C — Calendars, Liturgies and Prayers

Calendrical Document C (4Q326)

1In the first (month) on the fourth (day) is Sabbath... On the eighth (day) in it [is Sabbath] ... On the eleventh (day) in it is Sabbath... [On the 14th (day) in it is Passover on the third (day of the week). On the 15th (day) in it: the feast of the Unleavened Bread on the fourth (day of the week). On the 18th (day) is Sabbath. On the 25th (day) in it: Sabbath. On the 26th (day) in it:] feast of the Gr[ain after the Sabbath. In the first month] 30 (days). On the second (day) in it: [Sabbath. On the ninth (day) in it: Sabbath. On the 16th (day)] ...

Calendrical Document D (4Q394 1-2)

1This text is the opening of MMT (Some Observances of the Law) and has been dealt with there (see pp. 222-3).

Calendric Signs (Otot) (4Q319)

1The so-called Otot or 'Signs' document was copied as the continuation of 4QSe (4Q259). Whether it was part of the original composition is as debatable as the attachment of a calendar to MMT at 4Q394 1-2 (cf. above, pp. 222-3). 4Q319 represents a calendrical system based on the weekly rotation of the twenty-four priestly courses during a six-year period and constructed into six consecutive Jubilees, i.e. 294 years. The 'sign' which recurs in every three years probably identifies the years in which the shorter lunar year of 354 days is supplemented by means of the intercalation of an extra month of 30 days (3×354+30=1,092) to equal the length of three 'solar' years of 364 days each (3×364=1,092). Palaeographically the manuscript is dated to the first half of the first century BCE. For the editio princeps, see J. Ben-Dov, DJD, XXI, 199-244. Frs. 1-3 IV ... ... on the fourth (day) of the wee[k] ... its light on the fourth (day) of the wee[k] of the creation in (the week of) G[amul. The sign of Shecaniah: in the fourth (year). The sign of Gamul: in the (year) of Release (i.e. the first sabbatical year).

2(Second sabbatical cycle): [The sign of Shecaniah: in the thi]rd (year). The sign of [G]amul: in the sixth (year).

3(Third sabbatical cycle): The sign [of Shecaniah: in the second (year). The sign of G]amul: [in the fifth (year).

4(Fourth sabbatical cycle): The sig]n of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release. The sign of Gamu[l: in the fourth (year). The sign of Shec]an[i]ah: [in the (year of) Release.

5(Fifth sabbatical cycle): The sig]n of Gamul: in the third (year). The sign of Shecaniah: [in the sixth (year).

6(Sixth sabbatical cycle): The sign of Gam]ul: [in the second (year). The si]gn of She[caniah]: in the fifth (year).

7(Seventh sabbatical cycle): The sign of Gam[ul: after the (year of) Release. The sign of Shecaniah: in the fou]rth (year). The sign of Gamul: in the (year of) Release (which is) the sign of the en[d of the Jubilee. The signs of the second J]ubilee: 17 signs. Of this in the (year of) Release: [2] signs.

8...of the creation... [The si]gn of Shecaniah: in the second (year). [The sign of Ga]mul: in the fifth (year). The sign of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release. [The sign of Ga]mul: Frs. 2—5, 9, 23

9V [in the fourth (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Release.

10The sign of Gamul: in the third (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year).

11The sign of Gamul: in the second (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the fifth (year). The sign of Gamul: after the (year of) Releas]e. The sign of Shecaniah: in the fo[urth (year). The sign of Gamul: in the (year of) Release.

12The sign of Shecaniah: in the thi]rd (year). The sign of Gamul: in the si[xth (year) The sign] of Shec[aniah (which is) the sign] of the end of the third Jubilee.

13The signs of the third Jubilee: 17 signs]. Of this in the (year of) Release: 2 signs.

14[The sign] of Shecaniah: in the second year. [The sign of Gam]ul: in the fifth (year). The sign of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release.

15The sig[n of Gamul: in the fourth (year). The sig]n of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Release.

16The sign of Gamul: in the third (year). The sign [of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year).

17The sign of G]amul: in the second (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the fifth (year). The sign [of Gamul: after the (year of)] Release.

18The sign of Shecaniah:

19in the fourth (year). The sign of Gamul: [in the (year of) Release.

20The sign] of Shecaniah: in the third (year). The sign of Gamul: in the sixth (year).

21The sign of Shec[aniah: in the second (year). The sign] of Gamul: in the fifth (year). The sign of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release [(which is) the sign of the end of the Jubilee.

22The signs of the] fourth [Jubi]lee: 17 signs. Of this in the (year of) Release: 2 signs.

23[The sign of Gamul]: in the fourth year. The sign of Shecaniah: [in the (year of) Rel]ease.

24The sign of Gamul: in [the third (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year). The sign of Gamul]: in the second (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the fi[fth (year). The sign of Gamul: after the (year of) Release.

25The sign of Shecaniah]: in the fourth (year). The sign of [Gamul]: in the (year of) Release.

26The sign of She[caniah: in the second (year). The sign of Gamul: in the fifth (year). The sign of Shecaniah]: after the [(year of)] Release.

27The sign of Ga[mul: in the fourth (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Release (which is) the sign of the end of the fifth Jubilee in Jeshebab.

28The signs of the fifth Jubilee: 16 signs. Of this in the (year of) Release:

29VI 3 signs. [The sign of Gamul: in the third year. The sign of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year).

30The sign of Gamul: in] the second (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in [the fifth year]. The sign of Gamul: after the (year of) Rel]ease.

31[The si]gn of Shecaniah: in the fourth (year). The sign of Ga[mul: in the (year of) Release.

32The sign of Shecaniah]: in the third (year). The sign of Gamul: in the sixth (year).

33The sign of Shecaniah: [in the second (year). The sign] of Gamul: in the f[if]th (year). The sign of Shecaniah: after [the (year of) Release.

