Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered - The Preterist Archive

(9) Jeshua, (10) Shecaniah, (11) Eliashib, (12) Jakim, (13) Huppah, (14) Jeshebeab, (15) Bilgah, (16)
Immer, (17) Hezir, (18) Happizzez, (19) Pethahiah, (20) Jehezkel, (21) Jachin, (22) Gamul, (23)
Delaiah, and (24) Maaziah (often spelled Moaziah in the Qumran texts). The Qumran calendars refer
to the same names, but vary the order by beginning the cycle with Gamul instead of Jehoiarib.
Apparently the reason for this change is that the list as given in 1 Chronicles began the rotation with
Jehoiarib in the autumn. The Qumran cycle begins in Nisan (March-April), a vernal New Year. The
different beginning derives, as might be expected, from an understanding of the Creation narrative.
The Creation happened in the spring; thus an eternal order based on the Creation must of necessity
begin at that time. The vernal New Year meant that the priestly cycle would begin with Gamul.
22. Priestly Courses I (4Q321) (Plate 6)
The first part of Mishmarot B delineates the equivalences between the solar and the lunisolar
calendars. It also preserves information on the 'astronomical observance' of the moon which
apparently acted as a check on the tabulated lunar month. The observance ascertained whether or not
the full moon was waning at the proper rate, normally confirming the calculation of the day on which
that month would end, and, concomitantly, when the subsequent one would begin. Fragment 1
preserves the equivalences starting with the seventh month of the first year and ending with the
second month of the fourth year. Fragment 2 begins with the fifth month of the sixth year and
completes the cycle. Between the two fragments we learn how the intercalation of the lunisolar
calendar was carried out at the end of the third year (by the solar calendar's reckoning; according to
the lunisolar reckoning, after the first month of the fourth) and at the end of the sixth year. The
remaining portions of Fragment 2 describe the six-year cycle of First Days (of the months) and
festivals in terms of the course to which they fall.