The Use of Greek at Qumran: Manuscript and Epigraphic Evidence for a Marginalized Language

Full title
The Use of Greek at Qumran: Manuscript and Epigraphic Evidence for a Marginalized Language
Research notes

Reader Checked|OA 11/04/2013

Reference type
Author(s)
Richey, Matthew
Year
2012
Journal / Book Title || Series Title
Dead Sea Discoveries
Volume
19
Number of volumes
0
Issue / Series Volume
2
Pages
177-197
Alternative title
DSD
Label
09/07/2012
Abstract

Treatments of language use at Qumran have tended to marginalize the evidence for Greek language use among the Covenanters, on the basis of the observation that far more of the surviving texts are written in Hebrew or Aramaic. This paper examines the meager evidence for Greek use at the site—including the sole Greek documentary text, 4Q350, recently published epigraphic evidence, and the enigmatic Greek letters of the Copper Scroll (3Q15)—in an attempt to recognize the importance of Greek for everyday intramural business and for maintaining economic contact with exterior communities. Manuscript and epigraphic survivals demonstrate that the Covenanters' use of Greek can be characterized as primarily occurring in the context of day-to-day economic transactions, business, and trade. The evidence suggests that, like the Bar Kokhba rebels, the Covenanters attempted to “purify“ their discourse and way of life, but economic realities nevertheless encouraged periodic communication in the Greek language.

Primary Texts: Judean Desert Documents
Scroll / Document