34The si]gn of Gamul: in [the four]th (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Relea[se.

35The sign of Gamul: in] the third (year). The si[gn of Shecaniah: in the s]ixth (year) (which is) the sign of the end of the sixth Ju[bilee.

36The signs of the sixth] Jubilee: 1[6 signs]. Of this in [the (year of) Release]: 2 signs ... and for the Jubi[lee].

37[The sign of Gamul: in the second (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the fifth (year).

38The sign of Gamul: after] the (year of) Relea[se.

39The sign of Shecaniah: in the four]th (year). The sign of Gamu[l: in] the (year of) Relea[se.

40The sign of Shecaniah: in the third (year). The sign] of Gamul: in the sixth (year).

41The sig[n of Shecaniah: in] the second (year). The si[gn of Gamul]: in the fifth (year). The sign of Shecaniah: [after] the (year of) Relea[se.

42The sign of G]amul: in the fourth (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Re[lease.

43The sign] of Gamul: [in the thir]d (year). The sign of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year).

44The sign [of Gamul]: in the sec[ond (year). The sign of Shecaniah]: in the fifth (year) (which is) the sign of the end of the Jubi[lee.

45The signs of the] seventh [Jubilee] 16 signs. Of this in the (year of) Release: [2 signs].

46Sign of the J[ubilees, ye]ar of Jubilees according to [holy] day[s]. [In Gamul the first (Jubilee), in Jedaiah the] sec[ond], in Mijamin the third, [in Shecaniah the fourth]

47'Horoscopes' or Astrological Physiognomies (4Q186, 4Q534, 4Q561) Three documents from Cave 4, one in Hebrew and two in Aramaic, all dating probably to the end of the first century BCE, contain fragments of 'horoscopes' or, more precisely, astrological physiognomies claiming a correspondence between the features and destiny of a person and the configuration of the stars at the time of his birth. The Hebrew text, published by J. M. Allegro (4Q186), is written in a childish cipher. The text runs from left to right instead of the normal right to left and uses, in addition to the current 'square' Hebrew alphabet, letters borrowed from the archaic Hebrew (or Phoenician) and Greek scripts. The spiritual qualities of three individuals described in the work are reflected in their share of Light and Darkness. The first man is very wicked: eight parts of Darkness to a single part of Light. The second man is largely good: six parts of Light against three parts of Darkness. The last is almost perfect: eight portions of Light and only one of Darkness. As far as physical characteristics are concerned, shortness, fatness and irregularity of features are associated with wickedness, their opposites reflect virtue. In the astrological terminology of the document, the 'second Column' doubtless means the 'second House'; and a birthday 'in the foot of the Bull' should probably be interpreted as the presence, at that moment, of the sun in the lower part of the constellation Taurus. The first Aramaic 'horoscope' (4Q534) is, according to J. Starcky, that of the final Prince of the Congregation, or Royal Messiah. It is just as likely, however, that the text alludes to the miraculous birth of Noah and it has therefore been placed together with the other remains of Noah literature (cf. pp. 554-5below). 4Q561, also in Aramaic, is too short to allow an identification but it is unlikely to refer to Noah as the

48qualities seem to be in some middle position between good and evil. Whether the sectaries forecast the future by means of astrology, or merely used horoscope-like compositions as literary devices, is impossible to decide at present, though I am inclined towards the latter alternative. That such texts are found among the Scrolls should not, however, surprise anyone. For if many Jews frowned on astrology, others, such as the Hellenistic Jewish writer Eupolemus, credited its invention to Abraham! (Cf. G. Vermes, Scripture and Tradition in Judaism,Leiden, 1973, 80-82.) For the texts see J. M. Allegro and A. A. Anderson, DJD, V, 88-91; J. Strugnell, RQ 7 (1970), 274-6; P. S. Alexander, in E. Schürer, G. Vermes, F. Millar and M. Goodman, The History of the JewishPeople in the Age of Jesus Christ, III, Edinburgh, 1986, 364-6. 4Q 186, fr. 1 II ... and his thighs are long and lean, and his toes are thin and long. He is of the second Column. His spirit consists of six (parts) in the House of Light and three in the Pit of Darkness. And this is his birthday on which he (is to be/was?) born: in the foot of the Bull. He will be meek. And his animal is the bull. III ... and his head ... [and his cheeks are] fat. His teeth are of uneven length (?). His fingers are thick, and his thighs are thick and very hairy, each one. His toes are thick and short. His spirit consists of eight (parts) in the House of Darkness and one from the House of Light... Fr. 2 I ... order. His eyes are black and glowing. His beard is ... and it is ... His voice is gentle. His teeth are fine and well aligned. He is neither tall, nor short. And he ... And his fingers are thin and long. And his thighs are smooth. And the soles of his feet... [And his toes] are well aligned. His spirit consists of eight (parts) [in the House of Light, of] the

49second Column, and one [in the House of Darkness. And this is] his birthday on which he (is to be/was) born: ... And his animal is... 4Q561 ... mixed but not too much. His eyes will be between white and black. His nose will be long and beautiful. His teeth will be even. His beard will be thin but not too much so. His limbs will be smoot[h and] be[tween re]duced and thick ...

Phases of the Moon (4Q317)

1Seventy-six fragments of an astronomical text written in a cryptic alphabet record the phases of the moon, divided into 1/14ths of the full size of the moon, over the consecutive days of a 364-day solar calendar. J. T. Milik has reconstructed a fourteen-line section, based on fr. 1 ii, 2—14 and supplemented with other smaller fragments. For the text, see J. T. Milik, The Books of Enoch: Aramaic Fragments of Qumran Cave 4 (Oxford, 1976), 68-9.

