Qumran Pesharim and the Pentateuch: Explicit Citation, Overt Typologies, and Implicit Interpretive Traditions

Qumran pesher is characterized as contemporizing exegesis of poetic/prophetic biblical texts. Previous research has focused upon pesher exegesis of works which later canonical tradition designates as "Latter Prophets" and of the book of Psalms, the dominant base-texts in pesharim. The current study surveys the use of the Pentateuch in Qumran pesher, examining instances of explicit citation, overt Pentateuchal typology, and implicit interpretive traditions. The most noteworthy attributes that emerge are the prominence of Deuteronomy and a strong reliance upon pre-existing exegetical traditions.