syria, Babylon, and Asia (XVI:1). Indeed, Egyptian Christians underwent fierce bloody persecution under the usurper Macrianus (261–262). This is testified by Dionysius of Alexandria (Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica VII, 22, 4). At this time in other places, Christians according to the edict of Gallienus enjoyed freedom of religion.

2 Esdras 15:11. but I will lead it out with a strong hand and a high arm, and will smite Egypt with plagues as before, and will destroy all its land. 2 Esdras 15:12. Egypt will mourn, and the foundations of it, smitten with plague and vengeance which God will bring upon it. 12. Since below the author recognizes that the misfortunes he predicts have already come to pass (XV:27), it is evident that along with purely eschatological elements, the historical details appear in the misfortunes Egypt was destined to experience. Under the guise of prophecy, the author gave a vivid picture of the social misfortunes that Egypt experienced in the middle of the 3rd century. It is possible that he begins his accusations with Egypt because he himself lived in Alexandria, where troubles made themselves felt with particular strength.

2 Esdras 15:13. The husbandmen who till the land will mourn, because their seeds will fail from rust and from hail and from the dread star. 13. Rev 9:1.

2 Esdras 15:14. Woe to the age and to those who live in it! 2 Esdras 15:15. for the sword and destruction are near, and nation shall rise up against nation for war, and swords in their hands. 15. Here are meant the constant wars of the Romans with the Goths (253, 255, 258, 259–263, 266) and the Persians (256, 260), as well as the wars conducted with the Persians by the founder of the Palmyrene Kingdom, Odaenathus (261, 263).

2 Esdras 15:16. Men will become inconstant, and one overpowering another, will disregard their king, and the rulers will neglect the course of their affairs within the bounds of their power. 16. In the reign of Gallienus (260–268) Egypt saw a whole series of usurpers who proclaimed themselves emperors. The first of these was Macrianus, a cruel enemy of Christianity, with two sons. He ruled Egypt for 2 years (261–262). After him, for about the same time, Egypt was under the power of Aemilianus (262–263). In 268, the peace that had been briefly restored was again disturbed by Domitian. The intestine conflicts that tore Egypt apart prompted the attempt of the Palmyrenes to seize it. At first it failed, but in 270 the queen of Palmyra, Zenobia, conquered this Roman province and ruled it on behalf of her son until her downfall (273). The remark of the book that in the time of misfortunes one will overpower another, as it were, hints at this unexpected loss of Egypt to Rome.

2 Esdras 15:17. A man will wish to go into a city, but will be unable to, 2 Esdras 15:18. for because of their pride the cities will be thrown into confusion, houses will be laid waste, and fear will fall upon people. 2 Esdras 15:19. A man will not spare his neighbor, bringing their houses to destruction with the sword, plundering their possessions because of hunger and many misfortunes. 17–19. The farmers, in view of the troubled times, will seek protection behind fortified city walls, but in vain. At Passover 261 a disturbance occurred in Alexandria that divided all inhabitants into two camps. Both sides mercilessly destroyed each other. The Nile continuously bore in its current the bodies of the slain or drowned. Macrianus made use of these disorders to seize power over Alexandria for himself. In 262, Egypt was visited by terrible famine and plague that destroyed many people (XIII, 16–35). After Macrianus’ fall, Alexandria for a short time acknowledged Gallienus as emperor. The new usurper Aemilianus imposed an embargo on grain supplies and thereby caused famine in many cities. The Roman general Photius besieged him in Bruchium. After a long siege, the city surrendered due to hunger.

