The Qumran Pesharim and Targum Jonathan to the Prophets

Abstract

Abstract This article argues that the Qumran pesharim and TgJon originate from a common, though internally varied, elite intellectual tradition with a priestly character. This tradition developed particular interests, e.g. messianism and eschatology, and transmitted individual textual and interpretative traditions. As it appears, this tradition has pre-70 CE roots, but continued after the destruction of the temple. Both the Qumran commentaries and TgJon reflect the interests of this priestly tradition and incorporate some of its textual and exegetical traditions, though not through literary dependence.