Exploring the mystical essence of the Thanksgiving Hymns, this collection showcases the poetic and philosophical heights of early Judaism before 70 CE. Attributed to the "Righteous Teacher" and other members of the Qumran community, these hymns reflect profound spiritual insights. The volume presents all fragments and manuscripts, meticulously compiled with contributions from scholars including Professors Mendels, Lichtenberger, and Charlesworth, who dedicated decades to this significant work.
From a powerful new literary voice, a sweeping epic of one family and the destructive power of the American Dream
The discovery of Psalm 156, found in a medieval copy from the Cairo Genizah, reveals a significant addition to the known Psalms attributed to David. Unlike the familiar 150 Psalms, this extensive composition offers visions and insights into David's thoughts, paralleling the length of Psalm 119. Its existence, alongside other early Jewish texts, provides a fresh perspective on the creative landscape of Second Temple Judaism, expanding the understanding of biblical literature beyond the traditional Masoretic Psalter.
Set against the backdrop of 68 CE, the discovery of Cave I near the Dead Sea reveals the spiritual landscape of devout Jews who crafted new psalms to accompany traditional texts. The Qumran Psalter, found among these scrolls, reflects their deep devotion, struggles with unworthiness, and hope in God's covenant. Themes of transcendence and divine compassion permeate the writings, offering profound insights into the Jewish faith before Hillel and Jesus. This collection resonates with Jews, Christians, and anyone interested in spirituality, providing comfort and understanding through its symphonic poetry.
The Pesharim, discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls, have ignited significant scholarly debate regarding their nature as either biblical commentary or historical accounts. Charlesworth argues that these 16 ancient texts contain historical references, linking them to key figures and events of their era. He provides a comprehensive synopsis of Qumran history, shedding light on the context and implications of these intriguing documents.
The publication of this collection of articles on Qumran Messianism by a team of international scholars marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. The authors offer a new approach to the messianic expectations expressed in the Qumran literature by incorporating also those texts and fragments which have been available only since 1992 and by understanding them within the context of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. Most of the contributions originate from the Seminar on 'Qumran and Early Christianity' of the 'Societas Novi Testamenti Studiorum' of the past few years chaired by James Charlesworth and Hermann Lichtenberger. The present volume therefore stands at the very front of the academic discussion on the relation between ancient Judaism and early Christianity by concentrating on some of their central religious concepts: the messianic figures and latterday expectations as expressed in the Qumran writings.