Fragments 1-3
1 Korah and his congregation … […] … judgment […] 2 before the eyes of all the assembly … […] … […] … [judgment] as signs […] 3 and the prince of his angels is with their [hosts], to give command to the hand [in] battle. […] this statute is for the mounted troops and the horsemen […] … […] 4 And the hand of God will strike … [you] for eternal destruction […] … they shall atone for you […] all the [princes of …] your … and … […] 5 his holiness with eternal joy. […] And after … […] the congregation and [all] the princes […] shall [not] go to the battle lines of the enemy […] 6 And this is the rule when they encamp, and in [… and in] their divisions … […] … around it, outside … […] And a woman and a young boy and any man [afflicted with an impurity of his flesh …] 7 [the line.] And the craftsmen [and the] smelters and those enrolled to be [men of] … […] … their … for their watches … […] … the line until they return. And there shall be two thousand cubits between the [camps and the place of the latrine, and no] 8 shameful nakedness shall be seen around them. And when they go out to draw up the battle [to subdue the enemy, there shall be] among them men released [to subdue] the enemy by lot, for each tribe according to its enrolled men, for the duty of each day [in its day.] 9 On that day men from all their tribes shall go out beyond the camps to the house of [meeting … they shall] go out to them, the [priests] and the Levites and all the commanders of the camps. And they shall pass there before […] 10 by thousands and by hundreds and by fifties and by tens. And any man who is not [pure from his discharge] on that [night] shall [not go] with them to battle, for holy angels are [together] in their lines […] 11 [And when] the line that stands ready for the battle of that day [goes up] to pass over to all […] … the [battle], three lines shall stand, line behind line, and they shall set a space between the lines [and between the lines.] 12 [And they shall go out] in turns to battle. These are the [skirmishers], and beside them the men [of the cavalry, and they shall stand between the] lines. And if they set an ambush for a line, three lines shall lie in ambush [at a] distance, and they shall not [rise …] 13 […] the battle. And [they shall hear] the trumpets of the alarm, and the [skirmishers shall begin to put out their hand to bring down] the guilty slain. And afterward the ambush shall rise from its place, and it too shall draw up [its lines] […] 14 The gathering: on the right and on the left, and [behind and in front], the four directions […] … in the wars of destruction. And all the lines that draw near for the battle with the [enemy … in] 15 one [place.] The [first] line shall [go out to battle], and the second shall [stand … they too] at their post. When their time is complete, the first shall return and [stand …] 16 The second […] … […] when the battle is drawn up. And the second line shall complete its time, and they shall return and [stand at their post.] 17 And the [third … And the chief priest shall stand, and his brothers the priests and] the Levites and the [men of the] order. And the priests shall sound on the trumpets at all times […] 18 And a [linen] sash [of twined fine linen, blue and purple and scarlet, with a many-colored pattern, the work of a craftsman, and a linen tunic and linen breeches, and ornamented] turbans [on their heads. And into the sanctuary they shall not bring them,] [for] these are garments of [war.] 19 According to all [this] rule […] the commanders of the camps […] 20 … all … […] … they shall carry it out to destruction […]
Fragment 4
1 […] … […] … […] 2 [… from] twenty [years] old and upward … […] 3 […] according to all these [rulings] and … […] 4 […] … enemy … … the horn of [guilt …]
Fragments 5-6
1 [For a multitude of holy ones is in the heavens, and] a host of [angels] in [your] holy dwelling, [to praise] your [truth.] And the chosen ones of 2 [the holy people you have set for yourself …]
Fragment 7
1 [And you made a covenant with our fathers and established it for their seed through the appointed times of eternity. And in all the testimonies of your glory there has been] 2 [a memorial of … in our midst, for the help of the remnant and the survivors for your covenant,] and to recount [your works of truth …]
Fragments 8-10 i
0 [… And there they shall all bless the God of Israel and exalt] 1 [his name] together [with joy …] 2 [And they shall] speak up and say, “Blessed is the [God of Israel, who] keeps kindness [for his covenant and testimonies of salvation for his people. He called those who stumble] 3 [to] wonderful mighty deeds, and the assembly of [nations] he gathered for destruction with no [remnant], [to lift up in judgment the heart that melts, and to open the mouth of] 4 the mute by the might of God, and to teach feeble [hands] to fight. And to those whose knees shake he gives strength to stand, and firmness of [loins] 5 to the shoulder [of the beaten.] [And by the humble in spirit … authority] over the hard heart. And by those whose way is perfect all the nations of wickedness will come to an end, and for [their] mighty men 6 there is no [standing. But we are the remnant of your people. Blessed is] your name, O God of [kindnesses], who makes your kindnesses wonderful toward us under the dominion of [Belial.] 7 [And with] all [the mysteries of his hostility they have not driven] us from your covenant. [His spirits of destruction] you have rebuked [away from] us, and when the men 8 [of his dominion acted wickedly you kept the soul of] those you redeemed. And now you have raised up [the fallen by] your [strength], but those of lofty stature you cut down, to [bring them low.] 9 [And for all their mighty men there is] no deliverer, and for their swift ones there is no escape, and [their honored ones you turn] to contempt, and all the existence 10 [of their vanity you bring to nothing. But] we, your people, will praise [your name] [for] your works of truth, and for your might we will exalt 11 [your splendor at all times] and at the appointed times of eternal testimonies, at [the coming of day] and night, and at the going out of [evening] 12 [and morning. For great is] the design of your glory, and the mysteries of your wonders in [your heights], to raise up to [yourself from the dust and to bring low] 13 [from among the gods. Rise up, rise] up, O God of gods, and lift yourself up in strength, O King of [kings! …] you set upon 14 [… from before] you all the sons of darkness shall scatter, and the light of your greatness … [… gods] and men 15 [… a fire] burning in the dark places of destruction; in the destruction of Sheol it shall [burn for an eternal burning …] transgressors 16 […] in all the appointed times of eternity […] 17 [All the] thanksgivings of the war they shall recite there, and afterward they shall return to their [camps …] there, according to the rule.
