by Geza Vermes
[No-one] ... and no-one is comparable [to my glory].
For I [have my station with the ‘gods’, and my glory is with the sons of the King].
I will not be cr[owned with pure gold nor with the gold of Ophir] ... Sing...
C. Calendars, Liturgies and Prayers
‘Phases of the Moon’, Israel Antiquities Authority
Calendars of Priestly Courses
(4Q320-30, 337)
Twelve fragmentary manuscripts from Cave 4, palaeographically dated to the late second century BCE, present in various forms the peculiar ‘solar’ calendar - constructed in six-year sequences - of the Qumran Community. Their year consisted of twelve months of thirty days each, plus four extra days added to each of the four seasons (cf. above, pp. 78-9). Some documents from 4Q (320 and 321) attempt to combine this calendar with the various priestly courses which served in turn in the Temple for a week at a time from one sabbath to the following Friday. They also combine it with the dates of the full moon given according to the days of the week of duty of the priestly course, the date of the solar month and the equivalent date of the lunar calendar of mainstream Judaism (a year of twelve months of 29 or 30 days = 354 days). E.g. (The full moon falls): ‘On the 5th (day) in the week of Jedaiah, corresponding to the 29th day of the lunar month, which falls on the 30th day of the 1st solar month.’ 4Q321 records in addition the occurrence of the New Moon. E.g. ‘And the New Moon is on the third day in the week of Mijamin which is on the twelfth day in the eighth month.’ An alternative interpretation suggests that the term in question (duqah) designates the day after the full moon. 4Q321a is very fragmentary, but it seems almost identical to 4Q321.
For the editio princeps, see S. Talmon with J. Ben-Dov, DJD, XXI, 1-156.
The following table will help readers understand the relationship between the priestly courses on weekly duty, the ‘solar’ dates, the moon’s phases and the feast-days falling in the month in question.
First month of the first year in a six-year cycle Sigla: bold number=feast; t=New Moon; ††=full moon
Mishmarot A (4Q320)
Fr. 1 i
I ... to show it from the east. [And] to cause it to shine [in] the middle of heaven, in the foundation [of the creat]ion, from evening till morning.
(There is full moon)
On the 4th (day) in the week [of the sons of G]amul in the first month of [the firs]t year.
[On the 5th (day) in (the week of) Jedai]ah, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month, which falls) on the 30th (day) of the 1st (solar month).
[On the sabbath in (the week of) Hak]koz, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month, which falls) on the 30th of the second (solar month).
[On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Elia]shib, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month), (which falls) on the 29th (day) in the third (solar month).
[On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Bilg]ah, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month, which falls) on the 28th day in the fourth (solar month).
[On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Peta]hiah, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 27th day in the fifth (solar month).
On the 6th (day) in (the week of) Delaiah, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 27th (day) in the sixth (solar month).
[On the sabbath in (the week of) Seori]m, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 25th (day) in the seventh (solar month).
[On the 2nd (day) in (the week of) Abiah, (corresponding) to the 3]oth (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 25th (day) in the eighth (solar month).
[On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Jakim, (corresponding) to the 2]9th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 24th (day) in the ninth (solar month).
II On the 5th (day) in (the week of) Immer, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 23rd (day) in the tenth (solar month).
On the 6th (day) in (the week of) Jehezekel, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 22nd (day) in the eleventh (solar) month.
On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Jeiarib, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 22nd (day) in the twelfth (solar) month.
The second year:
On the 2nd (day) in (the week of) Malchiah, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 20th (day) in the first (solar month).
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Jeshua, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 20th (day) in the second (solar month).
On the 5th (day) in (the week of) Huppah, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 19th [in the third] (month).
On the sabbath in (the week of) Pizzez, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 18th in the f[ourth] (month).
On the 1st (day) in Gamul, (corresponding) to the [29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 17th day in the fifth] (solar month).
On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Jedaiah, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) [on the 17th (day) in the sixth] (solar month).
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Mijamin, (corresponding) to the 2 [9th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 15th day] in the seventh (solar month).
On the 6th (day) in Shecaniah, (corresponding) to the 3[oth (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 15th (day) in the eighth] (solar month).
On the sabbath in (the week of) Bil[gah, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 14th (day) in the ninth] (solar month).
[On the 2nd (day) in (the week of) Petahiah, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 13th (day) in the tenth] (solar month).
Fr. 2
On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Je[shua, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 5th (day) in the seventh] (solar month).
On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Huppah, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 5th (day) in the eighth (month).
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Hezir, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 4th (day) in the ninth (solar month).
On the 6th (day) in Jachin, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 3rd (day) in the tenth (solar month).
On the sabbath in (the week of) Jedaiah, (corresponding) to the 29th (day of the lunar month which falls) on the 2nd (day) of the eleventh (solar) month.
On the 2nd (day) [of Mijami]n, (corresponding) to the 30th (day of the lunar month which falls on) the second day in the twelfth (solar) month.
Fr. 3 i
II ... the days, the sabbaths [and] the months [for] years and for sabbatical years and for jubilees. On the 4th (day) of the week of the sons of Gamul.
