The ‘Son of God’ Scroll – The Aramaic Apocryphon of Daniel (4Q246 PL. 209)

Description

The Aramaic Apocryphon of Daniel or “The Son of God” Scroll (4Q246, Plate 209) was found in Cave 4 at Qumran.

The sectarian community who wrote the scrolls referred to themselves as ‘sons of light,’ while others who were not members of their yahad movement were termed ‘sons of darkness.’ The sect followed their acclaimed ‘Teacher of Righteousness,’ a Messianic figure who, according to their writings was persecuted by the religious establishment in Jerusalem for differing theological and calendric views, and thus the community as a whole was barred from temple sacrifices.

Some texts like the Damascus Document seem to indicate that members expected this Messiah-figure to return. However, when he failed to return to the community after 40 years, they maintained a hope for one who would follow, possibly “the Son of God” referred to in our text.

The manuscript dates to the latter half of the first century BCE, just before the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, during an age of great eschatological expectation.

The translation is as follows:

1.     “He will be called the Son of God, and they will call him the son of the Most High. Like the sparks
2.     that you saw, so will their kingdom be; they will rule several year[s] over
3.     the earth and crush everything; a people will crush another people, and a province another provi[n]ce
4.     Until the people of God arises and makes everyone rest from the sword.
5.     His kingdom will be an eternal kingdom, and all His paths in truth. He will jud[ge]
6.     the earth in truth and all will make peace. The sword will cease from the earth,
7.     and all the provinces will pay homage. The great God is his strength,
8.     He will wage war for him, he will place the peoples in his hand and
9.     Cast them all away before him. His rule will be an eternal rule and all the abysses”

Translation: The Dead Sea Scrolls Translated: The Qumran Texts in English, 1997, 2nd ed., F. Garcia Martinez, E.J. Brill, Leide/Eerdmans, Grand Rapids

Encased in an exquisite, acrylic frame, this scroll can be mounted on a wall or left free-standing on one’s desktop. The two long stainless steel screws act as a stand thus allowing the scrolls to stand free on a desk or table. Package includes: mounting brackets, detailed artifact description & serial number.

Product Specifications

• Display / Frame – Acrylic Frame
• Artifact dated back to end of 1st century CE
• Artifact location: IAA, Israel Museum
• Dimensions of original: 8.8cm x 18 cm
• IAA Access Number – 565345
• Portion in Bible – Aramaic Apocryphon of Daniel
• Replica size – 150 %
• Site of Origin Qumran, Cave 4
• Weight: 1 lbs
• Width: 9.8 inches
• Height: 8.3 inches
• Depth: 0.5 inch