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The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The ... - josephprestonkirk

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HAROLD W. ATTRIDGE 213<br />

My glory [is incomparable] <strong>and</strong> besides me no one is exalted.…I reside in <strong>the</strong><br />

heavens <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re is no […]…I am counted among <strong>the</strong> gods <strong>and</strong> my dwelling<br />

is in <strong>the</strong> holy congregation; […] my desire is not according to <strong>the</strong> flesh [<strong>and</strong>]<br />

all that is precious to me is in glory […] holy [pl]ace. (4Q491 frag. 11, 1.13–15)<br />

<strong>The</strong> speaker boasts that no one resembles him in his glory <strong>and</strong>, apparently,<br />

in his ability to endure suffering <strong>and</strong> opposition:<br />

Who […] sorrows like me? And who […] anguish who resembles me?<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is no one. He has been taught, but <strong>the</strong>re is no comparable teaching.<br />

[…] And who will attack me when I open [my mouth]? And who<br />

can endure <strong>the</strong> flow of my lips? And who will confront me <strong>and</strong> retain<br />

comparison with my judgement? […] For I am counted among <strong>the</strong> gods,<br />

<strong>and</strong> my glory is with <strong>the</strong> sons of <strong>the</strong> king. (4Q491 frag. 11, 1.16–18)<br />

Interpretation of <strong>the</strong> text <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> identity of <strong>the</strong> speaker have been<br />

debated. Maurice Baillet originally proposed that <strong>the</strong> text’s “I” was <strong>the</strong><br />

archangel Michael. Morton Smith argued for reading <strong>the</strong> hymn as an<br />

account of a mystical ascent to heaven, associated with <strong>the</strong> kind of piety<br />

that envisions <strong>the</strong> community of worshippers involved with a heavenly<br />

liturgy. 45 John Collins notes weaknesses in Smith’s reading. <strong>The</strong> text does<br />

not in fact speak of <strong>the</strong> process of enthronement, nor does it give a hint<br />

that <strong>the</strong> one enthroned has ascended to heaven. Collins has instead<br />

argued that <strong>the</strong> text refers to an eschatological priest <strong>and</strong> teacher seated<br />

in heavenly glory. 46 If so, <strong>the</strong> fragment would provide ano<strong>the</strong>r interesting<br />

parallel between <strong>the</strong> messianic expectations of <strong>the</strong> scrolls <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Christology of Hebrews. Unfortunately, <strong>the</strong> scroll remains ambiguous<br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> identity of its “I” a mystery. <strong>The</strong> text at least illustrates use of<br />

imagery central to <strong>the</strong> literary <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ological program of Hebrews.<br />

<strong>The</strong> scrolls know of o<strong>the</strong>r eschatological figures cloaked in royal<br />

glory. Most impressive no doubt is <strong>the</strong> so-called “son of God” text, An<br />

Aramaic Apocalypse ar (4Q246), which speaks of <strong>the</strong> throne” of an “eternal<br />

king” (4Q246 2.1–8). <strong>The</strong> description of this individual <strong>and</strong> his reign<br />

evokes elements of <strong>the</strong> catena in Hebrews:<br />

He will be called son of God, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y will call him son of <strong>the</strong> Most High.<br />

Like <strong>the</strong> sparks of a vision, so will <strong>the</strong>ir kingdom be; <strong>the</strong>y will rule several<br />

years over <strong>the</strong> earth <strong>and</strong> crush everything; a people will crush ano<strong>the</strong>r people,<br />

<strong>and</strong> a city ano<strong>the</strong>r city. Until <strong>the</strong> people of God arises <strong>and</strong> makes<br />

everyone rest from <strong>the</strong> sword. His kingdom will be an eternal kingdom,<br />

45. Morton Smith, “Two Ascended to Heaven–Jesus <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Author of 4Q491,” in<br />

Jesus <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Dead</strong> <strong>Sea</strong> <strong>Scrolls</strong> (ed. J. H. Charlesworth; ABRL; New York: Doubleday,<br />

1991), 290–301.<br />

46. Collins, Scepter <strong>and</strong> Star, 147–48.

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