by Geza Vermes
Fr. 4
I [On the fifth (day) in the (week) of Jakim which is on the seventh (day) in the fifth (month).
And the N]ew Moon is on the first (day) in [(the week of) Bilg]ah which is on the twe[nty-f]ou[r]th (day) in (the fifth month).
On the sabbath in (the week of) Hezir which is on the sevent[h (day) in the sixth (month).
And the New Moon is on the second (day) in (the week of) Petahiah] which is on the twenty-third (day) in (the sixth month).
On the first (day) in (the week of) Jachin which is on the fifth (day) in the seventh (month).
And the New Moon is on the fourth (day) [in (the week of) Delaiah which is on the twenty-second (day)] in (the seventh month).
On the third (day) in (the week of) Joiarib which is on the fifth (day) in the eighth (month).
And the New Moon is on the fifth (day) in (the week of) Harim [which is on the twenty-first (day) in the eighth month.
On the fou]rth (day) in (the week of) Malchiah which is on the fourth (day) in the ninth (month).
And the New Moon is on the sabbath in (the week of) Abiah which is on the [twenty-]first (day) in ([the ninth month).
On the sixth (day) in (the week of) Je]shua which is [on] the third (day) in the tenth (month).
And the New Moon is on the first (day) in (the week of) Jakim which is on the nineteenth (day) in [(the tenth month).
On the sabbath in (the week of) Jeshebeab which is on the second (day) of the elev]enth month.
And the New Moon is on the thi[rd (day) in (the week of) Immer] which is on the nineteenth (day) in (the eleventh month).
[On the second (day) in (the week of) Pizzez which is on the second (day) in the twel]fth month.
And the New Moon is on the four[th (day) in (the week of) Jehezek]el which is on the eighteenth (day) [in the twelfth month.] vacat ... (First year)
[In the first] month in (the week of) Gamul; [on the thir]d (day) in (the week of) Ma[aziah: Passover. In (the week of) Jedaiah: the Waving of the Sheaf. The (first day) of the second (month) is in (the week of) Jedaiah; in (the week of) Seorim: the Second Passover. (The first day of the) third (month is) in (the week of Hakkoz.]
V in Jeshua: the Feast of Week[s] is in it.
[The fou]r[th (month begins) in (the week of) E]liashib.
The fifth (month begins) in [(the week of) Bilgah.
The sixth (month begins) in (the week of) J]ehezekel.
The seve[nth (month begins) in (the week of) Maoziah]. In Maoziah is the Day of Memorial. In Joiarib is the Day of Atonement. In Jedaiah is [the Feast of] Tabernacles.
The eighth (month begins) [in (the week of) Seorim].
The ninth (month begins) in (the week of) Jeshua.
The tenth (month begins) in (the week of) Huppah.
The eleventh (month begins) in (the week of) Hezir.
The twelfth (month begins) in (the week of) Gamul. vacat
The second (year).
The first (month begins) in (the week of) Jedaia[h]. In (the week of) Seorim is the Passover. In (the week of) Mijamin is the Waving of the Sheaf.
The second (month begins) in (the week of) M[ijamin. In (the week of) Abiah] is the Second Passover.
The [third (month begins) in (the week of) E]l[iashib] and in (the week of) Hu[ppah] is the Feast of Weeks.
[The] fourth (month begins) [in (the week of) B]ilgah.
The fifth (month begins) in (the week of) Petahiah.
[The sixth (month begins) in (the week of) Maaziah.
The seventh (month begins) in (the week of) Seorim. In (the week of) Seorim is the Da]y of Memorial. In (the week of) Malchiah [is the Day of] Atonement. In (the week of) Mijamin [is the Feast] of Tabernacles.
[The eighth (month begins) in (the week of) Abiah.
The ninth (month begins) in (the week of)] Huppah.
The tenth (month begins) in (the week of) Hezir.
The e[leventh] (month begins) in (the week of) Jachin.
[The twel]fth mo[nt]h (begins) [in (the week of) Jedaiah]. vacat
The third (year).
