Discoveries in the Judaean Desert I
Qumran Cave I
D. Barthélemy & J. T. Milik
Clarendon Press · Oxford · 1955 · First Edition
THE BOOK OF NOAH
ARAMAIC FRAGMENT TRANSLATION AND MILIK'S COMMENTARY — 1Q19, Fragment 1
Milik's description of the fragment: “Description of the moral state of men [and divine decision to destroy them].”
From the Aramaic text: “…[the wick]ed prevailed upon the earth…” “[For all flesh had corrupted] its way upon the earth.” “And [they cried out,] and their cry came before God…”
THE CORRUPTION OF HUMANITY — THE CRY THAT REACHES GOD
The Book of Noah describes how evil prevails on the earth and all flesh becomes corrupt. Their cry reaches God preceding what Milik identifies as the divine decision to destroy them.
THE ARCHANGELS APPEAL TO GOD
MILIK'S TRANSLATION — 1Q19, Fragment 2 “…therefore it is to you, [the holy ones] of [heaven], that the souls of men present their cause, saying: ‘Bring our [cause] before the Most High…’” “…and under your [dominion]…”
מיכאל אוריאל רפאל וגבריאל Michael · Uriel · Raphael · Gabriel
“Michael, Uriel, Raphael and Gabriel [said to the Lord of the World: ‘… Lord] of Lords and [Mighty of Mighties]… [the throne of your glory shall endure throughout the generations of the] ages…”
THE FOUR ARCHANGELS INTERCEDE
The souls of humanity appeal to the holy ones of heaven, asking that their cause be presented to the Most High. Michael, Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel then confront the Lord of the World, bringing humanity’s crisis before the divine authority.
THE BIRTH OF NOAH
DIRECT TRANSLATION — 1Q19, Fragment 3 “…were aston[ished]…” בכור הולד “…the firstborn was born, but the Glorious Ones…” וכאשר ראה למך אותו “…his father, and when Lamech saw him…” את חדרי הבית “…the chambers of the house…” כזוהרי השמש “…like the radiance/rays of the sun…” “…[to] frighten the…”
MILIK'S TRANSLATION — 1Q19, Fragment 3 “…and it was not as one of the sons of men that the firstborn was born, but (as) the Glorious Ones […] his father.” “And when Lamech saw him […]” “he illuminated the chambers of the house like the rays of the sun…”
NOAH IS BORN IN SUPERNATURAL LIGHT
The Book of Noah describes the newborn as different from the sons of men and compares him to the Glorious Ones. When Lamech sees the child, the house's chambers are lit up “like the rays of the sun.”
THE BOOK OF MYSTERIES
DIRECT TRANSLATION — 1Q27, Fragment 1, Column I … [mysteries of] transgression … [and they did not know the mystery of what is coming to be, and the former things] they did not [consider], and they did not know what is [to come upon them, and their lives] they did not [save from the mystery of what is coming to be]. [And this] is the sign to you [that it will be: when those born of] iniquity [are shut up], wickedness will withdraw before righteousness [as dar]kness [withdraws] before light; and as smoke ceases [and is] no more, so wickedness will cease for ever, and righteousness [will be revealed like the sun, the measure of] the world; and all who hold fast to the mysteries of … [will be] no more, and knowledge will fill the world, [and folly will never be there again]. The word is sure to come and the oracle is true; [and by this it shall be known to you] that it will not turn [back]. Do not all the peoples hate iniquity? [Yet it goes about at the hand of them all.] Does not [the report of truth come from the mouth of all nations]? Is there a lip or tongue that holds fast to it? What nation wishes that [one stronger than itself should oppress it]? Who wishes that his wealth be robbed by wickedness? What nation is there that has not oppressed [its neighbour? Where is a people that has not] … [robbed the wealth of …]
MILIK'S TRANSLATION — 1Q27, Fragment 1, Column I “…they do not know the mystery of the future, and they do not understand the things of old…” “If you wish to know the sign that this will come to pass:” “…wickedness will disappear before righteousness, as darkness disappears before light; as smoke disappears and is no more, so wickedness will disappear forever…” “…righteousness will be revealed like the sun…” “…and knowledge will fill the world, and folly will be no more.” “The word will surely be fulfilled, and the prediction is true.”
THE FUTURE MYSTERY — KNOWLEDGE FILLS THE WORLD
The Book of Mysteries describes hidden knowledge about what is to come. It predicts a future change where evil vanishes before good “like darkness before light.” Righteousness is “revealed like the sun” and knowledge spreads across the world while foolishness disappears.
