B — Hymns and Poems

Chapter 7

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Fragments of a document concerned with heavenly worship were first published by J. Strugnell under the title 'The Angelic Liturgy', Congress Volume Oxford, Supplements to Vetus Testamentum, 318-45. The full material, viz. eight very damaged manuscripts from Cave, small fragments from Cave and a large fragment from Masada, was subsequently edited by Carol Newsom in DJD, XI, 173-401. For 11Q17 see F. García Martinez et al. DJD, XXIII, 259-304. From the point of view of palaeography all the manuscripts are dated to the first century BCE, with the exception of the Masada fragment, which belongs to the first half of the first century CE. The songs contain angelic praises of God assigned to the first thirteen sabbaths, i.e. the first quarter of the solar year. They imply the simultaneity of heavenly and earthly worship. Although often obscure, the poems depict the celestial sanctuary, the throne-chariot, and the various groups participating in the angelic liturgy; they also include the words of the benedictions sung by the seven archangels. The main source of inspiration is the Book of Ezekiel, especially chapters i and x in connection with the throne-chariot and xl-xlviii for the heavenly sanctuary. The songs include nothing that can be dated. On the basis of the script and on general grounds the composition is said to belong to the first century BCE. The Merkabah, or divine throne-chariot, was a central subject in ancient and medieval Jewish esotericism and mysticism. Hence this early post-biblical manifestation of the speculation is of considerable historical importance for the study of the so-called Merkabahmysticism and of the Hekhaloth literature. It is noteworthy

that the Mishnah prohibits the use of Ezekiel's passage about the chariot as a prophetic reading in synagogue or even its discussion in private, unless with a sage already familiar with the subject. The presence of this Qumran document in the fortress of Masada is best explained by assuming either that a number of Essenes joined the revolutionaries and took with them some of their manuscripts, or that the rebels occupied the Qumran area after its evacuation by the Community and later transferred some Essene manuscripts to their final place of resistance. 4Q400 fr. I i To the Master. Song of the holocaust of the first Sabbath, on the fourth of the first month. Praise the God of.. the 'gods' of supreme holiness; in his divine kingship, rejoice. For he has established supreme holiness among the everlastingly holy, the Holy of Holies, to be for him the priests of the inner Temple in his royal sanctuary, ministers of the Presence in his glorious innermost Temple chamber. In the congregation of all the gods of knowledge, and in the congregation of all the 'gods' of God, he engraved his precepts for all the spiritual works, and his glorious judgements for all who lay the foundations of knowledge, the people his glorious understanding, the 'gods' who are close to knowledge.. of eternity and from the fountain of holiness to the sanctuary of supreme holiness.. priests of the inner Temple, ministers of the Presence of the most holy King.. his glory. They shall grow in strength decree by decree to be seven eternal councils. For he founded them for himself as the most holy, who minister in the holy of holies.. do not endure those who pervert the way. There is nothing impure in their sanctuaries. He engraved for them precepts relating to holy gifts; by them, all the everlastingly holy shall sanctify themselves. He shall purify the luminously pure to repay all those who render their way crooked.

Their expiations shall obtain his goodwill for all those who repent from sin.. knowledge among the priests of the inner Temple, and from their mouth the teachings of the holy with the judgements of his glory.. his graces for everlasting merciful forgiveness. In his zealous vengeance.. he has established for himself as priests of the inner Temple, the most holy.. of gods, the priests of the highest heights who are near to.. 4Q4002.. wonderfully to extol Thy glory among the divine beings of knowledge, and the praises of Thy kingship among the most holy. More wonderfully than 'gods' and men they are glorified amid all the camps of the 'gods' and feared by companies of men. They recount his royal majesty according to their knowledge and exalt his glory in all his royal heavens. In all the highest heights they shall sing marvellous psalms according to all their understanding, and the glorious splendour of the King of the 'gods' they shall recount on their stations.. for what shall we be counted among them? For what shall our priesthood be counted in their dwellings? How shall our holiness compare with their supreme holiness? How does the offering of our tongue of dust compare with the knowledge of the divine beings.. our jubilation. Let us extol the God of knowledge.. Holy of Holies and His understanding is above all those who possess knowledge.. 4Q402, fr. 4, 9-10.. 'gods' run to his visitation and the voice of a crowd.. of 'gods' in the war of heaven. And it will be..

