Interpretation of Scriptural Texts in 11QMelchizedek and Its Theological Implications

Andrzej Paweł Cekiera

Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II , Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5770-4602


Abstract

Drawing on a partially reconstructed column II, the paper intends to offer a deepened analysis of the scriptural sources used by the author of 11Q13. The manu­script belongs to pesharic creations of the Qumran community and brings to light their deep theological perspective on some important ideas, such as eschatological times, final judgement, dualism and determinism. They were diffused among the members of yaḥad – a group united under the guidance of the Teacher of Righteousness. The pesharic method of interpretation is indispensable to understand the aforementioned concepts. It also ex­poses the importance of the figure of Melchizedek, who, despite the fact that his identity as an eschatological figure remains enigmatic, is perceived as the one who executes justice on behalf of the sectarian community.

 

Keywords:

11QMelch (11Q13), Melchizedek, Qumran, pesher

Abegg, M.G., Qumran Non-biblical Manuscripts (module Accordance: Qumran Text and Grammatical Tags, version 4.5, 2019).

Aschim, A., “The Genre of 11QMelchizedek”, Qumran between the Old and New Testaments (red. H.F. Cryer ̶ L.T. Thompson) (JSOTSup 290; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press 1998) 17–31.

Berrin, S.L., “Pesharim”, Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls (ed. L.H. Schiffman – J.C. Vander- Kam) (Oxford: Clarendon 2000) II, 644-647.

Berrin, S.L., “Qumran Pesharim,” Biblical Interpretations at Qumran (ed. M. Henze) (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 2005) 110–133.

Bockmuehl, M., “The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Origins of Biblical Commentary”, Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium of the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature, Jointly Sponsored by the Hebrew University Center for the Study of Christianity, 11–13 January, 2004 (red. R.A. Clements - D.R. Schwartz) (Leiden: Brill 2009) 3–29.

Brooke, G. “Peszer”, Słownik Hermeneutyki Biblijnej (ed. R.J. Coggins – J.L. Houlden) (Warszawa: Vocatio) 664–665.

Brzegowy, T., Księga Izajasza, rozdziały 40–66 (Deutero-Izajasz and Trito-Izajasz) (Nowy Komentarz Biblijny ST XXII/3; Częstochowa: Święty Paweł 2019).

Carmignac, J., “Le document de Qumran sur Melkisedeq,” Revue de Qumran 27 (1970) 343–378.

Cavicchia, A., “Malky-sedeq, ‘unto’, profeta-araldo, sacerdote e re nel giubileo escatologico (11QMelch II, 2-14),” Biblica 91/4 (2010) 518–533.

Collins, J.J., Apocalypticism in the Dead Sea Scrolls (New York, NY: Routledge 2002).

De Jonge, M. ̶ van der Woude, A.S., “11Q Melchizedek and the New Testament,” New Testament Studies 12/4 (1966) 301–326.

Duhaime, J., “Dualism,” Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls (ed. L.H. Schiffman – J.C. Vander-Kam) (Oxford: Clarendon 2000) I, 215–220.

Elliger, K. ̶ Rudolph, W., Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, ed. 5 (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft 1977).

Hossfeld, F.-L. – Zenger, Erich, Psalms 2: A Commentary on Psalms 51–100 (Hermeneia 19B; trans. Linda M. Maloney; Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2005).

Flowers, M., “The Two Messiahs and Melchizedek in 11QMelchizedek,” Journal of Ancient Judaism 7/2 (2016) 194–227.

García Martínez, F. ̶ Tigchelaar, C.J.E. ̶ van der Woude, A., Qumran Cave 11/II, 11Q2-18; 11Q20-31 (Discoveries in the Judaean Desert 23; Oxford: Clarendon 1998) 221–241.

Gesenius, W., Gesenius’- Kautzsch’s Hebrew Grammar, ed. 2 (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1910).

Gianotto, C., Melchisedek e la sua tipologia: Tradizioni giudaiche, cristiane e gnostiche (sec. II a.C.- sec. III d.C) (Supplementi alla Rivista Biblica 12; Brescia: Paideia, 1984).

Hossfeld, F.L. – Kalthoff, B., “nṣl,” Grande Lessico dell’Antico Testamento (ed. G.J. Botterweck – H. Ringgren – H.J. Fabry) (Brescia: Paideia 2005) V, 1000–1009.

Knibb, M., “Teacher of Righteousness”, Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls (ed. L.H. Schiffman – J.C. VanderKam) (Oxford: Clarendon 2000) II, 918-921.

Kobelski, J.P., Melchizedek and Melchireša (Catholic Biblical Quarterly Monograph Series 10, Washington DC: Catholic Association of America 1981).

Koehler, L. ̶ Baumgartner, W. ̶ Stamm, J.J., “kpr,” Wielki Słownik Hebrajsko-Polski i Aramejsko-Polski Starego Testamentu, ed. 2 (Warszawa: Vocatio 2013) I, 465–466.

Łach, S., Księga Kapłańska: Wstęp, przekład z oryginału, komentarz, ekskursy (Pismo Święte Starego Testamentu, II/1; Poznań: Pallotinum 1970).

Łach, S., Księga Powtórzonego Prawa: Wstęp, przekład z oryginału, komentarz, ekskursy (Pismo Święte Starego Testamentu, II/3; Poznań: Pallotinum 1971).

Łach, S., Księga Psalmów: Wstęp, przekład z oryginału, komentarz, ekskursy (Pismo Święte Starego Testamentu, VII/2; Poznań: Pallotinum 1990).

Maier, J., Il Giudaismo del Secondo Tempio (Brescia: Paideia 1991).

Manzi, F., Melchisedek e l’angelologia nell’epistola agli Ebrei e a Qumran (Roma: PIB 1997).

Mason, E.F., You Are a Priest Forever. Second Temple Jewish Messianism and the Priestly Christology of the Epistle to the Hebrews (red. F. Garcia Martinez) (Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah 74; Leiden: Brill 2008).

Milik, J., “Milki-sedeq et Milki-rešaʽ dans les anciens ecrits juifs et chretiens,” Journal of Jewish Studies 23 (1972) 95–112.

Mulder, M.J., “šāmaṭ,” Grande Lessico dell’Antico Testamento (ed. H.J. Fabry – H. Ringgren) (Brescia: Paideia 2009) IX, 547–554.

North, R., “yôbēl,” Grande Lessico dell’Antico Testamento Grande Lessico dell’Antico Testamento (ed. G.J. Botterweck – H. Ringgren) (Brescia: Paideia 2003) III, 645-651.

Puech, É., “Notes sur le manuscrit de XIQMelkisedeq,” Revue de Qumran 12/48 (1987) 483–513.

Rainbow, P., “Melchizedek as a Messiah at Qumran”, BBR 7 (1997) 179–194.

Sanders, J. A., The Psalms Scroll of Qumrân Cave 11: (11QPsa) (DJD 4; Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1965).

Schiffman, L.H., “Sabbath”, Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls (ed. L.H. Schiffman – J.C. Vander-Kam) (Oxford: Clarendon 2000) II, 805-807.

Stachowiak, L., Księga Izajasza I: Wstęp, przekład z oryginału, komentarz, ekskursy (Pismo Święte Starego Testamentu, IX/1; Poznań: Pallotinum 1996).

John D. W. Watts, Isaiah 34–66 (WBC 25; Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2005).

Van de Water, R., “Michael or Yhwh? Toward Identifying Melchizedek in 11Q13”, JSP 16/1 (2006) 75–86.

VanderKam, J.C., Manuskrypty znad Morza Martwego (Warszawa: Cyklady 1996).

Waltke, B.K. – O’Connor, M., An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns 1990).

Watts, J.D.W., Isaiah 34–66 (WBC 25; Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2005).

Wright, D.P., “Day of Atonement,” The Anchor Bible Dictionary (ed. D.N. Freedman) (New York, NY – London – Toronto: Doubleday 1992) II, 72-76.

Download

Published
2021-07-16


Cekiera, A. P. (2021). Interpretation of Scriptural Texts in 11QMelchizedek and Its Theological Implications. The Biblical Annals, 11(3), 411–439. https://doi.org/10.31743/biban.12449

Andrzej Paweł Cekiera  cekieraa@gmail.com
Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5770-4602



License

  1. Pursuant to the Act on Copyright and Related Rights of February 4, 1994, the Author of the publication grants to the Publisher of the journal „The Biblical Annals” e a non-exclusive and royalty-free license to use the Work submitted for publication, without time and territorial restrictions in the following fields of use:
    a) record the Work and copy it by means of any technique (including printing and electronic recording) on all known data carriers (including IT, electronic and polygraphic), and in all IT systems (in particular those available online);
    b) enter the Work into computer memory, disseminate the Work and its copies, as well as market the Work and its copies;
    c) publicly perform, replay, display and screen the Work, as well as lend, rent and lease the Work and its copies;
    d) make available, market and disseminate the Work and its copies via IT networks, and in particular via the Internet, including the promotion or advertising of the Work, the journal or the Publisher.
  2. The Author shall further grant his/her consent for the Publisher to use and dispose of derivative works.
  3. The Publisher may sublicense the work.
  4. Third parties may use the articles and other materials containing the Works, or developed on the basis of the Works in line with the model Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (also referred to as CC BY 4.0).