Column 1
1 For the [instructor: the book of the rule of] the war. The first engagement of the sons of light is to begin against the lot of the sons of darkness, against the army of Belial, against the troop of Edom and Moab and the sons of Ammon 2 and the [Amalekites and the inhabitants of] Philistia, and against the troops of the Kittim of Asshur, and with them, as helpers, those who act wickedly against the covenant. The sons of Levi and the sons of Judah and the sons of Benjamin, the exiles of the wilderness, shall fight against them 3 … […] against all their troops, when the exiled sons of light return from the wilderness of the peoples to camp in the wilderness of Jerusalem. And after the war they shall go up from there 4 and [the king of] the Kittim [shall enter] Egypt. And in his time he shall go out in great wrath to fight against the kings of the north, and his anger shall seek to destroy and cut off the horn of 5 [Israel. And] that is a time of salvation for the people of God, and an age of dominion for all the men of his lot, and of eternal destruction for all the lot of Belial. And there shall be 6 [great] panic among the sons of Japheth, and Asshur shall fall with no one to help him, and the dominion of the Kittim shall come to an end, so that wickedness is subdued with no remnant, and there shall be no survivor 7 for [all the sons of] darkness. 8 And [the sons of] righteousness shall shine to all the ends of the world, going on shining until all the appointed times of darkness are finished. And at the appointed time of God his great majesty shall shine for all the ages of 9 [eternity], for peace and blessing, glory and joy and length of days for all the sons of light. And on the day when the Kittim fall there shall be battle and fierce slaughter before the God of 10 Israel, for that is the day appointed by him from of old for the war of destruction against the sons of darkness. On it there shall close in for great slaughter the congregation of gods and the assembly of 11 men. The sons of light and the lot of darkness shall fight together for the might of God, with the sound of a great tumult and the war cry of gods and men, on the day of calamity. And that is a time of 12 distress for [all] the people redeemed by God. And of all their distresses there has been none like it, from its hastening until its completion in eternal redemption. And on the day of their war against the Kittim 13 they shall go out for slaughter in the war. In three lots the sons of light shall prove strong, to strike down wickedness, and in three the army of Belial shall gird itself to turn back the lot of 14 [light.] And the battalions of the skirmishers shall melt the heart, but the might of God shall strengthen the heart [of the sons of light.] And in the seventh lot the great hand of God shall subdue 15 [Belial and all] the angels of his dominion, and all the men of [his lot.] 16 […] … the holy ones shall shine forth with the help of […] the truth, for the destruction of the sons of darkness. Then 17 [… the sound of a] great tumult and the war [cry of …] … they shall put their hand to the weapons of 18 [war …] 19 [the heads of the tribes … and the priests] 20 [and the Levites and the heads of the tribes and the fathers of the congregation … the priests, and likewise for the Levites and the divisions of the heads of]
Column 2
1 the fathers of the congregation, fifty-two. And the heads of the priests they shall rank after the chief priest and his deputy, twelve heads, to be those who serve 2 continually before God. And the twenty-six heads of the divisions shall serve in their divisions. And after them the heads of the Levites, to serve continually, twelve, one 3 for each tribe. And the heads of their divisions shall serve each in his position. And the heads of the tribes and the fathers of the congregation after them, to take their stand continually at the gates of the sanctuary. 4 And the heads of their divisions with their enrolled men shall take their stand for their festivals, for their new moons and for the sabbaths and for all the days of the year, from fifty years old and upward. 5 These shall take their stand at the burnt offerings and at the sacrifices, to set out the pleasing incense for the good will of God, to atone for all his congregation, and to grow fat before him continually 6 at the table of glory. All these they shall rank at the appointed time of the year of release. And in the thirty-three years of the war that remain, the men of renown, 7 those summoned to the assembly, and all the heads of the fathers of the congregation shall choose for themselves men of war for all the lands of the nations. From all the tribes of Israel they shall equip 8 for themselves men of valor to go out to the army according to the summons of the war, year by year. But in the years of release they shall not equip men to go out to the army, for it is a sabbath of 9 rest for Israel. In the thirty-five years of service the war shall be prepared for six years, and those who prepare it are all the congregation together. 10 And the war of the divisions shall be in the twenty-nine that remain. In the first year they shall fight against Aram-naharaim, and in the second against the sons of Lud. In the third 11 they shall fight against the rest of the sons of Aram, against Uz and Hul, Togar and Mesha, who are beyond the Euphrates. In the fourth and the fifth they shall fight against the sons of Arpachshad. 12 In the sixth and the seventh they shall fight against all the sons of Asshur and Persia and the easterners as far as the great desert. In the eighth year they shall fight against the sons of 13 Elam. In the ninth they shall fight against the sons of Ishmael and Keturah. And in the ten years that follow them the war shall be divided against all the sons of Ham 14 by [their families in] their [dwelling places.] And in the ten years that remain the war shall be divided against all [the sons of Japheth] in their dwelling places. 15 […] 16 [The rule of the trumpets: the trumpets of] the alarm for all their service … […] … for their enrolled men, 17 [by ten thousands and thousands and hundreds and fifties] and tens. On the [trumpets …] 18 […] 19 [… which …] 20 [… they shall write … the trumpets of]
