What is Dead Sea Scroll 4Q246

4Q246 is an Aramaic 1st century BC (Hasmonean period) 20 line fragment that shows before Christianty that there were segments of Hebrew life that spoke of a future ruler/deliverer who would reign eternally after a time of peak violence among nations of the region who was both God and Man, called the “Son of God” & “Son of the Most High”.

It opens either with a vision of someone falling before a throne (Fitzmyer, Vermes translation) or with oppression coming upon the land (Collins, Flint translation). It describes kingdoms rising and falling, nations trampling one another, widespread devastation. Ending with hope: “Until the people of God arises… then all will rest from the sword… his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom” and empowered by the God of all Elohim to wage war The Great God is his strength; he will wage war for him; all peoples will serve him.”.

What is the Text of 4Q246

There is debate on the text of the first two lines based on fragmentation choices but the prefered translation in context for us is:

Column I

“…Oppression will come upon the land…
…one people will trample upon another, and nation upon nation.
Until the people of God arises,
then everyone will rest from the sword.
His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom,
and all his paths will be in truth and uprightness.
The earth will be filled with his glory,
and all will speak peace.
Nation will rise against nation,
and city against city;,
there will be great devastation in the land.,
…until the King of the peoples arises,,
and the people of God will stand,,
and he will become great over the earth.,
All will serve him, and he will be called by his name.”

Column II

“He will be called the Son of God,,
and they will call him the Son of the Most High.,
Like the appearance of comets, his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom,,
and all his paths will be in truth and righteousness.,
The people of God will arise,,
his kingdom will be an eternal kingdom,,
and all their distress will end.,
The sword will cease from the land,,
and all cities will pay him homage.,
He is a great God among the gods…,
his kingdom will be an eternal kingdom,,
he will judge the earth in truth,,
and all will make peace.,
The great God is his strength,,
he will wage war for him,,
he will place all peoples in his hand,,
and in his dominion all will be cast down.,
Before him, people will bow,,
all will serve him,,
and he will be called by the name of the Great God.”