I agree with Ian and Greg that there is no real basis for interpreting 1QSb as addressed to the high priest. On Greg's comments on 1QSa, I think there's a pretty good case to be made that both priestly and lay messiahs are referred to, as conventionally interpreted. Most superficially, other Serekh texts distinguish the Messiahs of Aaron and Israel. But also, the (priestly) Messiah seems particularly associated with the "[sons] of Aaron, the priests" at 1QSa ii 11-13, while the "[Me]ssiah of Israel" is especially associated with the "chiefs [of the clans of Israel]... in their camps and in their marches." This latter figure appears to be a military messiah; the "camps" here are the mobile camps of the deployed legions -- I don't think the term royal messiah can be justified by the context. Military matters of course figure large in 1QSa, especially throughout column i. The relevant comparison to the two Messiahs in 1QSa appears to be 1QM ii-ix, wherein the high priest serves in the temple (ii 1-3) and the prince of the congregation commands the army in the field (v 1). One could of course argue that in 1QM xiii-xix the high priest also serves as commander-in-chief. But in this primitive early section of 1QM one lacks the advanced serekh terminology or military organization seen throughout 1QSa. 1QSa appears contemporary with the "tactica" of 1QM ii-ix, where priestly and military leaders appear separately.
Best regards, Russell Gmirkin > On a separate matter, it has been held unanimously (so far > as I know) in all discussions that 1QSa refers to two > figures, a high priest and a royal messiah. I have also > studied this point and have wondered if this too is a > mistaken reading of that text, and there is no royal messiah in > 1QSa at all. 1QSa may refer simply to the entrance of the > high priest, who sits, blesses, etc. followed by others who sit > after him. The 'anointed one of Israel' has been assumed to > be the 'royal messiah', a figure distinct from the high priest, but > I think that is textually very questionable. The 'anointed one of > Israel' appears to me to read better as simply the high priest > himself, and there is no second personal figure. For private reply, e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from Orion, e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: "unsubscribe Orion." Archives are on the Orion Web site, http://orion.mscc.huji.ac.il. (PLEASE REMOVE THIS TRAILER BEFORE REPLYING TO THE MESSAGE)