2II ... [On the f]ifth (day) of it (the month), [tw]elve (fourteenths of the moon's surface) are covered and thus it [enters the day. On the sixth (day) of it] thir]teen (fourteenths of its surface) are covered and thus it enters the day. On the seventh (day) of it [fourteen (fourteenths of its surface)] are covered and thus] it enters the day. vacat On the eighth (day) of it... the firmament above ... its light is to be covered ... on the first of the Sabbath (Sunday). vacat [On the ninth (day) of it one (fourteenth) portion (of its surface)] is revealed [and thus it enters the night]. On the tenth (day) of it [two (fourteenths of its surface)] are [revealed and it enters] the night. vacat On the ele[venth (day) of it three (fourteenths of its surface) are revealed] and thus it enters the night. vacat

A Zodiacal Calendar with a Brontologion (4Q318)

1A fascinating, but unfortunately fragmentary, calendar indicates the passage of the moon through the various Zodiacal signs during the successive months of the year from Nisan to Adar. The fragment begins with the month of Tevet, continues with Tishri and ends with Adar. The last four lines of col. VIII have preserved a brontologion, i.e. prediction of prodigies or ill-omens by means of an interpretation of the sound of thunder on certain specified days of the month. The actual prediction of woe survives only at the end of the text in lines 8-9. It takes the form of a famine and the invasion of the country by a conquering foreign army. For the editio princeps, see J. C. Greenfield and M. Sokoloff, DJD, XXXVI, 259-74.

2VII ... ... and on 13 and [1]4 [Pisces; on 15 and 16 Aries; on 17 and 18 Taurus; on 1]9 and 20 and 2[1 Gemini; on 22 and 23 Cancer; on 24 and 25 Leo; on 26 and] 27 and 28 [Virgo; on 29 and 30 Libra] vacat [Tishri. On 1 and 2 Scorpio; on 3 and 4 Sagittarius; on 5 and 6 and 7] Capricorn; on 8 and on 13 and 14 Cancer; on 15 and 16 Leo; on 17 and 18 Virgo; on 19 and 20 and 21 Libra; on 22 [and 23] Scorpio; on 24 and 25 Sagit[tarius]; on 26 and 27 and 28 [Capricorn]; on 29 and 30 Aquari[us]. vacat Shevat. On 1 and 2 [Pisce]s; on 3 and 4 [Aries; on] 5 and [6 and] 7 Taurus; on 8 [and 9 Gemini]; on 10 [and 11] Cancer; on 12 [and] 13 and 14 Leo; [on 15 and 16 Virgo]; on 17 and 18 Libra; on 19 [and 20 and 21 S]corpio; on 22 [and] 23 [Sagit]tarius; on 24 and 25 Capricorn; on [26 and] 27 and 28 Aquarius; on 29 and 30 Pisces vacat VIII Adar. On 1 and 2 Aries; on 3 and 4 Taurus; on 5 [and 6 and 7

3Gemini]; on 8 and 9 [Cancer; on 10 and 11 L]eo; on 12 and 13 [and 14] Virg[o]; on 15 and [16 Libra; on] 17 and on 18 [Scorpio]; [on] 19 and 20 (and 21) Sag[ittarius]; on 22 and 23 [Cap]ricorn; [on 24 and 25] Aquarius; on 26 and 27 [and 28] Pi[sces; on 29 and 30] Aries. vacat [If in Taurus] it thunders ... [and] hard labour for the country and sword [in the cour]t of the king and in the country of ... to the Arabs (?) [ ... ] starvation and they will pillage one anoth[er ... ]. vacat If in Gemini it thunders, terror and affliction (will be brought) by strangers and by ...

Order of Divine Office (4Q334)

1Cave 4 has yielded seven fragments of a liturgical work made up of six columns, listing the number of songs and words of praise to be sung during the night and during the day on consecutive days of the month. Only frs. 2-4 can be built up into a coherent text. The script is dated to the end of the first century BCE. For the editio princeps, see U. Glessmer, DJD, XXI, 167-94. Frs. 2-4 [And on the eighth (day) of it (of the month) at night: e]ight [so]ngs and forty-... [w]ords of prai[se, and during the day: ... songs and] sixtee[n wor]ds [of praise. And on the nint]h (day) of it at night: [eight songs and] fort[y-t]wo [words of praise, and during the d]ay: ... songs [and ... words of praise]. And on the tenth (day) of i[t] at night: eight songs [and ... words of praise, and during the day: ... songs] and twenty words of p[raise] ...

The Words of the Heavenly Lights (4Q504—6)

1Surviving in three fragmentary manuscripts from Cave 4 (4Q504-6), 'The Words of the Heavenly Lights' are collective prayers for the days of the week which are full of biblical reminiscences. In the best- preserved of them (4Q504), the Sabbath and the fourth day are expressly mentioned in the surviving text. The editor of the document, M. Baillet (DJD, VII (1982), 137-75), attributes to it an exaggeratedly early date, the mid-second century BCE. 4Q504 I ... Amen! Amen! ... II ... We pray Thee, O Lord, do in accordance with Thyself, in accordance with the greatness of Thy might, Thou who didst pardon our fathers when they rebelled against Thy saying. Thou wert angry with them so as to wish to destroy them, but because of Thy love for them and for the sake of Thy Covenant - for Moses had atoned for their sin - and in order that Thy great might and the abundance of Thy mercy might be known to everlasting generations, Thou didst take pity on them. So let Thine anger and wrath against all [their] sin turn away from Thy people Israel. Remember Thy marvels which Thou didst for the poor of the nations. For we were called by Thy Name... to [cause] us [to repent] with all (our) heart and soul and to plant Thy Law in our heart [that we might never depart from it, straying neither] to right nor to left. For Thou wilt heal us of foolishness and of blindness and confusion [of heart... Behold] we were sold because of our iniquities but despite our offences Thou didst call us ... Thou wilt save us from sinning against Thee ... and to make us understand the testimonies ...