Column 3
1 the battle formations, and the trumpets for summoning them when the gates of war are opened for the skirmishers to go out, and the trumpets of the alarm of the slain, and the trumpets of 2 the ambush, and the trumpets of the pursuit when the enemy is struck down, and the trumpets of the withdrawal when the battle turns back. On the trumpets for summoning the congregation they shall write “The called of God.” 3 And on the trumpets for summoning the commanders they shall write “The princes of God.” And on the trumpets of the enrollments they shall write “The order of God.” And on the trumpets of the men of 4 renown they shall write “The heads of the fathers of the congregation.” When they gather at the house of meeting they shall write “The testimonies of God for the holy council.” And on the trumpets of the camps 5 they shall write “The peace of God in the camps of his holy ones.” And on the trumpets for breaking camp they shall write “The mighty deeds of God to scatter the enemy and to put to flight all who hate 6 righteousness, and the turning back of kindness from those who hate God.” And on the trumpets of the battle formations they shall write “The formations of the battalions of God for the vengeance of his anger on all the sons of darkness.” 7 And on the trumpets for summoning the skirmishers, when the gates of war are opened to go out against the enemy line, they shall write “Remembrance of vengeance at the appointed time of 8 God.” And on the trumpets of the slain they shall write “The mighty hand of God in war, to bring down all the unfaithful slain.” And on the trumpets of the ambush they shall write 9 “The mysteries of God to destroy wickedness.” And on the trumpets of the pursuit they shall write “God has struck down all the sons of darkness; he will not turn back his anger until they are destroyed.” 10 And when they return from the battle to come to the line, they shall write on the trumpets of the withdrawal “God has gathered.” And on the trumpets for the way of return 11 from the war with the enemy, to come to the congregation in Jerusalem, they shall write “The rejoicings of God at the return in peace.” 13 The rule of the standards of all the congregation by their enrollments. On the great standard that is at the head of all the people they shall write “The people of God,” and the name of Israel 14 and Aaron, and the names of the twelve [tribes of Israel] according to their generations. On the standards of the heads of the camps of the three tribes 15 they shall write “The spirit [of God,” and the names of the three tribes. On] the standard of the tribe they shall write “The banner of God,” and the name of the prince of the [tribe …] 16 its families. [… and] the name of the prince of the ten thousand and the names of the commanders [of …] 17 […] its hundreds. And on the standard […] 18 […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 4
1 And on the standard of Merari they shall write “The offering of God,” and the name of the prince of Merari and the names of the commanders of its thousands. And on the standard of the thousand they shall write “The anger of God is in fury against 2 Belial and all the men of his lot, with no remnant,” and the name of the commander of the thousand and the names of the commanders of its hundreds. And on the standard of the hundred they shall write “From 3 God comes the hand of war against all iniquitous flesh,” and the name of the commander of the hundred and the names of the commanders of its tens. And on the standard of the fifty they shall write “Ended is 4 the stand of the wicked by the might of God,” and the name of the commander of the fifty and the names of the commanders of its tens. On the standard of the ten they shall write “Songs of joy 5 to God on the ten-stringed harp,” and the name of the commander of the ten and the names of the nine men in his charge. 6 And when they go to battle they shall write on their standards “The truth of God,” “The righteousness of God,” “The glory of God,” “The judgment of God,” and after them the whole ordered list of their names. 7 And when they draw near for battle they shall write on their standards “The right hand of God,” “The appointed time of God,” “The panic of God,” “The slain of God,” and after them the whole list of their names. 8 And when they return from the battle they shall write on their standards “The exaltation of God,” “The greatness of God,” “The praise of God,” “The glory of God,” with the whole list of their names. 9 The rule of the standards of the congregation. When they go out to battle they shall write on the first standard “The congregation of God,” on the second standard “The camps of God,” on the third 10 “The tribes of God,” on the fourth “The families of God,” on the fifth “The battalions of God,” on the sixth “The assembly of God,” on the seventh “The called of 11 God,” on the eighth “The hosts of God.” And the list of their names they shall write with their whole order. And when they draw near for battle they shall write on their standards 12 “The war of God,” “The vengeance of God,” “The dispute of God,” “The reward of God,” “The strength of God,” “The repayments of God,” “The might of God,” “The destruction by God of every nation of vanity.” And the whole list of 13 their names they shall write on them. And when they return from the battle they shall write on their standards “The salvations of God,” “The victory of God,” “The help of God,” “The support of God,” 14 “The joy of God,” “The thanksgivings of God,” “The praise of God,” “The peace of God.” 15 [The length of the] standards. The standard of all the congregation is fourteen cubits long. The standard of the [three tribes is thirteen] cubits [long]. 16 [The standard of the tribe] is twelve cubits. The standard of the ten thousand is eleven [cubits. The standard of the thousand is ten cubits. The standard of the] hundred is nine cubits. 17 [The standard of the fifty is] eight cubits. The standard of the ten is seven [cubits …] 18 […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 5
