Out of Many, One: The Sons of Zadok and the Compositional Coherence of the Cave 1 Rule Scroll (1QS-1QSa-1QSb)

According to the dominant interpretation inaugurated by J.T. Milik, 1QSa and 1QSb represent appendices to 1QS. Building on recent work problematizing Milik’s hypothesis, this article advances novel literary and thematic claims. I show that the scroll’s compiler made editorial additions to generate greater linguistic and thematic coherence throughout this manuscript, which integrates previously independent traditions (i.e. the Community Rule, Rule of the Congregation, and Rule of Blessings). The compiler incorporated the Sons of Zadok within 1QS and 1QSa on the basis of preexisting priestly language in the traditions underlying 1QS and 1QSb. Further, the added descriptions of the Sons of Zadok and their lay counterparts stem from an interpretive tradition of Ezekiel 44 and Isaiah 56 found already in the Rule of Blessings and elaborated by the compiler in 1QS. Thus, creatively developing language and themes from source traditions represents a characteristic compositional technique of this compiler.