The Pesharim and Qumran History: Chaos or Consensus? - Paperback

by James H. Charlesworth (Author)

Among the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran are seventeen of the earliest known biblical commentaries, the "Pesharim." Since their discovery, researchers have been in intense debate over their true nature. In this fascinating volume James Charlesworth introduces the Pesharim to general readers and makes a signal contribution to our understanding of these invaluable ancient documents.

Ought these Jewish writings be viewed as historiography in the guise of biblical commentary, or are they simply examples of the way the Qumran community read and interpreted the Hebrew scriptures? Charlesworth takes the middle path in this debate, demonstrating that there are indeed important historical allusions in the Pesharim. In the course of the book, he provides a summary of the interpretive methods used in the Pesharim, isolates the historical allusions in them, and relates these allusions to a synopsis of Qumran history.

The volume also includes appendixes by Lidija Novakovic that explain exegetical terminology and cite scriptural quotations.

Back Jacket

Among the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran are sixteen of theearliest known biblical commentaries, the "Pesharim." Since theirdiscovery, researchers have been in intense debate about their truenature. In this fascinating volume James Charlesworth introducesthe Pesharim to general readers and makes a signal contribution toour understanding of these invaluable ancient documents.

Ought these Jewish writings be viewed as historiography in theguise of biblical commentary, or are they simply examples of theway the Qumran community read and interpreted the Hebrewscripture? Charlesworth takes the middle path in this debate, demonstratingthat there are indeed important historical allusions in thePesharim. In the course of the book, he provides a summary of theinterpretive methods used in the Pesharim, isolates the historicalallusions in them, and relates these allusions to a synopsis of Qumranhistory. The volume also includes appendixes by Lidija Novakovic(Bethel College) that explain exegetical terminology and citescriptural quotations.

Completely up-to-date, reliable, and highly readable, this bookis an important addition to the literature on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Author Biography

James H. Charlesworth is George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language and Literature and director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Project at Princeton Theological Seminary. He has authored or edited over sixty books.