Messianic Motifs of Qumran and the New Testament

Abstract

The relationship between the New Testament and the Qumran Literature is much more basic and fundamental than occasional words and phrases reminiscent of one another; for the messianic motifs of the Qumran Community are combined, modified, and adapted in the New Testament portrayal of Jesus the Christ. As we here use the term Messianic, we intend to include all that relates to the great eschatological figures of the sect, the Teacher of Righteousness, the coming prophet like unto Moses, and the two Messiahs of Aaron and Israel.

The Suffering Servant between the Testaments

“…29 If so, this is a case where the speaker not only identified himself with the servant, but specifically with the suffering servant, though no mention is made of atoning suffering per se. 3, 4, the use of the same Hebrew words for 'diseases' and 'stricken' in both, and the presence of a clear allusion to Isa 50.…”

“…4 later in the Hymn provide sufficient grounds for believing that the author of the Hymn had the fourth servant song in mind here. 29 If so, this is a case where the speaker not only identified himself with the servant, but specifically with the suffering servant, though no mention is made of atoning suffering per se. It would seem that the Qumran sectaries, and perhaps their founder particularly, saw themselves as occupying the role of the servant, and interpreted their suffering in this light.…”