2 Esdras 15:20. Behold, I summon, says God, all the kings of the earth, from the east and south, from the north and Lebanon, that they may stand in awe before Me and turn to themselves, and render to them what they have done to others. 20. “Behold, I summon, says God, all the kings of the earth, that they rise from the east and south, from the south-east and south-west.” The mention of Lebanon among the cardinal directions from which God calls all the kings of the earth is rather unexpected. It is explained by the incorrect reading of the Latin word libe (it is found in one of the Spanish codices in the form libie), which represents a translation of the Greek λιβός. The word λίψ (Latin lips) means the southwest wind. The kings by God’s will are assembled from different parts of the world to punish Rome for the innocent blood it has shed. The eastern kings, in Gutschmid’s opinion, refer to the Persian dynasty that ruled — the Sassanids, who claimed the Roman provinces to the shores of the Aegean and Black seas, as these were once part of the Persian monarchy. In the southeast lay Palmyra, whose rulers pretended to be on Rome’s side, but in reality founded a new Syro-Arabic kingdom in the east. In the southern kings one can see a hint at the usurper Alexander Aemilianus, who passed through the Thebaid and all Egypt to suppress the barbarous raids that began at that time. These were the Blemmyes, whose attacks under Diocletian culminated in the annexation of part of Upper Egypt and Libya. The kings from the side of Liba (προς λίβα) refer to the Marmarids in Libya, with whom the Romans warred. The prophecy encompasses the main states that were hostile to Rome. In their summons by God lies an indication of the impending onslaught from their direction that was to end the existence of the Roman Empire.

2 Esdras 15:21. As they have done to My chosen ones, so will I do to them and render into their bosom, says the Lord God. 2 Esdras 15:22. My right hand will not spare sinners, and the sword will not cease to strike down those who shed innocent blood on the earth. 21–22. Under Valerian (253–260) there took place a bloody persecution of Christians lasting 3 1/4 years (257–260). The edict of Gallienus put an end to it, but in Egypt it continued, for power there was in the hands of Macrianus, the chief instigator of Valerian’s struggle against Christianity.

2 Esdras 15:23. Fire has come forth from His wrath and consumed the foundations of the earth and the sinners like kindled straw. 2 Esdras 15:24. Woe to sinners and those who do not keep My commandments! says the Lord. 2 Esdras 15:25. I will not spare them. Depart, sons of transgression, do not defile My sanctuary. 2 Esdras 15:26. The Lord knows all who sin against Him; therefore He has delivered them to death and slaughter. 2 Esdras 15:27. Upon the circle of the earth have already come misfortunes, and you will remain in them. God will not deliver you, because you have sinned against Him. 2 Esdras 15:28. Behold, a terrible vision, and its face from the east. 2 Esdras 15:29. The offspring of the dragons of Arabia will come forth on many chariots and with the speed of the wind will be borne over the earth, so that they will instill fear and terror in all who hear of them. 29. Before the rise of Islam, the Arabs occupied a threatening position in relation to the eastern states only once. This was during the time of the Palmyrene kingdom founded by the Arab Odaenathus. He was a Roman decurion in Palmyra and was considered a prince of Arab nomads living along the Euphrates. His brilliant military actions against the Persians forced Gallienus in 264 to proclaim him emperor of the east. In the reign of Odaenathus’ successor, Zenobia (267–273), Palmyra stood at the height of its power. Zenobia even succeeded in conquering Egypt. Ewald tries to see here an indication of the reign of Trajan, who had to conduct prolonged warfare in the east with Arabs and Persians. But hardly in the reign of Trajan, which shone with external victories, could anyone have thought of Rome’s imminent ruin.

