Description
This is the first major commentary in English on Pesher Habakkuk for forty years. It elucidates the nature of 1QpHab as the earliest commentary on the prophecy of Habakkuk by a detailed study of the biblical quotation and sectarian interpretation. This commentary provides a new edition of the scroll, including new readings, and detailed palaeographical, philological, exegetical and historical notes and discussion. It shows that the pesherist imitates the allusive style of the oracles of Habakkuk and also draws on lexemes, phrases, and themes from other biblical texts and Jewish sources. It shows that the pesherist identified the Kittim with the Romans who conquered Judaea in 63 BCE, and suggests that the scroll refers to several righteous and wicked figures, including the last Hasmonean high priests.
About the Author
Timothy H. Lim is Professor of Hebrew Bible & Second Temple Judaism, University of Edinburgh. He is a world- renowned expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls and canon research. In 2018, he was the Seymour Gitin Distinguished Professor at the W.F. Albright Institute for Archaeological Research, Jerusalem.
Reviews
...offers plenty of food for thought and rich source for those already familiar with the Pesher of Habakkuk and its research. * Jutta Jokiranta, University of Helsinki *
Graduate courses and seminars on the reception of sacred writings in the Second Temple period will be greatly enriched by Lim's careful analyses from the textual minutiae to the broader historical contexts and theological themes. * Julian C. Chike, University of Notre Dame, Bulletin for Biblical Research *
The commentary proper, comprising 130 pages, contains a reconstruction of the Hebrew text, an English translation, and a brief annotated bibliography, followed by extensive technical notes and a few paragraphs of commentary for each unit. All this is lucidly written with judicious references to the leading scholarly discussions of pertinent subjects. The volume strikes a fine balance, as it is both richly informed with the very best and most recent scholarship yet presented in a manner accessible to nonspecialists. * Daniel M. Gurtner, Crestwood, Kentucky, Religious Studies Review *
I want to celebrate Timothy's achievement in two dimensions. First, he is the series editor for the Oxford Commentary on the Dead Sea Scrolls (to which I am contributing the commentary on the Hodayot). This project will go a long way toward supplying the kind of studies we so desperately need. Second, he has set us all a good (indeed an intimidating) example in producing such a fine first volume in the series. * Carol Newsom, Candler School of Theology, Emory University *
This is an excellent work. [...] For theological colleges, it may be of great interest when discussing NT backgrounds and methods of interpreting Scripture contemporary to the NT. * Philip D. Foster, Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology *
Lim's commentary is an important contribution to scholarship on the Dead Sea Scrolls and on the pesharim in particular. Its approach is understated, but has philological sophistication. Here is a fresh way of noting the enduring resonances of the prophetic text, as the ancient commentator builds his own insights on those of the Teacher. * George J. Brooke, Dead Sea Discoveries *
...succinctly covers many relevant topics both about the scroll itself and its interpretation. * H.G.M. Williamson, Society for Old Testament Study Book List *
... there is much of value in The Earliest Commentary on the Prophecy of Habakkuk for scholars from many different subfields. It is a fitting way to launch the Oxford Commentary on the Dead Sea Scrolls (of which Lim is also the series editor), and readers who benefit from this volume will doubtless be looking forward to future releases in this series. * David J. Fuller, Review of Biblical Literature *
The Earliest Commentary on the Prophecy of Habakkuk is an accessible and indispensable resource for those engaged in work on the pesharim or the wider interpretive traditions of the Second Temple period... Lim as author and general editor of the series is to be congratulated. * Michael Devries, Journal of Jewish Studies *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198714118
Author Timothy H. Lim
Format Hardback
Page Count 196
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 161mm * 20mm
About the Author
Timothy H. Lim is Professor of Hebrew Bible & Second Temple Judaism, University of Edinburgh. He is a world- renowned expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls and canon research. In 2018, he was the Seymour Gitin Distinguished Professor at the W.F. Albright Institute for Archaeological Research, Jerusalem.
Reviews
...offers plenty of food for thought and rich source for those already familiar with the Pesher of Habakkuk and its research. * Jutta Jokiranta, University of Helsinki *
Graduate courses and seminars on the reception of sacred writings in the Second Temple period will be greatly enriched by Lim's careful analyses from the textual minutiae to the broader historical contexts and theological themes. * Julian C. Chike, University of Notre Dame, Bulletin for Biblical Research *
The commentary proper, comprising 130 pages, contains a reconstruction of the Hebrew text, an English translation, and a brief annotated bibliography, followed by extensive technical notes and a few paragraphs of commentary for each unit. All this is lucidly written with judicious references to the leading scholarly discussions of pertinent subjects. The volume strikes a fine balance, as it is both richly informed with the very best and most recent scholarship yet presented in a manner accessible to nonspecialists. * Daniel M. Gurtner, Crestwood, Kentucky, Religious Studies Review *
I want to celebrate Timothy's achievement in two dimensions. First, he is the series editor for the Oxford Commentary on the Dead Sea Scrolls (to which I am contributing the commentary on the Hodayot). This project will go a long way toward supplying the kind of studies we so desperately need. Second, he has set us all a good (indeed an intimidating) example in producing such a fine first volume in the series. * Carol Newsom, Candler School of Theology, Emory University *
This is an excellent work. [...] For theological colleges, it may be of great interest when discussing NT backgrounds and methods of interpreting Scripture contemporary to the NT. * Philip D. Foster, Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology *
Lim's commentary is an important contribution to scholarship on the Dead Sea Scrolls and on the pesharim in particular. Its approach is understated, but has philological sophistication. Here is a fresh way of noting the enduring resonances of the prophetic text, as the ancient commentator builds his own insights on those of the Teacher. * George J. Brooke, Dead Sea Discoveries *
...succinctly covers many relevant topics both about the scroll itself and its interpretation. * H.G.M. Williamson, Society for Old Testament Study Book List *
... there is much of value in The Earliest Commentary on the Prophecy of Habakkuk for scholars from many different subfields. It is a fitting way to launch the Oxford Commentary on the Dead Sea Scrolls (of which Lim is also the series editor), and readers who benefit from this volume will doubtless be looking forward to future releases in this series. * David J. Fuller, Review of Biblical Literature *
The Earliest Commentary on the Prophecy of Habakkuk is an accessible and indispensable resource for those engaged in work on the pesharim or the wider interpretive traditions of the Second Temple period... Lim as author and general editor of the series is to be congratulated. * Michael Devries, Journal of Jewish Studies *
Book Information
ISBN 9780198714118
Author Timothy H. Lim
Format Hardback
Page Count 196
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 161mm * 20mm
