Taken from Dust, Formed from Clay": Compound Allusions and Scriptural Exegesis in 1QHodayota 11: 20-37; 20: 27-39 and Ben Sira 33: 7-15

This article argues that, in 1QH(a) 11:20-27; 20:27-39 and Sir 33:7-15, the use of allusions to humanity's creation from dust in Genesis 2-3 and to its formation from clay in Isa 29:16; 45:9; Jer 18:4, 6 represents a conscious exegetical process in which the Genesis and prophetic traditions were read and used in light of one another. Although originating within different social environments-one sectarian and the other as part of a more mainstream scribal context-both make use of the same two scriptural allusions and evince a similar pattern of interpretive reflection. The goal of the study is to demonstrate that the allusions function together, in a compounded manner, to present (1) a composite portrait of God as creator and determiner of all human outcomes, and (2) a corresponding composite portrait of humanity in its universal mortality and -complete subjection to the deterministic will of God.