Fragments 81+81a

1 your lips he has opened as a source to bless the holy ones. And you, like an eternal source, praise … Then he set you apart from every 2 spirit of flesh. And you, separate yourself from all that he hates, and keep away from all the abominations of the soul. For he made everything 3 and gave each his inheritance. And he is your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Adam,⁠ [and over] his [inheritance] he has made you ruler. And you, 4 honor him in this: by making yourself holy for him, as he has set you as a holy of holies [for all] the world, and among all the [gods] 5 he has cast your lot, and your glory he has made very great. And he has set you for himself as a firstborn among […] … […] 6 “and my goodness I will give to you.” And you, is not my goodness yours? And in my faithfulness walk continually […] 7 your works. And you, seek his judgments from the hand of everyone who disputes with you, in all … […] 8 love him, and with eternal kindness and with mercies on all who keep his word, and his zeal […] 9 And for you he has [opened] insight, and over his storehouse he has made you ruler, and a true measure is appointed [over you …] 10 they are with you. And it is in your hand to turn away anger from the men of good will and to visit […] 11 with you. Before you take your inheritance from his hand, honor his holy ones, and before […] 12 he has opened. Sing, all you holy ones, and everyone who is called by his name, holy … […] 13 with all ages. His splendor, his beauty, is for an eternal planting […] 14 … the world; in it all who inherit the land will walk, for in heaven […] 15 And you who understand, if he has made you ruler through skill of hands, and knowledge […] 16 a storehouse for all the paths of humankind, and from there you will be assigned your food and […] 17 consider carefully, and from the hand of everyone who gives you insight add to your learning […] 18 bring out your need to all who seek what they desire, and then you will establish […] 19 you will be filled and satisfied with abundant good, and by the skill of your hands […] 20 for God has apportioned the inheritance of [every living thing], and all the wise of heart have gained insight […]

Texts in conversation

Compare Numbers 18:20 and 4Q418 81 3

Hebrew Bible · Dead Sea Scrolls, Wisdom and Instruction

Summary

In Numbers 18, Aaron is told that because he is a priest, God is his portion and inheritance among the Israelites. The Dead Sea Scroll 4Q418 quotes this but replaces the Israelites with the sons of Adam.

Passages

Numbers 18:20

Hebrew Bible

19 All the raised offerings of the holy things that the Israelites offer to the Lord, I have given to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual ordinance. It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord for you and for your descendants with you.” 20 The Lord spoke to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion of property among them—I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. 21 See, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance, for their service that they perform—the service of the tent of meeting.

750–400 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in Numbers

4Q418 81 3

Dead Sea Scrolls, Wisdom and Instruction · 4QInstruction

3 and gave each his inheritance. And he is your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Adam, [and over] his [inheritance] he has made you ruler. And you, 4 honor him in this: by making yourself holy for him, as he has set you as a holy of holies [for all] the world, and among all the [gods] 5 he has cast your lot, and your glory he has made very great. And he has set you for himself as a firstborn among […] … […] 6 “and my goodness I will give to you.” And you, is not my goodness yours? And in my faithfulness walk continually […]

160–60 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in 4Q418

References

“... With the citation of Numbers 20:18 a deliberate change to the biblical text is made. Where Numbers has “I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites,” 4Q418 81 has, instead, “your share your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Adam”. Now this might be thought to support Elgvin’s view that a prerogative of the priesthood has been “democratised” or given a universalist perspective. However, here and in the expression “for the holy of holies for all the earth”, there is the cultic cosmology that we would expect from priestly tradition. ...”

Crispin H. T. Fletcher-Louis, All the Glory of Adam: Liturgical Anthropology in the Dead Sea Scrolls, STDJ 42 (Leiden: Brill, 2002), 180.

“... This passage describes the elect status of the addressee. He is separated from “every spirit of flesh” (ll. 1-2). The statement “He is your portion and your inheritance” of 4Q418 81 3 is reasonably considered an allusion to Num 18:20. This text recounts the special allotment accorded to priests (cf. Ezek 44:28). Strugnell and Harrington suggest that the intended audience of 4QInstruction possesses “a priestly or quasi-priestly authority.” There is not enough evidence to conclude that the mebin is a priest. ...”

Matthew J. Goff, Discerning Wisdom: The Sapiential Literature of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Leiden: Brill, 2007), 38.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

Fragments 81+81a

4Q418306 chapters

Compare Numbers 18:20 and 4Q418 81 3

Summary

Passages

Numbers 18:20

4Q418 81 3

References

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