4Q402 4, 11-15=MASADA FRAGMENT 1, 1-7.. wonderful new works. All these he has done wonderfully with all the eternally hidden things.. all the words of knowledge; for from the God of knowledge all that exists for ever, and from his plans all the eternally appointed. He produces the former things in their appointed times, and the latter things in their seasons. None among those who know the wonderfully revealed things can comprehend them before he makes them. When he makes them, none of the doers of righteousness can understand his plan, for they are his glorious works. Before they come into being, from his plan. For the Master. Song of the holocaust of the sixth Sabbath on the ninth of the second month. Praise the God of gods, you inhabitants of the highest heights.. holy of holies and exalt his glory.. knowledge of the everlasting gods.. 4Q403 1, i, 1-29 =MASADA FRAGMENT 1039-200 Psalm of exaltation by the tongue of the third of the sovereign Princes, an exaltation.. He shall exalt the God of the angels on high seven times with seven wonderful exaltations. Psalm of praise by the tongue of the fourth to the Mighty One above all the gods, seven wonderful mighty deeds. He shall praise the God of mighty deeds seven times with seven words of marvellous praise. Psalm of thanksgiving by the tongue of the fifth to the King of glory with its seven wonderful thanksgivings. He shall thank the God of glory seven times with seven words of wonderful thanksgivings. Psalm of exultation by the tongue of the sixth to the God

of goodness with its seven wonderful exultations. He shall exult before the King of goodness seven times with seven words of wonderful exultation. Psalm of singing by the t ongue of the seventh of the sovereign Princes, a powerful song to the God of holiness with its seven marvellous songs. He shall sing to the King of holiness seven times with seven words of wonderful songs; seven psalms his blessings; seven psalms of magnification of his righteousness; seven psalms of exaltation of his kingship; seven psalms of praises of his glory; seven psalms of thanksgivings for his marvellous deeds; seven psalms of exultation of his power; seven psalms singing his holiness;. seven times with seven wonderful words, words of exaltation of the Sovereign Princes. In the glorious name of God, the first of the sovereign Princes shall bless all the.. with seven wonderful words blessing all their councils in his holy sanctuary with seven wonderful words, and he shall bless those who know the everlasting things. In the name of his truth, the second of the sovereign Princes shall bless all their stations with seven wonderful words and he shall bless with seven wonderful words. He shall bless all those who exalt the King with seven glorious words of his marvels, all the eternally pure. In the name of his exalted kingship, the third of the sovereign Princes shall bless all who are lifted up in knowledge with seven words of exaltation.. of his true knowledge, he shall bless with seven marvellous words; and he shall bless all who are destined for righteousness with seven wonderful words. In the name of the King's majesty, the fourth of the sovereign Princes shall bless with seven majestic words all who walk uprightly. He shall bless all the gods close to true knowledge with seven righteous words his glorious favours. In the name of the majesty of his marvellous deeds, the fifth sovereign Prince shall bless with seven words of his exalted truth all who.. purity. He shall bless all who eagerly do his will with seven marvellous words. And he shall bless all who confess him with seven majestic words that they may thank him for ever.

In the name of the mighty deeds of the gods the sixth sovereign Prince shall bless with seven words of his marvellous mighty deeds all who are mighty in wisdom. He shall bless all the perfect of way with seven marvellous words to be in attendance for ever. He shall bless all who wait for him with seven marvellous words that they may obtain the return of his gracious favours. In the name of his holiness, the seventh of the sovereign Princes shall bless with seven words of his marvellous holiness all the holy founders of knowledge. He shall bless all who exalt his statutes with seven marvellous words stout shields. He shall bless all who are destined for righteousness and always forever praise his glorious kingship with seven marvellous words for everlasting peace. In the name of his holiness all the sovereign Princes shall bless together the God of the divine beings in all their sevenfold testimonies. They shall bless those destined for righteousness and all the blessed.. the eternally blessed for them. Blessed be the Lord, the King of all, who is above all blessing and praise. He shall bless all the holy who bless him and proclaim him righteous in the name of his glory. And he shall bless all who are blessed for ever. 4Q403 I, i, 30-46 For the Master. Song of the holocaust of the seventh Sabbath on the sixteenth of the month.

