Understand A Likeness: Genesis Creation - Durham e-Theses

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Durham E-Theses
Understand a likeness: Genesis creation allusions in
Musar leMevin (4Q415-418,4Q423, and 1Q26)
Wold, Benjamin G.
How to cite:
Wold, Benjamin G. (2004) Understand a likeness: Genesis creation allusions in Musar leMevin
(4Q415-418,4Q423, and 1Q26), Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses
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Understand A Likeness: Genesis Creation Allusions in
Musar leMevin (4Q415-418,4Q423, and 1Q26)
A copyright of this thesis rests
with the author. No quotation
from it should be published
without his prior written consent
and information derived from it
should be acknowledged.
Benjamin G. Wold
Ph.D. Thesis Submitted to the University of Durham, Department of Theology
February, 2004
Abstract
Musar leMevin (4Q415-418; 423; 1Q26) is a sapiential document from the Qumran
library. This previously unknown composition has become the focus of considerable
scholarly attention in the last ten years. Among the many observations made on the
document is its focus upon aspects of creation. Most notably, the otherwise rare phrase
n''n3 ri has been considered by some to allude to the order of creation. It has also been
observed that a number of significant allusions to Genesis 1-3 occur in the document.
For instance, 4Q416 2 iii-iv allude to Genesis 2.20-25 in a female leaving her mother and
father. 4Q423 1, 2 i alludes to the Garden of Eden. 4Q416 1 is concerned with
cosmology based upon creation. While these and other observations have been discussed
to a limited degree, no sustained study has been conducted on allusions to Genesis
creation traditions throughout Musar leMevin.
This thesis approaches the question of the use of Genesis creation traditions in the
following manner. It is hypothesised that an examination of allusions to Genesis 1-3 may
be valuable for interpreting the document. In chapter one, previous research on the
document is reviewed and remaining unresolved issues suggested. Among the
unresolved issues are a thorough understanding of anthropology and angelology in the
document. In chapter two, a methodology is developed for identifying and adjudicating
occurrences of allusions. Chapter three, on the basis of criteria set forth in chapter two,
identifies nearly twenty allusions to Genesis 1-3 in Musar leMevin. Chapter four is
dedicated to exploring anthropology and angelology on the basis of two significant
allusions to Genesis 1.26-27 (4Q416 2 iii 15-18; 4Q417 1 i 15-18) and an exegetical
tradition of angelic participation in creation. Chapter five is concerned with addresses
about females and directed to a female based upon a cluster of allusions to creation
traditions. In conclusion, creation traditions are seen to be formative for wisdom
instruction in the document and elucidate (1) angelology and anthropology; and (2) how
the phrase n^'H] n may be better understood.
Copyright © 2004 Benjamin G. Wold
All rights reserved
Table of Contents:
1) Musar leMevin: Review of Research and Remaining Issues 1
1.1) Introduction 1
1.2) General Information on the Document 2
1.3) History of Research 5
1.3.1) Issues Addressed in Recent Publications 8
1.3.2) Provenance of Musar leMevin 8
1.3.3) Musar leMevin's Relationship to the 'Sectarian Community' 9
1.3.4) The Meaning of the n^: n in Musar leMevin 20
1.3.5) Poverty Language in Musar leMevin 26
1.3.6) The Reconstruction of Musar leMevin 36
1.3.7) Angelology in Musar leMevin 47
1.4) Issues Raised and Resolved 58
1.5) Suggestions for Remaining Tasks 59
2) Non-Explicit Use of Traditions: Methodology for Identification 62
2.1) Introduction 62
2.2) Non-ExpUcit Traditions in the New Testament 66
2.3) Devorah Dimant: Allusion in the Pseudepigrapha 81
2.4) Non-Explicit Traditions in Hodayot and DSS 85
2.5) George J. Brooke: Bibhcal Interpretation in Qumran Wisdom Texts... 93
2.6) Synthesis of Approaches and Criteria for Musar leMevin 99
2.7) Conclusion 103
3) Identifying and Adjudicating Allusions to Genesis 1-3 Traditions 105
3.1) Introduction 105
3.2) Presentation of Fragments 106
3.2.1) 4Q415 2i+1 ii 106
3.2.2) 4Q415 2ii 109
3.2.3) 4Q416 1 112
3.2.4) 4Q416 2 iii 114
3.2.5) 4Q416 2 iv 120
3.2.6) 4Q417 1 i 122
3.2.7) 4Q418 69ii 129
3.2.8) 4Q418 77 131
3.2.9) 4Q418 81 +81a 134
3.2.10) 4Q418 126 i-ii 136
3.2.11) 4Q418 177 137
3.2.12) 4Q418 178 139
3.2.13) 4Q418 206 140
3.2.14) 4Q418a 166+17 141
3.2.15) 4Q423 1,2 i 141
3.2.16) 4Q423 5 149
3.3) Conclusions 151
4) Angelology and Anthropology in Musar leMevin 154
4.1) Introduction 154
4.2) 4Q417 1 i lines 15-18 154
4.2.1) Armin Lange 155
4.2.2) TorleifElgvin 158
4.2.3) George J. Brooke 160
4.2.4) John J. Collins 161
4.2.5) Matthew J. Goff 168
4.2.6) Harrington and Strugnell 170
4.2.7) Sununary and Translation of 4Q417 1 i lines 15-18 172
4.2.8) Philo and 4Q417 1 i lines 15-18 175
4.2.9) Targums and 4Q417 1 i lines 15-18 182
