About This Tag
Share:
Melammu was an ancient Near Eastern concept describing the radiant aura or dazzling brilliance of gods, kings, and sacred objects, often used to depict divine power and authority. Rooted in Mesopotamian traditions, where it was closely tied to the majesty and terror of deities, this imagery later incorporated into the Hebrew Bible, where God’s presence and glory are portrayed in terms of shining light. Over time, this idea was inherited and reshaped in later Jewish and Christian traditions, where divine radiance became a sign of holiness and eternal life.
Note: Dates shown in this timeline are approximate and based on scholarly estimates.
Back to Tag2125 BCE
Gudea Cylinders A xxix 5
Ancient Near East
1 The seven stelae set up around the temple 2 stand ready to take counsel with its lord. 3 Its funerary chapel is a pure place, 4 as clean as the Abzu. 5 The stone basins set up in the temple 6 are like the holy chamber of the purification priest, where water never ceases to flow. 7 Its lofty battlements, where the doves rest, 8 are like Eridu upon its terrace, 9 where the princess sits.
1353–1336 BCE
Great Hymn to the Aten
Ancient Near East
You rise beautifully on the horizon of the sky, O living Aten, creator of life! When you dawn on the eastern horizon, you fill every land with your beauty. You are splendid, great, radiant, high above every land; your rays encompass the lands to the limit of all that you have made. Since you are Re, you reach to the end of them, and you subdue them for your beloved son. Though you are far away, your rays are upon the earth; though you are before their faces, no one sees your goings.
600 BCE
The Creation of the King
Ancient Near East
Ea opened his mouth to speak, saying to Belet-ili: “You are Belet-ili, sister of the great gods; it was you who created man, the human. Fashion now the king, the counsellor man! Gird the whole of his figure so pleasingly, make perfect his countenance and well-formed his body!” And Belet-ili fashioned the king, the counsellor man. The great gods gave the king power in battle. Anu gave him the crown. Enlil gave him the throne. Nergal gave him the weapons. Ninurta gave him glittering brilliance. Belet-ili gave him a beautiful appearance. Nusku gave instructions, gave advice, and was at his service. He who speaks lies and deceit to the king— if it is a ... it will [...]
750–400 BCE
Genesis 2:25
Hebrew Bible
23 Then the man said, “This one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and unites with his wife, and they become one family. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.
750–400 BCE
Exodus 34:29
Hebrew Bible
29 Now when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand—when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and Moses spoke to them. 32 After this all the Israelites approached, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses finished speaking with them, he would put a veil on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil until he came out. Then he would come out and tell the Israelites what he had been commanded. 35 When the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with the Lord.
750–400 BCE
Exodus 34:30
Hebrew Bible
29 Now when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand—when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to approach him. 31 But Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and Moses spoke to them. 32 After this all the Israelites approached, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken to him on Mount Sinai.
750–400 BCE
Numbers 6:25
Hebrew Bible
23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the way you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘“The Lord bless you and protect you; 25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”’” 27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
750–400 BCE
Deuteronomy 33:2
Hebrew Bible
1 This is the blessing Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. 2 He said: “The Lord came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them. 3 Surely he loves the people; all your holy ones are in your hand8. And they sit at your feet, each receiving your words. 4 Moses delivered to us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.
740–450 BCE
Isaiah 30:26
Hebrew Bible
24 The oxen and donkeys used in plowing will eat seasoned feed winnowed with a shovel and pitchfork. 25 On every high mountain and every high hill there will be streams flowing with water, at the time of great slaughter when the fortified towers collapse. 26 The light of the full moon will be like the sun’s glare, and the sun’s glare will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, when the Lord binds up his people’s fractured bones and heals their severe wound. 27 Look, the name of the Lord comes from a distant place in raging anger and awesome splendor. He speaks angrily, and his word is like destructive fire. 28 His battle cry overwhelms like a flooding river that reaches one’s neck. He shakes the nations in a sieve that isolates the chaff; he puts a bit into the mouth of the nations and leads them to destruction.
740–450 BCE
Isaiah 60:1
Hebrew Bible
1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you! 2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you. 3 Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light. 4 Look all around you! They all gather and come to you—your sons come from far away, and your daughters are escorted by guardians. 5 Then you will look and smile, you will be excited and your heart will swell with pride. For the riches of distant lands will belong to you, and the wealth of nations will come to you.