Fragment 10 ii
7 … […] 8 against the Kittim […] 9 the skirmishers shall begin [with their hand to bring down the slain of the Kittim … and the waging of] 10 the battle against the Kittim […] … [… they shall begin] 11 the slain of the crucible to fall by [the mysteries of] God. And the [priests shall blow the trumpets of the summons …] 12 the battle against the Kittim. And for the first line […] 13 And the priest appointed for the battle shall draw near and stand [before] the [line …] 14 and he shall strengthen their hands by his wonderful mighty deeds. And he shall speak up and say […] 15 vengeance, to devour among gods and among men. For not … […] 16 flesh, apart from his dust. For now … […] 17 and as far as Sheol it shall burn, it shall consume, and the council of wickedness […]
Fragment 11 i
8 […] … … […] the one who works awesome wonders […] 9 [… in the strength] of his might the righteous sing for joy, and holy ones rejoice in […] in righteousness 10 [… Israel.] He established it from of old, his truth, and the mysteries of his prudence in [all …] might 11 … … … and the council of the poor for an eternal congregation … […] the perfect of 12 [… eternal], a throne of strength in the congregation of gods, on which none of the kings of old shall sit, and their nobles [shall] not […] … like me 13 […] my glory is beyond compare, and none is exalted besides me, and none comes to me, for I have taken my seat in […] … in the heavens, and there is no 14 […] … them. I am reckoned with gods, and my dwelling is in the holy congregation. Not as flesh is my [desire …] all that is precious to me is in the glory of 15 [… the] holy [dwelling.] [Who] has been counted despised on my account? And who is like me in my glory? Who is there, like those who go to sea, who comes back … … 16 […] … Who has troubles like me? And who [bears] every evil like me? There is none. I have been taught, and no instruction compares 17 [with my instruction.] And who shall attack me when I open [my mouth?] And who can contain the flow of my lips? And who shall call me to account and be compared in my judgment? 18 [None shall compare, for] I, [my] station is with gods, [and] my glory is with the sons of the king. Not fine gold, and not the gold of Ophir 19 […] … 20 […] righteous ones, in the God of […] in the holy dwelling sing to [him …] 21 […] proclaim with a murmur of rejoicing, [pour out praise] in eternal joy, and there is no [ceasing …] 22 […] … to raise up the horn of [his anointed] … […] 23 […] … to make known his hand in strength […] 24 […] … […]
Fragment 11 ii
1 [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] 2 [the trumpets of the memorial, and they shall open the gates of war,] and [the skirmishers shall go out and stand in columns between] 3 [the lines. And the priests shall blow for them] blasts of [formation, and the columns shall spread out at the sound of the trumpets] 4 [until each has taken his stand in his position. And the priests] shall blow [for them a second blast, the signal to advance. And when they stand beside] 5 [the line of the Kittim, within] throwing [range], each shall raise his hand to his weapon of [war. And the six priests shall sound on the trumpets of] 6 [the slain a sharp, urgent sound] to direct the battle. And the [Levites and all the people with rams’ horns shall sound a war cry] 7 with a great voice. And as the sound goes out, their hand shall begin [to bring down the slain of the Kittim, and all the people shall cease the sound of the war cry …] 8 [And] the battle shall be waged against the Kittim. And … [… And when Belial girds himself to help] 9 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, the priests] 10 shall blow for another line to go out as a reserve for [the battle, and they shall stand between the lines. And for those engaged in the battle] 11 they shall blow to withdraw. And the [chief] priest shall draw near and [stand before the line, and he shall strengthen their heart with his wonderful mighty deeds, and make firm] 12 their hands in his battle. [And he shall speak up and say, “Let God arise,] and the heart of his people he tests in the crucible. Not … [… your slain,] 13 for from of old you have heard the [mysteries of God. But you, be strong and] stand in the breach, and do not [fear] when strengthening […] 14 […] … […] faithful, and the help of his redemption […] … […] 15 [… the sons] of truth, and to take away the heart that melts, to strengthen the [heart …] 16 [… the battle.] This day the God of Israel will subdue him … […] … […] 17 […] so that he has no standing. And to God shall be [the kingship], and to his people the salvation […] 18 […] … [for] a little while for Belial, and the covenant of God is peace [for] Israel in all the appointed times of [eternity.] 