מקדש כמעט: דימויי הקהילה למקדש במגילות קומראן ובברית החדשה - ההבדלים והקשרים ביניהם

In this article I will compare the use of the symbolism of the community as Temple in two Qumran texts (the Community Rule [1QS] and 4QFlorilegium) to that found in the New Testament (in Paul’s Epistles, Ephesians, and 1 Peter). I will reassess the relationships that these expressions create between the community's cultic imagery or metaphors and the Jerusalem Temple to determine whether the widespread assumption that the community truly replaced the Temple is correct.
The Community Rule’s metaphors are sophisticated, invoking not only temple terminology (although the Temple itself is never explicitly mentioned), but also the priestly or sacrificial functions of atonement. I propose that the expression “the Temple of Man” (miqdash adam) of 4QFlorileguim, wherein the Torah practices are offered up, as similar to the cultic metaphor in the Community Rule.
For Paul, such cultic metaphors are more narrowly drawn, without reference to specific the cultic functions such as atonement. In fact, the community as Temple metaphor is part of a wider system in Paul’s letters, which is secondary to his rhetorical and functional needs. Thus, it is difficult to see a literary or ideological connection between Paul and Qumran. However, there are also strong similarities between the Community Rule, Ephesians, and especially 1 Peter. All utilize the stone imagery for the community (following Isa 28:16), and 1 Peter includes cultic functions somewhat similar to those of the Community Rule. Hence, it is possible that the authors of Ephesians and 1 Peter were influenced in some manner by Qumranic ideas or writings.