Jubilees facts for kids
The Book of Jubilees is a very old book, written in the Hebrew language. Some people call it the Lesser Genesis because it tells stories similar to the first book of the Bible, Genesis, but adds more details. Early Christians knew about this book, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church still considers it a part of their Bible.
Contents
What is the Book of Jubilees?
The Book of Jubilees is an ancient religious text. It retells stories from the Bible, mainly from the books of Genesis and Exodus. However, it adds many extra details and events that are not found in the traditional Bible. It also focuses on a special calendar system.
When was it written?
Most experts believe the Book of Jubilees was written around 160 to 150 BC. This was a time when Jewish people were facing many changes and challenges. The book was likely written in the Land of Israel.
Who wrote it?
The book says it was written by Moses, a very important figure in the Bible. It claims that Moses received this information from an angel on Mount Sinai. However, most scholars today believe it was written by someone else much later, using Moses' name to give the book more authority. This is called pseudepigrapha.
Main Ideas in Jubilees
The Book of Jubilees has several key themes and ideas that make it unique.
The Calendar of Jubilees
One of the most important parts of the book is its focus on a special calendar. This calendar is based on a 364-day year, which is exactly 52 weeks. It divides time into "jubilees," which are periods of 49 years (seven cycles of seven years). This calendar is different from the lunar calendar that was commonly used by many Jewish groups at the time. The book teaches that this 364-day calendar is the true and correct way to measure time, as given by God.
Expanded Bible Stories
The book retells many well-known stories from Genesis and Exodus, but with extra information.
- It gives more details about the creation of the world.
- It explains why certain events happened, like the Great Flood.
- It adds stories about angels and their roles in human history.
- It provides more information about important figures like Noah, Abraham, and Jacob.
Laws and Rules
Jubilees also includes many laws and rules. Some of these are similar to laws found in the Bible, but others are new or explained differently. The book emphasizes the importance of following these laws strictly. It teaches that obeying these rules is necessary to stay pure and righteous.
Why is it important?
The Book of Jubilees is important for several reasons:
- Understanding Ancient Beliefs: It helps us understand what some Jewish groups believed and how they lived during the time it was written.
- Influence on Other Texts: Ideas from Jubilees can be seen in other ancient writings, including some of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Ethiopian Orthodox Church: For the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, it is a sacred text and part of their official Bible. This shows its lasting religious significance.
Where was it found?
For a long time, the Book of Jubilees was mostly known through copies in the ancient Ge'ez language, used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. However, in the mid-20th century, fragments of the book were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in Qumran. These fragments were written in Hebrew, confirming that the original language of the book was Hebrew. This discovery was very exciting for scholars.
See also
- In Spanish: Libro de los Jubileos para niños
