Le « Livre de la Vie » dans les Textes Bibliques et dans les Manuscrits de la Mer Morte

Abstract

The expression “the book of life” can be immediately connected with a range of biblical texts such as Ex 32:32-34; Ps 69:29; Dn 12:1; Lk 10:20; Phil 4:3; Heb 12:23 or Rv 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12.15 and 21:27. Along with other known texts from the intertestamental literature, with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, we draw up an inventory of texts which present this expression. Given that a similar formula has been identified in other non-biblical texts (notably two texts from Qumran, 4Q504 1-2 vi 14; 4Q318 31 8), these compositions provide a specific context and the most interesting connections are to be addressed with the help of the book of Revelation, I propose a crisscrossed analysis between Dn 12, the texts from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the second temple literature and the last book of the Bible. Would it be possible that this expression travelled across ages before receiving the most evolved form and meaning in John’s Apocalypse? With this question in mind, this compared analysis may facilitate our understanding of the meaning of this expression not only in the Qumran texts but also in the books of the New Testament.