Pesherism
/ˈpɛʃərɪzəm/noun
A method of interpreting biblical or prophetic texts as coded revelations fulfilled in contemporary events, especially associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Did you know?The Qumran community used pesher-style commentaries to identify their own leaders, rivals, and historical crises inside older biblical prophecies.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
פשר (pšr)
“To interpret, explain, or resolve a difficult matter.”
Second Temple Period
Aramaic
פ̄שרא (pishrā)
“Interpretation or explanation, particularly of a dream or hidden matter.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Qumran Hebrew
פשר (pesher)
“A revealed interpretation applying scriptural prophecy to present events.”
20th Century
English
pesher
“A commentary genre identified chiefly in the Dead Sea Scrolls, often giving verse-by-verse prophetic interpretations.”
20th–21st Century
English
pesherism
“The interpretive tendency or system associated with pesher commentary.”