2III ... Behold, all the nations are as nothing beside Thee, they are counted as void and naught before Thee. We have called on Thy Name alone. Thou hast created us for Thy glory and made us Thy children in the sight of all the nations. For Thou hast named Israel 'My son, my first-born', and hast chastised us as a man chastises his son. Thou hast brought us up throughout the years of our generations [by means of] evil diseases, famine, thirst, pestilence, and the sword ... of Thy Covenant. Because Thou hast chosen us [from all] the earth [to be Thy people,] therefore hast Thou poured out Thine anger [and jealousy] upon us in all the fury of Thy wrath. Thou hast caused [the scourge] of Thy [plagues] to cleave to us of which Moses wrote, and Thy servants the Prophets, that Thou wouldst send evil against us in the last days... IV ... Thy dwelling-place ... a resting-place in Jerus[alem, the city which] Thou hast [chosen] from all the earth that Thy [Name] might remain there for ever. For Thou hast loved Israel above all the peoples. Thou hast chosen the tribe of Judah and hast established Thy Covenant with David that he might be as a princely shepherd over Thy people and sit before Thee on the throne of Israel for ever. All the nations have seen Thy glory, Thou who hast sanctified Thyself in the midst of Thy people Israel. They brought their offering to Thy great Name, silver and gold and precious stones together with all the treasures of their lands, that they might glorify Thy people, and Zion Thy holy city, and the House of Thy majesty. And there was neither adversary nor misfortune, but peace and blessing... and they ate and were satisfied and grew fat ... V ... [they forsook] the fount of living waters... and served a strange god in their land. Also, their land was ravaged by their enemies; for Thy fury and the heat of Thy wrath overflowed, in the fire of Thy jealousy, making of it a desert where no man could go and return. Yet notwithstanding all this, Thou didst not reject the seed of Jacob, neither didst Thou cast away Israel to destruction, breaking Thy Covenant with them. For Thou alone art a living God and there is none beside Thee. Thou didst remember Thy Covenant, Thou who didst rescue us in the presence of all the nations, and didst not forsake us amid the nations. Thou wert gracious towards Thy people Israel in all the lands to which Thou didst banish them, that they might remember to return to Thee

3and to hearken to Thy voice [according to] all Thou hadst commanded by the hand of Moses Thy servant. For Thou hast shed Thy Holy Spirit upon us, bringing upon us Thy blessings, that we might seek Thee in our distress [and whis]per (prayers) in the ordeal of Thy chastisement. We have entered into distress, have been [stri]cken and tried by the fury of the oppressor. For we also have tired God with our iniquity, we have wearied the Rock with [our] sins. [But] in order that we may profit, Thou hast not wearied us who leadest [us] in the way in [which we must walk. But] we have not heeded ... VI ... [Thou hast taken away] all our transgressions and hast purified us of our sin for Thine own sake. Thine, Thine is righteousness, O Lord, for it is Thou who hast done all this! Now, on the day when our heart is humbled, we expiate our iniquity and the iniquity of our fathers, together with our unfaithfulness and rebellion. We have not rejected Thy trials and scourges; our soul has not despised them to the point of breaking Thy Covenant despite all the distress of our soul. For Thou, who hast sent our enemies against us, strengthenest our heart that we may recount Thy mighty deeds to everlasting generations. We pray Thee, O Lord, since Thou workest marvels from everlasting to everlasting, to let Thine anger and wrath retreat from us. Look on [our affliction] and trouble and distress, and deliver Thy people Israel [from all] the lands, near and far, [to which Thou hast banished them], every man who is inscribed in the Book of Life... serve Thee and give thanks to [Thy holy Name] ... from those who vex them ... VII ... who deliverest us from all distress. Amen! [Amen!] Hymnsforthe Sabbath Day Give thanks ... [Bless] His holy Name always ... all the angels of the holy firmament ... [above] the heavens, the earth and all its deep places, the great [Abyss] and Abaddon and the waters and all that is [in them.]

4[Let] all His creatures [bless Him] always for everlasting [ages. Amen! Amen!] ... bless His holy Name. Sing to God... Fr. 3 II ... Blessed be the God who has given us rest. [Amen], amen. [Prayer on the] fourth [da]y. Remember, O Lord ... Fr. 4 II ... We know these through Thy Ho[ly] Spirit which Thou hast granted us. [Have mercy on us] and remember us not for the iniquities of the men of old in all their evi[l] dealings, [nor] their stiff necks. Thou redeem us and, [pray,] forgive our iniquities and [our] s[ins]. Fr. 6 II ... Remember, pray, that we are Thy people and that Thou hast carried us marvellously [on the wings of] eagles and hast brought us towards Thee. And like an eagle which rouses its nestlings and hovers over [its young], spreads out its wings, takes one and carries it on [its pinions], so we dwell apart and are not reckoned among the nations and ... Thou art in our midst in the pillar of fire and the cloud [of] Thy [holi]ness walking before us, and as it were Thy glory in our mid[st] ... Fr. 8 recto II ... [Rememb]er, O Lo[r]d that... Thou hast fashioned A[dam], our [f]ather, in the likeness of [Thy] glory; Thou didst breathe [a breath of life] into his nostrils and, with understanding, knowledge [Thou didst

5give him] ... Thou didst make [him] to rule [over the Gar]den of Eden which Thou didst plant... and to walk in the land of glory... he guarded. And Thou didst enjoin him not to st[ray ...]... he is flesh and to dust [he will return (?)] ... And Thou, Thou knowest... for everlasting generations ... a living God and Thy hand ... man in the ways of... [to fill the] earth with [vi]olence and to shed [innocent blood] ...

Liturgical Prayer (1Q 34 and 34 bis)

1The following fragments, published by J. T. Milik (DJD, I, 152-5), belong to a collection of prayers for Jewish festivals. The title of the present section is lost, but reference to the renewal of the Covenant seems to indicate that we have here another part of the sect's Pentecostal liturgy.