The first (month begins) in (the week of) M[ijam]in. In (the week of) Abiah is the Passover. In (the week of) Shecaniah is the Waving of the Sheaf.
The se[cond] (month begins) in (the week of) Shecaniah and in (the week of) Jakim is the Second Passover.
The third (month begins) in (the week of) Bilgah. In [(the week of) Hez]ir
Fr. 4—5
VI [is the Feast] of Week[s.
The fourt]h (month begins) in [(the week of) Petahiah.
The fifth (month begins) in (the week of) Delaiah.
The sixth (month begins) in (the week of) Seorim.
In the seventh (month), in (the week of) Abiah is the D]ay [of Memorial. In (the week of) Jeshua] is the D[ay of Atonement. In (the week of) Shecania]h is the Feast of Tabernacles.
The ei[ghth (month begins) in (the week of) Jakim.
The ninth (month begins) in (the week of) Hezir.
The tenth] (month begins) in (the week of) Jachin.
The ele[venth month begins] in (the week of) Joiarib.
[The twel]fth month (begins) in (the week of) Mij]amin.
The fourth (year).
The first (month begins) in (the week of) Shecaniah. In (the week of) Jakim is the Passover. In (the week of) Jeshebeab is the Waving of the Sheaf.
The second (month begins) in (the week of) Jeshebeab. In (the week of) Im[mer is the Second Passover. In (the week of) Jachin is the Fe]ast of [Weeks.
The fourth (month begins) in (the week of) Delaiah.
The fifth] (month begins) in (the week of) Harim.
The sixth (month begins) in [(the week of) Abiah.
The se]venth (month begins) [in (the week of) Jakim]. In (the week of) Jaki[m is the Da]y [of Memorial]. In (the week of) Huppah [is the Day of Atonement. In (the week of) Jeshebeab is the Feast of Tabernacle]s.
The eighth (month begins) in (the week of) Immer.
The ninth (month begins) in [(the week of) Jachin.
The tenth (month begins) in (the week of) Joiari]b.
The ele[vent]h [month (begins)] in (the week of) Ma[Ichiah.
The twelfth month (begins) in (the week of) Shecaniah]. vacat
The fifth (year).
The f[irst] (month begins) in [(the week of) Jeshebeab. In (the week of) Immer] is the Passover. In (the week of) Pi[zzez i]s the Waving of the Sheaf.
The se[cond (month begins) in (the week of) Pizze]z. In Jehezekel is the Second Passover.
The third (month begins) in [(the week of) Delaiah. In (the week of) Joiarib is the Feast of W]eeks.
The f[ourth] (month begins) in (the week of) Harim.
The fifth (month begins) in (the week of) Hakk[o]z.
[The si]xth (month begins) in (the week of) Jakim.
The seventh (month begins) in (the week of) Immer. In (the week of) Immer is the Day of Memori[al. In (the week of) Hezir is the Day of Atonement. In (the week of) Pi]zzez is the Feast of Tabernacles.
The eighth (month begins) in (the week of) Jehezekel.
The ninth (month begins) in (the week of) Joiar[ib] and the tenth (month begins)
Fr. 5
VII [in (the week of) Malchiah.
The eleventh month (begins) in (the week of) Jeshua.
The twelfth month (begins) in (the week of) Jeshebeab.
[The sixth (year).
The first (month begins) in (the week of) Pizzez. In (the week of) Jehezekel is the Passover. In (the week of) Gamul is the Waving of the Sheaf.
The second (month begins) in (the week of) Gamul. In (the week of) Maaziah is the Second Passover.
The third month (begins) in (the week of) Harim. In (the week of) Malchiah is the Feast of Weeks.
The fourth (month begins) in (the week of) Hakkoz.
The fifth (month begins) in (the week of) Eliashib. The sixth (month begins) in (the week of) Immer.
The seventh (month begins) in (the week of) Jehezekel. In (the week of) Jehezekel is the Day of Mem
orial. In (the week of) Jachin is the Day of Atonement. In (the week of) Gamul i]s the Feast [of Tabernacles.
The eighth (month begins) in (the week of) Maaziah.