1 And on the shield of the prince of all the congregation they shall write his name and the name of Israel and Levi and Aaron, and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel according to their generations, 2 and the names of the twelve commanders of their tribes. 3 The rule for arranging the battalions of war when their army is complete, to make up a front line. The line shall be drawn up with a thousand men, and there shall be seven 4 front ranks to each line, arranged in order, each man standing behind another. And all of them shall hold shields of bronze, polished like 5 a mirror. And the shield shall be bordered with a rim of twisted work and a pattern of plaiting, the work of a craftsman, in gold and silver and bronze fused together, 6 and precious stones in many-colored inlay, the work of a skilled artisan. The length of the shield is two and a half cubits, and its width is a cubit and a half. And in their hand are a spear 7 and a sword. The length of the spear is seven cubits, of which the socket and the blade are half a cubit. And on the socket are three bands engraved like 8 a rim of twisted work, in gold and silver and bronze fused together, like a skillfully designed pattern. And the plaiting of the pattern on both sides of the band, 9 all around, has precious stones in many-colored inlay, the work of a skilled artisan, and an ear of grain. And the socket is grooved between the bands like 10 a skillfully made column. And the blade is of shining white iron, the work of a skilled artisan, with an ear of grain in pure gold in the middle of the blade, tapering to 11 the point. And the swords are of refined iron, purified in the furnace and whitened like a mirror, the work of a skilled artisan, with the figure of an ear of grain 12 in pure gold fixed on it on both its sides, and straight grooves run to the point, two on one side and two on the other. The length of the sword is a cubit 13 and a half, and its width is four fingers. The belly is four thumbs wide, and it is four handbreadths to the belly. And the belly is bound on this side 14 and on that with five handbreadths. And the hilt of the sword is of choice horn, the work of a craftsman, with a many-colored pattern in gold and silver and precious stones. 16 And when the … stand […] they shall arrange the seven lines, line after line, 17 and a space […] thirty cubits, where the men of 18 [the skirmishers] shall stand […] … the front … […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 6
1 seven times, and they shall return to their position. And after them three battalions of skirmishers shall go out and stand between the lines. The first battalion shall hurl at 2 the enemy line seven javelins of war. And on the blade of the javelin they shall write “The flash of a spear for the might of God.” And on the second weapon they shall write 3 “Sparks of blood to bring down the slain by the anger of God.” And on the third javelin they shall write “The flame of a sword devours the wicked slain by the judgment of God.” 4 All these shall hurl seven times and return to their position. And after them two battalions of skirmishers shall go out and stand between the two lines. The first 5 battalion holds a spear and a shield, and the second battalion holds a shield and a sword, to bring down the slain by the judgment of God and to subdue the line of 6 the enemy by the might of God, to pay back the reward of their evil to every nation of vanity. And the kingship shall belong to the God of Israel, and by the holy ones of his people he shall do valiantly. 8 And seven ranks of horsemen shall also stand at the right of the line and at its left. Their ranks shall stand on this side and on that, seven hundred 9 horsemen on one side and seven hundred on the other. Two hundred horsemen shall go out with a thousand of the line of the skirmishers, and so 10 they shall stand on all sides of the camp, in all four thousand six hundred, and one thousand four hundred mounts for the men of the order of the lines, 11 fifty to each line. And the horsemen, together with the mounts of the men of the order, shall be six thousand, five hundred to a tribe. All the mounts that go out 12 to battle with the skirmishers shall be stallions, swift of foot and soft of mouth and long of wind, and of full age, trained for war 13 and practiced in hearing sounds and in every kind of sight. And those who ride on them shall be men of valor for war, trained in horsemanship, and their age 14 shall be from thirty years old to forty-five. And the horsemen of the order shall be from forty years old to fifty, and they 15 … […] … […] … and helmets and greaves. And they shall hold in their hand round shields and a spear eight cubits long […] 16 […] and a bow and arrows and javelins of war. And all of them shall be ready in [order …] 17 […] … and to shed the blood of their guilty slain. These are the [riders …] 18 […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 7