Fr. 4 iii
III The first year: its feasts. On the third (day in the week of) Meoziah: the Passover.
On the 1st (day) [in (the week of) Jeda[iah]: the Waving of the [Sheaf].
On the 5th (day) in (the week of) Seorim: the [Second] Passover. vacat
On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Jeshua: the Feast of Weeks.
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Meoziah: the Day of Memorial.
[On] the 6th (day) in Jeiarib: the Day of Atonement [in the] seventh [month]. vacat
[On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Jeda]iah: the Feast of Tabernacles.
The second (year): its feasts. [On the 3rd (day)] in (the week of) Seorim: the Passov[er].
[On the 1st (day)] in (the week of) Mijamin: the Waving of the [Sheaf].
[On the 5th (day) in (the week of) Abiah: the Second Passover].
Fr. 4
IV On the 1st (day) [in (the week of) H]uppah: [the Feast of W]eeks.
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Seorim: the Day of Mem[orial].
On the 6th (day) in (the week of) Malchia[h]: the Day of Ato[nement].<
br />
On [the 4th (day) in (the week of)] Mijamin: the Feast of Tabernacles. vacat
The third (year): its feasts. On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Abiah: the Passover.
On the 21st (day) in (the week of) Shecaniah: the Waving of the Sheaf.
On the 5th (day) in (the week of) Jakim: the [Second] Passover.
On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Hezir: [the Feast of Weeks].
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Abiah: the Day of Memorial.
On the 6th (day) in (the week of) Jeshua: the Day of Atonement.
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Shecaniah: the Feast of Tabernacles.
Thefourth(year): its feasts.
V [On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Jaki]m: the Passover.
On the 1st (day) [in (the week of) Jeshebeab: the Waving of the Sheaf.
On [the 5th (day) in (the week of) Im]mer: the Second Passover.
[On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Piz]zez: [the Feast] of Weeks.
[On] the 4th (day) in (the week of) Jakim: the Day of Memorial.
[On] the 6th (day) in (the week of) Huppah: the Day of Atonement.
[On the 4th] (day) in (the week of) Jeshebeab: the Feast of Tabernacles. vacat
[The fifth (year): its feasts.]
On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Immer: the Passover.
On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Pizzez: the Waving of the Sheaf.
[On the 5th (day)] in (the week of) Jehezekel: the Second Passover.
[On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Joiari]b: the Feast of [Weeks].
[On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Immer: the Day of Memorial].
VI On the 6th (day) in (the week of) Hezir: the Day of Atonement.
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Pizzez: the Feast of Tabernacles. vacat
The sixth (year): its feasts.
On the 3rd (day) in (the week of) Jehezekel: the Passov[er].
On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Gamul: the Waving of the Sheaf.
[On the 3rd (day)] in (the week of) Maaziah: the [Second] Passover.
On the 1st (day) in (the week of) Malchiah: the Feast of [Weeks].
[On] the 4th (day) in (the week of) Jehezeke[l: the Day of Memorial].
[On] the 6th (day) in (the week of) Jachin: [the Day of Atonement.
On the 4th (day) in (the week of) Gamul: the Feast of Tabernacles] ...
Mishmarot B (4Q321, fr. 1)
I [And the New Moon is on the 1st (day) in (the week of) Jedaiah which is on the twel]fth (day) in it (=the seventh month).
On the second (day) in (the week of) Abia[h which is on the] twe[nty-fifth (day) in the eighth (month).
And the New Moon is on the third (day) in (the week of) Mijamin which is on the twelfth (day)] in (the eighth month).
On the third (day) in (the week of) Jakim which is on the [twenty]-fou [rth (day) in the ninth (month).
And the New Moon is on the fourth (day) in Shecaniah which is on the eleve]nth (day) in (the ninth month).
On the fifth (day) in (the week of) Immer which is on the thirteenth (day) in the ten[th (month).
And the New Moon is on the sixth (day) in (the week of) Je]shabeab [which is on the tenth (day) in (the tenth month)].
On [the s]ixth (day) in (the week of) Jehezekel which is on the twenty-second (day) in the eleventh (month).
And [the New Moon is on sabbath in (the week of)] Petahiah which is [on the ninth (day) in (the eleventh month)].
On the first (day) in (the week of) Joiarib which is on the twenty-second (day) in the twelfth month.
And [the New Moon is on the secon]d (day) in (the week of) Delaiah [which is on the ninth (day) in (the twelfth month)]. vacat
[The] second (year), the first (month).
On the second (day) in (the week of) Malchiah which is on the twen[tieth (day) in the first (month).
And] the New Moon [is on the third (day) in (the week of) Harim which is on the se]venth (day) in (the first month).
On the fourth (day) in (the week of) Jeshua which is [on] the twentieth (day) in the second (month).
And [the New Moon is on the fifth (day) in (the week of)] Hakkoz which is on the ninth (day) [in (the second month).
On the fifth (day) in (the week of) Huppah which is on the nine]teenth (day) in the third (month).
And the New Mo[on] is on the sixth (day) [in (the week of) E]l[iashib] which is on the sixth (day) [in (the third month).
