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

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HÅKAN BENGTSSON 199<br />

in <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r passages above, he qualifies as “<strong>the</strong> Wicked Priest,” both<br />

because of his deeds <strong>and</strong> his qualities. Moreover, if <strong>the</strong> interpretation of<br />

<strong>the</strong> disturbing appearance on Yom ha-Kippurim caused <strong>the</strong> Righteous<br />

Teacher’s adherents to break <strong>the</strong> fast, <strong>the</strong> iniquity of <strong>the</strong> Wicked Priest is<br />

considered to be beyond measure. Unsurprisingly, <strong>the</strong> following passage<br />

deals with this feature.<br />

1QpHab 11.8–15, Commentary on Hab 2:16<br />

Interpreted, this concerns <strong>the</strong> Priest whose ignominy was greater than his<br />

glory. For he did not circumcise <strong>the</strong> foreskin of his heart, <strong>and</strong> he walked in<br />

<strong>the</strong> ways of drunkenness that he might quench his thirst. But <strong>the</strong> cup of <strong>the</strong><br />

wrath of God shall confuse him, multiplying his…<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> pain of…<br />

<strong>The</strong> first observation made to this passage is <strong>the</strong> existence of a Stichwort<br />

between <strong>the</strong> Habakkuk text <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> commentary: Nwlq, “ignominy.” In<br />

<strong>the</strong> lemma, someone is said to have filled himself with “ignominy more<br />

than with glory” (Hab 2:16a). <strong>The</strong> same is said about <strong>the</strong> Priest, “whose<br />

ignominy was greater than his glory” (1QpHab 11.12). Moreover, <strong>the</strong><br />

concept of drinking <strong>and</strong> drunkenness makes a connection between <strong>the</strong><br />

text <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> interpretation, 55 <strong>and</strong> so does <strong>the</strong> cup of <strong>the</strong> Lord (Hab 2:16b)<br />

<strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> cup of wrath of God (1QpHab 11.14).<br />

<strong>The</strong> focus of interest in <strong>the</strong> commentary is again <strong>the</strong> bad character of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Priest, described here, inter alia, with a metaphor: “He did not circumcise<br />

<strong>the</strong> foreskin of his heart.” This metaphor is known from <strong>the</strong> OT 56<br />

<strong>and</strong> is used in connection with repentance of <strong>the</strong> Israelites <strong>and</strong> turning<br />

away from a sinful life. An uncircumcised heart st<strong>and</strong>s in <strong>the</strong> way of God.<br />

By mentioning <strong>the</strong> cup of <strong>the</strong> Lord, ano<strong>the</strong>r OT metaphor, 57 <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>me of vengeance is once again taken up. <strong>The</strong> wrath of <strong>the</strong> Lord will<br />

engulf <strong>the</strong> Wicked Priest, a fact not yet accomplished.<br />

It is a matter of dispute whe<strong>the</strong>r or not <strong>the</strong> allusions to <strong>the</strong> Priest’s<br />

drunkenness (11.13–14) should be taken literally. 58 <strong>The</strong>y might as well be<br />

interpreted on <strong>the</strong> same level as <strong>the</strong> accusations of <strong>the</strong> uncircumcised heart:<br />

<strong>the</strong>se are evil qualities attributed to “<strong>the</strong> wicked.” But if <strong>the</strong> drunkenness<br />

55. Between Hab 2:16, l(rhw ht) Mg ht#$, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> interpretation:<br />

h)mch twps N(ml hywrh ykrd Klyw.<br />

56. Lev 26:41; Deut 10:16; 30:6, Jer 4:4; 9:26; <strong>and</strong> Ezek 44:9. In <strong>the</strong> NT <strong>the</strong><br />

metaphor is used in Acts 7:51.<br />

57. Isa 51:17, 22.<br />

58. Brownlee, <strong>The</strong> Midrash Pesher, 194.

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