1 And the men of the order shall be from forty years old to fifty. And those who order the camps shall be from fifty years old to sixty. And the officers 2 shall also be from forty years old to fifty. And all who strip the slain and plunder the spoil and cleanse the land and guard the weapons, 3 and the one who prepares the provisions, all of them shall be from twenty-five years old to thirty. And no young boy and no woman shall enter their camps when they go out 4 from Jerusalem to go to war, until they return. And anyone who is lame or blind or crippled, or a man who has a lasting blemish in his flesh, or a man afflicted with an impurity of 5 his flesh, none of these shall go with them to war. All of them shall be volunteers for war, perfect in spirit and flesh, and ready for the day of vengeance. And any 6 man who is not pure from his discharge on the day of battle shall not go down with them, for holy angels are together with their hosts. And there shall be a space 7 between all their camps and the place of the latrine of about two thousand cubits, and no shameful nakedness shall be seen around any of their camps. 9 And when the battle lines are drawn up against the enemy, line against line, there shall go out from the middle gate into the space between the lines seven 10 priests of the sons of Aaron, dressed in garments of fine white linen, a linen tunic and linen breeches, and girded with a linen sash of twined fine linen, blue 11 and purple and scarlet, with a many-colored pattern, the work of a craftsman, and turbans on their heads: garments of war, and into the sanctuary they shall not 12 bring them. The one priest shall walk in front of all the men of the line to strengthen their hands in the battle. And in the hand of the six shall be 13 the trumpets of the summons and the trumpets of the memorial and the trumpets of the alarm and the trumpets of the pursuit and the trumpets of the withdrawal. And when the priests go out 14 into the space between the lines, seven Levites shall go out with them, and in their hand seven rams’ horns. And three officers from the Levites shall be in front of 15 the priests and the Levites. And the priests shall blow the two trumpets of the [summons … of] war on fifty shields, 16 and fifty skirmishers shall go out from the one gate and [… the] Levites, officers. And with 17 each and every line they shall go out according to all [this rule … the] skirmishers from the gates, 18 [and they shall] stand between the two lines and … […] … the [battle.] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 8
1 The trumpets shall keep sounding to direct the slingers until they have finished hurling seven 2 times. And afterward the priests shall blow for them the trumpets of the return, and they shall come beside the first 3 line to take their stand in their position. And the priests shall blow the trumpets of the summons, and there shall go out 4 three battalions of skirmishers from the gates, and they shall stand between the lines, and beside them the cavalry, 5 on the right and on the left. And the priests shall blow on the trumpets a drawn-out sound, the signal for the order of battle, 6 and the columns shall spread out into their formations, each to his position. And when they are standing in three formations, 7 the priests shall blow for them a second blast, a low and sustained sound, the signal to advance until they come near 8 the enemy line and stretch out their hand to the weapons of war. And the priests shall sound on the six trumpets of 9 the slain a sharp, urgent sound to direct the battle. And the Levites and all the people with rams’ horns shall sound 10 with one voice a great war cry to melt the heart of the enemy. And with the sound of the war cry the javelins of war shall fly 11 to bring down the slain. The sound of the rams’ horns shall cease, but on the trumpets 12 the priests shall keep sounding a sharp, urgent sound to direct the hands of battle, until they have hurled at the line of 13 the enemy seven times. And afterward the priests shall blow for them the trumpets of the return, 14 a low, drawn-out, sustained sound. According to this rule the priests shall blow for the three battalions. And with 15 the first throw the [priests and the Levites and all the people with rams’] horns shall sound a great 16 war cry to direct the [battle … And] the priests [shall blow] for them 17 on the trumpets [of the return … and they shall] stand in their position in the line 18 […] … and stand 19 [… the] slain. 20 […]
Column 9
1 their hand shall begin to bring down the slain. And all the people shall cease from the sound of the war cry, but the priests shall keep sounding the trumpets of 2 the slain to direct the battle until the enemy is struck down and turns his back. And the priests shall keep sounding to direct the battle, 3 and when they are struck down before them, the priests shall blow the trumpets of the summons, and all the skirmishers shall go out to them from the midst of 4 the front lines. And six battalions shall stand, together with the battalion that is engaged, seven lines in all, twenty-eight thousand 5 men of war, and the riders six thousand. All these shall pursue to destroy the enemy in the war of God, for eternal 6 destruction. And the priests shall blow for them the trumpets of the pursuit, and they shall divide against all the enemy for a pursuit of destruction. And the cavalry 7 shall turn them back at the flanks of the battle until they are destroyed. And when the slain fall, the priests shall keep sounding from a distance, and they shall not come 8 into the midst of the slain so as to be defiled by their unclean blood, for they are holy. They shall [not] profane the oil of their priestly anointing with the blood of 9 a nation of vanity. 10 The rule for changing the order of the battalions of war, to draw up the position against … […] … to go out as a semicircle with towers, 11 and an arc with towers, and as a slow advance with columns going out and wings [going out] from both sides of the line, to melt 12 the enemy. And the shields of the towers shall be three cubits long, and their spears eight cubits long. And the towers 13 go out from the line, a hundred shields, and a hundred to the face of the tower. All of them shall surround the tower on the three front sides, 14 three hundred shields. And there are two gates to a tower, one on the [right and] one on the left. And on all the shields of the towers 15 they shall write: on the first, Michael; [on the second, Gabriel; on the third,] Sariel; on the fourth, Raphael. 16 Michael and Gabriel on the [right, and Sariel and Raphael on the left.] 17 And […] for the four [… And if] they set an ambush for the [line] 18 and [… they shall bring down] the [slain …] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 10