2I ... Thou wilt cause the wicked to be our ransom and the unfaithful to be our redemption. [Thou wilt] blot out all our oppressors and we shall praise Thy Name for ever [and ever]. For this hast Thou created us and [to say to Thee] this: Blessed art Thou ... II ... the Great Light (of heaven) for the [day]time, [and the Little Light (of heaven) for the night] ... without transgressing their laws, ... and their dominion is over all the world. But the seed of man did not understand all that Thou caused them to inherit; they did not discern Thee in all Thy words and wickedly turned aside from every one. They heeded not Thy great power and therefore Thou didst reject them. For wickedness pleases Thee not, and the ungodly shall not be established before Thee. But in the time of Thy goodwill Thou didst choose for Thyself a people. Thou didst remember Thy Covenant and [granted] that they should be set apart for Thyself from among all the peoples as a holy thing. And Thou didst renew for them Thy Covenant (founded) on a glorious vision and the words of Thy Holy [Spirit], on the works of Thy hands and the writing of Thy Right Hand, that they might know the foundations of glory and the steps towards eternity... [Thou didst raise up] for them a faithful shepherd ...

Prayers for Festivals (4Q 507-9)

1Three badly worn manuscripts from Cave 4 (4Q507-9) partly correspond to the foregoing fragments from Cave 1 (1Q34 and 34 bis). They have preserved prayers for festivals, two of which are explicitly associated with the Day of Atonement and the Day of Firstfruits. The editor, M. Baillet (DJD, VII, 175-215), dates them to the beginning of the first century CE. 4Q507, fr. 1 We are (encompassed) by iniquity since the womb, and since the breast by guilt. While we live, we walk in iniquity... 4Q508, fr. 1 (cf. 1Q34 bis) [And the righteous... to grow fat thanks to the clouds of heaven and the produce of the land, to distingui]sh the righteous from the wicked. And Thou shalt make of the wicked our expiation, and by the upright Thou shalt destroy all our oppressors. And we will praise Thy na[m]e for ever and ever. For [Thou hast created us for this] and we answer Thee with this: Blessed be ... Fr. 2 (cf. 1Q34 bis)

2... Prayer for the Day of Atonement. Remember O Lord, the feast of mercies and the time of return (?)... Thou hast established it for us as a feast of fasting, and an everlas[ting] precept ... Thou knowest the hidden things and the things reveal[ed] ... Fr. 3 ... Thou didst establish [Thy Covenant] with Noah ... 4Q509, fr. 3 (cf. 1Q34 bis) For Thou hast caused us to rejoice, removing our grief, and hast assembled our banished ones for a feast of... Thou shalt gather our dispersed women for the season of ... Thy [me]rcies on our congregation like ra[in-drops on the earth in the season of sowing... and like showers on the gr]ass in the seasons of sprouting and... We shall recount Thy marvels from generation to generation. Blessed be the Lord who has caused us to rejoice... Fr. 132 II [Prayer for the Day of] Firstfruits. Remember, O Lord, the feast of ... and the pleasing free-will offerings which Thou hast commanded... [to br]ing before Thee the firstfruits of [Thy] works ...

Daily Prayers (4Q 503)

1A manuscript from Cave 4 (4Q503) consisting of 225 papyrus fragments, edited by M. Baillet (DJD, VII, 105-36), lists evening and morning benedictions for each day of the month. The calendar followed appears to be lunar since evening precedes morning. The editor places the writing in the first quarter of the first century BCE.

2III And when the sun rises... the firmament of heaven, they shall bless. Answer[ing they shall say:] Blessed be the Go[d of Israel ... ] Today... in the fourt[h of the gates of light... ] On the fifth [of the month in the eve]ning, they shall bless. Answering, they shall say: Blessed be the God [of Israel] who hides... before him in every division of his glory... today the fourte[enth] ... light of the day. Peace be on you, Israel ... [When the sun] rise[s] to illumine the earth, they shall bless, and again the numbe[r shall be] ele[ven days] to the feasts of joy and the appointed times of g[lory,] for [this d]ay is in the fifteenth of the gate[s of light] ... [Peace be on you,] Israel. On the sixth of the month in the evening, they shall bless. Answering, they shall [say]: Bles[sed be the God] of Israel ... And when [the sun rises to illumine the earth, they shall bless. Answering, they shall say] Frs. 7-9 IV ... Peace [be on you, Israel] ... On the seventh of [the month in the evening, they shall bless. Answering, they shall say:] Blessed be the God of Is[rael] ...

3Fr. 11 [On the t]welfth of the month in the evening [they shall bless] ... (This probably continues up to the 26th of the month.)

4Prayer or Hymn Celebrating the Morning and the Evening (4Q 408) One medium sized and fifteen or sixteen small fragments represent a collection of liturgical prayers of which only one can be partly translated. The document is akin to 4Q375 and 376 as well as to 1Q29. Palaeographically the document is placed in the late second century BCE. For the editio princeps, see Annette Steudel, DJD, XXXVI, 298- 319. Fr. I ... [B1]essed art Thou, O Lord, who art righteous in all Thy ways. Be mighty in strength ... [in Thy judge]ments. Thou who art faithful ... Thou art understanding [with all in]telligence ... might. Thou who art ... to bring out ... who hast created the morning as a sign to reveal the dominion of the light as the boundary of the daytime ... for their work. To bless Thy holy name Thou hast created them. For the light is good ... [Thou art ... ] who hast created the evening as a sign to reveal the dominion [of darkness] ... from labour. Thou hast [c]reated them to bless Thy holy name] when they see that the light is good and when ... Thou hast created the evening as a sign (to mark) the appearance of the dominion of [darkness] ...

