• Torah (T): Wayiqra (Leviticus) 24:1-23
• Prophets (P): Hosea 14:1-9
• Apostolic (A): Matthew 12:22-37; Ya’aqov (James) 3:1-18
• Additional (ADD): Wisdom of Solomon 1:1-16

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Exodus 27:20-21 (T)
• 1 Samuel 21:1-6 (T)
• Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5 (T)
• Exodus 2:11-12; Targum Jerusalem and Targum Jonathan (T)
• Numbers 15:32-36 (T)
• Matthew 12:30-32 (T)
• Exodus 21:12-27 (T)
• Exodus 22:25-28; Acts 23:1-5 (T)
• Deuteronomy 19:1-21 (T)
• Matthew 5:38-42; Luke 6:27-36 (T)
• Proverbs 24:28-29 (T)
• Romans 12:17-21 (T)
• 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 (T)
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15 (T)
• 1 Peter 3:8-17 (T)

RELATED ADDITIONAL REA.D.INGS

• Charter of a Jewish Sectarian Association 1QS Column 10-11 (T, A)
• Temple Scroll 11Q19-20 Column 61 (T)
• Sirach 3:1-31 (T)
• Leviticus 24:1-23 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

Torah Portion (T)

24:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the sons of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to continually ascend. 3 Outside of the veil of the Witness, in the Appointed Tent, Aaron [and his sons]^(LXX)(SP) will keep it in order from evening to morning before YHWH continually. It will be a statute forever throughout your generations. 4 He will arrange the lamps on the clean lampstand before YHWH continually. 5 You will take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenths of an ephah will be in one cake. 6 You will set them in two rows, six on a row, on the clean table before YHWH. 7 You will put refined frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, an offering made by fire to YHWH. 8 [On the day of the Sabbaths,]^(LXX) he will arrange it before YHWH continually, from the sons of Israel. It is an everlasting covenant. 9 It will be for Aaron and his sons. They will eat it in the holy; for it is most holy to him of the offerings of YHWH made by fire by a perpetual statute.” 10 The son of a woman, an Israelite, went out in the midst of the sons of Israel, and he is a son of a man, one of Egypt; and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp. 11 The son of the Israelite woman [pierced through]^(MTT) the Name, and belittled it; and they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Divri, of the tribe of Dan. 12 They made him rest in custody until YHWH’s mouth should be distinctly declared to them. 13 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 14 “Bring him who belittled out of the camp; and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 You will speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Whoever belittles his^(LXX) Elohim will bear his sin. 16 He who [pierces through]^(MTT) the name of YHWH, he will surely be put to death. All the congregation will certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native will be put to death when he [pierces through]^(MTT) the Name. 17 He who strikes the soul of any man will surely be put to death. 18 He who strikes the soul of an animal will make restitution, soul for soul. 19 If any man gives a blemish to his neighbor, it will be done to him as he has done: 20 shattering for shattering, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. It will be done to him as he has blemished someone. 21 He who kills an animal will make restitution; and he who kills a man will be put to death. 22 You will have one judgment for the foreigner and the native; for I am YHWH your Elohim.’ ” 23 Moses spoke to the sons of Israel; and they brought him who had belittled out of the camp, and stoned him with stones. The sons of Israel did as YHWH commanded Moses.

Prophets Portion (P)

14:1 Israel, return to YHWH your Elohim; for you have stumbled because of your sin. 2 Take words with you, and return to YHWH. Tell him, “Lift up all our iniquity, and accept that which is good; so we will make restitution with the [fruit]^(LXX) of our lips. 3 Assyria can’t save us. We won’t ride on horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our elohim!’ for in you the fatherless finds mercy.” 4 “I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon. 7 They will return and sit in his shadow. They will live [and be intoxicated]^(LXX) with grain and blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green cypress tree; from me your fruit is found.” 9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is wise, that he may know them? For the ways of YHWH are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Apostolic Portion (A)

