jan 1, 25 BC - 1QH^a

Description:

Paleographically, 1QH^a—the largest and most complete copy of the Hodayot—is the youngest manuscript of the hymns, dating to the early Herodian period, about 30-1 BCE. The scroll seems to have been copied by two or three different scribes (designated A, B, and C).

The Hodayot (or "Thanksgiving Hymns") are a collection of psalm-like hymns of praise written by the DSS sectarian community. They derive their name from the phrase “I thank you, Lord” (ʾôdəkâ ʾădônāy), which opens many of the compositions in the collection. There appear to be two distinct collections of Hodayot hymns: one associated with the Teacher of Righteousness, an early leader within the sectarian community (called the "Teacher Hymns"), and the other associated with the general community of the sect (called the "Community Hymns," which is further subdivided into two groups, CH I and CH II). Taken together, the Hodayot hymns praise the sovereignty and power of God, and frequently espouse the election and special status of the sectarian community and its membership.

Image: top part of 1QH^a col. 17; see a fuller image and other photographs of the Hodayot at http://orion.mscc.huji.ac.il/cave/megila4.shtml

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