the-bible-and-the-dead-sea-scrolls

SARIANNA METSO 297
In 4QS b,d the parallel to 1QS 5.2–3 states that the authority in the
community belongs to the rabbim (Mybrh yp l(, 4QS b 9.3 par. 4QS d
1.2), whereas in 1QS the term is replaced by a long verse:
according to the sons of Zadok, the priests who keep the covenant, and the
multitude of the men of the community who hold fast to the covenant. On
the basis of their word the decision shall be taken. 33
dxyh y#n) bwr yp l(w tyrbh yrmw# Mynhwkh qwdc ynb yp l(
lrwgh nwkt )cy Mhyp l( tyrbb Myqzxmh
In spite of the use of different terminology, no difference can be perceived
between the manuscripts in their description of the structure of
the community, 34 for 1QS 6.8 clearly states that the rabbim consist of both
priests (Mynhwkh) and laymen (M(h lwk r#)w Mynqzh 35 ). Apparently,
the redactor(s) wished to stress the purpose of Mybrh as the true keeper
of the covenant and, as Vermes has pointed out, to emphasize the
Zadokite link of the priestly leaders of the community. 36
A similar case occurs in 1QS 5.9–10: the term “the council of the men
of the community” (dxyh y#n) tc(, 4QS b 9.9 par. 4QS d 1.7) occurring
in 4QS b,d has been replaced by the long phrase:
to the sons of Zadok, the priests who keep the covenant and seek his will,
and to the multitude of the men of their covenant who together willingly
offer themselves for his truth and to walk according to his will.
Mtyrb y#n) brlw wnwcr y#rwdw tyrbh yrmw# mynhwkh qwdc ynbl
wnwcrb Klthlw wtm)l dxy Mybdntmh
A comparison between 1QS 6.8 and 10 implies that the terms Mybrh
and dxyh tc( are synonymous (see also, e.g., 1QS 5.7; 6.3, 14, 16; 7.2,
22, 24), so the motive for replacing the term must have been something
other than a change in the community structure. In my opinion, the
motive was theological.
33. The translation here and in the longer quotations that follow is that of Michael
A. Knibb, The Qumran Community.
34. For a different assessment, see Hempel, “Community Structures,” 83–84.
35. This is the only occurrence of Mynqzh in 1QS. The word also signifies a special
group in 1QM 13.1, CD 5.4 and 9.4, and it may be somewhat synonymous with
hd(h twb) y#)r of 1QSa 1.23–24. According to Walter Baumgartner (HAL 264),
in the Hebrew Bible the term is used in the sense “Gesamtheit der (den Vollbart tragenden)
im reifen alter stehenden Männer, der Rechtsfähigen einer Gemeinschaft”
(e.g., Josh 20:4; Deut 19:12; 21:3; Exod 3:16; 2 Kgs 23:1; Ezek 8:11; Lev 4:15; Deut
31:28; 1 Kgs 20:7; Exod 24:14).
36. Geza Vermes, “Preliminary Remarks on Unpublished Fragments of the Community
Rule from Qumran Cave 4, ” JJS 42 (1991): 250–55, esp. 254–55.