Matthew 12:22-37; Ya’aqov (James) 3:1-18

Matthew 12:22 Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 All the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the prince of the demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, Yeshua said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if I by the Spirit of Elohim cast out demons, then the kingdom of Elohim has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house. 30 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who doesn’t gather with me, scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in that which is to come. 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You seed of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35 The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. 36 I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Ya’aqov (James) 3:1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also. 3 [Now if]^(mss) we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. 5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehinnom. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind; 8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a [restless]^(mss) evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our [Lord]^(mss) and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of Elohim. 10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? [Nor is salt water able to produce sweet.]^(mss) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter zeal and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16 For where zeal and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Additional Portion (ADD)

The Wisdom of Solomon or Book of Wisdom is a Jewish work, written in Greek, and most likely composed in Alexandria, Egypt. Generally dated to the mid first century B.C. It is uncertain whether the book has a single author or comes from a school of writers, but recent scholarship has favored regarding it as a unified work. Fragments of the Wisdom of Solomon were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in the first discovered and excavated cave at Qumran in 1949.

1:1 Love righteousness, all you who are judges of the land. Think of the Lord in goodness. Seek him in singleness of heart, 2 because he is found by those who don’t try him, and is manifested to those who trust him. 3 for crooked thoughts separate from Elohim. His Power convicts when it is tested, and exposes the foolish, 4 because wisdom will not enter into a soul that devises evil, nor dwell in a body that is enslaved by sin. 5 For a holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and will depart from thoughts that are without understanding, and will be ashamed when unrighteousness has come in. 6 For the spirit of wisdom is loving to man and she will not hold a blasphemer guiltless for his lips; because Elohim is witness of his inmost self, and is a true overseer of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue: 7 Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said. 8 Therefore no one who utters unrighteous things will be unseen; neither will Justice, when it convicts, pass him by. 9 For in his counsels the impious will be searched out, and the sound of his words will come to the Lord to bring his lawless deeds to conviction; 10 because a zealous ear listens to all things, and the noise of murmurings is not hidden. 11 Beware then of unprofitable murmuring, and keep your tongue from slander; because no secret utterance will go on its way void, and a lying mouth destroys a soul. 12 Don’t court death in the error of your life; and don’t draw destruction upon yourselves by the works of your hands, 13 because Elohim didn’t make death; neither does he delight when the living perish. 14 For he created all things that they might have being. The generative powers of the world are wholesome, and there is no poison of destruction in them, and the dominion of Hades is not on land; 15 for righteousness is immortal. 16 but impious men by their hands and their words summon death; considering him a friend they pined away. They cut a covenant with him, because they are worthy to belong with him.

Related Scriptures

27:20 “You will command the sons of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. 21 In the Appointed Tent, outside the veil which is before the witness, Aaron and his sons will arrange it from evening to morning before YHWH: it will be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the sons of Israel.

21:1 Then David came to Nob to Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech came to meet David trembling, and said to him, “Why are you alone, and no man with you?” 2 David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commanded me to do something, and has said to me, ‘Let no one know anything about the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you. I have sent the young men to a certain place.’ 3 Now therefore what is under your hand? Please give me five loaves of bread in my hand, or whatever is available.” 4 The priest answered David, and said, “I have no common bread, but there is holy bread; if only the young men have kept themselves from women.” 5 David answered the priest, and said to him, “Truly, women have been kept from us as usual these three days. When I came out, the vessels of the young men were holy, though it was only a common journey. How much more then today will their vessels be holy?” 6 So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the show bread that was taken from before YHWH, to be replaced with hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

Matthew 12:1 At that time, Yeshua went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. (cf. Deuteronomy 23:25) 2 But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: 4 how he entered into Elohim’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? (cf. 1 Samuel 21:3-6) 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? (cf. Numbers 28:9) 6 But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not slaughter,’ (cf. Hosea 6:6) you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Mark 2:23 He was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?” 25 He said to them, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him? 26 How he entered into Elohim’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?” 27 He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Luke 6:1 Now on the second Sabbath after the first, he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate, rubbing them in their hands. 2 But some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?” 3 Yeshua, answering them, said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him, 4 how he entered into Elohim’s house, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?” 5 He said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Exodus 2:11-12; Targum Jerusalem and Targum Jonathan (T)

Exodus 2:11-12 In those days, when Moses [became great],^(LXX) he went out to his brothers and saw their burdens. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers. 12 He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one, he killed the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

Jerusalem Targum: And Mosheh, by the Holy Spirit, considering both the young men, saw that, behold, no proselyte would ever spring from that Mizraite; and he killed him, and hid him in the sand.