2 Esdras 15:30. The Carmanians will come forth, like boars from the forest, raging fiercely, and will come in great force, will engage in battle with them and will lay waste a part of the land of Assyria. 2 Esdras 15:31. Then the dragons, remembering their origin, will prevail and turning their great might, will pursue those. 2 Esdras 15:32. These will be confused, will be silent before their might and will turn their feet to flight. 30–32. The Carmanians are the inhabitants of the Persian city of Carman. Carman was the first conquest of the Sassanids. Evidently the name here is used in a broad sense to designate the Persians. After a successful struggle with Rome, during which the Persians defeated the emperor Valerian (253–260), they conquered Mesopotamia and swept through all Syria and Cilicia. Finally, at the siege of Pompeiopolis, the Persians were defeated. The Romans in alliance with the Palmyrene Odaenathus continued the struggle against the Persians so successfully that Sapor was even cut off from retreat. He was forced to give a huge ransom to the Roman garrison stationed in Edessa to secure his return to Persia. After victory over Sapor, Odaenathus invaded Persian territory, conquered Carrhae and Nisibis, took from the Persians all Mesopotamia and besieged Ctesiphon. The first siege was not brought to completion due to the intervention of Macrianus. Later, taking advantage of Macrianus’ presence in Europe, Odaenathus killed his younger son and took Emesa and Ctesiphon. The invasion of Cappadocia by the Goths prompted him to depart to fight them in the Cappadocian city of Heraclea, but the enemy had already departed. Soon Odaenathus was killed together with his son. Under the part of Assyrian land devastated by the Carmanians is meant the region between the Tigris and Euphrates, which did not enter into the Roman Empire under the Sassanids. The Persians took Mesopotamia, and in particular the Arab city of Cithara, in 255. Under Odaenathus, all this region passed to Palmyra.

2 Esdras 15:33. But the one lying in ambush on the side of the Assyrians will surround them and kill one of them; fear and trembling will arise in their army, and a murmuring against their kings. 33. Lücke and Hilgenfeld see in this place an echo of the violent death of Odaenathus. He perished at the hands of his nephew Maeonius. In the book’s remark about murmuring against the kings one can see an allusion to the uprising of the army that broke out after Odaenathus’s assassination. The villain himself fell as its victim. Gutschmid without sufficient grounds refers this passage to the Persians. Ewald sees in the name of the Carmonians (Carmonii) an alteration of the word Armageddon (Rev 16:16). This is how Rome was called in apocalyptic literature (Jahrbucher der Biblischen Wissenschaft I, 62; VIII, 31). This understanding is supported by a comparison of the Carmonians with wild boars, taken from the Psalter (LXXIX:14). The psalmist’s words were interpreted in the post-exilic period as referring to the Romans. Ewald’s opinion that Rome is meant by Armageddon cannot be considered firmly proven. The comparison with boars, moreover, represents an interpolation. In some manuscripts there is simply mention of the departure of mad Carmonians from the forest (James).

2 Esdras 15:34. Behold, clouds from the east and from the north to the south, and their appearance is most terrible, full of fierceness and storm. 34. In the form of a cloud (nubes) rushing from the east and north, the Goths are represented. From 255 onward they constantly plundered Thrace, Macedonia, and Achaia. Although they suffered defeat at the hands of the general Marianus, they departed in 262 with great plunder. Another part of the Goths in 259 crossed the Bosporus into Bithynia and burned the cities of Nicomedia and Nicaea. For about 4 years the Goths plundered Asia Minor and only in 263 returned home. At the same time Germanic tribes were laying waste to Illyricum and Italy and threatening Rome itself. In 263 Gallienus was honored with a triumph for the expulsion of the Goths. In 267 the Goths together with the Scythians again invaded Asia Minor and completed the former devastation. Gallienus set out on a campaign against the Scythians, but in the west the mutiny of Aureolus broke out, and the emperor had to return. To 268, when Rome was threatened with dangers from all sides, the origin of the book should be referred.

2 Esdras 15:35. They will clash with one another, and many stars will be cast down to the earth along with their star; and there will be blood from the sword to the belly, 2 Esdras 15:36. and the dung of human beings – to the saddle of a camel; great fear and trembling will be upon the earth. 2 Esdras 15:37. All who see this fierceness will be terrified, and they will tremble. 2 Esdras 15:38. After that many times storms will rise from the south and north, and in part from the west, 2 Esdras 15:39. and strong winds will rise from the east and open him and the cloud which I have driven forward in anger; and the star appointed to terrify at the east and west wind will be damaged. 2 Esdras 15:40. And there will rise clouds, great and strong, full of fierceness, and a star to terrify all the earth and its inhabitants; and they will pour upon every high and elevated place a terrible star, 2 Esdras 15:41. fire and hail, flying swords and many waters, to fill all fields and all streams with an abundance of waters. 2 Esdras 15:42. And they will inundate the city and the walls, and mountains, and hills, and trees in the forests, and grass in the meadows, and their grain crops; 2 Esdras 15:43. and they will pass without ceasing until Babylon and destroy it; 43. In apocalyptic literature Rome was known by the name Babylon. The author is convinced that the end of the Roman Empire is inevitable.

