The Asatir Chapter XI translation by Ruariridh Boid (Monash University)

I never envisioned this blog to be a 'Secret Mark' site so I plan on adding some variety every day. Today I will present my friend Rory Boid's translation of Chapter XI of the Asatir which is universally regarded as one of the oldest surviving works of that culture. John Bowman has identified it as "without any doubt an old Dosithean work" (1967).

Boid rightly points to this chapter as likely a separate work which was added to the main text of the Asatir at a later date. Boid thinks comes from an early date. The events described herein took place in the period leading up to the Greek conquest of Palestine. I see no reason to doubt that the current text is a development of original material written in the second century BCE. At the very latest, it dates from the Common Era which should make it of especial interest to scholars of the DSS.

One can even suppose - given Charlesworth's recent discovery of Samaritanism in the DSS - that the material might shine some light on a shared historical context which is now lost to us.

For all serious interest in the material look up Boid's published article.

I have a handwritten note at the top of the page - "See also the Arabic Book of Joshua, ch 42 in Crane's translation. The translation follows extensive work on Aramaic grammar and vocabulary, specially Samaritan Aramaic. I differ extensively from Ben-Hayyim and differ totally from Gaster."

The following represent p. 53 and 54 of the original monograph that I have had in my possession for years.

And God said to Moses: "Get Joshua the son of Nun, the man in whom is spirit and have him stand before Eleazar the Priest and the whole Congregation" in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month.

This Moses did, very happily and gladly, as if he [Joshua] were one of his own sons. A good man never departs from his own character. Moses started to write out the holy Torah. He started writing out the Torah on the third, finished on the fourth, and put it inside the Tabernacle on the fifth day. The voice of the Living One came out of the cloud of Glory: 'Well done honest worker! This is the last day."

What Moses the great Prophet revealed from what the Lord vouchsafed him is knowledge of the future. Thus it says "and he beholds the form of the Lord." He set out what was going to happen over three thousand two hundred and four years - when you have children and grandchildren.

The origin of the "Withdrawal," the gate to the "Requiting" in that a Levite called Azraz the son of Faani arises, the initial "cause of divine jealousy" in his hand. So the Sanctuary will come to an end in his days. A sanctuary of "alien religion" will replace the "Holiness" of the Hebrews.

Sectarianism is started up within the Congregation, a system of "apostasy" and wickedness. The Acropolis of Benjamin will be built amongst their people. Those of the house of Judah, by flouting of the commandments, will nullify the verse "Hear O Lord, the voice of Judah." The Bulwark of Gibbaana will be built in the gully. The Congregation will be after the truth; they will be repressed by the "accursed" offspring of an illicit union. There will be 'Balaam's divination' in his days; the worship of alien gods will become prevalent.

In a little while the sanctuary of 'alien religion' will be destroyed by a nation fierce of face; and those of the house of 'desolation' and those of the house of 'apostasy' are scattered over the earth, with 'desolation' spread over where they had been. At the culmination comes the congregation's relief. There will be 'requiting' for the 'provoking of divine jealousy'; the land will pass to others; Hellenes will take possession. There will be contentment in the world, the ultimate wellbeing, honour, and prosperity.

An exalted one stands, setting the Congregation loose. Ammanitis will drop away everywhere, scattered into Gaabaala, and Israel gets more power. The top of Hill can be seen, and stays that way. An exalted one stands. The Lawgiver's Instalment is the binding desposit on the perfection of the Gate of Glory. The Congregation will be happy, serving our Lord in peace. An exalted one stands, a despoiler of a nation. One from Jacob will exact punishment and will make the rest vanish from the city. And an exalted one will stand. Truthfully will he write out the Torah, with the Staff of Miracles in his hand. Light with no darkness. Our Lord will be quick to bring this about. Fortunate whoever sees it.

And blessed is our God forever, and blessed is his holy Name forever, twenty six corresponding to the twenty six. Praised be he that knows the hidden and the revealed, exalted is he.

Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses: upon them peace forever.