1 our camps, and to keep ourselves from every shameful nakedness. And as he declared to us, that you are in our midst, a great and fearsome God, to plunder all 2 our enemies before us. And he taught us from of old, for our generations, saying, “When you draw near to battle, the priest shall stand and speak to the people, 3 saying, ‘Hear, O Israel! You are drawing near today to battle against your enemies. Do not be afraid, and do not let your heart be faint. 4 Do not panic, and do not be terrified before them, for your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save 5 you.’” And our officers shall speak to all who are ready for battle, the willing of heart, to hold fast in the might of God, and to send back all 6 whose heart melts, and to hold together with all the mighty men of valor. And as you spoke by the hand of Moses, saying, “When war comes 7 in your land against the adversary who presses you, you shall sound an alarm on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before your God 8 and saved from your enemies.” Who is like you, O God of Israel, in the heavens or on earth, who does deeds like your great deeds 9 and like your powerful might? And who is like your people Israel, whom you chose for yourself from all the peoples of the lands, 10 a people of the holy ones of the covenant, taught the statute, with insight into understanding […] … […] … who hear the glorious voice and see 11 the holy angels, whose ear is opened, and who hear deep things […] … the spreading of the skies, the host of the lights, 12 the burden of the winds and the dominion of the holy ones, the storehouses of [glory …] clouds; who creates the earth and the statutes of its divisions 13 into wilderness and desert land, and all that comes forth from it, with … […] … the circle of the seas, the reservoirs of the rivers, and the cleaving of the deeps, 14 the making of beasts and winged creatures, the form of Adam and the generations of his [seed], the confusion of tongues and the separation of peoples, the dwelling of families 15 and the inheritance of lands […] the holy festivals and the cycles of years and the ages of 16 eternity. And … […] … these we know from your understanding, which … 17 [… your ears] to our cry for help, for … 18 […] … his house … […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 11
1 but the battle is yours. And by the strength of your hand their corpses were dashed to pieces with no one to bury them. And Goliath the Gittite, a mighty man of valor, 2 you delivered into the hand of David your servant, because he trusted in your great name and not in sword and spear. For the battle is yours. And 3 the Philistines he subdued many times by your holy name. And also by the hand of our kings you saved us many times 4 because of your mercies, and not according to our works, in which we did evil, or our deeds of transgression. Yours is the battle, and from you comes the might, 5 and it is not ours. Not our strength or the power of our hands has done valiantly, but it is by your strength and by the power of your great valor. As you declared 6 to us from of old, saying, “A star marches out of Jacob, a scepter rises out of Israel, and it crushes the temples of Moab and tears down all the sons of Seth. 7 And one from Jacob shall rule and destroy the survivor of the city, and the enemy shall become a possession, and Israel shall do valiantly.” And by the hand of your anointed ones, 8 the prophets of testimonies, you declared to us the times of the wars of your hands, to be glorified over our enemies, to bring down the troops of Belial, seven 9 nations of vanity, by the hand of the poor whom you redeemed, [with strength] and with peace, for wonderful might; and a heart that melted becomes a door of hope. And you will do to them as to Pharaoh 10 and as to the officers of his chariots in the Sea of Reeds. And the broken in spirit you will set ablaze like a torch of fire in a sheaf, devouring wickedness; it will not turn back until 11 guilt is destroyed. And from of old you announced to us the appointed time of the might of your hand against the Kittim, saying, “And Asshur shall fall by a sword not of man, and a sword 12 not of a human shall devour him.” 13 For into the hand of the poor you will deliver the enemies of all the lands, and by the hand of those bowed in the dust to bring low the mighty men of the peoples, to bring back the reward of 14 the wicked on the head of … […] and to declare just the judgment of your truth on all the sons of man, and to make for yourself an eternal name among the people 15 […] the wars, and to show yourself great and holy before the eyes of the rest of the nations, so that they know … […] 16 [… when] you carry out judgments on Gog and on all his assembly that is gathered [against us …] 17 […] for you will fight against them from the heavens … […] 18 […] upon them for panic […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 12
1 For you have a multitude of holy ones in the heavens, and hosts of angels in your holy height, to [praise] your [truth.] And the chosen ones of the holy people 2 you have set for yourself in a [community, and the] number of the names of all their host is with you in your holy dwelling, and the [number of the righteous] in your glorious height. 3 And the kindnesses of blessing […] and your covenant of peace you engraved for them with the stylus of life, to reign over them in all the appointed times of eternity, 4 and to muster the hosts of your chosen ones by their thousands and by their ten thousands, together with your holy ones [and with] your angels, to have the upper hand 5 in battle, [to subdue] those who rise against you on earth by the dispute of your judgments, and with the chosen ones of heaven they are victorious. 