4.2.10) Rabbinic Literature and 4Q417 lines 15-18 183
4.2.11) Conclusions on 4Q417 1 i lines 15-18 184
4.3) Angelic References in 4Q416 2 iii 185
4.3.1) Translating the Term D'n^ 187
4.3.2) Interpreting the Term D'Dnj 192
4.4) Indefatigable Angelic Models 195
4.4.1) 4Q418 55 195
4.4.2) 4Q418 69 196
4.5) 4Q418 81 - Reconstruction and Identification 199
4.5.1) Armin Lange 201
4.5.2) TorleifElgvin 204
4.5.3) Harrington and Strugnell 205
4.5.4) Eibert J. C. Tigchelaar 207
4.5.5) Crispin Fletcher-Louis 209
4.5.6) Loren T. Stuckenbruck: Angel Veneration in Early Judaism 213
4.5.7) Angel Veneration in 4Q418 81 219
4.6) Conclusions 220
5) Female Address and Instruction in Light of Creation Allusions 223
5.1) Introduction 223
5.2) Allusions to Genesis 1-3 and the Female 224
5.2.1) 4Q416 2ii-iv 224
5.2.2) Meneham Kister on 4Q416 2 ii line 21 233
5.2.3) Elgvinon4Q416 2ii line21 235
5.2.4) Harrington and Strugnell on 4Q416 2 ii Hne 21 236
5.2.5) 4Q417 1 i lines 8-12 240
5.2.6) 4Q415 2ii 241
5.2.7) Synthesis of References to the Origin/Separation of the Female.... 246
5.2.8) 4Q418 126i-ii 247
5.2.9) Male Dominion Over the Female 249
5.2.10) 4Q423 1,2 i 250
5.2.11) Summary 253
5.3) 4Q416 2 iii lines 15-18 and the Female 253
5.4) 'Cover Your Shame' 256
5.4.1) Occurrences of 'Shame' in Other Early Jewish Literature 257
5.4.2) Occurrences of 'Shame' in Musar leMevin 263
5.4.3) Conclusions Concerning 'Shame' in Musar leMevin 273
5.5) 4Q415 11 and the Female 275
5.6) 4Q415 9 and the Female 280
5.7) Conclusions on the Female in Musar leMevin 282
5.8) Observations on the New Testament 285
6) Conclusions 293
Bibliography 301
Acknowledgements
This thesis was first conceived around the pool table on the top floor of the Petra
Youth Hostel in the Old City of Jerusalem. Professor Loren Stuckenbruck, his son
Hanno, and myself casually enjoyed the warm summer afternoon and discussed possible
research topics. As we travelled the Land in August of 1999 our conversations facilitated
the beginning of an outline for this work. Now, at the end of nearly four years of
research and writing I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Loren
Stuckenbruck not only for his long hours of careful supervision, but for his friendship and
collegiality as well. It has been an honour to work with him and the other staff at the
historic University of Durham, England in the past years.
From the very beginning of my studies I have been supported financially by Tim
and Kay Winn of the Lampstand Foundation. They have made it possible for me to study
in four countries and obtain my B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees. Their ongoing support,
both in prayer and deed, has enabled me to fulfil my dreams, aspirations, and the work
found in the following pages. I was a stranger and they took me in. It is to them that I
dedicate this thesis.
I would like to express my gratitude to several others. First, to R. Steven Notley,
my M.A. supervisor at Jerusalem University College, who first introduced me to the
Dead Sea Scrolls and Christian Origins. Professor Notley has proven time and again to
be not only a teacher, but mentor as well. During my year of research at Eberhard Karls
Universitat Tubingen, Professor Hermann Lichtenberger warmly received me, provided
opportunities to present my research, and co-supervised me during this year. I would
like to thank the faculty and staff at the Theologicum in Tiibingen for allowing me to
research and write in a friendly and welcoming environment. Others that deserve special
mention for their contribution to my pursuits in bibUcal studies are: Robert Hayward,
Randal Buth, Hanan Eshel, and Hannah Safrai. Matthew Goff, Catherine Murphey,
Benjamin Wright, John Collins, and George Brooke all shared unpublished works that
contributed to this thesis, thank you.
My family and friends have been of special importance to me as I have
undertaken this task. The love and support given to me by my parents and siblings has
been invaluable. It is my hope that this thesis shall not only be a contribution to studies
in Early Judaism, but an explanation of exactly what it is I have been doing in the last
years.
Finally, I would especially like to thank two friends. Floyd Plemmons has been a
generous and exceptional friend since we first met in a taxi at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel
Aviv. The experiences we have shared together: travels, tribulations and many an all
night conversation have meant more to me then I can express here. Saya Nagafuji, whom
I first met in the International Sprach Programm in Tubingen, has been a close
companion and partner in the last years of my studies. If I speak German with a Japanese
accent, she deserves the credit. I cherish our times together.
Tubingen, Theologicum BEN WOLD
January 23, 2004
When asked 'who is your neighbour'?
Tim & Kay Winn
Responded 'IIQD t> nnnNi - mns un' (Lev 19.34)