The Cave 3 Copper Scroll: A Symbolic Journey by Jesper Høgenhaven

A new interpretation of the enigmatic Copper Scroll (3Q15) from Qumran, traditionally viewed as a list of buried treasure, challenges its conventional understanding. Jesper Høgenhaven argues that the scroll is instead an itinerary guiding the reader on a symbolic journey through Judea, including multiple visits to Jerusalem and a mysterious site identified with Tell es-Sultan near Jericho. This journey, rich in literary allusions and historical reminiscences, suggests a shift from Jerusalem to Kohlit (Tell es-Sultan) as a cultic center, reflecting themes of divine wrath and blessing. The study employs phenomenological landscape analysis and genre theory to recontextualize the scroll's purpose, proposing it serves as an 'instruction for retrieving hidden treasures' rather than a mere inventory.

Wolters, A. (2022). The Cave 3 Copper Scroll: A Symbolic Journey by Jesper Høgenhaven. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 84(2), 302–304. https://doi.org/10.1353/cbq.2022.0052