7 And you, O God, are [fearsome] in the glory of your kingship, and the congregation of your holy ones is in our midst for eternal help. And we hold kings in contempt, and we mock 8 and scorn the mighty. For the Lord is holy, and the King of Glory is with us, together with the holy ones. The mighty ones and the host of angels are among our enrolled men, 9 and the Mighty One of war is in our congregation, and the host of his spirits is with our steps. And our horsemen are like clouds and like mists of dew covering the earth, 10 and like a downpour of showers watering with judgment all that comes forth from it. Arise, O Mighty One! Take your captives, O Man of Glory, and plunder 11 your spoil, you who do valiantly! Put your hand on the neck of your enemies and your foot on the heaps of the slain. Crush the nations, your adversaries, and let your sword 12 devour guilty flesh. Fill your land with glory and your inheritance with blessing: a multitude of cattle in your fields, silver and gold and precious 13 stones in your palaces. O Zion, rejoice greatly! Shine forth with songs of joy, O Jerusalem! And be glad, all you cities of Judah! Open 14 your gates continually, so that the wealth of the nations may be brought to you. Their kings shall serve you, and all who oppressed you shall bow down to you, and the dust of 15 [your feet they shall lick. O daughters of] my people, shout with a voice of joyful song! Put on ornaments of glory, and rule over the kingdom of […] 16 [… for your camps, and] Israel to reign forever. 17 […] to them, the mighty men of war, Jerusalem […] 18 [… be exalted] above the heavens, O Lord […] 19 […] 20 [… and the chief priest shall stand]
Column 13
1 and his brothers the priests and the Levites and all the elders of the order with him. And they shall bless, where they stand, the God of Israel and all his works of truth, and they shall denounce 2 there Belial and all the spirits of his lot. And they shall speak up and say, “Blessed is the God of Israel in all his holy design and his works of truth, and blessed are 3 all who serve him in righteousness, who know him in faithfulness. 4 And cursed is Belial in his hostile design, and denounced is he in his guilty service. And cursed are all the spirits of his lot in their wicked 5 design, and denounced are they in all the service of their unclean impurity. For they are the lot of darkness, but the lot of God is for 6 [eternal] light. 7 And you, O God of our fathers, we bless your name forever. We are an eternal people, and you made a covenant with our fathers and established it for their seed 8 through the appointed times of eternity. And in all the testimonies of your glory there has been a memorial of your […] in our midst, for the help of the remnant and the survivors for your covenant, 9 and to recount your works of truth and the judgments of your wonderful mighty deeds. You, [O God of] our covenant, are ours as an eternal people, and you made us fall into the lot of light 10 for your truth. And the Prince of Light you appointed from of old to help us, and in [his lot are all the sons of righteousness,] and all the spirits of truth are under his dominion. And you 11 made Belial for the pit, an angel of hostility. In darkness is his [dominion], and in his counsel is to act wickedly and to bring guilt. And all the spirits of 12 his lot, the angels of destruction, walk in the statutes of darkness, and toward it is their [desire] together. But we, in the lot of your truth, rejoice in the hand of 13 your might and exult in your salvation and are glad in your [help and in] your peace. Who is like you in strength, O God of Israel? And with 14 the poor is the hand of your might. And what angel or prince is like the help of [your works? For] from of old you appointed for yourself a day of great battle […] … 15 […] to [help] with truth and to destroy with guilt, to bring low darkness and to strengthen light, and to […] 16 […] … for an eternal stand, to destroy all the sons of darkness, and joy for [all the sons of light …] 17 […] 18 [… for] you appointed us for … […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 14
1 like the fire of his fury against the idols of Egypt. 2 And after they have withdrawn from the slain to come to the camp, they shall all sing the hymn of return. And in the morning they shall wash their garments and bathe, 3 to be clean of the blood of the guilty corpses. And they shall return to the place where they stood, where they had drawn up the line before the slain of the enemy fell. And there they shall 4 all bless the God of Israel and exalt his name together with joy. And they shall speak up and say, “Blessed is the God of Israel, who keeps kindness for his covenant and testimonies of 5 salvation for the people he redeemed. He called those who stumble to wonderful [mighty deeds], and the assembly of nations he gathered for destruction with no remnant, to lift up in judgment 6 the heart that melts, and to open the mouth of the mute to sing aloud of the mighty deeds [of God, and] to teach feeble [hands] to fight. He gives to those whose knees shake strength to stand, 7 and firmness of loins to the shoulder of the beaten. And by the humble in spirit [… the] hard heart. And by those whose way is perfect all the nations of wickedness will come to an end, 8 and for all their mighty men there is no standing. But we are the remnant [of your people. Blessed is] your name, O God of kindnesses, who keeps the covenant for our fathers. And through 9 all our generations you have made your kindnesses wonderful for the remnant [of your people] under the dominion of Belial. And with all the mysteries of his hostility they have not driven us 10 from your covenant. His spirits of destruction you have rebuked away from [us, and when the men of] his dominion [acted wickedly] you kept the soul of those you redeemed. And you raised up 11 the fallen by your strength, but those of lofty stature you cut [down to bring them low. And] for all their mighty men there is no deliverer, and for their swift ones there is no escape. Their honored ones 12 you turn to contempt, and all their empty existence [is as nothing.] But we, your holy people, will praise your name for your works of truth, 13 and for your mighty deeds we will exalt your [splendor at all] times and at the appointed times of eternal testimonies, at the coming of day and night 14 and at the going out of evening and morning. For great is your [glorious design], and the mysteries of your wonders in your heights, to raise up to yourself from the dust 15 and to bring low from among the gods. 16 Rise up, rise up, O God of gods, and lift yourself up in [strength, O King of kings! … you set upon … before you] shall scatter 17 [all the sons of] darkness. And the light of your greatness … [… gods and men … a fire burning in the dark places of destruction,] 18 [in the destruction of] Sheol it shall burn for an [eternal] burning [… transgressors … in all the appointed times of eternity.”] 