4Q242

4QPrayer of Nabonidus

Dead Sea Scrolls · 160 B.C.E. - 60 B.C.E.

Based on the text provided by Martin G. Abegg Jr., James E. Bowley, and Edward M. Cook.

Fragments 1-3

1 [1]The words of the prayer that Nabonidus, king of Babylon, the [great] king, prayed [when he was struck] 2 with a grievous skin disease by the decree of God in Teima. [2][I, Nabonidus, with a grievous skin disease] 3 was struck for seven years, and when God set [his face upon me, he healed me,] 4 and my sin an exorcist forgave. He was a Jew from [the exiles. He came to me and said,] 5 “Declare it and write it down, [3]to give honor and greatness to the name of God [Most High.” And so I wrote:] 6 “I was struck with a grievous skin disease in Teima [by the decree of God Most High.] 7 For seven years I was praying [before] [4]the gods of silver and gold, [bronze, iron,] 8 wood, stone, and clay, because [I thought] that they were gods […] 9 […] … or […] … […] … […]

Fragment 4

1 […] apart from them. I was restored to health 2 […] from it he made it pass. The peace of my ease [will return to me] 3 […] … my friends. I was not able […] 4 […] how like you are to … […] 5 […] … […]

Glossary