The ninth (month begins) in (the week of) Malchiah.
The tenth (month begins) in (the week of) Jeshua].
The eleven[th] month (begins) in (the week of) Huppah.
[The twelfth month (begins) in (the week of) Pizzez].
Mishmarot D (4Q325)
Fr. 1
[... Passover on the thi]rd (day of the week). On the eighteenth (day) in (the first month) is the sabbath of [(the week of) Joiarib] ... in the evening.
On the twenty-fifth (day) in (the first month) is the sabbath of (the week of) Jedaiah. During the same week is [the Feast] of Barley on the twenty-sixth (day) in (the first month), after the sabbath.
The beginning of the [second] month [is on the s]ixth [day] of (the week of) Jedaiah.
On the second (day) in (the second month) is the sabbath of Harim.
On the ninth (day) in (the second month) is the sabbath [of Seorim].
On the sixteenth (day) in (the second month) is the sabbath of Malchiah.
On the twenty-third (day) in (the second month) [is the sabbath of M]ijamin.
On the thirtieth (day) in (the second month) is the sabbath of Hakkoz. vacat The beginning of the third month after the sabbath
Fr. 2
[On the sixth (day) in (the week of) Bilgah. On the second (day) in (the fifth month) is the sabbath of I]mmer. On the thi[r]d (day) i[n (the fifth month) is the Feast of the New Wine after the sabbath of Immer.
On] the ninth (day) in (the fifth month) is the sabbath of Hezir. [On the sixteenth (day) in (the fifth month) is the sabbath of Aphses. On the twenty-]third (day) in (the fifth month) is the sabbath [of Petahiah.
On the thirtieth (day) in (the fifth month) is the sabbath of Jehezekel. The beginni]ng of the sixth month is after the sabbath (=Sunday) of Jehezekel. On the seventh (day) in (the sixth month) is the sabbath of Jachin. On the fou]rteenth (day) [in (the sixth month) is the sabbath of Gamul. On the twenty-first (day) in (the sixth month) is the sabbath of Delaiah. On the twenty-]second (day) in (the sixth month) is the Feast of New Oil. After the Feast of New Oil is the Feast of the Offering of Wo]od.
Mishmarot F (4Q328)
... [In the fifth (year): Jeshabe]ab. In the sixth: Hapizzez.
These are the beginnings of the years.
[In the first [year]: Gamul, Eliash[ib], Moazia[h, Huppah.
In] the second: Jedaiah, Bilgah, Se[or]im, He[zir].
[In the third]: Mij[amin], Petahiah, Ab[iah, Jachin].
[In the fourth: Shecaniah, De]laiah, Jakim, Joia[rib.
In the fifth: Jeshabeab, Harim, Immer, Malchiah.
In the s[ixth: Hapizzez, ]...
Calendrical Document C
(4Q326)
In the first (month) on the fourth (day) is Sabbath...
On the eighth (day) in it [is Sabbath] ...
On the eleventh (day) in it is Sabbath...
[On the 14th (day) in it is Passover on the third (day of the week).
On the 15th (day) in it: the feast of the Unleavened Bread on the fourth (day of the week).
On the 18th (day) is Sabbath.
On the 25th (day) in it: Sabbath.
On the 26th (day) in it:] feast of the Gr[ain after the Sabbath.
In the first month] 30 (days).
On the second (day) in it: [Sabbath.
On the ninth (day) in it: Sabbath.
On the 16th (day)] ...
Calendrical Document D
(4Q394 1-2)
This text is the opening of MMT (Some Observances of the Law) and has been dealt with there (see pp. 222-3).
Calendric Signs (Otot)
(4Q319)
The so-called Otot or ‘Signs’ document was copied as the continuation of 4QSe (4Q259). Whether it was part of the original composition is as debatable as the attachment of a calendar to MMT at 4Q394 1-2 (cf. above, pp. 222-3).
