Metaphorical Poverty in Musar leMevin

Research notes: 
reader checked 7/11/2011 AL
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Wold, Benjamin G.
year: 
2007
Full title: 

Metaphorical Poverty in Musar leMevin

Translated title: 
Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Journal of Jewish Studies
Volume: 
58
Issue / Series Volume: 
1
Number of volumes: 
0
Series Title: 
Abbreviated Series Name: 
Collaborating Author: 
Place of Publication: 
Publisher: 
Pages: 
140-153
Chapter: 
Work type: 
Abstract: 

This essay argues that the language of poverty should be understood on some occasions in Musar leMevin (4QInstruction)metaphorically in relation to angelic beings. Given how fragmentary the document is and how enigmatic its language, prudent caution needs to be exercised before concluding firmly on previous interpretive suggestions. Rather than conceiving of poverty in Musar leMevin as strictly reflecting a ‘this-worldly’ lacking, and thus the Sitz im Leben of the community behind the document, it may describe an aspect of human nature and, therefore, relate to ‘other-worldly’ imagery. It is understood that the addressee lacks wisdom, which he is urged to seek and obtain. Accordingly this deficiency of understanding is a part of human nature and, just as the one addressed is repeatedly urged to seek wisdom, so too is he reminded: ‘you are poor’. Furthermore, Musar leMevin is not ‘Essene’, and one should not presuppose that its so-called social situations reflect on the Qumran community. Copyright © Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies

Notes: 
Language: 
Alternative title: 
JJS
Date: 
Primary Texts: Judean Desert Documents: 
Scroll / Document: 
4Q416
Passage: 
2 iii
Scroll / Document: 
4Q418
Passage: 
55
Scroll / Document: 
4Q418
Passage: 
69
Scroll / Document: 
4Q423
Passage: 
1
Scroll / Document: 
4Q423
Passage: 
2 i
Edition: 
Original Publication: 
Reprint edition: 
URL: 
DOI: 
ISBN: 
Accession number: 
Call num: 
Label: 
28/05/2007
Record number: 
11 677