G. Brooke

Abstract: "From Qumran to Corinth: Veiled Allusions to Women's Authority"

George J. Brooke

Amongst many other issues in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 two matters remain much debated. The first is a general issue. In insisting on women having their heads covered, was Paul encouraging the observance of Jewish or Greek customary practice? The second is a matter of detail. What is the most suitable way of understanding and interpreting 'exousia' in this context? Many of the scholarly arguments concerning both of these issues are well known, and several studies have appealed to the Dead Sea Scrolls for a better appreciation of what may be involved. This short paper will attempt to clarify the issues through reference to 4Q270 7 i 13-15. The principal edition of this manuscript of the Damascus Document (4QDe) by J.M. Baumgarten was published in 1996. Baumgarten translates the relevant section: '[One who murmur]s against the fathers [shall be expelled] from the congregation and not return; [if] it is against the mothers, he shall be penalized for ten days, since the mothers do not have authoritative staus (?) within [the congregation.' This passage will be exploited to cast light on the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and will illustrate how the Dead Sea Scrolls can be used for the better understanding of the New Testament.

(c) 2001
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