Library/Old Testament pseudepigrapha
Sibylline Oracles
World-history in oracles: empires as animals and metals, a coming judgment, sometimes a Watcher-scented fall of the angels. The form is pagan; the content is Second Temple and later.
- Status
- Pseudepigrapha
- Date
- 2nd century BCE – 7th century CE (layered)
- Languages
- Greek
- Setting
- A Jewish (then Christian) sibyl speaking in hexameters
What it contains
- Books 1–14 (as collected)
- Kingdoms
- Judgment
- Praises and woes
Why it sits outside most canons
Pagan costume, composite date, used as apology rather than lectionary.
Themes
- Empire
- Judgment
- Sibyl
- Universal history
Passages
Sib. Or. 1.87–103
The Watchers were the first race, a radiant generation. They neglected the earth’s labors, and were later taught the arts that ruined it.