Acting ביד רמה 'With Uplifted Hand' Signifies Ensnarement by the Nets of Belial

This study demonstrates that the collocation 'with uplifted hand', when found in Qumran texts, denotes three categories of foundational tests/sins: not keeping the law, following the false prophet to idolatry, and testing God. These are based on the tests/sins encountered by Israel during the biblical exodus from Egypt and are identifiable through the categorization of the occurrences of 'test' within this Pentateuchal pericope. Further, this study confirms the findings of previous investigations that these tests are subsumed under the rubric of the three nets of Belial, corresponding respectively with 'fornication', 'wealth', and 'profanation of the temple'. Thus, acting is shown to signify that a person has been ensnared by the nets of Belial. This disqualifies them from group membership and, as such, they must be permanently removed.