19 [All the thanksgivings of the war they shall recite there, and afterward they shall return to their camps … there, according to the rule …] 20 […]
Column 15
1 For that is a time of distress for Israel, [and a summons] to war against all the nations. And the lot of God is in eternal redemption, 2 but destruction is for every nation of wickedness. And all who are [ready for] the war shall go and camp opposite the king of the Kittim and opposite all the army of 3 Belial that are assembled with him for the day of [vengeance] by the sword of God. 4 And the chief priest shall stand, and his brothers the [priests] and the Levites and all the men of the order with him, and he shall read in their hearing 5 the prayer for the appointed time of the war, [as it is written in the] book of the rule of its time, with all the words of their thanksgivings. And he shall arrange there 6 all the lines, as it is [written in the book of the] war. And the priest appointed for the time of vengeance, at the word of 7 all his brothers, shall walk about and strengthen [their hands for the] battle. And he shall speak up and say, “Be strong and brave, and be men of valor. 8 Do not be afraid, and do not be [dismayed, and do not let your heart be faint.] Do not panic, and do not be terrified before them, and do not 9 turn back, and do not [flee before them.] For they are a congregation of wickedness, and all their works are in darkness, 10 and toward it is their desire. […] … their refuge, and their might is like smoke that vanishes, and all the assembly of 11 their multitude is like chaff [that passes … a] desolation; it will not be found. And all their calamitous existence will quickly wither 12 [like a flower at] harvest [time …] … Strengthen yourselves for the war of God, for this day is the appointed time of war 13 for God against all the nations [… of] judgment on all flesh. The God of Israel lifts his hand in his wonderful [might] 14 [against] all the spirits of wickedness [… the] mighty ones of the gods gird themselves for battle, and the formations of the holy ones 15 [are made] ready for the day of [vengeance …] … battle […] … […] … 16 the God of Israel […] 17 to remove Belial […] 18 in his destruction, and … […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 16
1 until every source of [… is finished. For] the God of Israel has called a sword against all the nations, and by the holy ones of his people he will do mighty deeds.” 2 […] 3 All this rule they shall carry out [on that day], where they stand opposite the camps of the Kittim. And afterward the priests shall blow for them the trumpets of 4 the memorial, and they shall open the gates of [war, and] the skirmishers [shall go] out and stand in columns between the lines. And the priests shall blow for them 5 the blast for formation, and the columns [shall spread] out at the sound of the trumpets until each has taken his stand in his position. And the priests shall blow for them 6 a second blast, [the signal to] advance. And when they stand beside the line of the Kittim, within throwing range, each shall raise his hand to his weapon of 7 war. And the six [priests shall sound on the] trumpets of the slain a sharp, urgent sound to direct the battle. And the Levites and all the people with 8 rams’ horns shall sound [a war cry with] a great voice. And as the sound goes out, their hand shall begin to bring down the slain of the Kittim. And all 9 the people shall cease the sound of the war cry, [but the priests] shall keep sounding the trumpets of the slain, and the battle shall be waged against the Kittim. 10 […] 11 And when [Belial] girds himself to help the sons of darkness, and the slain of the skirmishers begin to fall by the mysteries of God, and all who are appointed for the war are tested by them, 12 the priests shall blow the trumpets of the summons for another line to go out as a reserve for the battle, and they shall stand between the lines. 13 And for those engaged [in the] battle they shall blow to withdraw. And the chief priest shall draw near and stand before the line, and he shall strengthen 14 their heart with [his wonderful mighty deeds, and] their hands for his battle. 15 And he shall speak up and say, [“Blessed is God, who] tests the heart of his people in the crucible. And not […] your slain, for from of old you have heard 16 of the mysteries of God. [But you, be strong and stand in the breach, and do not be afraid when … strengthens …] … […] 17 like a mighty man […] … […] 18 […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 17
