Guide
What Is Rule of the Blessings?
2nd Century BCE–1st Century CE
Restricted
The Rule of the Blessings (1QSb) appears at the end of the scroll of the Community Rule found in Cave 1 at Qumran (1QS). It contains the text of blessings to be recited by the “Instructor,” the head of the Qumran community (called the Yahad), first for the community as a whole and then for the high priest. The blessings for the high priest have eschatological overtones, with references to the priest’s eternal kingship and a great battle in which the righteous will overcome the wicked and the whole world will be subdued, leading some to conclude that these blessings were intended for the messianic age.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Qumran Blessings
Rule of the Blessings 1:1–3:21
Words of blessi[ng]. Of the Instructor. To bless those who fear [God, do] his will, keep his commandments, remain constant in his holy co[ven]ant and walk with perfection [on all the paths…
Related Guide
What Are the Dead Sea Scrolls?
2nd Century BCE–1st Century CE
Found in caves in the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea Scrolls preserve the writings of an ancient Jewish sect.