Various writers have suggested that Simon the Essene might be identical with Simeon in Luke 2. Examples: Kaufman Kohler, "Essenes," in Jewish Encyclopedia (1905?), "...Simon the Essene (Ant. xvii.13.3; B.J. ii.7.4), who is possibly identical with Simon in Luke ii.25...." Pinchas Lapide, Immanuel [Tantur] 2 (1973) 28-24. J.E.H. Tomson, Books Which Influenced Our Lord And His Apostles: Being A Critical Review Of Apocalyptic Jewish Literature (Edinburgh: T.& T. Clark, 1891). S. Goranson in P. Flint and J. VanderKam ed., The DSS After Fifty Years: A Comprehensive Assessment vol 2, "Simon the Essene (J.W. 2.113; Ant. 17.245-48) could possibly be identical with Simeon in Luke 2:25-35."
The name Shimon is common, but there are similarities. (And the pesher described in Josephus recalls Qumran.) A possibility perhaps to consider, should new insights turn up. best, Stephen Goranson "Posidonius of Apamaea might have been the first to use 'Essene'." UPenn class online minutes prepared by Annie Wu of the 1998 DSS class taught by Prof. Robert Kraft _______________________________________________ g-Megillot mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.McMaster.CA/mailman/listinfo/g-megillot
