Shaping text through song : the influence of singing upon processes of textual interpretation and variation in the Dead Sea Scrolls / Jonathan M. Darby.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Darby, Jonathan M., author.

Series:

Biblical Studies, Ancient Near East and Early Christianity E-Books Online, Collection 2026.

Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah ; 156.

Biblical Studies, Ancient Near East and Early Christianity E-Books Online, Collection 2026

Studies on the Texts of the Desert of Judah ; 156

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Reformation texts with translation (1350-1650). Biblical studies.

Reformation texts with translation (1350-1650).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (237 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2026]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book explores the influential role played by singing as a performative medium within processes of textual interpretation and variation during the late Second Temple Period, as reflected in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Singing is argued to be a prominent and widespread mode of performance, and a medium which exerted considerable influence within and upon processes of textual composition, interpretation and transmission. These complex processes result in the variation of textual forms, meaning that sung performance contributed to the widespread pluriformity of textual traditions, including those that were eventually codified in the scriptural canons of Judaism and Christianity.

Contents:

Front Cover

‎Half-Title Page

‎Series Title Page

‎Title Page

‎Copyright Page

‎Contents

‎Acknowledgements

‎Tables

‎Abbreviations

‎Part 1. Introduction

‎Chapter 1. Introduction

‎1. Methodology

‎1.1. Selection of Case Studies

‎1.2. Terminology Related to Singing

‎1.3. Definition of Terms for the Purpose of This Study

‎1.3.1. Focus on Singing

‎1.3.2. Use of the Term "Variant"

‎1.3.3. Brief Note on Capitalisation of the Word "Psalms"

‎2. Overview of Structure and Argument

‎3. Contribution to Scholarship

‎Chapter 2. Issues Arising from Previous Scholarship

‎1. Introduction

‎2. Singing in the Dead Sea Scrolls

‎3. Problems of Terminology and Categorisation

‎3.1. Liturgical Function and the Re-Use of "Biblical" Terminology

‎3.2. Further Problems of Definition and Categorisation

‎4. Liturgical Singing and Its Settings

‎5. Graeco-Roman Associations as Contexts for Singing

‎6. Angelic-Priestly Identity and Communion

‎7. Chapter Two Conclusions

‎Part 2. Theoretical Frameworks

‎Chapter 3. Influencing Textual Variation: Key Theories

‎2. Textual Variation in the Dead Sea Scrolls

‎3. Interpreting Textual Variation: "Contours in the Text"

‎4. Theories of Orality and Textuality

‎5. Influencing Textual Variation: Scribal Formation

‎6. Singing and Textual Transmission in New Testament Studies

‎7. Chapter Three Conclusions

‎Chapter 4. The Interaction between Sung Performance and Text: A Musicological Perspective

‎2. Musicology and Orality Studies

‎3. Music, Language, and Speech

‎4. The Interaction of Music and Text in the Compositional Process

‎5. The Musicality of Speech: An Empirical Perspective

‎6. Defining "Singing" in View of the Musicality of Speech.

‎7. Implications for the Study of Textual Variety Among the Dead Sea Scrolls

‎8. Chapter Four Conclusions

‎Chapter 5. The Function of Singing in Psalm 154 and David's Compositions

‎2. Psalm 154/Syriac Psalm II (11Q5 XVIII, 1-19)

‎2.1. Terminology and Parallels with Isaiah 60

‎2.2. Closer Consideration of Verse 12

‎2.3. References to Singing in Psalm 154 and the Question of Metaphor

‎3. Material Features of 11QPsa and Liturgical Function

‎4. David's Compositions (11Q5 XXVII, 2-11)

‎4.1. Sacrifice at Qumran?

‎5. Chapter Five Conclusions

‎Chapter 6. Functions of Singing in the Second and Seventh Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice

‎2. The Second Song of the Sabbath Sacrifice: Human Praise as a Counterpart to Angelic Praise (4Q400 2)

‎3. The Seventh Song of the Sabbath Sacrifice: Singing and Meditation in "The Cycle of Summons" (4Q403 1 I, 36-37)

‎3.1. Literary Context: 4Q403 and the Cycle of Summons

‎3.2. Material Aspects of 4Q403 and Related Manuscripts

‎3.3. Semantic Range of Key Terms: ‮רנן‬‎

‎3.4. Reconstruction and Translation of Line 36

‎3.5. The Semantic Range of ‮הגה‬‎

‎3.6. Semantic Overlap between ‮רנן‬‎ and ‮הגה‬‎ in Lines 36-37

‎3.7. Parallels in the Hebrew Bible and Related Literature

‎3.8. Singing and Meditation: Conclusions

‎4. Chapter Six Conclusions

‎Chapter 7. Analysing Textual Variants in Psalm Manuscripts

‎2. Theorising Types of Textual Adaptation Due to Singing

‎2.1. "Micro" and "Macro" Adaptations

‎2.2. Establishing Criteria and the Possible Impact of Singing: Comparative Evidence from Codex Alexandrinus

‎2.2.1. Example One: Luke 1:77/Odes 9:77

‎2.2.2. Example Two: Luke 2:14/Odes 14:1-3

‎2.2.3. Example Three: Luke 1:78/Odes 9:78.

‎2.3. Larger Scale Adaptations ("Macro Variation") and Musical Interpretation

‎3. Variation Related to Liturgical Function among the Dead Sea Scrolls

‎3.1. Example One: Psalm 86 MT, Psalm 85 LXX and 4Q381

‎3.2. Example Two: Jeremiah 20 MT and Barkhi Nafshi (4Q434)

‎3.3. Example Three: Psalm 106 MT and 4Q380

‎3.4. Increased Variation among Dead Sea Psalms Scrolls in General

‎4. Textual Variation in Psalm 33

‎5. Further Examples of Variation Related to Liturgical Function

‎5.1. Psalm 67:7-8 MT, Psalm 66:7-8 LXX and 4Q83

‎5.2. Psalm 92:5 MT, Psalm 91:5 LXX and 4Q84

‎6. Chapter Seven Conclusions

‎Chapter 8. Conclusions

‎1. Singing as a Means of Textual Engagement and Transmission

‎2. Singing and Interpretation

‎3. Textual Variation Resulting from Singing

‎4. Concluding Statement

‎5. Avenues for Future Research

‎Bibliography

‎Index of Ancient Sources

‎Hebrew Bible

‎Dead Sea Scrolls

‎New Testament

‎Other Second Temple Literature

‎Index of Modern Authors

‎Subject Index

Back Cover.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

90-04-74934-9

9789004749344

OCLC:

1561170332

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004749344 DOI