The Babylonian Lunar Three and the Qumran Calendars of the Priestly Courses: A Response

This paper responds to the theory that information, known as “X” and “dwq” in some of the manuscripts of the calendars of the priestly courses, 4Q320, 4Q321a and 4Q321, is related to a group of techniques itemised in Babylonian astronomical texts, called the Lunar Three. It is suggested that a direct comparison is problematic and that possible Greek influences may be discerned in the calendars of the priestly courses as well as in parts of the Aramaic Astronomical Book of Enoch, 4Q208–4Q209. The essay concludes that a new theoretical basis for researching the calendars in the Dead Sea Scrolls in a comparative context is needed.