The term "Sibylline" refers to a collection of prophetic writings attributed to the Sibyls, who were female prophets in ancient Greece and Rome. These writings, known as the Sibylline Oracles, are a series of texts that claim to predict future events and offer divine insights. While not part of the canonical Scriptures, the Sibylline Oracles have been of interest to both early Christians and Jewish scholars due to their apocalyptic themes and occasional references to biblical events and figures.

Historical Context

The Sibyls were believed to be inspired prophetesses who delivered divine messages, often in a state of ecstatic frenzy. The most famous of these was the Cumaean Sibyl, who was said to reside in a cave near Cumae, Italy. The Sibylline Oracles, however, are a collection of writings that span several centuries and were composed by various authors. They are thought to have been written between the 2nd century BC and the 6th century AD, with contributions from both Jewish and Christian writers.

Content and Themes

The Sibylline Oracles are composed of twelve books, each containing a series of prophecies. These texts often blend Hellenistic, Jewish, and Christian elements, reflecting the diverse cultural and religious milieu of the time. The oracles address a wide range of topics, including the rise and fall of empires, natural disasters, and the end of the world. They frequently emphasize themes of divine judgment and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Biblical Connections

While the Sibylline Oracles are not part of the biblical canon, they occasionally reference biblical events and figures, which has led to their interest among early Christians. For example, some passages in the oracles echo the apocalyptic imagery found in the Book of Revelation. The oracles also contain allusions to the coming of a messianic figure, which some early Christians interpreted as a reference to Jesus Christ.

Influence on Early Christianity

The early Church Fathers, including Justin Martyr and Clement of Alexandria, were aware of the Sibylline Oracles and sometimes cited them in their writings. They viewed the oracles as evidence of the universal knowledge of God and the anticipation of Christ's coming, even among pagan cultures. The oracles were seen as a bridge between the pagan world and the Christian message, demonstrating that the truth of God could be found outside the Jewish and Christian Scriptures.

Theological Considerations

From a conservative Christian perspective, the Sibylline Oracles are not considered divinely inspired or authoritative. They are viewed as historical documents that reflect the religious and cultural context of their time. While they may contain elements of truth and occasionally align with biblical prophecy, they are not regarded as part of God's revealed Word. As such, they are studied for their historical and cultural significance rather than for doctrinal instruction.

Conclusion

The Sibylline Oracles remain a fascinating subject of study for those interested in the intersection of ancient prophecy, early Christianity, and the broader religious landscape of the ancient world. While not part of the biblical canon, they offer insights into how early Christians and Jews engaged with the prophetic traditions of their time.(a.) Pertaining to the sibyls; uttered, written, or composed by sibyls; like the productions of sibyls.SIBYLLINE ORACLES

sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-a-k'-lz.

See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, V.

ORACLES, SIBYLLINE

sib'-i-lin, -lin.

See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. V.

The Sibylline Oracles.
... IV. MIXED. THE SIBYLLINE ORACLES. The work thus named is a collection of
Judaeo-Christian poems, of various dates, designed to propagate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Elucidations.
... But Lactantius, who uses the Sibyls so freely, should not have omitted to show what
Sibylline oracles God drew forth from "the princes of this world" also, by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lactantius/the divine institutes/elucidations.htm

Of Divine Testimonies, and of the Sibyls and their Predictions.
... divine subjects which he addressed to Caius C??sar the chief pontiff, when he was
speaking of the Quindecemviri, [38] says that the Sibylline books were not ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vi of divine testimonies and.htm

The Ignatian Epistles and their Claims. The Internal Evidence.
... THE IGNATIAN EPISTLES AND THEIR CLAIMS. THE INTERNAL EVIDENCE. The history of the
Ignatian Epistles may well remind us of the story of the Sibylline Books. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the ignatian epistles.htm

Declare that There is but one God.
... exist, and are commonly regarded as separate, books of almost all the others, but
that they are entitled, as though by one name, Sibylline books, excepting ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap v that the prophetic womenthat.htm

Appendix i. Pseudepigraphic Writings
... Even greater, though a different interest, attaches to the Sibylline Oracles, written
in Greek hexameters. ... Of the other Sibylline Books little need be said. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix i pseudepigraphic writings.htm

Of the Erythr??an Sibyl, who is Known to have Sung Many Things ...
... first shall come to the light, the beginning of the resurrection being shown to
the recalled." Lactantius made use of these sibylline testimonies, introducing ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 of the erythraean sibyl.htm

Author's Introduction,
... The Apocryphal books of the Old Testament, especially the Jewish part of the Sibylline
verses, and the Book of Enoch, together with the Book of Daniel, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/authors introduction.htm

Introduction.
... We have omitted mention of the Sibylline Oracles, not because they are of less
importance than other works, but because they partake of the nature of all three ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

The Old Faith Preparing for the New - Development of Hellenist ...
... The most interesting as well as the oldest of these books are those known as the
Book of Enoch, the Sibylline Oracles, the Psalter of Solomon, and the Book of ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the old faith.htm

Sibylline
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SIBYLLINE ORACLES. sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-ak'-lz. ...
B, V. ORACLES, SIBYLLINE. sib'-i-lin, -lin. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. V. ...
/s/sibylline.htm - 6k

Oracles (8 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SIBYLLINE ORACLES. sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-ak'-lz. ...
B, V. ORACLES, SIBYLLINE. sib'-i-lin, -lin. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. V. ...
/o/oracles.htm - 9k

Apocalyptic
... 2. Testament of Adam 3. Testament of Abraham 4. Testament of Job: (1) Summary;
(2) Structure; (3) Language; (4) Date and Authorship V. SIBYLLINE ORACLES VI. ...
/a/apocalyptic.htm - 42k

Literature (2 Occurrences)
... 2. Testament of Adam 3. Testament of Abraham 4. Testament of Job: (1) Summary;
(2) Structure; (3) Language; (4) Date and Authorship V. SIBYLLINE ORACLES VI. ...
/l/literature.htm - 82k

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... After the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes (170 BC) they scattered themselves
in every direction, and, in the words of the Sibylline Oracles (circa 160 BC ...
/p/proselyte.htm - 26k

Unwashen (3 Occurrences)
... Jewish tradition traced this custom back to Solomon (see Shabbath 14b, end), but
the first unmistakable occurrence of the custom is in the Sibylline Oracles (3 ...
/u/unwashen.htm - 8k

Sib'raim (1 Occurrence)
Sib'raim. Sibraim, Sib'raim. Sibylline . Multi-Version Concordance Sib'raim
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Sibraim, Sib'raim. Sibylline . Reference Bible.
/s/sib'raim.htm - 6k

Sicarii
Sicarii. Sibylline, Sicarii. Siccuth . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SICARII.
si-ka'-ri-i. See ASSASSINS. Sibylline, Sicarii. Siccuth . Reference Bible
/s/sicarii.htm - 6k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... their undertakings. But the most productive source for religious expansion
was the Sibylline Books. SeeAPOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. V ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Daniel (74 Occurrences)
... here, ordinarily called apocalyptic, is said to have arisen first in the 2nd century
BC, when parts of the Book of Enoch and of the Sibylline Oracles were ...
/d/daniel.htm - 79k

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