המושג "גורל" ומקומו בכתבי ים המלח

In the opening section of his article, the author stresses the fact that an examination of the usage of goral in the ancient books of the Bible presents a relatively harmonious picture; namely that this concept is employed in regard to the casting of lots for the purpose of reaching a decision on controversial questions. Only in the later texts of the Bible is this word found in the metaphorical meaning of "destiny". At any rate, the concept as it appears in the Bible, is based on the idea of the Lord's omnipotent influence. The most lucid illustration is offered from the passages in I Samuel XIV, 1 ff. In this case, the casting of a lot bears the character of a divine sentence. The continuous existence of the above meaning may be proven from Josephus, Wars, III, 43. An analysis of the concept goral in the Qumranic texts proves the following points: 1. The word appears with relative frequency, but in every instance, in theological context. 2. In the writings of the Sect, this word has the import of a decisive resolution and the theological views expressed are homogeneous. 3. In "The War of the Sons of Light against the Sons of Darkness", goral definitely owes its significance to the Lord and His will. 4. In "The Thanksgiving Scroll", this concept is evident as part of the personalreligious experience of the pious individual. 5. The "Zadokite Dokument" also belongs to the Sectarian writings as far as the usage of goral is concerned. The meaning of goral as an expressed theological concept is also analyzed in relation to the usage of ϰλῆϱος found in the addition to the Greek Esther X, 3. This comparison brings the following results to light: 1. The biblical usage of the concept goral is found in all the Dead Sea Scrolls, although with certain variations. 2. The usage of goral in the Sectarian writings is apparently the closest to the meaning attributed to this concept in the Bible. Such a conclusion cannot be considered irrelevant in the clarification of the chronological problems related to these writings. 3. In all of the texts, the usage of goral is closely related to the concept of the Divinity, and belief in God, according to the significance of these concepts in Qumranic literature.