The Dead Sea Scrolls on the Identity of Mashiach, the "Chosen One of God"

The scroll marked 4Q534 (also labeled under the designations “4Qmess ar” and “4QElect of God”), has been much discussed in scholastic circles, since Jean Starcky first published an analysis of it, which appeared in “Les quatre étapes du messianisme à Qumrân,” in 1963. This “Elect of God” scroll tells of an individual called the “Chosen One of God” (בחיר אלהא), who will face opposition and conspiracies from all sides against his work (חשבוניהון). Starcky regarded this as referring to Mashiach Ben David, while Joseph A. Fitzmyer later would promote an interpretation that this referred only to Noah. There is, however, little evidence for the Noah hypothesis, as can be seen from the content of the passage itself and the description of the individual and their biography.
Andra Caquot suggested, instead that this text describes an Enochian redivivus, or gilgul ha’neshamah reincarnation. What is certain is that in the text, the individual is clearly described not yet having been born. The scroll in question tells about the physical appearance of this בחיר אלהא, and about his education and future greatness. It then turns to the knowledge and wisdom possessed by the individual.