4Q319 represents a calendrical system based on the weekly rotation of the twenty-four priestly courses during a six-year period and constructed into six consecutive Jubilees, i.e. 294 years. The ‘sign’ which recurs in every three years probably identifies the years in which the shorter lunar year of 354 days is supplemented by means of the intercalation of an extra month of 30 days (3×354+30=1,092) to equal the length of three ‘solar’ years of 364 days each (3×364=1,092). Palaeographically the manuscript is dated to the first half of the first century BCE.
For the editio princeps, see J. Ben-Dov, DJD, XXI, 199-244.
Frs. 1-3
IV ...
... on the fourth (day) of the wee[k] ...
its light on the fourth (day) of the wee[k] of the creation
in (the week of) G[amul.
The sign of Shecaniah: in the fourth (year).
The sign of Gamul: in the (year) of Release (i.e. the first
sabbatical year).
(Second sabbatical cycle):
[The sign of Shecaniah: in the thi]rd (year).
The sign of [G]amul: in the sixth (year).
(Third sabbatical cycle):
The sign [of Shecaniah: in the second (year).
The sign of G]amul: [in the fifth (year).
(Fourth sabbatical cycle):
The sig]n of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release.
The sign of Gamu[l: in the fourth (year).
The sign of Shec]an[i]ah:
[in the (year of) Release.
(Fifth sabbatical cycle):
The sig]n of Gamul: in the third (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: [in the sixth (year).
(Sixth sabbatical cycle):
The sign of Gam]ul: [in the second (year).
The si]gn of She[caniah]: in the fifth (year).
(Seventh sabbatical cycle):
The sign of Gam[ul: after the (year of) Release.
The sign of Shecaniah: in the fou]rth (year).
The sign of Gamul: in the (year of) Release
(which is) the sign of the en[d of the Jubilee.
The signs of the second J]ubilee: 17 signs.
Of this in the (year of) Release: [2] signs.
...of the creation...
[The si]gn of Shecaniah:
in the second (year).
[The sign of Ga]mul: in the fifth (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release.
[The sign of Ga]mul:
Frs. 2—5, 9, 23
V [in the fourth (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Release.
The sign of Gamul: in the third (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year).
The sign of Gamul: in the second (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: in the fifth (year).
The sign of Gamul: after the (year of) Releas]e.
The sign of Shecaniah: in the fo[urth (year).
The sign of Gamul: in the (year of) Release.
The sign of Shecaniah: in the thi]rd (year).
The sign of Gamul: in the si[xth (year)
The sign] of Shec[aniah
(which is) the sign] of the end of the third Jubilee.
The signs of the third Jubilee: 17 signs].
Of this in the (year of) Release: 2 signs.
[The sign] of Shecaniah: in the second year.
[The sign of Gam]ul: in the fifth (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release.
The sig[n of Gamul: in the fourth (year).
The sig]n of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Release.
The sign of Gamul: in the third (year).
The sign [of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year).
The sign of G]amul: in the second (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: in the fifth (year).
The sign [of Gamul: after the (year of)] Release.
The sign of Shecaniah:
in the fourth (year).
The si
gn of Gamul: [in the (year of) Release.
The sign] of Shecaniah: in the third (year).
The sign of Gamul: in the sixth (year).
The sign of Shec[aniah: in the second (year).
The sign] of Gamul: in the fifth (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: after the (year of) Release
[(which is) the sign of the end of the Jubilee.
The signs of the] fourth [Jubi]lee: 17 signs.
Of this in the (year of) Release: 2 signs.
[The sign of Gamul]: in the fourth year.
The sign of Shecaniah: [in the (year of) Rel]ease.
The sign of Gamul: in [the third (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: in the sixth (year).
The sign of Gamul]: in the second (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: in the fi[fth (year).
The sign of Gamul: after the (year of) Release.
The sign of Shecaniah]: in the fourth (year).
The sign of [Gamul]: in the (year of) Release.
The sign of She[caniah: in the second (year).
The sign of Gamul: in the fifth (year).
The sign of Shecaniah]: after the [(year of)] Release.
The sign of Ga[mul: in the fourth (year).
The sign of Shecaniah: in the (year of) Release
(which is) the sign of the end of the fifth Jubilee in Jeshebab.
