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Shiur Qomah

Shi'ur Qomah (Dimensions of the Body) is a midrashic text that is part of the Hekhalot literature. It purports to record, in anthropomorphic terms, the secret names and precise measurements of God's corporeal limbs and parts.|||Currently exists only in fragmentary form. Hebrew manuscripts, including Oxford, Neubauer 1531, and other collections.|||Scholars debate the date. Gershom Scholem thought it was from the Tannaitic or early Amoraic period (c. 2nd–4th centuries CE). Maimonides declared it a Byzantine forgery.|||Not canonical in any tradition. Maimonides considered it heretical and said it should be burned.|||Describes the measurements of God's body in anthropomorphic terms, based on an exegesis of Song of Songs 5:11–16. Proclaims that anyone who studies it is guaranteed a portion in the World to Come.|||Cohen, M. S. The Shi'ur Qomah: Liturgy and Theurgy in Pre-Kabbalistic Jewish Mysticism. University Press of America, 1983.|||Scholem, G. Jewish Gnosticism, Merkabah Mysticism, and Talmudic Tradition. Jewish Theological Seminary, 1965.|||Shi'ur Qomah — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi'ur_Qomah|Background and scholarly discussion.

Collection: Jewish Mysticism (Hekhalot) Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition. Maimonides considered it heretical and said it should be burned.

Date & Provenance

Scholars debate the date. Gershom Scholem thought it was from the Tannaitic or early Amoraic period (c. 2nd–4th centuries CE). Maimonides declared it a Byzantine forgery.

Language & Manuscripts

Currently exists only in fragmentary form. Hebrew manuscripts, including Oxford, Neubauer 1531, and other collections.

Why It Matters for Study

Describes the measurements of God's body in anthropomorphic terms, based on an exegesis of Song of Songs 5:11–16. Proclaims that anyone who studies it is guaranteed a portion in the World to Come.

" The measure of the body of the Creator is two hundred and thirty-six thousand myriads of parasangs." — Shi'ur Qomah (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " The measure of the body of the Creator is two hundred and thirty-six thousand myriads of parasangs." — Shi'ur Qomah (paraphrase) " The measure of the body of the Creator is two hundred and thirty-six thousand myriads of parasangs." — Shi'ur Qomah (paraphrase)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Cohen, M. S. The Shi'ur Qomah: Liturgy and Theurgy in Pre-Kabbalistic Jewish Mysticism. University Press of America, 1983.
Scholem, G. Jewish Gnosticism, Merkabah Mysticism, and Talmudic Tradition. Jewish Theological Seminary, 1965.
Shi'ur Qomah — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi'ur_Qomah|Background and scholarly discussion.