Family Values in the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls

This study offer a close examination of the place of the family and household in Ezra-Nehemiah and the Damascus Document. In particular, a detailed analysis of two passages on marriage arrangements in the Laws of the Damascus Document reflects a significant shift in the role of the father as head of the family in different parts of this text. Whereas the father is entrusted with arranging a suitable marriage for his daughter according to 4Q267 (4QDb) 7 // 4Q269 (4QDd) 9 // 4Q270 (4QDe) 5 // 4Q271 (4QDf) 3, his place is diminished in the related piece of legislation that has the overseer intrude in the process (cf. CD 13:7b,15b-19 // 4Q266 [4QDa] 9 iii). I conclude by emphasizing the importance of the multifaceted evidence of the Damascus Document for our understanding of the role of the family in Second Temple Judaism. Clear evidence of development within the Damascus Document is significant and must not be downplayed.