Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered - The Preterist Archive

The use of the word 'swallow' in Column 2.8 is also interesting, because of its relevance to
'swallowing' imagery at Qumran generally. Though this imagery is used here in regard to Wisdom, it
usually occurs, as we have seen, in connection with 'sons of Belial' or 'sons of Darkness' imagery
generally, of the kind one finds in Columns 4-5 of this document. As delineated in some of the
pesharim, these last together with 'the Liar' are responsible for the destruction of the Righteous
Teacher. In this document, too, this imagery in turn moves in Column 4.4ff. into an allusion to 'Lying'
and reference to 'violence' generally. This last in Columns 5-6 gives way to the usual emphasis on
'walking', probably in the Ways of Darkness and Light. Even the allusion here to hamas ('violence') is
widely paralleled in the published corpus, particularly in the Habakkuk Pesher, as are allusions to
formulae like 'wandering astray' (4.6), usually 'wandering astray in a trackless waste without a Way' as
in Column i of the Damascus Document.
The reconstruction involving 'crucifixion' in Column 6 is also interesting, if it is finally to be
entertained. Here, combined with the 'firm Foundation' imagery, it moves into a splendid evocation of
eternal life in terms of reference to the 'Light' imagery so widespread at Qumran and, of course, the
beginning of the Gospel of John. This imagery has much in common with that of the Testamental
bequests and recitations associated with Kohath and Amram.