Blessings (1QSb=1Q28b)

1These fragments from a collection of blessings were originally attached to the Scroll containing the Community Rule and the Messianic Rule. They have been skilfully pieced together by J. T. Milik (DJD, I, 118-29), who dates them to around 100 BCE. The Blessings were to be recited by the Master or Guardian, and were, as it seems, intended for the messianic age, and perhaps for the ceremony of the institution of the new Community. It is, however, possible that they were actually used during the course of some liturgy anticipating and symbolizing the coming of the messianic era. All the members of the Covenant are blessed first, followed by someone who seems to be the priestly head of the Community, the Messiah of Aaron. The next blessing is addressed to the sons of Zadok, the Priests (and Levites?), and finally the Prince of the Congregation, the Messiah of Israel, is blessed. The rest of the document is lost. For an additional fragment, see G. J. Brooke and J. M. Robinson, 'A Further Fragment of iQSb: The Schøyen Collection MS 1909', JJS 46 (1995), 120-33. The Blessing of the Faithful I Words of blessing. The Master shall bless them that fear [God and do] His will, that keep His commandments, and hold fast to His holy [Covenant], and walk perfectly [in all the ways of] His [truth], whom He has chosen for an eternal Covenant which shall endure for ever.

2May the [Lord bless you from the Abode of His holiness]; may He open for you from heaven an eternal fountain which [shall not fail]!

3May He [favour] you with every [heavenly] blessing; [may He teach you] the knowledge of the Holy Ones! [May He unlock for you the] everlasting [fountain; may He not withhold the waters of life from] them that thirst! The Blessing of the High Priest II...

4III May the Lord lift His countenance towards you; [may He delight in the] sweet odour [of your sacrifices]! May He choose [all] them that sit in your pries[tly college]; may He store up all your sacred offerings, and in the [season of] ... all your seed! May He [lift] His countenance towards all your congregation! May He place upon your head [a diadem] ... in [everlasting] glory; may He sanctify your seed in glory without end! May He grant you everlasting [peace] ... May He fight [at the head of] your Thousands [until the generation of falsehood is ended] ... [to bend] many peoples before you ... all the riches of the world ... For God has established all the foundations of ... may He lay the foundation of your peace for ever! The Blessing of the Priests Words of blessing. The M[aster shall bless] the sons of Zadok the Priests, whom God has chosen to confirm His Covenant for [ever, and

5to inquire] into all His precepts in the midst of His people, and to instruct them as He commanded; who have established [His Covenant] on truth and watched over all His laws with righteousness and walked according to the way of His choice. May the Lord bless you from His holy [Abode]; may He set you as a splendid jewel in the midst of the congregation of the saints! May He [renew] for you the Covenant of the [everlasting] priesthood; may He sanctify you [for the House] of Holiness! May He [judge all] the leaders by your works, and all [the princes] of the peoples by the words from out of your lips! May He give you as your portion the firstfruits of [all delectable things]; may He bless by your hand the counsel of all flesh! IV ... may everlasting blessings be the crown upon your head! ... [For] He has chosen you [to] ... and to number the saints and to [bless] your people ... the men of the Council of God by your hand, and not by the hand of a prince ... ... May you be as an Angel of the Presence in the Abode of Holiness to the glory of the God of [hosts] ... May you attend upon the service in the Temple of the Kingdom and decree destiny in company with the Angels of the Presence, in common council [with the Holy Ones] for everlasting ages and time without end; for [all] His judgements are [truth]! May He make you holy among His people, and an [eternal] light [to illumine] the world with knowledge and to enlighten the face of the Congregation [with wisdom]! [May He] consecrate you to the Holy of Holies! For [you are made] holy for Him and you shall glorify His Name and His holiness ... V... The Blessing of the Prince of the Congregation The Master shall bless the Prince of the Congregation ... and shall renew for him the Covenant of the Community that he may establish the kingdom of His people for ever, [that he may judge the poor with

6righteousness and] dispense justice with {equity to the oppressed} (Schøyen) of the land, and that he may walk perfectly before Him in all the ways [of truth], and that he may establish His holy Covenant at the time of the affliction of those who seek God.

7May the Lord raise you up to everlasting heights, and as a fortified tower upon a high wall! [May you smite the peoples] with the might of your hand and ravage the earth with your sceptre; may you bring death to the ungodly with the breath of your lips! [May He shed upon you the spirit of counsel] and everlasting might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of God; may righteousness be the girdle [of your loins] and may your reins be girdled [with faithfulness]! May He make your horns of iron and your hooves of bronze; may you toss like a young bull [and trample the peoples] like the mire of the streets! For God has established you as the sceptre. The rulers ... [and all the kings of the] nations shall serve you. He shall strengthen you with His holy Name and you shall be as a [lion; and you shall not lie down until you have devoured the] prey which naught shall deliver ...

Benedictions (4Q 280, 286-90)

1Five fragmentary copies of a text containing liturgical blessings and curses, each unit ending with 'Amen, amen', have survived in Cave 4. Of these 4QBerakhota (4Q286), preserved on three photographic plates (PAM 43-311-13), provides continuous passages. They parallel Community Rule II and War Rule XIII, and the style of 4Q286 I also recalls the Songs of the Holocaust for the Sabbath (4Q400-407). I agree with Bilhah Nitzan that 4QBerakhot is probably an independent version of part of the ceremony of the renewal of the covenant included in 1QS 11, 3-17. 4Q280 depends mainly on Community Rule ii, but reveals Satan's specific name, Melkiresha' (My king is wickedness), the counterpart of Melchizedek (My king is justice), chief of the Army of Light (cf. below, pp. 532, 571). For the editio princeps, see B. Nitzan, DJD, XI, 1-74 (4Q286-90), and DJD, XXIX, 1-8 (4Q280). 4Q286=4QBerakhota Blessings Fr. 1a ii II The seat of Thy splendour and the footstool of Thy glory in the [h]eights of Thy standing and Thy holy stepping-place. And Thy glorious chariots, their cherubim and their wheels and all [their] companies; foundations of fire and flames of brightness and shinings of majesty

