The Centre for Jewish Studies
University of Manchester
Extra-Mural Lectures 1998-99
For the full list of lectures, click here
Jan 19 George Brooke: Biblical Interpretation in
the Dead Sea Scrolls
Abstract:
The talk will outline five principal ways in which biblical traditions
are interpreted and used in the scrolls found in the 11 caves at Qumran
which date from the three centuries before the fall of the second temple
and thus illuminate Jewish thinking in general at that time.
For legal interpretation the talk will consider how its focus is often
on the suitable juxtaposition of two texts in order to clarify what the
Law intended or to create new rulings which in effect update the Law for
the contemporary user.
Poetic and liturgical use of scripture is characterized by allusory
anthologisation. The flowers of biblical phraseology are plucked and woven
into a new tapestry to create new prayers and poems which are redolent with
tradition but in a fresh way.
The appeal to historical examples in scripture is often done to encourage
a particular mode of behaviour. In this ethical use good and bad examples
from scripture are applied in exhortation to encourage a particular attitude
and way of life.
Prophetic texts are interpreted in a distinctive way akin to dream interpretation.
Aspects of prophecies are identified with contemporary historical circumstances
so that the prophecies are applied to current events in ways which the prophets
themselves were never aware of. The key often rests with the insightful
interpreter who is trained so rigorously that his interpretations are not
arbitrary but recognized as authoritative.
Narrative interpretation involves taking the plain meaning of the text
seriously and explaining in a variety of ways what may not be clear at first
reading.
Bible interpretation in the Dead Sea Scrolls is a rich and varied phenomenon
which in many ways anticipates later Jewish biblical interpretation.
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George Brooke is Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis,
University of Manchester and the 1999 President of the British Association
for Jewish Studies (e-mail: G.Brooke@man.ac.uk)
The Centre for Jewish Studies
The Department of Religions and Theology
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester M13 9PL
United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)161 275 3614; Fax +44 (0)161 275 3613
e-mail: Bernard.Jackson@man.ac.uk