Social Identity and Sectarianism in the Qumran Movement

Erscheinungsjahr 2012
ISBN: 978-90-04-23861-9
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 105, 262 Seiten, Format (B × H): 163 mm x 239 mm, Gewicht: 612 g

Reihe: Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah

‘Identity’ and ‘sectarianism’, two crucial and frequently used concepts in Qumran studies, are here problematized, praised, and redefined. Two social-scientific theories inform the investigation of the serakhim (rule documents) and pesharim (commentaries). Sociology of sectarianism is presented in retrospect in order to identify appropriate methodological tools for speaking about sectarianism in the ancient context, and for comparing sectarian stances in the serakhim. Furthermore, a social-psychological perspective into identity is introduced for the first time for appreciating the dynamic and context-dependent nature of a person’s social identity. The final chapter takes a fresh approach to the study of the pesharim, arguing for the need to read each Pesher as a whole. It analyses the prototypical ‘teacher’ and brings forward new interpretations on this captivating and cloudy figure.

Zielgruppe

The book is of immediate relevance to all interested in the Qumran scrolls, in the study of sectarian movements in early Judaism and early Christianity, and social identity construction.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Jokiranta, Jutta

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften

Über Autor(innen)

Jokiranta, Jutta
Jutta Jokiranta, PhD (2006) in Hebrew Bible Studies, University of Helsinki, is University Lecturer in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies at that university. Her research covers themes in social identity, sectarianism, kinship terminology, strangers, and ritual life in the Dead Sea Scrolls.