The motif of heavenly Journey is a common one in world literature. Seven non-canonical Jewish texts, I and II Enoch, The Testament of Levi, The Greek Apocalypse of Baruch, The Testament of Abraham, IV Ezra and The Apocalypse of Abraham are either devoted to the motif completely or contain examples thereof. A close study of each of these texts reveals the variety of uses to which the motif has been put. Having examined each text individually, the author is able to draw forth the characteristics common to Hellenistic Jewish treatments of the motif; thus the uniqueness of the use of the theme in Jewish literature is demonstrated.
Heavenly Hellenistic Jewish Journeys Literature Motif Study