With respect to the development
of the biblical canon, a reference to 4QMMT is instructive. This document
(which is attested by fragments of six copies: 4Q394–399)
consists of a letter with halakhic instructions concerning different ritual
regulations. Whether it belonged to the texts of the yaḥad, was sent to
the yaḥad, or just gives an overview on several matters concerning rituals
and purity, is disputed. The early date of the writing (probably second century
BCE) seems to point to a stage before the formation of the yaḥad, which in
turn makes the writing particularly interesting with regard to the
authoritative Jewish writings. In 4Q397 14–21 10–11 we read the following passage:
To you we have [written] that you
must understand the book of Moses [and] the book[s of the pr]ophets and Davi[d … the annals of] each generation.
This is probably the oldest text
mentioning collections of authoritative Jewish writings, even older than the
Greek preface to Sirach. The sentence refers to the authority of the Torah and
the prophets, whereas the reference to David remains somewhat unclear. It may
either point to the psalms as the third group of writings, since according to
Jewish tradition “David” was the composer of the psalms. However, David may
also be included among the prophets, as is probably also the case in Luke 24:44
as well: “the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms.” The phrase “annals
of each generation” probably refers to Chronicles as another group of biblical
books. The passage is therefore hardly a testimony for a tripartite or even
four-fold Jewish Bible. It rather testifies to the authority of Moses (or the
Torah) and the prophets. The prophets are thereby probably perceived as
interpreters of the Torah as the main authority. (Jens Schröter, “The Biblical Canons after
Qumran and Nag Hammadi: Some Preliminary Observations,” in The Dead Sea Scrolls
and the Nag Hammadi Codices: Selected Papers from the “Dead Sea Scrolls and the
Nag Hammadi Codices” in Berlin, 20-22 July 2018, ed. Dylan M. Byrns and
Matthew Goff [Nah Hammadi and Manichaean Studies 103; Leiden: Brill, 2022], 160-61,
emphasis in bold added)
