[B-Greek] Dead Sea Scrolls and Influence on Understanding the NT text
George F. Somsel
gfsomsel at juno.com
Fri Aug 27 23:12:18 EDT 2004
On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 22:15:21 -0400 "Carl W. Conrad"
<cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu> writes:
> At 8:23 PM -0400 8/27/04, Alexis Sherwood wrote:
> >My question is what influence, if any, the Dead Sea Scrolls has on
> >interpreting/translating the NT. I have not researched anything on
> the
> >validity or worth of these scrolls so please forgive my ignorance
> but after
> >lurking on the site for about a month I know that you will give me
> (and
> >perhaps others) valuable insight. Thank you.
>
> Unless it can be shown what impact the Dead Sea Scrolls may have
> upon the
> Greek text of the NT, this question lies outside the parameters of
> appropriate BG discussion--but if a linkage between the DSS and the
> GNT CAN
> be shown--with regard to one or more specific textual passages,
> let's have
> any responses.
> --
Since most of the DSS material is in Hebrew or Aramaic, it obviously ***
could not be in the understanding of any particular phenomena in Greek
*** such as the papyri provide. There are some variations in the text
which would indicate that the OT texts were not "carved in stone" but
rather existed in examples which would give rise to the LXX and to the MT
in some cases (There are also some cases where the Sam. Pent. reading is
represented).
Some examples of apocalyptic writings were also found represented. We
were already aware of most of these though there is speculation (not
unfounded) that our previous examples were modified by Christian sources.
This at least shows that they were currently known. Also, there are
some apocalyptic writings which are peculiar to Qumran. I suppose the
contribution of these texts to our understanding of the NT would lie in
the intellectual and religious mileau of the time. Even in that area
there are many unanswered, and perhaps unanswerable, questions.
Then there was considerable speculation in some quarters (more earlier
than now) regarding the possible relation of John the Baptist and even
Jesus to the Qumran group. While I wouldn't categorically deny the
possibility of some relationship, I don't see that we have any evidence
that such was the case.
In all though, I would say that the DSS are more significant for the
understanding of the text of the OT. Further discussion of the DSS is
probably best reserved for the b-hebrew list or the ANE list (unless you
happen to be recognized in the field of the DSS, then you might consider
g-megillot; but then you wouldn't be asking this question).
george
gfsomsel
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