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

192 THREE SOBRIQUETS, THEIR MEANING AND FUNCTION
was called by the name of truth.” How should this phrase be understood
in relation to the Wicked Priest? Brownlee records nine possible ways to
understand the phrase. 27 The two most probable suggestions are these:
(1) “Had a name for being true, or faithful.” Van der Ploeg, van der
Woude, and Cross support the general idea of this translation. 28 (2)
“Called by the right, or true title.” Both Carmignac and Elliger suggest
this translation. 29 Horgan accepts both interpretations. 30 The first suggestion
would fit well into the context since the purpose of the
commentary is to draw a picture of a character who in the beginning of
his office had a good reputation, but later was ensnared in the toils of
power and riches. The second possibility is more tempting, though.
There is a possibility that “called by the true title” could allude to the background
of the sobriquet at hand. The Hebrew designation for high priest
is #$)rh Nhwkh and with a slight alteration it becomes (#$rh Nhwkh. 31
Elliger says that since the word tm) in this passage lacks any theological
meaning, it is quite probable that the whole phrase alludes to this wordplay.
32 Further, a clause from the Habakkuk text describes a situation
where a person is mocked by the chanting of a l#$m, “parable,” “riddle.” 33
This passage in Habakkuk makes good sense for the assumed allusion to
the wordplay #$)rh Nhwkh—(#$rh Nhwkh in the commentary.
The other problematic phrase is l)r#&yb l#$m, or, rather, the word
l#$m again. Elliger suggests that the verb l#$m is a technical term for the
possession of priesthood in postexilic times. 34 A parallel use of l#$m is
found in 1QS 9.7, where the verb is used in the rule of sons of Aaron.
Many commentators want to see a clear distinction between two periods
in the life of the Wicked Priest. “When he first arose” indicates the good
period, “but when he ruled…” his moral status deteriorated.
Undoubtedly, the further description of his deeds is clearer, when it is
said that he “betrayed the precepts.” The verb used here is dgb, “betray.” 35
27. Brownlee, The Midrash Pesher, 134–37.
28. Cross suggests reading “was called by a trustworthy name,” and Gaster has a
similar interpretation: “enjoyed a reputation for truth.”
29. Karl Elliger, Studien zum Habakuk-Kommentar vom Toten Meer (BHT 15; Tübingen:
Mohr Siebeck, 1953), 197: “…er berufen wurde unter dem rechten Namen.”
30. Horgan, Pesharim, 41.
31. Helmer Ringgren, The Faith of Qumran: Theology of the Dead Sea Scrolls (ed. J. H.
Charlesworth; trans. Emilie T. Sander; New York: Crossroad, 1995), 35.
32. Elliger, Studien zum Habakuk-Kommentar, 198.
33. l#$m is a root of many meanings. Here we likely prefer the noun with the meaning
of “riddle,” “parable.”
34. Elliger, Studien zum Habakuk-Kommentar, 198–99.
35. Also mentioned in the lemma cited from Habakkuk: “Moreover riches will betray
(dwgby) the arrogant man.” But MT is probably corrupt here, and other translations
are possible.