Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
The Testaments were written in Hebrew or Greek, and reached their final form in the 2nd century CE.
In the 13th century they were introduced into the Western world through the agency of Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, whose Latin translation of the work immediately became popular.
As argued by Robert Henry Charles, who studied and translated the Testaments in the beginning of the 20th century, the main, the overwhelming value of the book lies ... in its ethical teaching, which has achieved a real immortality by influencing the thoughts and diction of the writers of the New Testament, and even those of our Lord.
"[10] To a modern reader, the main value of the Testaments, is not in the variations on biblical text, but in their ethical teachings, as amplified by the following citations:
In each, the patriarch first narrates his own life, focusing on his strengths, virtues, or his sins, using biographical material from both the Hebrew Bible and Jewish tradition.
[13] The Testament portrays women as the cause of the downfall of the Watchers, and of man in general (excepting Bilhah, in accordance with Jubilees).
It does not mention the attack on Shechem, which in the Torah Simeon had mounted alongside brother Levi.
Taking the theme of the Levite priesthood, the Testament explains how Levi's descendants corrupted the office by their arrogant disregard for the proper regulations.
[15] In chapters 14-18 Levi cites a "book of Enoch", describing the sins of his descendants, with the promise that at the end there will be a glorious priest who will restore the righteousness of his office.
[17] One way in which this testament is distinguished from the others is by additional footnotes in a Greek version of the manuscript from Mount Athos.
These footnotes were found to be translated from a non-apocalyptic precursor of the text in Aramaic, partially preserved in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
According to James Kugel at Bar-Ilan University, Aramaic Levi is a composite of two documents.
It begins by portraying Judah as idealistically courageous, involving bravery in front of wild beasts, as well as successful military expeditions, sometimes basing the narrative on acts that the canonical bible attributes to Jacob.
However, it goes on to present a xenophobic focus, criticizing his marriage to a non-Israelite, as well as his sexual activity with Tamar, his daughter-in-law who at that time was pretending to be a prostitute.
It then goes on to instruct that the role of a king is lesser than that of a priest, and that Levi is more important, clearly pointing to the theocratic attitude of the author.
The narrative however begins by retelling the biblical tale of Leah's purchase of Jacob's nocturnal services by the giving of mandrakes to Rachel.
The remainder of the narrative portrays Issachar himself as leading a godly and simple agricultural life.
This is based on Genesis 49:14-15: Issachar had loved the land such that he "bent his shoulder to the burden" and became a tiller for hire.
4 For when I was born my father was increased very exceedingly, both in the flocks and herds, when with the straked rods he had his portion.
6 Nor yet do I remember that I have done any iniquity, except the sin of ignorance which I committed against Joseph; for I covenanted with my brethren, because they had all agreed that if any one should declare the secret, he should be slain."
Dan goes into more depth through a prediction about the future, including one SER (Sin-Exile-Return[24]) and three LJ (Levi-Judah) passages.
In this Dan talks of a saviour arising from Levi and Judah that will set the souls free from Beliar.
Again, Dan reminds his sons to stay near to God, and also to his interceding angel, and the saviour of the Gentiles.
[25] A copy of the Testament of Naphtali was discovered at Qumran among the Dead Sea Scrolls taken from Cave 4 (4Q215).
[25] The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs contain a substantial amount of prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah.
For example, compare the following passages from the Testament of Levi: The heavens shall be opened, and from the temple of glory shall come upon him sanctification, with the Father's voice as from Abraham to Isaac.
