In this update of his 1994 examination of messianism in Judaism as interpreted through the Dead Sea Scrolls, Collins (Old Testament criticism and interpretation, Yale Divinity School) has added new material and recent secondary references, as well as rewriting one chapter completely in the light of the theories of Israel Knohl and the "Vision of Gabriel." Collins explains the several strands of messianism in Judaism at the beginning of the Common Era. He then speculates on the contents of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which he believes represent the books of many communities of Essenes (probably) stored for safekeeping during the Roman invasions. The aspects of the Messiah as King, Son of Man, and Teacher of Righteousness are explored as well as the ways in which the followers of Jesus interpreted them to prove that he was the expected messiah and how well the interpretations match those of the Qumran texts. His presentation is scholarly and without religious bias, rooted in the documents. Since he translates all Hebrew citations, this is accessible to general readers who wish to know more about the contents of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Annotation 2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
