Otherworldly and eschatological priesthood in the Dead Sea scrolls / by Joseph L. Angel.

• Superior document: Studies on the texts of the desert of Judah, v. 86
• Author: Angel, Joseph L.
• Year of Publication: 2010
• Language: English
• Series: Studies on the texts of the desert of Judah ; v. 86.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (396 p.)
• Notes: Revised version of author's thesis (Ph. D.)--New York University, 2008.

Departing from scholarship dedicated to the socio-historical realities of priesthood at Qumran, this book explores, in two parts, the most pervasive literary representations of priesthood in the Dead Sea Scrolls as a reflection of the religious worldview of the Qumran community and broader segments of Second Temple society. Part one compares depictions of otherworldly priesthood in non-sectarian and sectarian documents. Part two examines the historical and traditional roots of portrayals of messianic/eschatological priesthood. The study reveals a fresh understanding of the integral role of priestly imagery in the tension-filled eschatological identity of the Qumran community. It concludes with a consideration of the relationship of the evidence treated to the phenomenon of democratization of priestly holinesses in rabbinic Judaism and Christianity.

Table of Contents

Pt. 1. Otherworldly priesthood in the Dead Sea scrolls. Otherworldly priesthood in non-sectarian writings -- Otherworldly priesthood in the songs of the sabbath sacrifice: imago templi and liturgical time at Qumran -- Otherworldly priesthood in sectarian writings -- Pt. 2. Eschatological priesthood in the Dead Sea scrolls. The image of eschatological priesthood in the Dead Sea scrolls -- The historical roots of the eschatological priesthood -- The traditional roots of the eschatological priesthood -- Summary and conclusions.