A — The Rules

Four Classes of the Community (4Q279)

1Formerly known as 4QTohorot D a, this fragment is one of three small scraps which have partly preserved the division of the Community into four lots or classes, already known from CD XIV, 5-6, viz. Priests, Levites, Israelites and Proselytes. For the editio princeps, see P. S. Alexander and G. Vermes, DJD, XXVI, 217-23.

2... [The first] lot belongs [to the Pries]ts, the sons of Aaron [and the second lot to the Levites ranked in order] each according to his spirit. And the [third] lo[t will belong to the children of Israel in order each according to his spirit. And] the fourth lot will belong to the Prosely[tes] ...