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

HAROLD W. ATTRIDGE 227
dissatisfaction over the Jerusalem temple and its leadership, attests the
debate to which Hebrews, at least in part, responds. As with many other
images derived from biblical and postbiblical Judaism, Hebrews toys with
the notion of the new Jerusalem. The pointillist sketch in 12:22–24, evoking
heavenly citizens, angels, and martyrs, concludes with the focus on
the text’s real concern, the mediator of the new covenant. Evidence of
concrete hopes for a restored or renewed Jerusalem are lacking, and the
author cloaks the details of his eschatological expectations. 94 The imagery
of the heavenly Jerusalem in Hebrews finally balances the threat of
judgment with an assurance of ready access to God through the Messiah
for adherents to the new covenant.
SOME TERMINOLOGICAL PARALLELS
One further intriguing parallel related to the social setting of the covenant
communities appears in the halakic texts from Qumran. In its concluding
exhortation (13:13), Hebrews urges its addresses to follow Jesus “outside
the camp” (e1cw th~j parembolh~j). The referent of the expression has
been a matter of debate. Those who see Hebrews urging its addressees
to maintain a separate identity from the people of Israel see the “camp”
as a symbol for the community of the old covenant. Those unconvinced
that the major factor motivating the paraenesis of Hebrews is relationship
with Israel focus on the parallel with Christ, crucified in shame outside
the city. Outside the camp is that place of social ostracism to which the
addressees have been relegated by their Christian commitment
(10:32–35). The homilist thus calls on the addressees to embrace such a
state of marginalization. 95
The scrolls do not assist in resolving that debate but do provide parallels
for the expression. The most interesting is in Some Works of Torah or
Halakhic Letter (4QMMT = 4Q394–399) 30–34: 96
And concerning what is written: Lev 17:3 [“When a man slaughters within
the camp”—they] 31 [slaughter] outside the camp—“a bull, or a [she]ep or a
94. Some commentators, such as George Wesley Buchanan, To the Hebrews (AB 36;
Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1972), unconvincingly take the imagery of a new
Jerusalem to indicate an expectation of such renewal.
95. For the division of opinion among earlier scholars, see Attridge, Hebrews, 399.
For the latter reading, see particularly DeSilva, Perseverance.
96. I cite the composite text. The verses are found in 4Q394 frag. 1 2.13–18 and
4Q397 frag. 1 1–5.