Targum Jonathan: and Mosheh turned, and considered in the wisdom of his mind, and understood that in no generation would there arise a proselyte from that Mizraite man, and that none of his children’s children would ever be converted; and he smote the Mizraite, and buried him in the sand.

15:32 While the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him. 35 YHWH said to Moses, “The man will surely be put to death. All the congregation will stone him with stones outside of the camp.” 36 All the congregation brought him outside of the camp, and stoned him to death with stones, as YHWH commanded Moses.

21:12 One who strikes a man so that he dies will surely be put to death, 13 if he did not lay in wait and the elohim deliver him to his hand; then I will appoint you a place where he will flee. 14 If a man boils against his neighbor to kill him, you will take him from my altar, that he may die. 15 Anyone who attacks his father or his mother will be surely put to death. 16 Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he will surely be put to death. 17 Anyone who curses his father or his mother will surely be put to death. 18 If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he doesn’t die, but is confined to bed; 19 if he rises again and walks around with his staff, then he who struck him will be cleared; only he will pay for the loss of his time, and will provide for his healing until he is thoroughly healed. 20 If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, the man will surely be punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if his servant gets up after a day or two, he will not be punished, for the servant is his property. 22 If men fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely, and yet no harm follows, he will be surely fined as much as the woman’s husband demands and he will give through the judges. 23 But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burning for burning, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise. 26 If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he will let him go free for his eye’s sake. 27 If he strikes out his male servant’s tooth, or his maid’s tooth, he will let the servant go free for his tooth’s sake.

Exodus 22:25 “If you lend silver to any of my people with you who is afflicted, you will not be to him [like a deceiver].^(MTT) You will not lay interest on him. 26 If you take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you will restore it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious. 28 You will not [speak evil of the elohim, nor speak evil of a ruler of your people].^(LXX)

Acts 23:1 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before Elohim in all good conscience until today.” 2 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “Elohim will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the Torah, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Do you malign Elohim’s high priest?” 5 Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘Do not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ (cf. Exodus 22:28)”

19:1 When YHWH your Elohim cuts off the nations whose land YHWH your Elohim gives you, and you succeed them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, 2 you will set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which YHWH your Elohim gives you to possess. 3 You will prepare the way, and divide the borders of your land which YHWH your Elohim causes you to inherit into three parts, that every man-slayer may flee there. 4 This is the case of the man-slayer who will flee there and live: Whoever kills his neighbor without knowledge, and didn’t hate him in time past— 5 as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies—he will flee to one of these cities and live. 6 Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the man-slayer while hot anger is in his heart and overtake him, because the way is long, and strike his soul, even though he was not worthy of death, because he didn’t hate him in time past. 7 Therefore I command you to set apart three cities for yourselves. 8 If YHWH your Elohim enlarges your border, as he has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land which he promised to give to your fathers; 9 and if you keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you today, to love YHWH your Elohim, and to walk ever in his ways, then you will add three cities more for yourselves, in addition to these three. 10 This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which YHWH your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you. 11 But if any man hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, strikes his soul so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities; 12 then the elders of his city will send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. 13 Your eye will not pity him, but you will purge the innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with you. 14 You will not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which they of old time have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit, in the land that YHWH your Elohim gives you to possess. 15 One witness will not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, will a matter be established. 16 If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, 17 then both the men, between whom the controversy is, will stand before YHWH, before the priests and the judges who will be in those days; 18 and the judges will seek to do well; and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has witnessed falsely against his brother, 19 then you will do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you will remove the evil from among you. 20 Those who remain will hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you. 21 Your eyes will not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” 39 But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. 41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.

