
The Self-Understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls Community
An Eternal Planting, A House of Holiness
Paul Swarup(Author)
T.& T.Clark Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 31. August 2006
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-0-567-04384-9 (ISBN)
Description
This is a study of two metaphors, 'an eternal planting' and 'a house of holiness', which were used extensively by the DSS Community in expression of their self-understanding. These two metaphors embrace a wide range of biblical themes which they appropriated for themselves. The sectarian writings and non-sectarian writings used by the community have been examined in order to bring out the theology behind these two metaphors. Each passage is compared and contrasted primarily with the "Hebrew Bible" to see how the text has been reworked or nuanced to suit its new context. It is concluded that these two metaphors express the deep yearning of the DSS Community for a complete restoration of Israel, for a return to Edenic conditions as before the Fall, and for a temple which was pure. These metaphors contribute to the community's self-understanding of themselves as the 'eternal planting', or True Israel, the faithful remnant, who practised justice and righteousness and awaited the eschaton. They believed that they were indeed a 'kingdom of priests and a holy nation'. They understood themselves to be a proleptic temple in advance of the eschatological temple to be built by God.
They were also the true priests, functioning in God's heavenly temple carrying out the priestly ministry of atonement, teaching, intercession, and blessing. These two metaphors appear to be quite distinct at first sight, but on closer examination they are seen to convey many complementary theological ideas.
They were also the true priests, functioning in God's heavenly temple carrying out the priestly ministry of atonement, teaching, intercession, and blessing. These two metaphors appear to be quite distinct at first sight, but on closer examination they are seen to convey many complementary theological ideas.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
549 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-567-04384-9 (9780567043849)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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Other editions
Additional editions

Paul Swarup
The Self-Understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls Community
An Eternal Planting, a House of Holiness
E-Book
08/2006
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€200.99
Available for download
Person
The Rev. Dr. Paul Swarup is an ordained Presbyter with the Diocese of Delhi, Church of North India and currently ministers at Christ Church, Noida. He teaches at the Vidyajyothi College of Theology, Delhi.
Content
1. Introduction; 2. Plant Imagery in the Hodayot; 3. Plant Imagery in the Rule of the Community; 4. Plant Imagery in the Damascus Document; 5. Plant Imagery in 4Q/1QInstruction; 6. Temple Imagery in 4QFlorilegium; 7. Temple Imagery in the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice - Shirot 'Olat Ha-Shabbat; 8. Temple Imagery in Temple Scroll; 9. Temple Imagery in the Rule of the Community; 10. Temple Imagery in the Pesharim; 11. Conclusion.