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