Texts in Conversation
The Dead Sea Scrolls and Matthew use the image of light shining brightly that gives honor to God. In the scroll 1QH, your light shines to reveal God's glory. In Matthew, light is a symbol of good deeds that reflects divine goodness.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
1QHa 17:26
The Thanksgiving Hymns
Dead Sea Scrolls, Prayers, Hymns, and Liturgy
23 For you, my God, at the appointed time […] you plead my cause. For in the mystery of your wisdom you have reproved me, 24 and you hide the truth for the time […] its appointed time. And your reproof has become joy and gladness for me, 25 and my afflictions an [eternal] healing [and] everlasting [peace], and the contempt of my adversaries a crown of glory for me, and my stumbling eternal 26 might. For by your insight [you have made me know,] and in your glory my light has shone. For light out of darkness 27 you have made shine for … [… for the wound of] my blow, and for my stumbling wonderful might, and an eternal 28 broad place in the distress of my soul. For [you are my refuge,] my retreat, my stronghold, the rock of my strength, and my fortress. In you
Date: 150–100 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Matthew 5:16
New Testament
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people! 14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them.
Date: 70–90 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Salt and light: (Mark 9:49–50; Luke 14:34–35). Salt, following ancient Mesopotamian notions, symbolizing purity and wisdom (Exodus 30:35; 2 Kings 2:19–22; Ezekiel 16:4; Mishnah Sotah 9:15). Light of the world, Philippians 2:15; John 8:12 applies the epithet to Jesus. See also Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 51:4–5; Daniel 12:3; Proverbs 6:23; John 1:4–5; Sirach 31:17; Midrash Tanhuma 2; Dead Sea Scrolls 1QS 2:3; 3:3,19–21; 1QM 13:5–6,14–15). Good works, Matthew insists that faith be accompanied by action (see Matthew 25:32–46). ..."
Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds., The Jewish Annotated New Testament (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), 10.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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