Berge als Widersacher

A rare but clear motif can be traced in Jewish apocalyptic: the mountain or the mountains as opponents to be conquered. Such a motif can already be observed in the ancient oriental sources, according to which it was associated with deities and kings. The motif mentioned is used in three works - 1Hen (picture speeches), 2Bar and 4Esra - in the context of the description of a messianic figure with the intention of presenting it as extraordinary. All three contexts are politically connoted. In 2Bar and 1Hen the mountains represent a political power (in 2Bar together with the forest) or their economic-military basis. The forerunner of this motif can be found in the oracle saying property 4.7, which is also politically connoted. The later apocalypses enriched the initially simple motif with elements of a theophany description or elements of the divine warrior motif.