I just got a copy of James VanderKam, From Joshua to Caiphas: High Priests after the Exile (Fortress & Van Gorcum, 2004). Though I haven't read it all, it so far appears to be Jim's typically excellent work. Let me quote from the Alexander Jannaeus section (p.336):
"It is surely possible that the attitude of the covenanters at Qumran toward the Hasmonean rulers changed as circumstances did; nevertheless, the other evidence on this matter shows only negative views about the reigning house. In this respect, the approach to 4Q448 defended by E. Main seems to point in a more helpful direction. According to Main, a study of the biblical usage of the phrasing found in line 1 (WR (L demonstrates that the prayer asks God to fight against King Jonathan but to bless his people." Yes. VanderKam also cites Lemaire. To those three names (Main, Lemaire, and VanderKam) we can add Penner, Lorein, Harrington/Strugnell, (and me). I suggest it is time to focus on the chronology of "wicked priest" Alexander Jannaeus and "teacher of righteousness" Judah the Essene. best, Stephen Goranson _______________________________________________ g-Megillot mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.McMaster.CA/mailman/listinfo/g-megillot