2and str[eam]s of fire and wonderful luminaries; [majes]ty and splendour and glorious height, holy foundation and sou[rce of] majesty and height of glory, ma[rvel of than]ksgivings and reservoir of might, splendour of praises and great in wonderful things and healing[s] and miraculous deeds, foundation of wisdom and pattern of knowledge and source of understanding, source of prudence and holy counsel and true foundation, treasure-house of intelligence, building of righteousness and place of upright[ness, great] in loving-kindness and in meekness and true loving-kindness and everlasting mercies and mysteries of mar[vels] in [the]ir reve[lations] and holy weeks in their appointed time and squads of months ... [... of ye]ars in their circuits and glorious festive seasons in [their] ... fixed moments ... and the sabbatical years of the land in [their] divi[sions, ap]pointed times for libe[rty ... eternity ... [l]ight and dar[kness ... ] Fr. 2 ... [thei]r ... in the strength of their majesty and all the [sp]irits of those who bring to the Sanctua[ry] ... in [their] comp[anies and in] their [do]minions, the mighty of the 'gods' with power. vacat ... zeal for judgement with strength. vacat ... [they shall] all [bless in com]munity Thy holy name.... [Ho]ly of Holies [they] will curse ... knowledge of understanding ... vacat ... joyous cry ... Fr. 3 ... ru[ling] angels ... in (a]ll their services ... [sp]arks and lightnings ... the angels of rain cl[oud]s, and heavy clouds and thick [clouds] and dew- drops ... and all the spirits of dominations ... when they were created ... [suc]ceed one another ... Fr. 5

3... the earth and everything [on it, and the world and all its] inhabitants. The ground and all its devices; [the earth and al]l that exist on it. [The mountains and al]l the hills; the valleys and all the ravines; the dry lan[d ...] its [ce]dars; the low-lying woods and all the deserts of desolation ... and its voids; and the foundations of its structure. The jackals and ... ... the tall trees, their fruit and all the cedars of Leban[on] ... [Grain, win]e and oil and all the produce. ... and all the wave-offerings of the world in tw[elve] months ... ... Thy words. Amen, amen. Fr. 7a i I ... and all their elect ... ... and all who know the song of ... and the blessings of truth in the fe[stive] times ... and the kingdom shall be lifted up among the p[eople]s ... the assembly of the pure 'gods' and all who possess everlasting knowledge to prai[se and to bl]ess Thy glorious name in all the [everlasting ages]. Amen, amen. Frs. 20+13+4Q288 [Every one should rebuke his fellow in truth, and virtuous humility and with] righteous [intenti]on [in the Community of God. And whoever] has erred when returning [to the truth], they shall rebuke him [according to] their [commandments]. They shall rebuke him and have mercy [on him if he transgr]esses. Let no [man] bear gru[dge against his fellow from

4one day] to [ano]ther. [Let him] not hate him in his heart [so as n]o[t to bear guilt because of him. And whatever is revealed to the men] of the Community let him instruct [him with] his mer[ciful love] and with the spirit [of humility he shall distance him from the deeds of] deceitfulness. The [Guardian of the Congregation shall ad]monish him regarding all [the regulations] perfecting his deeds from all [sin through re]buking him before wi[tnesses. Let no man take revenge] on his own behalf in any matter for he will be punished [for six months/one year (?)] ... Let no one take the law [in his own hand, disobeying the order of his fellow. Let him not speak to him] in anger or out of envy prompted by the spirit of wickedness, disregarding the dignity of his colleague with [heated] anger, standing up against him without [justification]. 4Q287 fr. 3 ... and they shall bless Thy holy name with benedictions of... the Holy of Holies. And all the creatures of flesh [shall bl]ess Thee, all of them that Thou has crea[ted] ... the beasts and the birds and the worms and the fish of the sea and all ... Thou hast created them all renewing ... Fr. 10 ... against the anointed ones of [His] hol[y] spirit ... 4Q286 (4Q287, fr. 6)=4QBerakhotb Curses of Belial Fr. 7 ii

5II council of the Community shall all say together, Amen, amen. Afterwards [they] shall damn Belial and all his guilty lot. They shall answer and say, Cursed be [B]elial in his hostile design, and damned in his guilty dominion. Cursed be all the spirits of his [lo]t in their wicked design, and damned in their thoughts of unclean impurity. For they are the lot of darkness and their visitation is for eternal destruction. Amen, amen. Cursed be the Wicke[d One in all the ages ] of his dominions, and may all the sons of Belial be damned in all the works of their service until their annihilation [for ever, Amen, amen.] And [they shall continue to say: Be cursed, Ang]el of Perdition and Spir[it of Dest]ruction, in all the thoughts of your g[uilty] inclination [and all your abomina]ble [plots] and [your] wicked design, [and] may you be [da]mned ... Amen, am[en]. [Cursed be a]ll those who practi[se] their [wicked designs] and establish [in their heart] their (evil) devices, [plotting against Go]d'[s Covenant] ... to exchange the judgemen[ts of truth for folly.] 4Q280=4QBenedictionsf Curses of Melkiresha' Fr. 2 [May God set him apart] for evil from the midst of the Sons of Li[ght because he has turned away from following Him. And they shall continue saying: Be cur]sed, Melkiresha', in all the thou[ghts of your guilty inclination. May] God [deliver you up] for torture at the hands of the vengeful Avengers. May God not heed [when] you call on Him. [May He raise His angry face] towards you. May there be no (greeting of) 'Peace' for you in the mouth of all those who hold fast to the Father[s. May you be cursed] with no remnant, and damned

6without escape. Cursed be those who practi[se their wicked designs] and [es]tablish in their heart your (evil) devices, plotting against the Covenant of God ... , seers of [His] truth. [Who]ever refuses to enter [His Covenant, walking in the stubbornness of his heart] ...