Praise the most high God, O you high among all the gods of knowledge. Let the holy ones of the 'gods' sanctify the King of glory, who sanctifies by his holiness all his holy ones. O Princes of the praises of all the 'gods', praise the God of majestic praises, For in the splendour of praises is the glory of His kingship. In it are the praises of all the 'gods' together with the

splendour of all His kingship. Exalt His exaltation on high, O 'gods', above the gods on high, and His glorious divinity above all the highest heights. For He is the God of gods, of all the Princes on high, and the King of kings of all the eternal councils. By a discerning goodwill the words of His mouth all the gods on high come into being, at the opening of His lips, all the eternal spirits, by His discerning goodwill, all His creatures in their undertakings. Exult, O you who exult in his knowledge, with an exultation among the wonderful 'gods'; utter His glory with the tongue of all who utter knowledge; may His wonderful exultation be in the mouth of all who utter His knowledge. For He is the God of all who exult in everlasting knowledge, and the Judge through His might of all the spirits of understanding. Celebrate O all celebrating gods, the King of majesty, for all the gods of knowledge celebrate His glory, and all the spirits of righteousness celebrate His truth, and seek acceptance of their knowledge by the judgements of His mouth, and of their celebrations when His mighty hand executes judgements of reward. Sing to the God of power with an offering of the princely spirit, a song of divine joy, and a jubilation among all the holy, a wonderful song for eternal rejoicing. With these all the foundations of the holy of holies shall praise, the pillars bearing the highest abode, and all the corners of its structure. Sing to the God who is awesome in strength.. to extol together the splendid firmament, the supreme purity of His holy sanctuary. Praise Him, O divine spirits, praising for ever and ever the firmament of the highest heavens, all.. and its walls, all its structure, its shape. [The spirits of the holy of holies, the living 'gods', the spirits of

eternal holiness above all the holy ones;. marvellous marvel, majesty and beauty and marvel. Glory is in the perfect light of knowledge.. in all the marvellous sanctuaries. The divine spirits surround the dwelling of the King of truth and righteousness; all its walls.. 4Q403 I, ii, 6-29.. and from among them run 'gods' with the appearance of coals of fire.. walking round about, most holy spirits.. Holy of Holies, divine spirits, ever from the chiefs of His innermost sanctuary.. And a glorious voice of blessing.. is heard by God and the foundations.. of blessing. And all the ornaments of the innermost sanctuary burst into wonderful prayers in the innermost sanctuary.. of wonder, one innermost sanctuary to another, by the voice of holy crowds, and all their ornaments.. And the chariots of His innermost sanctuary will utter praises together and their cherubim and wheels will bless wonderfully the chiefs of the 'godly' figure and will bless Him in the holy innermost sanctuary. vacat For the Master. Song of the holocaust for the eighth Sabbath on the twenty-third of the second month. Praise the God of all the highest heights, all the holy ones for ever and ever, they who are second among the priests of the inner Temple, the second council in the wonderful dwelling, with seven words of.. eternally. Extol Him, O sovereign Princes, in his marvellous portion, praise the God of gods, O you seven priesthoods of His inner Temple.. height, the seven wonderful domains by the precept concerning

