Nathan of Gaza
1643 – 1680 Ottoman (Sephardic Jewish) Kabbalist, prophet and theologian of the Sabbatean movement
The mystic who declared Sabbatai Zevi the messiah and supplied the movement's theology.
- Religion
- Judaism (Kabbalah); Sabbatean
- Affiliations
- Gaza; Sabbatean movement
Nathan of Gaza recognized Sabbatai Zevi as the messiah and became the chief promoter and theologian of the Sabbatean movement. After Zevi converted to Islam, Nathan built an elaborate mystical rationale to explain the apostasy as part of a hidden redemptive plan. He continued to spread Sabbatean ideas until his death.
In the timeline
- 1665 Sabbatai Zevi proclaimed as Messiah mentioned
- 1665 Sabbatai Zevi proclaimed the Messiah mentioned