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

338 ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND NONRETALIATION
will perish like smoke which van[ishes before the wi]nd” (4Q171 3.7–8).
And the fragmentary Commentary on Isaiah applies the curses on Judeans
for their luxurious living and hoarding from Isa 5:8–14 to “the men of
mockery who are in Jerusalem” (4Q162 2.1–10).
Finally, in hymnic contexts, we find the attitude of renunciation of the
desire for and dependence on wealth, which functions to legitimize and
reinforce the practice of community goods. In two hymns the theme is
expressed as a confession of loyalty. In one the penitent claims no reliance
in “gain” or “wealth” (1QH 18.22–23), and in fact claims to loathe
“wealth and gain” ((cbw Nwh), whereas the ungodly are proud in their
“possessions and fortune,” “the abundance of luxuries” (18.24–30). The
other hymn confesses: “I know that no wealth can compare to your
truth” (7.25–26). Finally, in a hymnic vow that closely resembles the concluding
hymn of 1QS, we find this vow:
I will [not] barter your truth for wealth (Nwh)
and all your judgments for a gift/bribe (dxw#). (1QH 6.20)
NONRETALIATION IN THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS
The Damascus Document
We have already observed the connection between economic and nonretaliatory
themes in 1QS 9.22–23 and 11.1–2. Now we turn to examine
the theme of nonretaliation further. In CD nonretaliatory themes appear
in the central Precepts for Covenanters (6.11–7.4), in the corresponding
judgment oracle against the ruling elite (8.2–11), and in the Laws.
Precepts 9, 14, and 15, between which precepts on mutual solidarity and
support for the needy (items 10–12; CD 6.21–7.1) and on lust (item 13;
CD 7.1–2) intervene, read as follows:
to love each man his brother as himself (item 9; CD 6.20–21) 59
whmk whyx) t) #y) bwh)l
to reprove each man his brother according to the commandment (item 14)
hwcmk whyx) t) #y) xykwhl
and not to bear malice from one day to the next (item 15; 7.2–3)
Mwyl Mwym rw+nl )lw
59. This precept functions as an independent item, but also as a heading for the
group of items listed (Precepts 9–15; 6.20–7.3). The precept draws on Lev 19:18, but
changes “neighbor” to “brother.”