Abstract
This essay highlights two long-standing and persisting methodological problems
attending scholarly discussion of liturgical texts found at Qumran, presenting a
range of insights drawn from genre theory as means by which these problems
can be overcome. A close examination of a definition of prayer which has been
operative in this sub-field of Qumran scholarship for over a quarter of a century
reveals the inadequacy of current methods, in particular an over-reliance on
static definitions and adherence to overly rigid categorizations on the basis of
formal characteristics. A survey of engagement with modern genre theory at
once highlights the shortcomings of these approaches and suggests constructive
avenues for future research. An emphasis on the analysis of intertextual relation-
ships through comparison of material, textual and literary features is advocated,
and this approach is illustrated through a study of 4Q381 15 and Psalms 86 and
89, as attested in 1Q10, 4Q87 and 4Q98g.
attending scholarly discussion of liturgical texts found at Qumran, presenting a
range of insights drawn from genre theory as means by which these problems
can be overcome. A close examination of a definition of prayer which has been
operative in this sub-field of Qumran scholarship for over a quarter of a century
reveals the inadequacy of current methods, in particular an over-reliance on
static definitions and adherence to overly rigid categorizations on the basis of
formal characteristics. A survey of engagement with modern genre theory at
once highlights the shortcomings of these approaches and suggests constructive
avenues for future research. An emphasis on the analysis of intertextual relation-
ships through comparison of material, textual and literary features is advocated,
and this approach is illustrated through a study of 4Q381 15 and Psalms 86 and
89, as attested in 1Q10, 4Q87 and 4Q98g.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 11–47 |
| Number of pages | 36 |
| Journal | Advances in Ancient Biblical and Near Eastern Research |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |