The Development of Qumran Law: Nistarot, Niglot and the Issue of 'Contemporization'

The study comprises two associated parts. a) The philological meaning of the terms Nigleh and Nistar and their application in Scripture and Qumran literature are analyzed, and a novel conception is postulated with respect to the classification of two types of knowledge: Nistar, esoteric, revealed to particular elected persons, and Nigleh, attainable by dedicated endeavor of devout persons. b)The strict adherence of Qumran to scriptural ideology and utterances, and the close relationship of its mindset and theology with the rabbinic equivalents are discussed and corroborated. Consequently, the study contests the allegation that according to Qumran’s theology the Torah has been modified and developed over time, and would continue to change.