Orphans in the Dead Sea Scrolls

Gideon R Kotzé

doi:10.4102/hts.v72i4.3271

Abstract

This study investigates the literary references to orphans in writings amongst the Qumran texts that were written in Hebrew and can be associated with the sectarian Qumran movement. The study focuses on passages where forms of the word יתום are used. These include the Damascus Document (CD 6:16–17), Hodayot (1QHa 13:22) and Barkhi Nafshia (4Q434 1 i 2). The investigation concludes that the references to orphans in these passages do not have the same rhetorical functions. In CD 6, the wordings of authoritative scriptures are adapted to portray orphans and widows as the victims of wrongdoing. In 1QHa and 4Q434, however, orphans are mentioned in hymns that praise the Lord’s positive treatment of needy people

Highlights

Orphans are often mentioned in the literature of the ancient Near East, including the writings of the Hebrew Bible.1 These fatherless and/or parentless children did not own landed property or inherit ancestral real estate and, could not make a living off the land
The study has taken historical, literary and religious elements of the wordings in three Hebrew texts associated with the Qumran movement into consideration in its examination of their references to orphans
The study does not present exhaustive treatments of the rhetorical acts, it shows that orphans do not feature in exactly the same way in the Damascus Document, Hodayot and Barkhi Nafshia

Summary

Introduction

Orphans are often mentioned in the literature of the ancient Near East, including the writings of the Hebrew Bible. These fatherless and/or parentless children did not own landed property or inherit ancestral real estate and, could not make a living off the land. Orphans are often mentioned in the literature of the ancient Near East, including the writings of the Hebrew Bible.1 These fatherless and/or parentless children did not own landed property or inherit ancestral real estate and, could not make a living off the land. The loss of their fathers meant that orphans were left without an economic base on which to subsist and without the support of a familial network (cf Simkins 2014:28). It is presented as the will of the gods, the virtue of kings and the duty of people to provide for these children (Fensham 1962:129, 137).

Objectives

Conclusion