Metaphtonymy of ἀστέρες πλανῆται in the Epistle of Jude 13 in the Light of the First Book of Enoch

Abstract

This article aims to elucidate the precise meaning of the expression ἀστέρες πλανῆται in the Epistle of Jude 13. The expression occurs within a series of metonymies (Jude 12–13) used by the author of the epistle to depict the wicked ( ἀσεβεῖς) who are under critique. Commentators highlight the challenge of interpreting the expressions appearing in those passages due to their metaphorical nature and the vagueness of their contextual origins. The metaphtonymy of ἀστέρες πλανῆται has been examined considering how metaphtonymy is defined in cognitive linguistics. Firstly, the sense resulting from the use of substitution (metonymy) was analysed. Attention was then given to the possible metaphorical meanings of the metonymy. Particular focus was given to the mechanisms of metaphor production, as the expression bears the characteristics of both a general metaphor, derived from experience, and a contextual metaphor, produced for a specific discourse. To characterise the domain of the expression within a given discourse, the Epistle of Jude was analysed as the primary context. Additionally, the First Book of Enoch (1 Enoch) was examined as a potential intertext that could reveal the mechanism of figurative language production in the expression ἀστέρες πλανῆται, as well as its meaning. The starting point was the assumption that there is a dependency relationship between Jude and the 1 Enoch. An analysis of the extant sources (Greek-language versions of 1 Enoch) has led to the conclusion that it is not possible to demonstrate hypoand hypertextual relationships for the expression ἀστέρες πλανῆται due to the lack of material evidence. An analysis of the meanings of the constituent expressions included in the metaphtonymy in question, as well as of the contexts in 1 Enoch, allows the conclusion that the authors of both texts and probably also the presumed primary recipients of the Epistle of Jude have a similar way of thinking and speaking. 1 Enoch makes it possible to better define both the use of this expression by the author of Epistle of Jude and understand the mechanism of figurative language production significantly influenced by the context of apocalyptic ideology.