Wisdom Text
1Q26, 4QWisda=4Q410 & 4Q412-413,
4QWisdBa-b=4Q415, 4QWisdAa-d=4Q416-419,
4QRighta-b=4Q420-421, 4Qfarmer=4Q423
Paraphrase and comments by Tyler Harris, Jenn Parrish, &
Carrie Jones
Introduction
A composition of wisdom and instruction, which Wise,
Abegg, and Cook title "The Secret of the
Way Things Are," reveals the inflexible purposes of God. Full of
words of instruction and consequences, the text reveals how life
should be lived. This can be seen in numerous fragments but none
are more apparent then 4Q419 frag.1 when paraphrased states
"carry out my deeds, following my guidelines". In addition
fragment 4Q418 col. 2 reveals, one's actions will be weighed in
the palm of His hand. Thus, indicating individuals who live
their life following Gods commandments will be allowed into
heaven. The consequences for sinners is written clearly in 4Q416
frag. 1, stating "For those who have engaged in sin will be
fearful as judgement day approaches and even the darkest depths
of Hell will be terrified". Although specific examples of right
and wrong are not given, The Secret of the Was things Are gives a
general overview of finding personal wisdom and using that to
become a righteous human who will make the rectified choices in
life.
Paraphrase
4Q410 Frag. 1
....1....2[...if you] breach any of
the ...3...4 curses will adhere to you
5 ...and tranquility will elude you consequently
...6...what is absolutely promising and what is
detrimental...7...forever.
Presently, I, with [the assistance of the
Lord] essence...8...he will be truthful
...9 The prophecy regards [...], the dream entails
details of the dwelling, for I have envisioned [...]
4Q412 Frag.1
...5 Inflict correction on your tongue, and on
your speech. [...]6 Reflect on holy thoughts. [...]
to individuals striving [...] 7 Constantly glorify
[God...] you will quiver [and shiver] 8 Exalt His
persona...9 the entire congregation...from dusk to
dawn [...]
4Q413 Frag.1
Instruction and [intuition] and I will educate you. Now
understand the ways of man and the deeds of humanity. He will
develop wisdom from His truth, and the refusal of sin,
3 [and] shall not be influenced by circumstances seen
or heard. And now, 4 mercy ...of the founding
fathers, and subsequent generations, as God has planned.
4Q415 Frag.6
The elements of man 2 You are impoverished, and
...3 you are inadequate in your acquaintance Test
these things by the secret of the way things are [...]
5 from the source and by the influence.
4Q415 Frag. 9
[Do not let your thoughts reside] 6 on
Foolishness, do not follow the horde of [evil]...obtain
knowledge, for 7 by it He created it, for knowledge is
the allowance of the [macrocosm]...she constituted them,
8 simultaneously, the dominance of man with [women]
her soul, dominance is a component of her, for [...]
10 if one has unequal [...] 11 In harmony
[...men and] women, and in the scheme of [life].
4Q416 Frag.1
[...] and to gauge His desire...3 day by
day...4 corresponding to their multitude, [necessary]
5 and its empire hear...6 in accordance to
the will of their host and the master of the stars He has
promulgated 8 through their character and attributes
9 Between and all their great amount [...] He has
counted...
He will critique evil's deeds, but all
those whose hearts resides in truth He will honor 11
For those who have engaged in sin will be fearful as judgement
day approaches.12 Even the darkest depths will be
terrified, and all the spirits of flesh will strip naked, and the
heavenly followers [...] 13 At the time of justice
all malignant deeds will vanish, and the epoch of righteousness
will be absolute.14 And for infinity, for the He is
the God of truth, and for all times, 15 So one's soul
will differentiate between right and wrong [...] 16 it
is the desire of the id, and those who comprehend...
4Q417 Frag.1 Col.1
[Verbalize softly to a leader] 1 always, for
fear he commands you; one's tone should conform to his manner,
[he...] 2 without consequences. When congenial, seek,
but when argued remain detached. 3 do not cause grief,
because you utter...quickly relate his criticism, but do not
overlook your sins...5 for he is equivalent of you,
for he is [...his wishes] he will act, for he is unparalleled in
every action... 7 of his actions. On the day of
judgement, his demeanor will be in accordance, with him [walk].
4Q418 Frag. 77
[...] the secret of the way things are, and master the
essence of life and consider at his abilities 3
experience has molded him. Only then, can one conceive the
pureness of a man's spirit and burden of his [self-discipline]
4 his soul, and master the answers of the unknown, the
force of the period and the standard of [things to be judged].
4Q418 Frag. 123 Col. 2
[...] 2 From the beginning to the end of
time...3 all the events that occurred, why things
were, the way they were and all lead to an unknown, [future].
4 The time that God exposes, the answers to the
unknown, too, those who listen...5 You will be one of
the few, to be able to conceive, when I present you with the
[answers] 6 Your actions will be weighted in the palm
of my hand along with time...7 Cherish greatly, the
lessons learned [...].
4Q419 Frag. 1
[...] carry out my deeds, following my guidelines [...]
2 given to you through Moses, and should be obeyed...
Through his ministers, for they poses the [promise] 4
Moses will make public which is His and [what] 5 From
Aaron's descendant's, he will select...6 His paths and
to verge on [the flames] which mollifies...7 and He
passed on... to those who followed Him 8 and He
ordered [...] 9 the seat of honor exhilarated in
splendor [...] 10 His magnificence, will stand of all
time, as will his life...11 you will seek, and the
abomination of impurity...13 In turn for loving, they
will wallow...ways.
4Q420 Frag. 1 Col. 2
[...] all must be considered before a response is rendered
2 and an answer will not be given, until all is
pondered, after fortitude he will respond [humbly] 3
he will convey...and will strive to find truthfulness and
fairness, and morality 4 He will find its roots [...]
and his reason will be modest and passive, He will not look
back...5 He will not be achieved through manual labor;
this will produce a neutralization [within] through sagacity
...] poisons. Stretching to all corners of the world searching
for honorable actions.
4Q421 Frag.1 Col 2
Only the knowledgeable and intuitive man, "modest in his
stature will chide his teacher, to follow in the foot steps of
their God, 3 I am the virtuous one..."
References
Abegg, M., Wise, M., Cook,E. (1996). The Dead Sea
Scrolls. San Francisco: CA, Harper Collins.
Martinez, G.F. (1996). The Dead Sea Scrolls
Translated. Leiden: NY. Wm. B.Eerdmans.
Vermes, G. (1997). The Complete DSS in English. New
York: NY. Allen Lane, The Pegrum Press.
November 23,1998
prepared for
Intro. to the Hebrew Bible
by Tyler Harris, Jenn Parrish, & Carrie Jones
JonesT@albnet.alb.edu