Luke 6:27 But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. 31 As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Highest; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

24:28 Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips. 29 Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to Elohim’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” (cf. Deuteronomy 32:35) 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” (cf. Proverbs 25:21-22) 21 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the holy ones? 2 Don’t you know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly? 5 I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers? 6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 No, but you yourselves do wrong and defraud, and that against your brothers.

5:11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. 12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. 15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.

3:8 Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, having tender bowels, [humble],^(mss.) 9 not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him guard his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (cf. Psalms 34:12-16) 13 Now who will harm you if you become imitators of that which is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord Elohim in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, 16 having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Messiah. 17 For it is better, if it is Elohim’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.

Related Additional Readings​

The Temple Scroll is the longest of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Among the discoveries at Qumran it is designated: 11QTemple Scroll. It describes a Jewish temple which was never built, along with extensive detailed regulations about slaughters and temple practices. There is no scholarly consensus regarding the date, origin, author or authors, or its relationship to the Qumran community. Some scholars attribute the Temple Scroll to the isolated Qumran community, while others see no connection with the Qumran community; instead they see the work as a priestly (possible Zadokite) document that was hidden in a cave by Zealots during their flight from Jerusalem in 70 A.D. before the Roman destruction of the Temple.

No single witness will prevail against a man accused of any wrongdoing or sin. A case may be made only on the witness of two or three witnesses. If a malicious witness comes forward against a man to accuse him of a crime, then both men in the dispute must stand before Me—that is, before the priests, Levites, and judges who are then in office. The judges will conduct an inquiry. If it turns out that the witness has falsely accused his comrade, then you will do to him what he had schemed to do to his comrade. Thus you will purge the evil one from your midst. “The rest will hear of it and be afraid to do that sort of thing among you again. You are not to take pity on him: it will be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

The above excerpt is from Wise, Michael Owen, et al. The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.

Column 10 …In my mouth will be heard neither foolishness nor sinful deceit; neither fraud nor lies will be discovered between my lips. Rather, the fruits of holiness will be upon my tongue—abominations will not be found thereon. For thanksgiving will I open my mouth, the righteousness of Elohim will my tongue recount always. Human rebellion, made full by sin, as vain I will purge from my lips; impure and crafty design I will expunge from my mind. Counseled by wisdom. I will recount knowledge: “both prudent and wise, I will compass it close about, so to preserve faith and strict judgment—conforming to the righteousness of Elohim. I will mete out the statute by the measure proper to each time and … [dispense] righteousness and loving-kindness to those cast down, even strong encouragement to those who are fearful. Column 11 [I will teach] the errant of spirit understanding, instructing those who murmur with wisdom-so humbly to answer the haughty with broken spirit, those who ‘oppress, scorn, speak vainly, and are zealous only for wealth.

The above excerpt is from Wise, Michael Owen, et al. The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.

Sirach, or Wisdom of Sirach, and also known as the Book of Ecclesiasticus (abbreviated Ecclus.) or Ben Sira, is a work of ethical teachings, from approximately 200 to 175 B.C., written by the Jewish scribe Ben Sira of Jerusalem, on the inspiration of his father Joshua son of Sirach, sometimes called Jesus son of Sirach or Yeshua ben Eliezer ben Sira. The Sirach was almost completely uncovered in Hebrew in the Dead Sea Scrolls, at Masada, and the Cairo Geniza. The multiplicity of manuscript fragments uncovered in the Cairo Genizah evidence its authoritative status among Egyptian Jewry until the Middle Ages. Quotes from Sirach can be found in Rabbinic literature in multiple places  including the Talmud in Bava Kamma 92b:13 and Hagigah 13a:2. Additionally, the Gospels and other Apostolic Scriptures quote from the Book of Sirach including the Song of Miriam in Luke 1:52 (cf. Sirach 10:14); the description of the seed in Mark 4:5, 16–17 (cf. Sirach 40:15); the statement by Yeshua in Matthew 7:16,20 (cf. Sirach 27:6); and Ya’aqov (James) 1:19 (cf. Sirach 5:11).

