Evolution de la législation pénale dans la communauté de Qumrân

The present contribution is a confirmation of an earlier monograph entitled 'La Règle de la Communauté de Qumrân: son Evolution littéraire' (Paris, 1976). It attempted to prove the existence of four literary stages in the evolution of this document, the most ancient being at the end of the scroll. To a very condensed rule was added a penal code, which was yet rudimentary. Then with the increase of Sectarians, rendering this legislation obsolete, a new Rule containing a very detailed penal code was composed and placed before the most ancient texts. This research leads us to conclude that the Community evolved according to circumstances which arose. The penal code became more detailed and one which respected persons. One has to read the texts of the Rule backwards in order to have a full comprehension of the evolution of the Community and of its Rules.