Starotestamentalne przesłanie Góry Oliwnej

Abstract

The Old Testament often mentions mountains. Recognized as works of Divine omnipotence, they constitute a unique space for establishing relation with the Lord. The Mount of Olives, which is located east of Jerusalem, fits in this biblical scenery. The paper consists of two parts. The former encompasses an exegetical analysis of 10 fragments of the Old Testament, which concern the Mount of Olives. The order of inquiry is determined by the canonical arrangement of the holy books. The latter part is an attempt to present their theological message, based on previously obtained conclusions. The observations make possible the claim that the Mount of Olives is an important place in the current of messianism. Furthermore, through more than three centuries this mountain has been a place of pagan piety, but as a result of king Josiah’s cultic reform it has become a worthy example of religious metamorphosis and an absolute choice of Yahweh. Its connections to Jerusalem sanctuary, and its meaning in the process of renewal of Israel’s spiritual communion, make it a space of Judaistic community’s spiritual strengthening. This mountain massif served God as a place of performing providential care for the People of God, and of the rest of his glory, before it came back to the new temple in Jerusalem. Finally, God undertaken the salvific enterprise of liberating the Rest from the hands of oppressors, starting eschatological struggle on the peaks of Mount Olive.