His sanctuaries. The sovereign Princes of the wonderful priesthood.. the seven priesthoods in the wonderful sanctuary for seven councils of holiness.. the Prince, the angels of the King in the wonderful dwellings. The knowledge of their understanding is for seven.. Prince from the priest of the inner Temple. The Princes of the congregation of the King in the assembly of.. and praises of exaltation to the King of glory and a tower of.. for the God of gods, the King of purity. The offering of their tongues.. the seven mysteries of knowledge in the wonderful mystery of the seven domains of the Holy of holies.. The tongue of the first shall be seven times stronger than the tongue of the second; the tongue of the second shall be seven times stronger than that of the third; the tongue of the third shall be seven times stronger than that of the fourth; the tongue of the fourth shall be seven times stronger than the tongue of the fifth; the tongue of the fifth shall be seven times stronger than the tongue of the sixth; the tongue of the sixth shall be seven times stronger than the tongue of the seventh; the tongue of the seventh shall be seven times stronger than the tongue of the eighth.. 4Q405 14-15, i.. tongue of blessing from the likeness of the gods issues a voice of blessing for the King of those who exalt, and their wonderful praise is for the God of gods.. their many-coloured.. and they sing.. the vestibules by which they enter, the spirits of the most holy inner Temple.. And the likeness of the living 'gods' is engraved on the vestibules by which the King enters, luminous spiritual figures.. King, figures of a glorious light, wonderful spirits; among the spirits of splendour there are works of marvellous colours, figures of the living 'gods'.. in the glorious innermost Temple chambers, the structure of the most holy sanctuary in the innermost chambers of the King, designs of 'go ds'.. likeness of.. most holy.. the Temple chambers of the King.. figures of the 'gods' and from the likeness

.. of the Holy of Holies.. 4Q405 ABCD The figures of the 'gods' shall praise Him, the most holy spirits.. of glory; the floor of the marvellous innermost chambers, the spirits of the eternal gods, all.. figures of the innermost chamber of the King, the spiritual works of the marvellous firmament are purified with salt, spirits of knowledge, truth and righteousness in the holy of hollies, [forms of the living 'gods', forms of the illuminating spirits. All their works are marvellously linked, many-coloured spirits, artistic figures of the 'gods', engraved all around their glorious bricks, glorious figures on bricks of splendour and majesty. All their works are living 'gods', and their artistic figures are holy angels. From beneath the marvellous innermost chambers comes a sound of quiet silence: the 'gods' bless.. the King.. 4Q405 ii, 21—2.. His glorious chariots. When they go.. they do not turn aside.. but advance straight.. For the Master. Song of the holocaust of the twelfth Sabbath on the twenty-first of the third month. Praise the God of.. wonder, and exalt Him.. of glory in the tent of the God of knowledge. The cherubim prostrate themselves before Him and bless. As they rise, a whispered divine voice is heard, and there is a roar of praise. When they drop their wings, there is a whispere d divine voice. The cherubim bless the image of the throne- chariot above the firmament, and they praise the majesty of the luminous firmament beneath His seat of glory. When the wheels advance, angels of holiness come and go. From between His glorious wheels, there is as it were a fiery vision of most holy spirits. About

them, the appearance of rivulets of fire in the likeness of gleaming brass, and a work of.. radiance in many-coloured glory, marvellous pigments, clearly mingled. The spirits of the living 'gods' move perpetually with the glory of the marvellous chariot. The whispered voice of blessing accompanies the roar of their advance, and they praise the Holy One on their way of return. When they ascend, they ascend marvellously and when they settle, they stand still. The sound of joyful praise is silenced and there is a whispered blessing of the 'gods' in all the camps of God. And the sound of praise.. from among all their divisions.. and all their numbered ones praise, each in his turn. 4Q405 i.. his whole-offering. The 'gods' praise Him when they take up their station, and all the spirits of the clear firmament rejoice in His glory. A sound of blessing from all His divisions speaking of the firmaments of His glory, and His gates praise with a resounding voice. When the gods of knowledge enter by the doors of glory, and when the holy angels depart towards their realm, the entrance doors and the gates of exit proclaim the glory of the King, blessing and praising all the spirits of God when they depart and enter by the gates. None among them skips over a precept, nor do they.. against the saying of the King.. They run not away from the path, nor slip away from His domain. They are neither too high for His commission nor too lowly. For He shall be compassionate in the realm of His furious, destroying anger; He will not judge in the provinces of His glorious wrath. The fear of the King of 'gods' is awe-inspiring to all the 'gods', and they undertake all His commissions by virtue of His true order, and they go.. 4Q405 ii

