RT Article T1 «To mystērion tu͂to mega estin» (Ef 5:32) alla luce dei testi del Mar Morto JF Henoch VO 42 IS 2 SP 409 OP 426 A1 Mariotti, Giulio LA Italian YR 2020 UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1781981302 AB In the Epistle to Ephesians we find six occurrences of the term μυστήριον, a rendering of Aramaic רז or רזא . There are several points of view about the unitary use of μυστήριον in Ephesians. In this article I focus on the expression τὸ μυστήριον τοῦτο μέγα ἐστίν (Eph 5:32), which can be more deeply appreciated through a comparison with some occurrences of רזא/רז in the Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q416 2ii 7b-2iv; 1QS 9:18b-19a; 1QS 11:3b-4a; 1QHa 16:6b-12; 1QpHab 7:4-5a; 1Q27 1i 1-8). Though we cannot find a perfect parallel in Second Temple apocalyptic literature, we can identify texts that may have inspired the author of Ephesians. The knowledge and contemplation of mystery show that human relationships are shaped on the relationship between God and mankind, according to God’s eternal plan, as enclosed, for instance, in the רז נהיה of 4QInstruction. Moreover, like the Teacher of Righteousness, the author of Ephesians, too, knows and reveals the mystery of Scriptures and «ancient matters». K1 1QS 9:1b-19a8 K1 1QS 11:3b-4a K1 1QHab 16:6b-12 K1 1QpHab 7:4-5a K1 1Q27 1i 1-8 K1 Ephesians K1 Haustafel K1 Pauline literature K1 Mystery K1 Apocalyptic Literature K1 Qumran scrolls