740–450 BCE
Isaiah 60:2
Hebrew Bible
1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you! 2 For, look, darkness covers the earth and deep darkness covers the nations, but the Lord shines on you; his splendor appears over you. 3 Nations come to your light, kings to your bright light. 4 Look all around you! They all gather and come to you—your sons come from far away, and your daughters are escorted by guardians.
600–501 BCE
Judges 5:31
Hebrew Bible
29 The wisest of her ladies answer; indeed she even thinks to herself, 30 ‘No doubt they are gathering and dividing the plunder—a girl or two for each man to rape! Sisera is grabbing up colorful cloth, he is grabbing up colorful embroidered cloth, two pieces of colorful embroidered cloth, for the neck of the plunderer!’ 31 “May all your enemies perish like this, O Lord! But may those who love you shine like the rising sun at its brightest.” And the land had rest for forty years.
600–501 BCE
Ezekiel 1:27
Hebrew Bible
25 Then there was a voice from above the platform over their heads when they stood still. 26 Above the platform over their heads was something like a sapphire shaped like a throne. High above on the throne was a form that appeared to be a man. 27 I saw an amber glow like a fire enclosed all around from his waist up. From his waist down I saw something that looked like fire. There was a brilliant light around it, 28 like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds after the rain. This was the appearance of the surrounding brilliant light; it looked like the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I threw myself face down, and I heard a voice speaking.
600–501 BCE
Ezekiel 43:2
Hebrew Bible
1 Then he brought me to the gate that faced toward the east. 2 I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east; the sound was like that of rushing water, and the earth radiated his glory. 3 It was like the vision I saw when he came to destroy the city, and the vision I saw by the Kebar River. I threw myself face down. 4 The glory of the Lord came into the temple by way of the gate that faces east.
600–501 BCE
Habakkuk 3:3
Hebrew Bible
2 Lord, I have heard the report of what you did; I am awed, Lord, by what you accomplished. In our time repeat those deeds; in our time reveal them again. But when you cause turmoil, remember to show us mercy! 3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor has covered the skies, the earth is full of his glory. 4 His brightness will be as lightning; a two-pronged lightning bolt flashing from his hand. This is the outward display of his power. 5 Plague will go before him; pestilence will march right behind him.
600–501 BCE
Habakkuk 3:4
Hebrew Bible
2 Lord, I have heard the report of what you did; I am awed, Lord, by what you accomplished. In our time repeat those deeds; in our time reveal them again. But when you cause turmoil, remember to show us mercy! 3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor has covered the skies, the earth is full of his glory. 4 His brightness will be as lightning; a two-pronged lightning bolt flashing from his hand. This is the outward display of his power. 5 Plague will go before him; pestilence will march right behind him. 6 He took his battle position and shook the earth; with a mere look he frightened the nations. The ancient mountains disintegrated; the primeval hills were flattened. His are ancient roads.
600–201 BCE
Psalm 4:6
Hebrew Bible
4 Tremble with fear and do not sin. Meditate as you lie in bed, and repent of your ways. (Selah) 5 Offer the prescribed sacrifices and trust in the Lord. 6 Many say, “Who can show us anything good?” Lift up upon us the light of your face, Lord!18 7 You make me happier than those who have abundant grain and wine. 8 I will lie down and sleep peacefully, for you, Lord, make me safe and secure.
600–201 BCE
Psalm 67:1
Hebrew Bible
1 For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm, a song. May God show us his favor and bless us. May he cause his face to shine with us.4 (Selah) 2 Then those living on earth will know what you are like; all nations will know how you deliver your people. 3 Let the nations thank you, O God. Let all the nations thank you.
600–201 BCE
Psalm 80:3
Hebrew Bible
1 For the music director, according to the shushan-eduth style; a psalm of Asaph. O Shepherd of Israel, pay attention, you who lead Joseph like a flock of sheep. You who sit enthroned above the cherubim, reveal your splendor. 2 In the sight of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh reveal your power. Come and deliver us. 3 O God, restore us. Shine your face on us7. Then we will be delivered. 4 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, how long will you remain angry at your people while they pray to you?