.. At their marvellous stations are spirits, many-coloured like the work of a weaver, splendid engraved figures. In the midst of a glorious appearance of scarlet, colours of the most holy spiritual light, they hold to their holy station before the King, spirits of pure colours in the midst of an appearance of whiteness. The likeness of the glorious spirit is like a work of sparkling fine gold. All their pattern is clearly mingled like the work of a weaver. These are the Princes of those marvellously clothed for service, the Princes of the kingdom, the kingdom of the holy ones of the King of holiness in all the heights of the sanctuaries of His glorious kingdom. The Princes in charge of offerings have tongues of knowledge, and they bless the God of knowledge among all His glorious works.. IIQ17 viii.. their marvellous marvels by the power of the God of eternity; and they shall exalt the mighty deeds of the God.. From the four foundations of the marvellous firmament they shall proclaim soundlessly a divine oracle.. wall. They bless and praise the God of gods..

Poetic Fragments on Jerusalem and 'King' Jonathan Written in a very difficult semi-cursive script, this text has been brilliantly deciphered by Ada Yardeni and edited by Esther and Hanan Eshel. The top part of the fragment, or column A, preserving the first two or three words of ten lines, is an unknown Halleluiah psalm. However, the last three lines have been identified by E. Eshel, as well as by M. Kister, as belonging to the last verses of Psalm 154, included in the Psalms Scroll from 11Q, and partly reconstructed from the Syriac, and ending with an allusion to God's presence in Zion-Jerusalem. Column B, with its nine lines, is complete. It opens with a reference to the 'Holy City', associated with 'King' Jonathan, but the main theme appears to be a blessing of God's kingdom and name on behalf of the entire people of Israel. Note that Column A also ends with a mention of Zion-Jerusalem. Column C, with the second half of each of its nine lines missing, also mentions Israel, together with God's name and kingdom, as well as what seems to be 'the day of war'. The editors believe that they can read 'Jonathan' in line 8, but this is far from certain. 4Q448 is a unique and significant Qumran text of historical importance. The editors assume that King Jonathan is Alexander Jannaeus or Yannai, i.e. a Hasmonaean ruler who, as a general rule, is presumed by scholars to have been hostile to the Qumran Community. They conjecture, therefore, that 4Q448 is not a sectarian composition. I prefer, by contrast, to identify 'King' Jonathan as Jonathan Maccabaeus at the start of his political-military career, when he was celebrated as the liberator of the Jews and of Jerusalem, and link this

text to the statement of the Habakkuk Commentary in VIII, 8-9, concerning the good behaviour 'when he first arose' of the ruler who was to become the Wicked Priest. The identification of 'King Jonathan' with Jonathan Maccabaeus proposed by me is shared also by E. Puech. The name 'Jonathan' appears without context on a badly damaged fragment designated 4Q523; see E. Puech, DJD, XXV, 75- 83. The script is dated to 150-125 BCE, which would suggest that the person in question is the Maccabee brother rather than Alexander Jannaeus. For the editio princeps, see Esther Eshel, Hanan Eshel and Ada Yardeni, DJD, XI, 403-25; see also G. Vermes, 'The So-called King Jonathan Fragment ', JJS, 294-300. Column A Halleluiah. Psalm.. Thou hast loved as a father.. Thou hast acted as a prince over.. vacat And those who hate Thee.. fear.. The many announce.. fear.. And for those who are perfect.. Behold the eyes of the Lord have compassion on the good, and His mercy is great over those who glorify Him. From an evil time He saves their soul. He redeems the poor from the hand of oppressors, and delivers the perfect from the hand of the wicked. He desires his tabernacle in Zion, chooses Jerusalem for ever. Column B Holy City for King Jonathan and for all the congregation of Thy people Israel, who are in the four corners of heaven. May the peace of them all be on Thy kingdom! May Thy name be blessed.

Column C I will.. in Thy love.. during the day and until the evening.. to draw near to be.. to visit them for a blessing.. on Thy name which is invoked.. kingdom to be blessed.. on the day war.. to King Jonathan..