The Use of Sobriquets in the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls

Matthew A. Collins examines the key sobriquets – or assumed names – found among the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls. Acknowledging the problematic nature of attempting to identify historical referents behind these epithets, Collins concentrates on the function of the sobriquets as labels utilized positively or negatively within the sectarian compositions. Observing the presence of both ‘standard’ and ‘variant’ forms of sobriquet, this study examines differences in form and function across the range of texts in which they appear. Collins adopts a chronological schema which posits a Formative, Early and Late Sectarian period, and concentrates on the key sobriquets ‘the Spouter of the Lie’ and ‘the Teacher of Righteousness,’ tracing their development from contextualized scriptural typologies towards titular forms which constitute discrete elements of sectarian terminology. The book draws upon sociological research and ‘labelling theory’ to display the sobriquets in their wider context and thereby demonstrate their function as tools for labelling deviance and affirming positive counterparts. The move towards definite titular forms may consequently be viewed as a process of role engulfment reflecting increased ‘stereotypicality’ and the ultimate acquisition of ‘master status’