200–101 BCE
Daniel 1:4
Hebrew Bible
3 The king commanded Ashpenaz, who was in charge of his court officials, to choose some of the Israelites who were of royal and noble descent— 4 young men in whom there was no physical defect and who were handsome, well versed in all kinds of wisdom, well educated and having keen insight, and who were capable of entering the king’s royal service—and to teach them the literature and language of the Babylonians. 5 So the king assigned them a daily ration from his royal delicacies and from the wine he himself drank. They were to be trained for the next three years. At the end of that time they were to enter the king’s service.
200–101 BCE
Daniel 7:9
Hebrew Bible
8 “As I was contemplating the horns, another horn—a small one—came up between them, and three of the former horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This horn had eyes resembling human eyes and a mouth speaking arrogant things. 9 “While I was watching, thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His attire was white like snow; the hair of his head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was ablaze with fire, and its wheels were all aflame. 10 A river of fire was streaming forth and proceeding from his presence. Many thousands were ministering to him; many tens of thousands stood ready to serve him. The court convened, and the books were opened.
200–101 BCE
Daniel 12:3
Hebrew Bible
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who watches over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress unlike any other from the nation’s beginning up to that time. But at that time your own people, all those whose names are found written in the book, will escape. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will awake—some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting abhorrence. 3 But the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the stars forever and ever. 4 “But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about, and knowledge will increase.”
301–400 CE
Memar Marqah 5.4.7
Samaritan
7 Moses lived a hundred and twenty years: twenty in Egypt, sixty in Midian and forty in the wilderness. He completed them in glorious, surpassing exaltation, with prophecy and prayer. “His eyes were not dim, and his vigor had not left him.” His eyes were not dim, as with the patriarchs, the pious of the world. His eyes were not dim, for he was able to write down the Law, and he looked out over the four quarters of the world. His vigor had not left him, for he had received the garment that was taken from Adam in the Garden of Eden, and his face shone until the day of his death.
301–400 CE
Memar Marqah 5.4
Samaritan
7 Moses lived a hundred and twenty years: twenty in Egypt, sixty in Midian and forty in the wilderness. He completed them in glorious, surpassing exaltation, with prophecy and prayer. “His eyes were not dim, and his vigor had not left him.” His eyes were not dim, as with the patriarchs, the pious of the world. His eyes were not dim, for he was able to write down the Law, and he looked out over the four quarters of the world. His vigor had not left him, for he had received the garment that was taken from Adam in the Garden of Eden, and his face shone until the day of his death.
160–100 BCE
4Q504 8 recto 4
Dead Sea Scrolls
1 [… Remember,] O Lord, that from … […] 2 […] … us, and you live [forever …] 3 […] … wonders of old and fearsome deeds [from years long past …] 4 [… Adam] our [father] you fashioned in the likeness of [your] glory […] 5 [… the breath of life] you breathed into his nostrils, and with understanding and knowledge [you filled him …] 6 [… in the] garden of Eden, which you planted, you made [him] ruler […] 7 […] … and to walk about in a land of glory … […] 8 […] … he kept. And you laid on him a charge not to turn [aside …] 9 […] he is flesh, and to dust … […] 10 […] … And you know … […] 11 […] for eternal generations […] 12 […] a living God, and your hand […] 13 […] humankind in the ways of […] 14 [… to fill the] earth with violence and to shed [innocent blood …]
150–100 BCE
1QHa 12:28
Dead Sea Scrolls
26 in the council of the holy ones. And you bring their judgment out to victory, and truth to uprightness. And you do not let them be led astray by the hand of the wretched, 27 as they plotted against them. And you put the fear of them on your people, and they are a hammer to all the peoples of the lands, to cut off in judgment all 28 who transgress your word. And through me you have made the face of many shine, and you have shown yourself mighty beyond counting, for you have made known to me 29 your wonderful mysteries, and in your wonderful council you have shown yourself mighty with me, doing wonders before many for the sake of your glory, and to make known 30 to all the living your mighty deeds. What is flesh compared with this? And what is a thing shaped of clay, to do such great wonders? It is in iniquity
200–50 BCE
Baruch 4:24
Deuterocanon
22 For I have trusted in the Everlasting, that he will save you; and joy has come to me from the Holy One, because of the mercy that will soon come to you from your Everlasting Savior. 23 For I sent you out with mourning and weeping, but God will give you to me again with joy and gladness forever. 24 For as now those who dwell near Zion have seen your captivity, so they will shortly see your salvation from our God which will come upon you with great glory and brightness of the Everlasting. 25 My children, suffer patiently the wrath that has come upon you from God, for your enemy has persecuted you; but shortly you will see his destruction and will tread upon their necks. 26 My delicate ones have traveled rough roads. They were taken away like a flock carried off by enemies.
