11Q13

The Heavenly Prince Melchizedek

Dead Sea Scrolls · 100 B.C.E. - 50 B.C.E.

Based on the text provided by Martin G. Abegg Jr., James E. Bowley, and Edward M. Cook (CC BY-NC 4.0)

11Q13 takes the form of an eschatological midrash in which the proclamation of liberty to the captives at the end of days is understood as being part of the general restoration of property during the year of Jubilee, seen in the Hebrew Bible as a remission of debts. The heavenly deliverer is Melchizedek. Identical with the archangel Michael, he is the head of the 'sons of Heaven' or 'gods of Justice' and is referred to as Elohim and El. Here Melchizedek is portrayed as presiding over the final Judgement and condemnation of his demonic counterpart, Belial/Satan, the Prince of Darkness, elsewhere also called Melkiresha.

Column 1

12 […] … Moses, for … […]

Column 2

1 […] … […] 2 […] and as for what it says, “In [this] year of jubilee [each of you shall return to his property,” and about it he said, “And] this 3 [is the manner of the release:] every creditor shall release what he has lent [to his neighbor. He shall not press his neighbor or his brother, for there has been proclaimed] a release 4 for God.” [Its interpretation] for the end of days concerns the captives, who […] and whose 5 teachers have been hidden and kept secret, and from the inheritance of Melchizedek, for […] … and they are the inheritance of Melchizedek, who 6 will bring them back to them. [1]He will proclaim liberty to them, to release them from [the burden of] all their iniquities. And [thus] this thing will happen 7 in the first week of [2]the jubilee that follows the nine jubilees. The Day of Atonement is the end of the tenth jubilee, 8 [3]to atone on it for all the sons of [light] and the men of the lot of Melchizedek. […] … upon them … according to all their deeds, for 9 this is the time of [4]the year of favor for Melchizedek and for his armies, the people of the holy ones of God, for a reign of judgment, as it is written 10 about him in the songs of David, who said, “[5]God stands in the assembly [of El]; in the midst of the gods he judges.” And about him he said, “And above it 11 return to the heights; [6]God will judge the peoples.” As for what he said, [“How long] will you judge unjustly and show favor to the wicked? Selah,” 12 [7]its interpretation concerns Belial and the spirits of his lot, who […] … in their turning away from the statutes of God [to act wickedly]. 13 But Melchizedek will carry out the vengeance of the judgments of God, [and on that day he will] [8]deliver them [from the hand of] Belial and from the hand of all the spirits [of his lot]. 14 To his aid come all the gods [of righteousness], and he is the one who […] all the sons of God, and the … 15 this … is the day [of peace], of which he spoke [… through] Isaiah the prophet, who said, [“How] lovely 16 on the mountains are the feet of the herald who proclaims peace, the herald [of good news who proclaims salvation], who says to Zion, ‘Your God [is king].’” 17 Its interpretation: the mountains [are] the prophets, they … […] … for all … […] 18 And [9]the herald is the one anointed of the spirit, as Daniel said [about him, “Until an anointed one, a prince, there are seven weeks.” And the herald of] 19 good news who proclaims [salvation] is the one about whom it is written that […] 20 “to comfort the [mourners.” Its interpretation:] to instruct them in all the ages of the world […] 21 in truth … […] … […] 22 … […] was removed from Belial and will return […] … […] 23 […] by the judgments of God, as it is written about him, [“who says] to Zion, ‘Your God is king.’” Zion is 24 [the congregation of all the sons of righteousness, those] who uphold the covenant, who turn aside from walking in the way of the people. And “your God” is 25 [… Melchizedek, who will] deliver them from the hand of Belial. As for what he said, “You shall sound the horn throughout all the land,”

Column 3

1 […] … […] 2 and know … […] 3 God … […] 4 and a multitude […] 5 … […] 6 the instruction upon them […] 7 they will make an end of Belial with fire […] 8 with plots in their hearts … […] 9 the walls of Judah and … […] 10 a fence, and to raise a pillar, and … […] 11 […] … […] 12 […] … […] 13 … […] 14 … […] 15 … […] 16 two hundred […] 17 the week […] 18 the divisions [of the times …] 19 […] … […] 20 […] … […]

Fragment 5

1 […] … […] 2 […] and he will declare […] 3 […] Belial, they will rebel … […] 4 […] … […]

Fragment 6

1 […] … […] 2 […] 3 […] … […] 4 […] times. Its interpretation […] 5 […] … […]

Fragment 7

1 […] … […] 2 […] … it is […] 3 […] the wall of Jerusalem […] 4 […] at its appointed time […] 5 […] … […] 6 […] … […] 7 […] the end of the jubilee […] 8 […] … […] 9 […] he will carry it […] 10 […] … in these […] 11 […] … […]

Fragment 8

1 […] Melchizedek […] 2 […] … the hands [of …] 3 […] … […]

Fragment 9

1 […] … […] 2 […] … […]

Fragment 10

1 […] … and … […] 2 […] … God … […] 3 […] … […]

Fragment 11

1 […] … […] 2 […] … […]

Glossary