An alternative explanation for the “cover-up” of the feminine could be a cultural struggle within Judaism around that time.

I’m merely speculating here, so keep your salt nearby… but if early Judaism indeed had a focus, or at least an explicit recognition of the divine feminine as this text suggests, then I would imagine there to be conflict between the Hebrew culture and the overtly masculine Hellenic and then Roman cultures that conquered them.

Assimilated/Hellenized Hebrews may have gotten themselves some ideas from their conquerors and needed to prove their “manhood”, and therefore their ability to self-govern.

Let that stew for a few centuries, and sure I could see a sect of Jewish priests smuggling out their “heretical feminine scrolls” to a cave to preserve what they feel are important aspects of their faith, yet fear their destruction.

Just a possible theory, I have no real hard evidence to point to.

Great read! Thanks for the kick to my old imagination 😊