I put this on this forum due to scholars saying that the scrolls were written by an off-shoot of Judaism and due to the overlap with Christianity its seems appropriate to put it here. There is a great deal of similarity between this verse and the 'Sermon on the Mount'. However, scholars say that the scrolls were written pre the birth of Jesus.
The Beatitudes (4Q525)
Blessed is ......with a pure heart
and does not slander with his tongue.
Blessed are those who hold to her (Wisdom's) precepts
and do not hold to the ways of inquiity.
Blessed are those who rejoice in her,
and do not burst forth in ways of folly.
Blessed are those who seek her with pure hands
and do not pursue her with a treacherous heart.
Blessed is the man who has attained Wisdom,
and walks in the Law of the Most High.
He directs his heart towards her ways,
and restrains himself by her corrections,
and always takes delight in her chastisements.
He does not forsake her when he sees distress,
nor abandon her in time of strain.
He will not forget her (on the day of ) fear,
and will not despise her when his soul is afflicted.
For always he will meditate on her,
and in his distress he will consider (her?)
(He will place her) before his eyes
so as not to walk in the ways of (folly).
(Do not) forsake your inheritance to the nations
nor your portions to the strangers
Those who fear GOD observe her wisdom's ways
and walk in all her precepts
and do not reject her corrections
being love
Kim xx
RE: Dead Sea Scrolls
Hi Kim,
Thanks for this. It reminds me more of Proverbs, where wisdom is mentioned in Proverbs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31! In Proverbs, we are constantly encouraged to think or behave in a certain way which will reward us (often in material ways,) while with the Sermon on the Mount, especially with the Beatitudes, Jesus is addressing each one's spiritual identity, and is promising a spiritual reward:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matt 5)
"Blessed" means "happy is", so Proverbs 3 (one of my favourites) fits pretty well with your Dead Sea Scroll passages above:
¶Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
¶Be not wise in thine own eyes:
fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel,
and marrow to thy bones.
Honour the Lord with thy substance,
and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty,
and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
¶My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord;
neither be weary of his correction:
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth;
even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
¶Happy is the man that findeth wisdom
and the man that getteth understanding.
For the merchandise of it is better
than the merchandise of silver,
and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou canst desire
are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand;
and in her left hand riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
and happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth;
by understanding hath he established the heavens.
By his knowledge the depths are broken up,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
¶My son, let not them depart from thine eyes:
keep sound wisdom and discretion:
So shall they be life unto thy soul,
and grace to thy neck.
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely,
and thy foot shall not stumble.
When thou liest down,
thou shalt not be afraid:
yea, thou shalt lie down,
and thy sleep shall be sweet. (Proverbs 3:5-26)
Love and peace,
Judy
RE: Dead Sea Scrolls
It was interesting today as I was doing a search on [link= http://www.spirituality.com ]www.spirituality.com[/link] for articles on creation (I am going to an ecumenical meeting tonight where we will be discussing creationism/Darwinism) and came across one on the Dead Sea Scrolls! It mentions how the thinking that was prevalent in those days would have been something that Jesus was aware of - it's worth reading:
Quick facts about the Dead Sea Scrolls
[link= http://tinyurl.com/834hl ] http://tinyurl.com/834hl [/link]
Judy
RE: Dead Sea Scrolls
I don't know how but many times your last post kept coming into my screen when I came into HP. Uncanny.......It just happened again. So I thought Ok lets see what the message of confirmation is and yes I found it.
"Discoveries in the scrolls have shown that parables did deserve this purpose, and Jesus use of parables shows his willingness to bring ideas to people in ways that they were familiar with and could accept.
This message of bringing ideas to people in ways that are familiar and they can accept has been drummed into me by them upstairs in recent years; especially when it is time to reach a broader audience with a specific message. It is essential that simplicity is used. Fables, parables, analogies and life stories help people to understand.
So if anyone uses language that is inaccessible this is a powerful message. For it is indeed time for everyone to reach a broader audience, step out of the elevators and the comfort zones. Reaching out to those that are not like-minded is the next phase for Gods charioteers.
Thank you for sharing.
Onwards and upwards
kim xx