"בני צדוק" שבכת מדבר יהודה

This paper deals with the problem of the "sons of Zadok the priest" alluded to in many focal statements in the writings of the Dead Sea Sect. Precisely who are these sons of Zadok, and what is their status within the sectarian grouping? What relationship do they bear to priests in general, whose mention is interspersed throught the writings? Where-in lies the point of historico-literary contact between the sons of Zadok of the sect and those encountered in Ezekiel's cult regulations, and the song of thanksgiving at the end of the Book of Ben Sira? And lastly, what motivated the bestowal of the honorary appellation "the sons of Zadok the priest" or similar titles specifically in these works, whereas they make virtually no appearance in all the vast canonic and post-biblical literature dealing with the priesthood, its status and varied functions? These questions are dealt with in detail in conjunction with the sectarian texts concerned, mainly The Rule of the Community V; The Rule of the Congregation I; The Benedictions; The Midrash on Psalms I and II; The Damascus Covenant III–IV, V. The conclusion of this investigation are given here. Amongst the adherents of the Dead Sea Sect were the Zadokite priests who traced their ancestry to the High Priestly family of Jeshua son of Jehizadak, as well as other priests descended from different priestly families. The "sons of Zadok the priest" occupied a position of leadership and authority during the sect's existence; and this same status was assigned to them in the eschatological era. This precedence was theirs not by virtue of any special rights in matters of priestly ritual, but rather owing to their authority concerning the maintenance of the ordinances of the sect and the interpretation of its precepts and beliefs. The founders of the sect who also determined its overall image were the priestly descendants of Zadok. The circumstances surrounding the establishment of the sect and the halo of honour and leadership still inherent in the connotation "sons of Zadok" may serve to explain the position held by the "sons of Zadok the priest" within the framework of the Dead Sea Sect and the unmistakably clear expression of this position in sectarian literature.