2 Esdras 15:44. they will gather to it and surround it; they will pour the star and fury upon it. And dust and smoke will rise up to heaven, and all around will mourn it, 2 Esdras 15:45. and those who remain subject to him will serve those who have brought the fear. 2 Esdras 15:46. And you, Asia, partner in the hope of Babylon and in its glory: 46. The prophet addresses a special speech to Asia, that is, Asia Minor. This is explained by the fact that the persecution of Christians was carried out here with even greater ferocity than in Rome.

2 Esdras 15:47. woe to you, wretched one, because you imitated him and adorned your daughters in harlotry, so that they might be pleasing and glorified among your lovers, who always desired to commit harlotry with you. 2 Esdras 15:48. You imitated the hateful one in all his deeds and undertakings. 2 Esdras 15:49. Because of this, says God, I will send upon you calamities: widowhood, poverty, and hunger, and sword, and plague, to lay waste your houses by violence and death. 2 Esdras 15:50. And the glory of your power will wither like a flower when the heat comes upon you. 2 Esdras 15:51. You will faint like a poor woman, beaten and wounded by women, so that the prominent men and your lovers are unable to receive you. 2 Esdras 15:52. Would I hate you so, says the Lord, 2 Esdras 15:53. if you did not kill my chosen ones at all times, lifting your hand against them to strike them and mocking their death, when you were in a drunken state? 53. The author alludes to the persecution under Decius Traianus (249–252). Under his successor Valerian (253–260) the governance of Asia Minor fell into the hands of Macrianus, the worst enemy of Christianity. The bloody persecution of Christians undoubtedly continued at this time with no less ferocity.

2 Esdras 15:54. Adorn your face. 2 Esdras 15:55. The hire of your harlotry is in your bosom; therefore you will receive the recompense. 2 Esdras 15:56. As you have dealt with my chosen ones, says the Lord, so God will deal with you, and will subject you to calamities. 2 Esdras 15:57. Your children will perish from hunger, you will fall by the sword, your cities will be destroyed, and all your people will fall in the field by the sword. 2 Esdras 15:58. And those on the mountains will perish from hunger, and will eat their own flesh for lack of bread and drink blood for lack of water. 57–58. In 262 plague raged in Asia Minor, and before that it was visited by a terrible earthquake. Besides, the hordes of Goths during their two invasions destroyed or plundered almost all of its major cities.

2 Esdras 15:59. In misery you will go by the seas, and there you will meet troubles. 59. “In misery you will go the first time and again be subjected to troubles.” The author contrasts the calamities that have already befallen Asia Minor with those that await it in the future.

2 Esdras 15:60. During your journeys they will rush upon the devastated city and will destroy part of your land and annihilate part of your glory. 60. “As you return from the destroyed Babylon, on the way they will attack the emptied city and destroy part of your land and eradicate part of your glory.” Punishment overtakes Asia Minor following Babylon, that is, Rome. The executors of it will be numerous enemies of Rome, who will be only obedient (XV:20) instruments in the hands of God. The prophet speaks not of all cities, but only of those that escaped the ravages of the Goths.

2 Esdras 15:61. Laid waste, you will be straw to them, and they will be fire to you; 2 Esdras 15:62. and they will destroy you and your cities, your land, your mountains, all your forests and fruit-bearing trees will they burn with fire. 2 Esdras 15:63. Your sons they will take captive, your possessions they will seize as plunder, and your glory they will destroy.