This work is a revision of my dissertation completed while I was a New Testament Ph.D. candidate in the department of Biblical Studies at The Catholic University of America. It would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of many people. In particular, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Prof. Joseph A. Fitzmyer, who provided the inspiration for this study during a course on the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1979, and has closely guided the work from those incipient stages up to its present form. I greatly appreciate both his careful scholarship and his gracious encouragement during this endeavour.

I would like as well to express my thanks to my colleague at Capital Bible Seminary, Dr Richard A. Taylor, who read through the entire revised manuscript, and made numerous valuable suggestions. Special thanks also goes to Mr Keith Hogue, who graciously permitted me use of his computer in preparing this study.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the encouragement and friendship of Dr Homer Heater, former Academic Dean of Capital Bible Seminary. Without his support, I would not have been able to complete this project while at the same time carrying out my teaching responsibilities at the Seminary. His example of scholarly excellence, a warm love for people, and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ remains a model for my own life and ministry as well.