1 And he will set their peace in a blaze … […] … those tested in the crucible. And he will sharpen his weapons of war, and they will not grow dull until [every nation of] 2 wickedness [is destroyed.] But you, remember the judgment [of Nadab and] Abihu, the sons of Aaron, by whose judgment God showed himself holy in the eyes of [all the people. But Eleazar] 3 and Ithamar he kept for himself for a covenant [of] eternal [priesthood.] 4 But you, be strong and do not fear them, [… for] their desire is for chaos and emptiness, and their support is without [strength.] And not […] 5 Israel is all that is and will be. And he [rules] over all that comes to be forever. Today is his appointed time to subdue and to bring low the prince of the dominion of 6 wickedness. And he will send eternal help to the lot he has redeemed by the might of the majestic angel, for the authority of Michael in eternal light, 7 to light up with joy the covenant of Israel, peace and blessing for the lot of God, to raise up among the gods the authority of Michael and the dominion of 8 Israel over all flesh. Righteousness will rejoice in the heights, and all the sons of his truth will be glad in eternal knowledge. And you, sons of his covenant, 9 be strong in the crucible of God until he waves his hand and fills up his crucibles, his mysteries concerning your standing.” 10 And after these words the priests shall blow for them, to arrange the battalions of the line. And the columns shall spread out at the sound of the trumpets 11 until each has [taken his stand] in his position. And the priests shall blow on the trumpets a second blast, the signal to advance. And when 12 the [skirmishers] reach [the line] of the Kittim, within throwing range, each shall raise his hand to his weapon of war. And the priests shall sound the trumpets of 13 the slain, [and the Levites and all] the people with rams’ horns shall sound a war cry. And the skirmishers shall stretch out their hand against the army of 14 the Kittim, [and as the sound of the] war cry [goes out] they shall begin to bring down their slain. And all the people shall cease the sound of the war cry, but the priests 15 shall keep sounding the [trumpets of the slain], and the battle shall be waged against the [Kittim …] … struck down before them. 16 And in the [third] lot […] to bring down the slain 17 … […] … 18 […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 18
1 [And in the seventh lot,] when the great hand of God is lifted up against Belial and against all the army of his dominion in an eternal defeat 2 […] and the war cry of the holy ones in the pursuit of Asshur. And the sons of Japheth shall fall, never to rise, and the Kittim shall be crushed with no 3 [remnant or survivor. And there shall be] the lifting of the hand of the God of Israel against all the multitude of Belial. At that time the priests shall sound 4 [the six trumpets of] the memorial, and all the lines of battle shall gather to them and divide against all the [camps of the] Kittim 5 to put them under the ban. And when the sun hurries to set on that day, the chief priest shall stand, and the priests and the Levites who are 6 with him, and the heads [of all the lines of] the order, and there they shall bless the God of Israel. And they shall speak up and say, “Blessed is your name, O God of gods, for 7 you have done great things with your people, … wonderfully. And your covenant you have kept for us from of old, and the gates of salvation you have opened for us many times 8 for the sake of your covenant. And you [lifted] our affliction according to your goodness toward us. And you, O God of righteousness, have acted for the sake of your name. 9 […] 10 [… your might.] You have done wonders with us, wonder upon wonder, and from of old there has been nothing like it. For you knew our appointed time, and today there has shone 11 for us [your] strength, [and you have shown] us the hand of your kindnesses with us in eternal redemption, to remove the dominion of the enemy so that it is no more, and the hand of your might. 12 And in [battle you have prevailed over] our enemies for a defeat of destruction. And now the day presses us on to pursue their multitude, for you 13 […] … and the heart of mighty men you have delivered up, so that they cannot stand. Yours is the might, and in your hand is the battle, and there is no 14 [God like you …] … […] your … and appointed times at your will, and the reward [of the wicked you will pay back to] your [enemies], and you will cut off from … […] 15 […] … […] … […] 16 […] 17 […] 18 […] 19 […] 20 […]
Column 19
1 [mockery and scorn for the] mighty. For our Majestic One is holy, and the King of Glory is with us, and the host [of his spirits is with our steps, and our horsemen] 2 [are like clouds and like mists of] dew covering the earth, and like a downpour of showers watering with judgment all [that comes forth from it. Arise, O Mighty One!] 3 [Take your captives, O Man of Glory, and] plunder your spoil, you who do valiantly! Put your hand on the neck of your enemies and your foot [on the heaps of] 4 [the slain. Crush the nations, your adversaries,] and let your sword devour flesh. Fill your land with glory and your inheritance with blessing: a [multitude of cattle] 5 [in your fields, silver and gold] in your palaces. O Zion, rejoice greatly! And be glad, all you cities of Judah! [Open] 6 [your gates continually, so that there may be brought to you] the wealth of the nations. Their kings shall serve you, and [all who oppressed] you shall bow down to you, 7 [and the dust of your feet they shall lick. O] daughters of my people, burst out with a voice of joyful song! Put on ornaments of glory, and rule over the kingdom of 8 [… for] your [camps], and Israel for an eternal kingdom. […] 9 [And afterward they shall gather to the] camp on that night to rest until the morning. And in the morning they shall come to the place of the line 10 [where the] mighty men of the Kittim [fell], and the multitude of Asshur, and the army of all the nations that were assembled, to see whether the multitude of the slain [are dead] 11 [with no one to bury them, those who] fell there by the sword of God. And the chief priest shall draw near there, [and his deputy] and his brothers [the priests] 12 [and the Levites, with the prince of the] war and all the heads of the lines and [their] enrolled men […] 13 [… together where they stand over] the slain of the Kittim, [and they shall] praise there the God of [Israel. And they shall speak up and say …] 14 [… to God Most High and …]
Column 20
8 … […]
Fragment 3
1 […] … […] 2 […] … from all and … […]
Fragment 7
1 […] … […]
Connections in 1QM
2 connections
Chapter 9 2 connections
No connections match.