History, mysticism and ethics in Oecumenius: a hermeneutical perspective on the earliest extant Greek commentary on Revelation

Abstract

This article discusses the earliest extant Greek commentary on Revelation, written by Oecumenius in the sixth century C.E. It investigates first of all the discovery of the commentary’s manuscript in the twentieth century and the subsequent reevaluation of Oecumenius. It secondly outlines Oecumenius’ significance for historical and biblical studies before it and thirdly focuses on his hermeneutics by analysing his historical, mystical and ethical interpretation of Revelation.