Forms, Significance, and Limits of Exegesis in the Halakhic Texts from Qumran

Doering, Lutz

Abstract

What role does exegesis play in the halakhic texts from Qumran? The present contribution persues this question by investigating various text-groups and genres, in particular “Rewritten Scripture” (such as Jubilees and the Temple Scroll), Rule Texts, and other halakhic compositions. With respect to the forms of exegesis, implicit exegesis is widespread while explicit exegesis is rare, even in Rules and other halakhic texts. Most exegetical practices refer to scripture by way of analogy. In rare cases, Rules or halakhic texts also show some structural orientation around scripture. In the assessment of the role of exegesis in halakhic texts from Qumran, one should take into account the claim of revelation, which the texts ascribe to exegesis, the ideological framework in which these texts originated, and finally the significancce of practical circumstances for the development of halakhah. Even though exegesis is important for the examined texts, the aspects noted above place certain limits on its role.