Page 65 - BV4

[Note: Each lunar stage was listed in correspondence to a solar day throughout 21
consecutive days (see note-*). In the following representation of the original scroll, the
respective solar day -- as listed on the scroll -- is not shown below for the purposes of
improved clarity.]

… 11 parts are obscured, and thus the Moon enters the day.
… 12 parts are obscured, and thus the Moon enters the day.
… 13 parts are obscured, and thus the Moon enters the day.
… 14 parts are obscured, and thus the Moon enters the day.

… the Moon rules all the day in the midst of the sky, … 14 and ½ parts being obscured.

And when the sun sets, its light ceases to be obscured, and thus the Moon begins to be re-
vealed on the first [or Echad] of the week [or Shabet]…

… 1 part is revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 2 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 3 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 4 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 5 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 6 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 7 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 8 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 9 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 10 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 11 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 12 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.
… 13 parts are revealed, and thus the Moon enters the night.

… the Moon rules all the night in the midst of the sky, … 14 and ½ parts being revealed.

And when the sun sets, its light ceases to be revealed, and thus the Moon begins to be (ob-
scured on the first [or Echad] of the week [or Shabet]…

… 1 part is obscured, and thus the Moon enters the day.
… 2 parts are obscured, and thus the Moon enters the day.
… 3 parts are obscured, and thus the Moon enters the day.

* -- Much of the information attributed to Scroll 4Q317 is derived from information found on other
scrolls. Due to the predictable sequencing of the consecutive evenings (and the ascending/ de-
scending lunar stages) the recovered text seems largely satisfactory.
+ -- The second reference to Echad Shabet is very critical information -- and yet -- this area in the
Scroll 4Q317 appears to be lost due to various types of damage. (For additional information con-
cerning Scroll 4Q317, refer to The Dead Sea Scrolls, A New Translation by Wise, Abegg, and
Cook, 1996, Section 57)

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