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ink on parchment 
This impressive scroll contains a collection of psalms from the last third of the Psalter, but it also includes several previously unrecorded psalms. The ordering of this set of Psalms does not follow that of the canonical Bible and might be a selection made for liturgical use by the Qumran sect. Because of this scroll’s excellent condition it is possible to see the great care that has been taken to rule up each column and line regularly. The psalm featured in the central column is a hymn of praise to Jerusalem known as the Apostrophe to Zion. The scribe has written the Holy Name of God in the palaeo-Hebrew script as a prompt to the reader not to pronounce the word out loud. The Holy Name was (and is still) considered too sacred to be spoken. A conscientious believer would substitute a word like Adonai (‘the Lord’) in its place. Use the Psalms Viewer to examine this scroll more closely. |
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© copyright 2001, The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Australia E-mail: enquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au
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