/pɛʃɑːˈriːm/, U.S. /ˌpɛʃɑˈrim/, peshers.peshern.
/ˈpɛʃə/, U.S. /ˈpɛʃər//pɛʃɑːˈriːm/, U.S. /ˌpɛʃɑˈrim/, peshers. An interpretation of (part of) the Hebrew scriptures in which a historical context is used, instead of allegory, to prophesy the end of days.Originally with reference to the Qumran manuscripts, esp. that interpreting the book of Habakkuk. Later also with reference to Christian New Testament sources.
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1956 G. Graystone Dead Sea Scrolls (Notes to chapter i.) 99 They are designated by the abbreviations IQpHab (i.e., pesher or explanation, of Habacuc), [etc.].
1960 Jrnl. Near Eastern Stud. 19 57/2 It would be quite another matter if this phrase had occurred in a pesher of Isa. 42:3.
1962 Bull. School Oriental & Afr. Stud. 25 3 The midrashim and pesharim..were held in the highest esteem.
1978 C. K. Barrett Gospel according to St. John (ed. 2) ii. 30 John, then, develops the synoptic use of the Old Testament in a characteristically subtle way. At its most characteristic this differs most widely from the pesher interpretation of the Qumran sect.
1988 Textus 14 6 Both in its character and intentions, this passage resembles the form of a pesher.
1994 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 1 Dec. 60/3 The new method I did use, called the pesher technique (which finds history objectively placed in the text, not allegory) was not applied to the Dead Sea Scrolls..but to the New Testament.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1956