19 And after these words the priests shall blow to arrange the second battle against the Kittim. [And when they stand, each] 20 in his position, the priests shall blow a second blast, the signal to advance. And when they reach [the line of the Kittim, within] 21 [throwing range], each shall raise his hand to his weapon of war. And the priests shall sound on the trumpets of the [slain a sharp, urgent sound] 22 [to direct the battle. And the Levites] and all the people with rams’ horns shall sound with [a great voice …] … [… And as] 23 [the sound of the war cry goes out, they shall begin to] bring down the guilty slain. The war cry of … […] 24 […] … … […]
Fragment 12
1 […] … […] 2 […] his dwelling, and honored […] 3 […] … for the broad places of […] 4 […] and I am the majesty of … […] 5 […] … and … and not […] 6 […] … […]
Fragment 13
1 […] with gods … […] 2 [… the] least among you shall pursue a thousand […] 3 [… eternity. And after these] words [the priests] shall blow [to arrange the third battle against the Kittim, and the columns] 4 [shall spread out at the sound of the] trumpets. And when they stand by their banners, [each] at [his position, the priests shall blow on the trumpets a second blast, the signal to] 5 [advance. And when they reach] the line of the Kittim, within throwing range, they shall raise their hand, [each to his weapon of war. And the priests shall sound to direct] 6 [the battle on the] trumpets of the slain, a sharp, urgent sound. And the Levites and all [the people with rams’ horns shall sound a war cry, and the lines] 7 [shall keep] sounding, one after another, with no space between them. For […] 8 […] … [And] all the people shall speak up and raise one voice and say […] 9 […] … […]
Fragments 14-15
1 […] to nothing […] 2 […] … and a procession […] 3 […] And we, here we are, standing to advance […] 4 […] 5 [… the words of the] thanksgiving [… and] he shall speak up and say to them, “Be strong and brave […] 6 [… and do not turn] back [… for the hand of] God is stretched out over all the nations; not […] 7 […] … and it shall be [… to God Most High] the kingship, and to his people the salvation. And [you …] 8 […] … in the [plan of …] his [impurity], gods shall draw near … in […] 9 […] and to pour out [their blood …] and to cast out all [their] corpses […] 10 [… Belial] for all […] … and all the spirits of [his] lot […] 11 […] eternal, together [with gods …] 12 […] war … […]
Fragment 16
1 […] … […] 2 […] and among all the congregation … […] 3 […] his holy [people], a kingdom of [priests …] 4 [… they shall gather], all Israel, at Jerusalem […] 5 […] … and they shall exalt the mighty deeds of […]
Fragment 17
1 […] … […] 2 […] … and for all the host of […] 3 […] … and after … […] 4 […] the Book of Psalms and … […] 5 [… peace] and blessing. Thus they shall do … […] 6 […] for a burning of [destruction …] 7 […] and a remnant […] 8 [… a war] like this […]
Fragment 18
1 […] … […] 2 […] one voice […] 3 [… and] afterward they shall blow […] 4 [… their hand shall begin to bring down] the slain, and [all the people shall fall silent …] 5 […] the Red Sea and … […] 6 […] … […]
Fragment 19
1 […] … and for … […] 2 […] the war […] 3 […] … a contribution, a memorial […] 4 [… those called] by name, [men of …]
Fragment 20
1 […] … … […] 2 [… all the tribes of] Israel according to [their enrolled men …] 3 […] year they shall begin […] 4 […] joy of … […] 5 […] … … […]
Fragment 21
1 […] the war […] 2 [… the war.] And the [priests …] 3 […] … in the day … […]
Fragment 22
1 […] at the [sound of …] 2 [… and] when they stand […] 3 [… they shall] sound […]
Fragment 23
1 […] … […] 2 [… in] all the ages … […] 3 [… from the] dust and the fallen […] 4 […] … forgiveness […] 5 […] … … […]
Fragment 24
1 […] … […] 2 […] sword … […] 3 […] the dominion of all the gods […] 4 […] … and in praise together with the sons of gods […] 5 […] … […] … their dominion … […]
Fragment 25
1 […] [Israel] from God … […] 2 […] … by the hand of [wickedness …] 3 […] the spirits of [his] lot […]
Fragment 26
1 [… for] ever and ever … […] 2 [… at] their post […]
Fragment 27
1 […] … […] 2 […] … … […]
Fragment 28
1 […] … […] 2 […] … […] 3 […] … […]
Fragment 29
1 […] … […] 2 […] … … […]
Fragment 30
1 […] … […]
Fragment 31
1 … […]
Fragment 32
1 and … […] 2 … […] 3 … […]
Fragment 33
1 […] … […] 2 […] … […] 3 […] … […]
Fragment 34
1 […] … […]
Fragment 35
1 […] not … … said … […]
Fragment 36
1 […] and there shall be distress […] 2 […] … […] 3 […] … […]
Fragment 37
1 […] … […] 2 […] … […]
Intertextual Commentary on 4Q491
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