The Exegetical Texts: (Companion to the Qumran Scrolls)

Jonathan G. Campbell provides an introduction to eight sectarian manuscripts from among the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls that can loosely be called the 'Exegetical Texts'. He examines their contents, background, genre, and significance and he provides a history of the relevant research. The Exegetical Texts constitute a particularly diverse strand of sectarian compositions among the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls. For this reason, the eight documents are treated in turn in more or less equal measure, with two introductory chapters to set the scene and a conclusion drawing the discussion to a close. Each chapter can be read either alone in its own right or together with the others to gain a broader picture. In order to encourage the reader to encounter the relevant Qumran documents firsthand extensive listings of editions in Hebrew and English are provided. The contributors to the Companion to the Qumran Scrolls series take account of a wide range of relevant and recently published texts and provide extensive bibliographies. The books in the series are authoritatively written in accessible language and are ideal for students and non-specialist scholars. Companion to the Qumran Scrolls, volume 4

Table of Contents:
Preface Abbreviations Editions, Translations, and Bibliographies I. Introduction 1. The Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran 2. The Qumran-Essene Hypothesis 3. Recent Developments in Qumran Studies 4. 'The Pesher Phenomenon' 5. The Exegetical Texts from Qumran 6. Further Reading II. Scripture and Interpretation 1. Scripture in Second Temple Judaism 2. Scriptural Manuscripts from Qumran 3. Textual Fluidity in Scriptural Writings 4. Scripture Interpreting Scripture 5. Exegesis in Non-scriptural Works 6. Exegetical Techniques 7. Scriptural Interpretation in the Exegetical Texts 8. Further Reading III. 4QFlorilegium (4Q174) 1. Introduction 2. The Text of 4QFlorilegium 3. The Genre of 4QFlorilegium 4. The Content of 4QFlorilegium 5. Exegesis in 4QFlorilegium 6. 4QFlorilegium and the Reconstruction of Damaged Scrolls 7. Further Reading IV. 4QCatenae A-B (4Q177, 182) 1. Introduction 2. The Text of 4QCatena A 3. The Genre of 4QCatena A 4. The Content of 4QCatena A 5. Exegesis in 4QCatena A 6. The Fragmentary Nature of 4QCatena B 7. The Existence of 4QMidrash on Eschatologya-b 8. Further Reading V. 11QMelchizedek (11Q13) 1. Introduction 2. The Text of 11QMelchizedek 3. The Genre of 11QMelchizedek 4. The Content of 11QMelchizedek 5. Exegesis in 11QMelchizedek 6. 11QMelchizedek and the Schematization of History 7. Further Reading VI. 4QAges of Creation A-B (4Q180-181) 1. Introduction 2. The Text of 4QAges of Creation A-B 3. The Genre of 4QAges of Creation A-B 4. The Content of 4QAges of Creation A-B 5. Exegesis in 4QAges of Creation A-B 6. 4QAges of Creation A-B and Other Sectarian Writings 7. Further Reading VII. 4QTanhumim (4Q176) 1. Introduction 2. The Text of 4QTanhumim 3. The Genre of 4QTanhumim 4. The Content of 4QTanhumim 5. Exegesis in 4QTanhumim 6. 4QTanhumim and 4QApocryphal Lamentations A-B (4Q179, 501) 7. Further Reading VIII. 4QTestimonia (4Q175) 1. Introduction 2. The Text of 4QTestimonia 3. The Genre of 4QTestimonia 4. The Content of 4QTestimonia 5. Exegesis in 4QTestimonia 6. The Historical Background of 4QTestimonia 7. Further Reading IX. Scripture and Interpretation in the Exegetical Texts 1. The Evidence of the Exegetical Texts 2. Scripture in the Exegetical Texts 3. Interpretation in the Exegetical Texts 4. The Exegetical Texts and 'the Pesher Phenomenon' 5. The Exegetical Texts and the Qumran Community 6. The Exegetical Texts and other Late Second Temple Literature 7. Further Reading Bibliography Index of References Index of Authors

About the Author :
Jonathan G. Campbell is Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Early Judaism at the University of Bristol.

Review :
"...the author demonstrates a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of both the scrolls and the scholarly discussions. Perhaps one of the most helpful aspects of the entire book is the massive bibliography that is organized at the end of each chapter. Overall, the work is clear, accessible, well researched, and up to date. It is a must read for anyone working in the specific scrolls covered in this book. The author generally takes a cautious view on debatable issues and presents his arguments in a clear way. Campbell demonstrates a good grasp of the complicated material and presents it in a clear and understandable way." - RBL, August 2005 "Without doubt, Campbell has proved in several articles and monographs that he is one of a small group of distinguished specialists capable of working on the Dead Sea Scrolls in general and on their pesharim texts in particular, an expertise needed in order to write successfully "in accessible language and ... for students and non-specialist scholars.".... Moreover, his profound and well-based assessment of these eight exegetical texts provides a good foundation for anyone interested in pesher and, thus, the exegetical texts from Qumran. Not only students and nonspecialists will find Campbell's slim volume intriguing and helpful; even scholars in the field will profit from the dense and precise evaluation of these manuscripts presented in a mere 132 pages." - RBL, January 2006