On the sabba]th in (the week of) Pizzez
Fr. 2
II [which is on the eighteenth (day) in the fourth (month).
And the New Moon is on the first (day) in (the week of) Immer which is on the fifth (day)] in (the fourth month).
On the first (day) in (the week of) [Gamul, which is on the seventeenth (day) in the fifth (month)].
[And the New Moon is on the second (day) in (the week of) Je]hezek[el which is on the fourth (day) in (the fifth month).
On the third (day) in (the week of) Jed]aiah which is on [the seventeenth (day) in the sixth (month).
And the New Moon is on the fourth (day)] in (the week of) Maoziah which is on the fourth (day) in (the sixth month).
On the fourt[h (day) in (the week of) Mijamin which is on the fifteenth (day)] in the seventh (month).
And the New Moon is on the f[ifth (day)] in (the week of) Seorim which is on the second in (the seventh month).
On the sixth (day) in (the week of) Shecaniah which is on the fif[teenth (day) in the eighth (month).
And the New] Moon is on the sabbath in Abiah which is on the second (day) in (the eighth month). [On the sabbath in (the week of) Bilgah] which is on the fourteenth (day) of the ninth (month).
And the New Moon is [on the first (day)] in the ninth month.
And the second [New Moo]n is on the third (day) in [(the week of) Hezir, which is on the thirty]-first in [(the ninth month).
On] the second (day) in (the week of) Petahiah which is on the thir[teenth (day) in the tenth (month)].
And the New Moon is on the fourt[h (day) in (the week of) Ja]chin which is on the twenty-nin[th (day) in (the tenth month)].
On [the third (day) in (the week of) Delai]ah which is on the twelfth (day) in the ele[venth month.
And the New] Moon is on the sixth (day) in (the week of) Joiar[ib which is on the tw]enty-ninth (day) in [(the eleventh month)].
On the fifth (day) in (the week of) Harim which is on the twelfth (day) of the twelfth month. And the New Moo[n] is on the sabbath [in (the week of)] Mijamin which is on the twenty-eighth (day) in (the twelfth month). The third (year). The [first] (month). [On the sixth (day) in (the week of) Hakkoz which is on the tenth (day)] in the first (month).
Fr. 3
III And the New Moon is on the second (day) in (the week of) Shecaniah which is on the twenty-seventh (day) in (the first month).
On the first (day) in (the week of) Jakim which is on the tenth (day) in the second (month).
And the New Moon is on the third (day) in (the week of) Jeshebeab which is on the twenty-sixth (day) in (the second month).
On the second (day) in (the week of) Immer which is on the ninth (day) in the third (month).
And the New Moon is on the fifth (day) in (the week of) Pizzez which is on the twenty-sixth (day) in (the third month).
On the fourth (day) in (the week of) Jehezekel which is on the eighth (day) in the fourth (month).
And the New Moon is on the sixth (day) in (the week of) Gamul which is on the twenty-fourth (day) in (the fourth month).
On the fifth (day) in (the week of) Meoziah which is on the seventh (day) in the fifth (month).
And the New Moo]n is on the first (day) in (the week of) Har[im which is on the twenty-fourt]h (day) in (the fifth month).
On the sabbath in (the week of) Mal[chiah which is on the seventh (day) of the sixth (month).
And the New Moon is on the second (day) in (the week of) Hakkoz which is on the twenty-third (day) in (the sixth month).
On the first (day) in (the week of) Je
shua which is on the fifth (day)] in the seventh (month).
And the New Moon on the fourth (day) in (the week of) Eliashib which is on the [twenty-]second (day) [in (the seventh month).
On the third (day) in (the week of) Huppah which is on the fifth (day) in the eighth (month).
And the New Moon is in the fifth (day) in (the week of) Bilgah which is on the twenty-first (day) in] (the eighth month).
On the fourth (day) in (the week of) Hezir which is on the fourth (day) in the ninth (month).
And the New Moon is on the sabbath in (the week of) J[ehezekel which is on the twenty-first (day) in (the ninth month).
On the sixth (day) in (the week of) Jachin which is on the third (day) in the tenth (month).
And the New Moon is on the first (day) in (the week of) Maaziah which is on the nine]teenth in (the tenth month).
On the sabbath in (the week of) Jedaiah which is on the second (day) in the eleventh month.
And the New Moon is [on the third (day) in Seorim which is on the nineteenth (day) in (the eleventh month).
On the second (day) in (the week of) Mijamin which is on the second (day) in the twelfth month.
And the New] Moon is on the fourth (day) in (the week of) Abiah which is on the eighteenth (day) in (the twelfth month).
The fourth (year).
On the fourth (day) in (the week of) Shecan[iah which is on the first (day) in the first month].
And the New Moon is on the sixth (day) in (the week of) Jakim which is on the seventeenth (day) in (the first month).
[On the fifth (day) in (the week of) Pizzez which is on the thirtieth (day) in] the first (month).
On the sabbath [in (the week of)] Petahiah which is on the thirtieth of the second month.
And the New Moon is on the first (day) in (the week of) Hez[ir which is on the seventeenth (day) in it. On the first (day) in (the week) of Delaiah, which is on the twenty-ninth]