200–50 BCE
Baruch 5:3
Deuterocanon
1 Take off the garment of your mourning and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God. 2 Put on the robe of the righteousness from God. Set on your head a diadem of the glory of the Everlasting. 3 For God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven. 4 For your name will be called by God forever “Righteous Peace, Godly Glory”.
50 BCE – 50 CE
Wisdom of Solomon 3:7
Deuterocanon
5 Having borne a little chastening, they will receive great good; because God tested them, and found them worthy of himself. 6 He tested them like gold in the furnace, and he accepted them as a whole burnt offering. 7 In the time of their visitation they will shine. They will run back and forth like sparks among stubble. 8 They will judge nations and have dominion over peoples. The Lord will reign over them forever. 9 Those who trust him will understand truth. The faithful will live with him in love, because grace and mercy are with his chosen ones.
300 BCE – 100 CE
1 Enoch 14:19
Pseudepigrapha
18 I looked and saw a lofty throne inside it. Its appearance was like crystal, and its wheels were like the shining sun, and there was the vision of cherubim. 19 From underneath the throne came streams of flaming fire, so that I could not look at it. 20 The Great Glory sat on it, and His garment shone more brightly than the sun and was whiter than any snow. 21 None of the angels could enter and look on His face because of its magnificence and glory, and no mortal could look on Him. 22 A flaming fire was all around Him, and a great fire stood before Him; no one near Him could come close. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him, yet He needed no counselor.
300 BCE – 100 CE
1 Enoch 46:1
Pseudepigrapha
1 And there I saw One who had a head of days, and His head was white like wool. With Him was another being who had the appearance of a man, and his face was full of graciousness, like one of the holy angels. 2 And I asked the angel who accompanied me and showed me all the hidden things, about that Son of Man, who he was, where he was from, and why he accompanied the Head of Days? 3 The angel answered and said to me: 'This is the Son of Man who possesses righteousness, with whom righteousness dwells, and who reveals all the hidden treasures, because the Lord of Spirits has chosen him, and his status is foremost before the Lord of Spirits in uprightness forever.'
300 BCE – 100 CE
1 Enoch 106:5
Pseudepigrapha
3 Then he rose up in the hands of the midwife, opened his mouth, and spoke with the Lord of righteousness. 4 His father Lamech was afraid of him and ran away, coming to his father Methuselah. 5 He said to him: “I have fathered a strange son, different from any human, resembling the sons of the God of heaven. His nature is different, and he is not like us. His eyes are like rays of the sun, and his face is glorious. 6 It seems to me that he was not born from me but from the angels, and I fear that in his days something extraordinary may happen on the earth.
100 BCE – 175 CE
Apocalypse of Zephaniah 6:11
Pseudepigrapha
9 When I saw him, I was so afraid of him that every part of my body trembled, and I threw myself on my face. 10 I could not stand, and I began to pray before the Lord Almighty: "You will rescue me from this distress, you who rescued Israel from the hand of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. You rescued Susanna from the hand of the wicked elders. You rescued the three holy men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, from the blazing, fiery furnace. I beg you to rescue me too from this distress." 11 Then I got up and stood, and I saw a great angel standing in front of me. His face shone like the rays of the sun in its glory, and his face was like the face of one filled with his glory. 12 He wore what looked like a golden belt around his chest, and his feet were like brass glowing in the fire. 13 When I saw him, I was glad, because I thought that the Lord Almighty had come to visit me. 14 I threw myself on my face and worshipped him. 15 He said to me, "Take care! Do not worship me. I am not the Lord Almighty; I am the great angel Eremiel, who is over the abyss and the underworld below, in whose hand all the souls have been shut up since the end of the Flood that came upon the earth, until this day."
