This book contributes to the rethinking of the Dead Sea Scrolls as an essential and integral part of Judaism in the Greco-Roman period. The Qumran manuscripts attest to the reconfiguration of Jewish wisdom concepts in this period. Strikingly, reflection on time as the organizing principle behind all of reality is formative for these emerging concepts, which are expressed by the enigmatic phrase rāz nihyeh. The secret of time invites us to venture beyond existing categorizations and explore a rich conceptual framework that is manifested across a wide range of texts, beyond generic categories, and overcoming the sectarian divide.

This book explores how Jewish traditions of wisdom are being reshaped in the Greco-Roman period and demonstrates that reflection on time as an organizing principle is formative for emerging wisdom concepts, which are expressed by the enigmatic phrase rāz nihyeh.

"This volume both reflects on the contested nature of the Wisdom Literature category and takes advantage of the opportunities it presents for reconsidering the concept of wisdom more independently from it. The first half explores wisdom as a concept, with essays on its relationship to skill, epistemology, virtue, theology, and order in the Hebrew Bible, its meaning in related cultures, from Egypt and Mesopotamia to Patristic and Rabbinic interpretation, and, finally, its continuing relevance the modern world, including in Islamic, Jewish, and Christian thought, and from feminist, environmental, and other contextual perspectives. The latter half considers "Wisdom Literature" as a category. Scholars address its relation to the Solomonic Collection, its social setting, literary genres, chronological development, and theology. Wisdom Literature's relation to other biblical literature (law, history, prophecy, apocalyptic, and the broad question of "Wisdom influence") is then discussed before separate chapters on the texts commonly associated with the category. Contributors take a variety of approaches to the current debates surrounding the viability and value of the Wisdom Literature category and its proper relationship to the concept of wisdom in the Hebrew Bible. Though the organization of the volume highlights the independence of wisdom as concept from "Wisdom Literature" as category, seeking to counter the lack of attention given to this question in the traditional approach, the inclusion of both topics together in the same volume reflects their continued interconnection. As such, this handbook both represents the current state of Wisdom scholarship and sets the stage for future developments"--

This is a comprehensive edition of Hebrew hymns composed by Eleazar the Babylonian, a prolific composer and scholar who lived in 13th-century Baghdad. His poetic language and style show much affinity with contemporary Sufism.

Exposing the truth behind the Dead Sea Scrolls, known as 'the academic scandal of the twentieth century'. The Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed in 1947, and were quickly hailed as the greatest cultural discovery of the twentieth century. They can tell us a great deal about how to read and interpret the Bible as well as throwing light on the origins of the literary and philosophical traditions of the Western world. Ensuring the Scrolls are understood correctly is the urgent duty of the scholarly world. But this is not happening. Instead, there is procrastination, intrigue and secrecy surrounding their publication. Robert Feather seeks to clarify what they really say and how they illuminate a sound interpretation of the Bible. He levels many criticisms about the archaeological methods, the political complexities, and the obscure procedures of the scholarly community which brought the Scrolls to light. He argues that it is time for some courageous truth telling about the mystery that surrounds the Scrolls to this day. 'Robert Feather presents an incisive and informed view of a complex controversy and - never lacking in courage - reveals a secret agenda that persists as a barrier to free access to the Dead Sea Scrolls' - Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, authors of The Forbidden Universe and The Templar Revelation

This work examines the approach to time in ancient Hebrew literature, beginning with the Bible and concluding with the first century CE, the latest possible time frame for the Scrolls. The volume discusses issues of terminology, substance and ideology.