G — Biblically Based Apocryphal Works

Consolations or Tanhumim (4Q176)

1A large number of small fragments from a Cave 4 manuscript (4Q176), edited by J. M. Allegro in 1968, represent a scriptural anthology centred on the theme of divine consolation. Originally, each citation was accompanied by a sectarian exegesis, but only a few examples of the latter survive. The majority of the extant remains belong to Isaiah xl- lv (Ps. lxxix, 2-3; Isa. xl, 1-5; xli, 8-9; xlix, 13-17; xliii, 1-2, 4-6; li, 22-3; lii, 1-3; liv, 4-10; lii, 1-2; Zech. xiii, 9). The translated passage is based on Psalm lxxix, 2-3, and is followed by a new title—From the Book of Isaiah: Consolations—and the quotation of the opening verses of Isa. xl. The four asterisks symbolize the Tetragram indicated in the manuscript simply by dots. For the editio princeps, see J. M. Allegro and A. A. Anderson, DJD, V, 60-67.

2I And he shall accomplish Thy miracles and Thy righteousness among Thy people. And they shall... Thy sanctuary, and shall dispute with the kingdoms over the blood of ... Jerusalem and shall see the bodies of Thy priests... and none to bury them (Ps. lxxix, 3). From the Book of Isaiah: Consolations [Comfort, comfort, my people] —says your God - speak to the heart of Jerusalem and c[ry to her that] her [bondage is completed], that her punishment is accepted, that she has received from the hand of **** double for allhersins... (Isa. xl, 1-3). Catenae or Interpretation of Biblical Texts on the Last Days

3(4Q177, 4Q182) These two documents consist of over thirty fragments, none of which amounts to units of coherent text. The connecting theme is eschatology, with the phrase 'at the end of days' appearing half a dozen times. The majority of the biblical quotations are from the Psalms (Ps. vi, xi, xii, xiii, xvi), but explicit mentions are also made of 'the Book of the Law' (or possibly 'the Second Law') (4Q177, frs. 1-4, 1. 14), 'the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet' (4Q177, fr. 7, 1.3), and 'the Book of Jerem[iah the prophet?]' (4Q182, fr. 1, 1. 4). The citations are introduced by 'as it is written', and the expository sections start with pesher. The following typically sectarian expressions are attested: 'party of light' (fr. 1-4, 1. 8), 'men of his council' (ibid., 1. 16), 'congregation of seekers of smooth things' (fr. 9, 1. 4), 'men of Belial' (fr. 10-11, 1. 4), 'Interpreter of the Law' (ibid., 1. 5), 'sons of light' (fr. 12-13 i, 11.7, 11), 'council of the Community' (fr. 14,1. 5). For the editio princeps, see J. M. Allegro and A. A. Anderson, DJD, V, 64-74, 80-81; cf. J. Strugnell, RQ 7(1970), 236-46, 256. 4Q177 frs. 10-11, 7, 9, 20, 26 (as reconstructed by Strugnell) ... The interpretation of the saying concerns the purifying of the heart of the men... to try them and refine them... by the spirit and the pure and the purified... [As for that which] he said, Lest the enemy say, [I have prevailed over him] (Ps. xiii, 5) ... They are the congregation of the seekers of smooth things who... [unt]il they seek to destroy... by their jealousy and hostilit[y] ... The int[erpretation of this word concerns] ... [whi]ch is written in the Book of Ezekiel the pr[ophet] ... [The interpretation of the saying concerns the end] of days when there will be gathered against them ...

4G. Biblically Based Apocryphal Works 'Jubilees', Israel Antiquities Authority