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The War Scroll — Column 5

The Qumran Community · a new plain-English translation from the original language

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And on the [shield] of the prince of all the congregation they shall write his name, [and] the name of Israel and Levi and Aaron, and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel according to their genealogies.

And the names of the twelve chiefs of their tribes [...]

The Rule for the order of the banners of the war [...] when their army is full, to complete the front formation; over a thousand men the formation shall be arrayed [...] and seven ranks of

the front [rank] for the one formation, arranged in order of position, man after man [...] and all of them holding shields of polished bronze, of the workmanship of

a mirror-like surface [...] and the shield is rimmed with twisted-cord work at its edge, and a design of joined workmanship of skilled craftsmanship, of gold and silver and bronze alloyed together,

and precious stones, ornaments of embroidered work, the craft of a skilled artisan [...] the length of the shield is two and a half cubits, and its width one and a half cubits [...] and in their hand a spear

and a javelin [...] the length of the spear is seven cubits, of which the socket is [so much], and the blade is half a cubit [...] and on the socket three engraved rings, of the workmanship of

twisted-cord edging, in gold and silver and bronze alloyed together, of the workmanship of a designed pattern [...] and the joining of the [design] on this side and that, for the ring

all around: precious stones, ornaments of embroidered work, the craft of a skilled artisan, and an ear of grain [pattern] [...] and the socket is grooved between the rings, of the workmanship of

a designed column [...] and the blade is white gleaming iron, the craft of a skilled artisan [...] and an ear of grain of pure gold in the middle of the blade, and a spike toward

the head [...] and the javelins are of pure iron, refined in the furnace and made white like a mirror surface, the craft of a skilled artisan [...] and the appearance of an ear of grain

of pure gold joined to it on its two sides [...] and attached straight to the head, two on this side and two on that [...] the length of the javelin is a cubit

and a half, and its width four fingers [...] and the shaft is four thumb-widths, and four handbreadths to the shaft [...] and the shaft tapers here

and there, five handbreadths [...] and the shaft of the javelin is clear horn, skilled workmanship, a design of embroidered work in gold and silver and precious stones [...]

And in the column of the [...] they shall arrange the seven formations, formation after formation [...]

and a space [...] thirty cubits, where the [men of]

[the] [intervening ranks] [shall stand ...] to the front [...]

[...]

[...]

An original translation made in 2026 by Scriptorium Press, working directly from the original language text (never from another English translation), in one consistent modern voice. Free to read, download, and listen — no accounts, no ads, nothing for sale.

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