Civic ideology, organization, and law in the rule scrolls : a comparative study of the covenanters' sect and contemporary voluntary associations in political context / / by Yonder Moynihan Gillihan.

• Superior document: Studies on the texts of the desert of Judah, v. 97
• Author: Gillihan, Yonder Moynihan.
• Year of Publication: 2012
• Language: English
• Series: Studies on the texts of the desert of Judah ; v. 97.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (614 p.)
• Notes: Revised version of author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, 2007.
• Other title: Preliminary Material /; Introduction /; Civic Ideology and Associational Formation /; The Damascus Rule: A Politeia for the Righteous Remnant of Israel in the Evil Age (CD A [CD 1–16], CD B [CD 19–20]; 4QDa–h [4Q266–273]) /; The Community Rule: Statutes for the Council of the Yaḥad (1QS || 4QSa–j [4Q255–264], 4Q275, 4Q279) /; The Rule for the Congregation: A Politeia for Restored Israel at the End of Days (1QSA || 4QSEa-i [4Q249a-i]) /; Conclusion and Synopsis /; Bibliography /; Index of Modern Authors /; Index of Ancient Sources /
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
• ISBN: 128329236X; 9786613292360; 9004212183
• ISSN: 0169-9962
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: by Yonder Moynihan Gillihan.

Over the past sixty years, several studies have demonstrated that the Dead Sea Scrolls sect was one of numerous voluntary associations that flourished in the Hellenistic-Roman age. Yet the origins of organizational and regulatory patterns that the sect shared with other associations have not been adequately explained. Drawing upon sociological studies of modern associations, this book argues that most ancient groups appropriated patterns from the state. Comparison of the Rule Scrolls with Greco-Roman constitutional literature, as well as philosophical, rabbinic, and early Christian texts, shows that the sect's appropriation helped articulate an \'alternative civic ideology\' by which members identified themselves as subjects of a commonwealth alternative and superior to that of the status quo. Like other associations with alternative civic ideology, the Covenanters studied constitution and law with the intention of reform, anticipating governance of restored Israel at the End of Days.