19–100 CE
4 Maccabees 17:5
Pseudepigrapha
1 Some of the guards said that when she too was about to be seized and put to death, she threw herself into the fire so that no one would touch her body. 2 Mother, who together with your seven children broke the tyrant’s violence, made his evil plans useless, and showed the nobility of faith! 3 For like a roof set nobly on the pillars of your children, you held firm and did not sway under the earthquake of the tortures. 4 Take courage, then, holy-minded mother, and hold firmly to the hope of your endurance before God. 5 The moon in heaven with the stars is not as majestic as you, who lit the way to piety for your seven star-like sons. You are honored by God and set firmly with them in heaven. 6 For your children were descended from father Abraham.
70–135 CE
2 Baruch 51:3
Pseudepigrapha
1 And it shall come to pass, when that appointed day has gone by, that then shall the appearance of those who are condemned be afterwards changed, and the glory of those who are justified. 2 For the appearance of those who now act wickedly shall become worse than it is, as they shall suffer torment. 3 Also as for the glory of those who have now been justified in My law, who have had understanding in their life, and who have planted in their heart the root of wisdom, then their splendour shall be glorified in changes, and the form of their face shall be turned into the light of their beauty, that they may be able to acquire and receive the world which does not die, which is then promised to them. 4 For over this above all shall those who come then lament, that they rejected My law, and stopped their ears that they might not hear wisdom or receive understanding.
70–132 CE
4 Ezra 7:125
Pseudepigrapha
123 And that a paradise will be revealed, whose fruit endures without decay, in which is abundance and healing, but we won’t enter into it, 124 for we have lived in perverse ways? 125 And that the faces of those who have practiced self-control will shine more than the stars, but our faces will be blacker than darkness? 126 For while we lived and committed iniquity, we didn’t consider what we would have to suffer after death.”
70–150 CE
Apocalypse of Abraham 11:2
Pseudepigrapha
1 And I rose up and saw him who had grasped me by my right hand and set me up upon my feet: 2 and the appearance of his body was like sapphire, and the look of his face like chrysolite, and the hair of his head like snow, 3 and the turban upon his head like the appearance of the rainbow, and the clothing of his garments like purple; and a golden sceptre was in his right hand. 4 And he said to me: "Abraham!" And I said: "Here I am, your servant." And he said: "Do not let my look frighten you, nor my speech, that your soul not be perturbed. 5 Come with me and I will go with you, until the sacrifice, visible, but after the sacrifice, invisible for ever. 6 Be of good cheer, and come!"
1–100 CE
Pseudo Philo, Biblical Antiquities 12:1
Classical
1 Then Moses came down. He was covered with invisible light, for he had gone down into the place where the light of the sun and moon is, and the light of his face outshone the brightness of the sun and moon, and he did not know it. When he came down to the children of Israel, they saw him and did not recognize him; but when he spoke, then they recognized him. This was like what happened in Egypt when Joseph recognized his brothers but they did not recognize him. And afterward, when Moses knew that his face had become glorious, he made a veil to cover his face.
1–100 CE
Pseudo Philo, Biblical Antiquities 61:9
Classical
8 David said to him, “Before you die, open your eyes and look at your slayer who has killed you.” The Philistine looked and saw the angel and said, “You have not killed me by yourself, but the one who was with you, whose form is not like the form of a man.” And then David took his head from him. 9 The angel of the Lord lifted up the face of David, and no one recognized him. When Saul saw David, he asked him who he was, and there was no one who knew who he was.
55–58 CE
Romans 8:17
New Testament
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the coming glory that will be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God.
55–57 CE
2 Corinthians 3:7
New Testament
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as if it were coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry that produced death—carved in letters on stone tablets—came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective), 8 how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be?
55–57 CE
2 Corinthians 3:18
New Testament
14 But their minds were closed. For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read. It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
56–63 CE
Philippians 2:15
New Testament
12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, 13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world 16 by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast: that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. 18 And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.
70–90 CE
Matthew 13:43
New Testament
36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world and the good seed are the people of the kingdom. The poisonous weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 As the poisonous weeds are collected and burned with fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom everything that causes sin as well as all lawbreakers. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears had better listen!
70–90 CE
Matthew 17:2
New Testament
1 Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them privately up a high mountain. 2 And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 Then Moses and Elijah also appeared before them, talking with him. 4 So Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!”
