IV.

Historical Import

Allusions have been found in the scrolls to figures and events of the Hellenistic and early Roman periods of Jewish history (3rd to 1st centuries bc). For example, a commentary on the Book of Nahum mentions a figure named Demetrius and seems to refer to an incident in 88 bc recorded by Josephus. It involved Demetrius III, king of Syria, and Alexander Jannaeus, the Hasmonaean (Maccabean) king. Similarly, repeated allusions to a persecuted teacher of righteousness have variously been thought to refer to such religious figures as the last legitimate Jewish high priest, Onias III, who was deposed in 175 bc; the Maccabean leaders Mattathias, the high priest, and his son the military leader Judas Maccabeus; and Menahem, leader of the Zealots in ad 66. Attempts have also been made to trace allusions, specifically those mentioning a “wicked priest” and “man of lies,” to certain notorious figures such as the sacrilegious Jewish high priest Menelaus; Antiochus IV, king of Syria; the Maccabean leader John Hyrcanus; and Alexander Jannaeus. All these identifications are tentative, however, and scholarly opinions on the subject vary dramatically. See also Maccabees (family).

The various biblical manuscripts found among the scrolls offer a text several centuries older than that of the traditional Masora, and they occasionally corroborate readings preserved in the Greek Septuagint and other ancient versions. They are consequently an invaluable aid in establishing the original text of the Hebrew Scriptures.