B — Hymns and Poems

Hymn of Glorification A and B (4Q491, fr. 11—4Q471b)

1Two different versions of the same poem have been preserved. The first was originally thought to be part of the War Scroll (Ma, 4Q491, fr. 11) and was identified as 'The Song of Michael and the Just' by its editor, M. Baillet. The editor of the second text, Esther Eshel, proposes the more likely interpretation that the speaker of the hymn is the eschatological high priest, first humiliated by his opponents before sharing the glory of the 'gods' or 'holy ones'. The troubled career of the last priest is also alluded to in the Aramaic Testament of Levi (4Q541, fr. 9). For the editio princeps, see M. Baillet, DJD, VII, 26-30 (4Q491) and E. Eshel, DJD,XXI, 421-32 (4Q471b). Glorification Hymn A (4Q491, fr. 11) ... the righ[teo]us exult [in the streng]th of His might and the holy ones rejoice in ... in righteousness ... He has established it in Israel Since ancient times His truth and the mysteries of His wisdom (have been) in al[l] ... power ... and the council of the poor into an eternal congregation ... the perfect... [et]ernity a throne of strength in the congregation of 'gods' so that not a single king of old shall sit on it, neither shall their noble men... My glory is incomparable, and apart from me none is exalted. None shall come to me for I dwell in ... in heaven, and there is no... I am reckoned with the 'gods' and my dwelling-place is in the congregation of holiness.

2[My] des[ire] is not according to the flesh, [and] all that I value is in the glory of... [... the pl]ace of holiness. Who is counted despicable on my account, and who is comparable to me in my glory? Who is like... the young (?) like me? Is there a companion who resembles me? There is none! I have been taught and no instruction resembles [my instruction] ... Who shall attack me when [I] op[en my mouth]? And who can contain the issue of my lips? Who shall summon me to be destroyed by my judgement? ... [F]or I am reckoned with the 'gods', and my glory is with the sons of the King. No pure gold or gold of Ophir ... Glorification Hymn B (4Q471b) I am reckoned with the 'gods' and my dwelling-place is in the congregation of holiness. Who is counted as me to be despised and who is despised as me? And who is like me, forsaken [by men (Isa. liii, 3), and is there] a companion who resembles me? And no instruction resembles my instruction. [For] I sit... Who is like me among the 'gods'? [And who shall attack me when I open my mouth]? And who can contain the issue of my lips? And who [shall summon me to be destroyed by my judgement]? [For I am] the beloved of the King and the friend of the ho[ly ones]. [No-one] ... and no-one is comparable [to my glory]. For I [have my station with the 'gods', and my glory is with the sons of the King].

3I will not be cr[owned with pure gold nor with the gold of Ophir] ... Sing...

4C. Calendars, Liturgies and Prayers

5'Phases of the Moon', Israel Antiquities Authority