3:1 Hear me, your father, O my children, and do what you hear, that you all may be saved. 2 For the Lord has given the father glory concerning the children, and has confirmed the judgment of the mother concerning the sons. 3 He who honors his father will make atonement for sins. 4 He who gives glory to his mother is as one who lays up treasure. 5 Whoever honors his father will have joy in his own children. He will be heard in the day of his prayer. 6 He who gives glory to his father will have length of days. He who listens to the Lord will bring rest to his mother, 7 and will serve under his parents, as to masters. 8 Honor your father in deed and word, that a blessing may come upon you from him. 9 For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children, but the curse of the mother roots out the foundations. 10 Don’t glorify yourself in the dishonor of your father, for your father’s dishonor is no glory to you. 11 For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a mother in dishonor is a reproach to her children. 12 My son, help your father in his old age, and don’t grieve him as long as he lives. 13 If he fails in understanding, have patience with him. Don’t dishonor him in your full strength. 14 For the relieving of your father will not be forgotten. Instead of sins it will be added to build you up. 15 In the day of your affliction it will remember you, as fair weather upon ice, so will your sins also melt away. 16 He who forsakes his father is as a blasphemer. He who provokes his mother is cursed by the Lord. 17 My son, go on with your business in humility; so you will be loved by an acceptable man. 18 The greater you are, humble yourself the more, and you will find favor before the Lord. 19 [… …] 20 For the power of the Lord is great, and he is glorified by those who are lowly. 21 Don’t seek things that are too hard for you, and don’t search out things that are above your strength 22 Think about the things that have been commanded you, for you have no need of the things that are secret. 23 Don’t be overly busy in your superfluous works, for more things are showed to you than men can understand. 24 For the conceit of many has led them astray. Evil opinion has caused their judgment to slip. 25 [… …] 26 A stubborn heart will do badly at the end. He who loves danger will perish in it. 27 A stubborn heart will be burdened with troubles. The sinner will heap sin upon sins. 28 The calamity of the proud is no healing, for a weed of wickedness has taken root in him. 29 The heart of the prudent will understand a parable. A wise man desires the ear of a listener. 30 Water will quench a flaming fire; almsgiving will make atonement for sins. 31 He who repays good turns is mindful of that which comes afterward. In the time of his falling he will find a support.

Leviticus 24:1-23 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)

Composed in Talmudic Israel (c.150 – c.250 AD). Targum Pseudo-Jonathan is a western targum (translation) of the Torah (Pentateuch) from the land of Israel (as opposed to the eastern Babylonian Targum Onkelos). Its correct title was originally Targum Yerushalmi (Jerusalem Targum), which is how it was known in medieval times. But because of a printer’s mistake it was later labeled Targum Jonathan, in reference to Jonathan ben Uzziel. Some editions of the Pentateuch continue to call it Targum Jonathan to this day. Most scholars refer to the text as Targum Pseudo-Jonathan. This targum is more than a mere translation. It includes much Aggadic material collected from various sources as late as the Midrash Rabbah as well as earlier material from the Talmud. It is effectively a combination of a commentary and a translation. In the portions where it is pure translation, it often agrees with the Targum Onkelos. The date of its composition is disputed. It cannot have been completed before the Arabic conquest as it refers to Mohammad’s wife Fatimah, but might have been initially composed in the 4th Century AD. However, some scholars date it in the 14th Century.

Chapter 24 And the Lord spake with Mosheh, saying: Command the sons of Israel that they bring of their own, pure beaten olive oil for the light, that the lamps may burn continually, on the day of Sabbath, and on the day of work; outside of the veil of the testimony for evermore, because the Shekinah dwelleth in Israel: in the tabernacle of ordinance will Aharon order it from evening till morning before the Lord continually, by an everlasting statute unto your generations.

And thou shalt take flour, and bake thereof twelve cakes, according to the twelve tribes; two tenths will be one cake. And thou shalt set them in two orders (rows), six in one order, and six in the other upon the table in its purity, as it is ordained before the Lord. And thou shalt put upon the orders pure frankincense, that it may be an oblation of memorial bread before the Lord. From Sabbath day to Sabbath day he will order it anew before the Lord continually from the sons of Israel. This will be an everlasting statute. And it will be for Aharon and for his sons, and they will eat it after they have taken it from off the table in the holy place; for it is most sacred to him of the oblations of the Lord by an everlasting statute.

