16.06.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

HAROLD W. ATTRIDGE 225<br />

16.16–17; 23.11–14: Heb 9:7, 12, 25); <strong>and</strong> a focus on <strong>the</strong> Day of<br />

Atonement (11QTemple a 25.9–16). Such parallels are hardly surprising<br />

in two texts that highlight <strong>the</strong> actions of <strong>the</strong> high priest. Had <strong>the</strong> author<br />

of Hebrews known of <strong>the</strong> Temple Scroll’s detailed halakah, he would no<br />

doubt have been as dismissive of it as he is of <strong>the</strong> “regulations of <strong>the</strong><br />

flesh” (9:10) or <strong>the</strong> “strange <strong>and</strong> varied teachings” (13:9). 87<br />

THE COMING JUDGMENT<br />

<strong>The</strong> author of Hebrews exhorts renewed fidelity to Christ in <strong>the</strong> light of<br />

his imminent coming in judgment (10:25, 37; 12:25–29). To support that<br />

exhortation, Hebrews 10:37–38 cites from Hab 2:3–4, a text that receives<br />

extended treatment at 1QpHab 7.3–8.3:<br />

7.3 [. . . .]And as for what he says: Hab 2:2, “So that <strong>the</strong> one who reads it<br />

may run.” 4 Its interpretation concerns <strong>the</strong> Teacher of Righteousness, to<br />

whom God has disclosed 5 all <strong>the</strong> mysteries of <strong>the</strong> words of his servants,<br />

<strong>the</strong> prophets. Hab 2:3 “For <strong>the</strong> vision has an appointed time, it will have an<br />

end <strong>and</strong> not fail.” [. . . .] 7 Its interpretation: <strong>the</strong> final age will be extended<br />

<strong>and</strong> go beyond all that 8 <strong>the</strong> prophets say, because <strong>the</strong> mysteries of God<br />

are wonderful. 9 Hab 2:3b “Though it might delay, wait for it; it definitely<br />

has to come <strong>and</strong> will not 10 delay.” Its interpretation concerns <strong>the</strong> men of<br />

truth, 11 those who observe <strong>the</strong> Law, whose h<strong>and</strong>s will not desert <strong>the</strong> service<br />

12 of truth when <strong>the</strong> final age is extended beyond <strong>the</strong>m, because 13 all<br />

<strong>the</strong> ages of God will come at <strong>the</strong> right time, as he established 14 for <strong>the</strong>m<br />

in <strong>the</strong> mysteries of his prudence. Hab 2:4 “See 15 [his soul within him] is<br />

conceited <strong>and</strong> does not give way.” Its interpretation: <strong>the</strong>y will double 16<br />

[persecution] upon <strong>the</strong>m [<strong>and</strong> find no mercy] at being judged. [. . . .] 8.1 Its<br />

interpretation concerns all observing <strong>the</strong> Law in <strong>the</strong> House of Judah,<br />

whom 2 God will free from punishment on account of <strong>the</strong>ir deeds <strong>and</strong> of<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir loyalty [Mtnm)] 3 to <strong>the</strong> Teacher of Righteousness. 88<br />

high priest <strong>and</strong> people, cf. Lev 9:7; 16:6–17. By <strong>the</strong> Second Temple period <strong>the</strong> distinction<br />

was applied to daily sacrifices (Exod 29:38–42; Num 28:3–8; Ezek<br />

46:13–15). Cf. Heb 7:27; Philo, Her. 174.<br />

87. Both passages deal with issues of kashruth. Not surprisingly, <strong>the</strong> Temple Scroll has<br />

similar interests, restricting what comes into <strong>the</strong> city to pure foods <strong>and</strong> liquids<br />

(11QTemple a 47.3–7). Hegermann (Brief an die Hebräer, 175) compares <strong>the</strong> disparaging<br />

comments on kashruth regulations in Hebrews to <strong>the</strong> purity requirement for membership<br />

in <strong>the</strong> covenant community at 1QS 3.3–9; 6.13–23; 7.15–20.<br />

88. For treatment of <strong>the</strong> text see Maurya P. Horgan, Pesharim: Qumran Interpretations<br />

of Biblical Books (CBQMS 8; Washington, DC: Catholic Biblical Association, 1979).

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!