死海写本『安息日の犠牲の歌 (4QShirShabb; 11QShirShabb; MasShirShabb)』の天使論

抄録

In this document the angels of God are called ‘messengers, ’ ‘holy ones, ’ and ‘spirits.’ Furthermore, they are called ‘gods.’ The last designation shows the existence of angel veneration among the members of the Qumran community. According to their understanding, the seven archangels are playing a special role as ‘priests’ in the heavenly temple.
In some Old Testament documents, there occurs a notion of the ‘heavenly council.’ This idea was taken over form Canaanite religions and was reinterpreted in the light of the faith in Yahweh the God of Israel. In early Judaism and early Christianity the members of the heavenly council, that is, pagan gods were interpreted as angels. Apocalyptic literature developed the notion of heavenly worship ministered by angels. In the heavenly temple angels were thought to serve and praise God (cf. Jubilees; Revelation; Ascension of Moses). The angelology of the Song of the Sabbath Sacrifice deals with the theme of the heavenly worship by angels as other apocalyptic documents. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that this song concentrates on the priestly function of the chief angels who intercede for sins and bless angels and the righteous believers.
This documents thinks heavenly worship service and earthly worship service are going on simultaneously. The congregation of the Qumran community is conceived to be participating in heavenly worship and the heavenly blessings offered by the archangels. This notion gave a legitimation to the Sabbath worship service of the Qumran community, which consisted of praises and blessings.