But a wicked man, a rebel against the Elohim of heaven, had come out of Mizraim, the son of the Mizraite man who had killed the man of Israel in Mizraim, and had gone in unto his wife, who conceived and bare a son among the sons of Israel. And while the Israelites were dwelling in the wilderness, he had sought to spread his tent in the midst of the tribe of the children of Dan; but they would not permit him, because in the arrangements of Israel every man dwelt with his family by the ensigns of the house of their fathers. And they contended together in the camp, and the son of the Israelitess with a man of Israel, who was of the tribe of Dan, went to the house of judgment; and when they had come out from the house of judgment, where he had been condemned, the son of the daughter of Israel expressed and reviled the great and glorious Name of Manifestation which he had heard at Sinai, and defiled and execrated; and the name of his mother was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibree, of the tribe of Dan. [JERUSALEM. And the son of the woman of Israel reviled the Manifested Name and defied.]

This is one of four judgments which were brought in before Mosheh the prophet, who decided them by the dictate of the Word, who is above. They were judgments about money and about life. In judgments on money Mosheh was prompt; but in the judgment on life he was deliberate (or slow by delay) each (party) Mosheh said, I have not heard: that he might teach the chiefs of the Sanhedrin of Israel, who were to arise after him, to be prompt in judgments respecting money, but slow in judgments that affected life; and not to be ashamed to inquire for counsel in cases that should be too hard for them, forasmuch as Mosheh, Rabban of Israel, had need to say, I have not heard. Therefore they shut him up in the house of confinement till the time that it should be explained to them by the decree of the Word of the Lord.

[JERUSALEM. This is one of four judgments that were brought before Mosheh our Rabbi. In two of them was Mosheh slow by delay, and in two of them was Mosheh expeditious. With the blasphemer who blasphemed the Holy Name with scoffings and with the gatherer of sticks who profaned the Sabbath, Mosheh had delay, because they were judgments that affected life; but in the case of unclean persons who could not perform the Pascha in its time, and in that of the daughters of Zelophehad, Mosheh could be prompt, because they were judgments on temporal matters. But to those he would say, I have not heard: to teach the judges who were to arise after Mosheh to be slow in judgments on life and to be expeditious in judgments of Mammon; and not to be ashamed to say, I have not heard; for Mosheh our Rabban said, I have not heard. And they shut him up in confinement, while as yet it had not been explained to them from before the Lord with what judgments they were to deal with him.]

And the Lord spake with Mosheh, saying: Bring forth the blasphemer without the camp, and let the witnesses who heard his blasphemy, and the judges, lay their hands upon his head, and let the whole congregation stone him with stones. And speak thou with the sons of Israel, saying: A man young or old who will blaspheme the known Name of his Elohim will bear his sin. Whosoever expresseth and revileth the Name of the Lord will verily be put to death; all the congregation will cast stones upon him, whether he be a sojourner or native‑born, when he hath blasphemed the Name that is Alone, he will die.

And if a man destroy the life of any one of the sons of Israel, he will verily be put to death by the sword. And he who destroyeth the life of an animal will make it good, a living animal for a living one. And a man who inflicteth a blemish on his neighbour, whatsoever he hath done it will be done unto him: the value of a fracture for a fracture; the value of an eye for an eye; the value of a tooth for a tooth; whatsoever blemish he inflicteth upon the man, the same will be rendered unto him. [JERUSALEM. Fracture will be recompensed by fracture, an eye will be recompensed by an eye, a tooth for a tooth, the blemish he hath given to the man it will be given unto him.] He who killeth a beast will restore it; but be who slayeth a man will be slain. One judgment will you have for the stranger and for the native; for I am the Lord your God. And Mosheh spake with the sons of Israel, and they brought forth the blasphemer without the camp, and stoned him with stones; and the sons of Israel did it, by laying their hands upon, leading him away hanging, and burying him, as the Lord had commanded Mosheh.