Confession Ritual (4Q393)

1Fragmentary remains of a communal confession of sins, spoken in the first person plural, recall the language of Psalm li, Jeremiah and Deuteronomy, and resemble confession prayers in Ezra ix, 5-15; Daniel ix, 4-19; 1QS 1, 24-11, 1. In the latter text, the parallel confession is part of the ceremony of the renewal of the Covenant. The script is dated to mid-first century BCE. For the editio princeps, see Daniel Falk, DJD, XXIX, 45-61.

2I ... in order that Thou be justified by Thy wor[ds] ... we were poured out through our iniquities ... they [stiff]ened the neck. Our God, hide Thy face from [our] si[ns and] blot out [al]l our iniquities and create in us a new spirit, O Lord.... [do not] withhold faithfulness and to rebels ... and bring back sinners to Thee. And [do not] reject from Thee the broken [spir]it, O God. According to Thy people in order to ... and always on ... nations and kingdoms ... their word[s] ... to Thy peoples in order to ... II ... the faithful God who keep [the] covenant and loving-kindness to those who love [Thee and who keep Thy commandments which Thou didst command] to Moses. Do not forsake Thy people [and] Thine [in]heritance. And let no man walk in the stubbornness of his [evil] heart. O God, in Thy goodwill ... Thy people and Thine inheritance shall not be forsa[k]en and let no man walk in the stubbornness of his evil heart. And where is Strength? And on whom shalt Thou cause Thy face to shine without his being purified? And they shall be sanctified and exalted above everything. It is Thou O Lord who hast chosen our fathers from of old. Thou hast caused us to stand for them as a remnant to give us (the covenant) which Thou hast established with Abraham for Israel that they might possess the proud ... mighty men,

3the hosts of those who are powerful, giving us houses filled with ... water, vineyards and olive trees [and] an inheritance of the people ...

Purification Ritual A (4Q 512)

1Badly worn papyrus fragments from Cave 4 (4Q512) contain prayers: to be recited to obtain purification from various kinds of ritual uncleanness. M. Baillet (DJD, VII, 263-86) suggests an early first- century BCE date for the script. Frs. 29-32 VII And he will bless there [the God of Israel. Answering, he will say: Blessed art Thou, God of Israel. And I stand] before Thee on the feas[t] ... Thou hast ... me for purity ... and his burnt-offering and he will bless. Answering he will say: Blessed art Thou, [God of Israel, who hast delivered me from al]l my sins and purified me from impure indecency and hast atoned so that I come ... purification and the blood of the burnt-offering of Thy goodwill and the pleasing memorial ... Fr.II X [And on completin]g [his] seven days of puri[fication] ... and he shall wash his clothes with w[ater and cleanse his body] and he shall put on his garments and shall bless ag[ain] ... the God of Isra[e]l ...

Purification Ritual B (4Q 4]14)

1Thirty-six badly damaged fragments, written on the verso of 4Q415, represent a purificatory ritual and prayers. The script dates to the turn of the era. Some lines are parallel to 4Q512, frs. 42-44 ii, 2—5. For the editio princeps, see E. Eshel, DJD, XXXV, 135-54. Fr. 2 ii 3-4 ... and thou shalt purify us according [to] Thy precepts of holiness for the first, the third and the seventh ... by the truth of Thy covenant ... to be purified from the impurity of ... And then he shall enter the water ... Answering, he shall say, 'Blessed a[rt Thou, God of Israel] for from the utterance of Thy mouth is declared the purity of all: to be separated from all the guilty men of uncleanness who cannot be purified by the purifying water ....

A Liturgical Work (4Q 392-3)

1This is a religious text, possibly liturgical, but strongly reminiscent of the language of the Thanksgiving Hymns. For the editio princeps, see D. Falk, DJD, XXIX, 23-44. Fr. 1 ... each to be united with [G]od and not to depart from a[ll] ... and their soul will cling to His Covenant and ... the words of the mouth of ... The Go[d] ... the heaven above and to search out the ways of the sons of man (leaving) no secret [in their heart(?)]. He created darkness [and l]ight is His, and in His dwelling is the most perfect light, and all gloominess ceases before Him. It is not for Himself the distinction between light and darkness, for He has distinguished them for the sons of man: light during the day by means of the sun; (and during the) night (by means of) moon and stars. The inscrutable light is with Him, and His knowledge is without [end, f]or all the works of God are multiple (?). We who are flesh, should we not consider this? With us ... for countless signs and wonders ... [wi]nds and lightnings ... [s]ervants of the most holy pla[ce]. From before Him proceed the lu[minaries] ... Frs. 2 and 5 (4Q393 1 i) ... [they did not lis]ten to the signs and wonders ... plagues [which no kingdom has seen] until this day and ... He has brought us out [of the

2land of Egypt] without being counted. In the mighty waters he made a path ... the great [abyss] [and He made] him [sin]k like stone in the deep ...

3D. Historical and Apocalyptic Works 'Conquest of Egypt and Jerusalem or Acts of a Greek King', Israel Antiquities Authority

Apocalyptic Chronology or Apocryphal Weeks (4Q 247)

1A fragment consisting of seven mutilated lines, and palaeographically dated to the last decades of the first century BCE, appears to belong to an apocalyptic account of world history, divided into weeks of years and possibly centred on the Temple of Jerusalem. Despite the lack of continuous narration, the significant details justify the inclusion of this text in the volume. For the editio princeps, see M. Broshi, DJD, XXXVI, 187-91.

2... [de]termined [end] ... [And afterwards will co]me the fif[th] week ... four-hundred [and eighty years (after the exodus from Egypt)] Solo[mon] (built the Temple; cf. 1 Kings vi, 1) ... (It was destroyed in the time) [of Zede]kiah king of Judah ... (It was restored by) the Levites and the people of the Lan[d] ... (Final stage) ... kin[g] of the Kittim ...