reader checked|20/01/2012 AL
The article analyzes 4Q392 (Works of God) frag. 1, and especially its conceptions of light and darkness. According to this text, God created light and darkness for human beings, but in his dwelling there is אורתם 'perfect light'. In other occurrences, אורת(ו)ם signifies the perfect light of knowledge, and belongs to the "dualistic" terminology of the Qumran writings. It therefore seems plausible that this fragment implies that both light and darkness, in the metaphysical sense, were created by God for humanity, whereas for Him there is no darkness whatsoever. The perfect and eternal light of God, light without darkness (in both the concrete and the metaphysical senses), will enlighten the world and the righteous in the end of days. Sir. 15:16 and 1 Enoch 58:1–6 are also considered in this context.