Habakkuk Pesher

The Habakkuk Pesher

[A running interpretation of the prophet Habakkuk, applied to the community’s own days; the scroll is broken in places.]

“How long, O LORD, shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?” The interpretation of this concerns the beginning of the generation to come, [Line damaged] for the violence done in the land and the things they must endure.

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if it were told.” The interpretation concerns the traitors at the end of days. They are the violators of the covenant, who did not believe when they heard all that was coming upon the last generation from the mouth of the priest, in whose heart God set understanding to interpret all the words of his servants the prophets.

“For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation.” Its interpretation concerns the Kittim, who are swift and mighty in war, to lay waste many; the whole earth falls under their rule, and they trample it, and they do not believe in the statutes of God.

“The righteous shall live by his faithfulness.” The interpretation concerns all who keep the law in the house of Judah, whom God will deliver from the house of judgment because of their toil and their faithfulness to the Teacher of Righteousness.

“Woe to him who builds a town with blood.” The interpretation concerns the Spouter of lies, who led many astray to build a worthless town in blood, and to set up an assembly in falsehood; for the sake of his vanity many labored in vain. [Text missing]

“The cup of the LORD’s right hand will come around to you.” The interpretation concerns the Wicked Priest, who persecuted the Teacher of Righteousness to swallow him up in the heat of his anger, and who pursued him even to the place of his exile, on the day of atonement, to confound them and to make them stumble on the day of their fast. As he plotted to destroy the poor, so God will repay him, to destroy him.

[Fragment breaks here]