70–90 CE
Acts 6:15
New Testament
13 They brought forward false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop saying things against this holy place and the law. 14 For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” 15 All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel.
92–96 CE
Revelation 1:13
New Testament
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day when I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 saying: “Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches—to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 12 I turned to see whose voice was speaking to me, and when I did so, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands was one like a son of man. He was dressed in a robe extending down to his feet, and he wore a wide golden belt around his chest. 14 His head and hair were as white as wool, even as white as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp double-edged sword extended out of his mouth. His face shone like the sun shining at full strength.
92–96 CE
Revelation 10:1
New Testament
1 Then I saw another powerful angel descending from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire. 2 He held in his hand a little scroll that was open, and he put his right foot on the sea and his left on the land. 3 Then he shouted in a loud voice like a lion roaring, and when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded their voices. 4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was preparing to write, but just then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders spoke and do not write it down.” 5 Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven
300–1200 CE
Pseudo Jonathan Genesis 2:25
Targum
23 And Adam said, 'This time, but never again will woman be created from man as this one had been created from me—bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. It is fitting to call this one woman, for she has been taken from man.' 24 Therefore a man shall leave and be separated from the bedroom of his father and of his mother, and he shall be united to his wife, and the two of them shall become one flesh. 25 And the two of them were wise, Adam and his wife, but they did not remain in their glory.
500 CE
Genesis Rabbah 12:6
Rabbinic
The outgrowths [toledot]” – Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: All toledot that are stated in the Torah are written defectively except for two: “These are the offspring [toledot] of Peretz…” (Ruth 4:18), and this one. Why are those [others] defective? Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Avin: They are corresponding to the six things that were taken away from Adam the first man [after he sinned]. They are: His radiance, his [eternal] life, his stature, the [extraordinary] produce of the earth, the [extraordinary] fruit of the tree, and the lights. His radiance, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “You alter his countenance and send him away” (Job 14:20). His life, from where is it derived? “For you are dust, [and to dust shall you return]” (Genesis 3:19). His stature, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “The man and his wife hid” (Genesis 3:8). Rabbi Abahu said: At that moment, the stature of Adam the first man was reduced and [he] became a [mere] hundred cubits. The produce of the earth and the fruit of the tree, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Cursed is the ground on your account” (Genesis 3:17).
500 CE
Genesis Rabbah 20:12
Rabbinic
“The Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of hide [or], and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). In Rabbi Meir’s Torah, they found that “garments of or” was written. These are the garments of Adam the first man, that were similar to the common rue, broad at the bottom and narrow at the top. Rabbi Yitzḥak Ravya says: They were as smooth as a fingernail and as pretty as jewels. Rabbi Yitzḥak said: It was like the thin linen garments that come from Beit She’an. [And they were called] garments of hide because they adhered to the skin. Rabbi Elazar said: Goat hides. Rabbi Aivu said: Garments that cover the skin. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Hare hides. Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina said: Hides with their wool. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: Radiant hides. And the firstborn sons would use them. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: They were camel wool and hare wool. [And they were called] “garments of hide” because they were garments that come from hide. Rabbi Levi said: The Torah teaches you proper conduct: Eat according to your means, wear clothing that is less than your means, and dwell in a place that is more than your means. Eat according to your means – “From every tree of the garden you may eat” (Genesis 2:16). Wear clothing that is less than your means –“The Lord God made for Adam and for his wife [garments of hide].” And dwell in a place that is more than your means – as two people resided in the entire world.
500 CE
Leviticus Rabbah 20:2
Rabbinic
Another matter, “after the death [of the two sons of Aaron]” (Leviticus 16:1). Rabbi Levi began: “I said to the revelers [laholelim]: Do not revel” (Psalms 75:5); laholelim, to the confused, those whose hearts are filled with wicked thoughts. Rabbi Levi would call them woe-generators, because they bring woe to the world. “And to the wicked, do not raise your horn” (Psalms 75:5). The Holy One blessed be He said to the wicked: ‘The righteous did not rejoice in My world, and you seek to rejoice?’ Reish Lakish said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Menasya: The ball of the heel of Adam the first man would outshine the sun, all the more so the radiance of his face. Do not wonder, as the way of the world is that if a person crafts bowls, one for himself and one for a member of his household, whose does he craft more beautifully?