The Kittim of Assyria

The expression “Kittim of Asshur” in the War Scroll (1:2) is unique for two main reasons: first, outside of Qumran, the Kittim always come from the western Mediterranean world and not Asia; second, whenever they are mentioned together, the Kittim are in conflict with the Assyrians rather than being their allies. Although it is generally assumed that any mention of the Kittim in intertestamental literature is an allusion to Balaam’s oracle in Num 24:24, this is in fact not always the case. Rather, it seems that the Qumranites were the first to consider Num 24:24 as foundational in their understanding of the imminent eschaton. The expression is therefore the result of an innovation which consisted of incorporating Num 24:24 in their reinterpretation of the unfulfilled portion of Daniel’s prophecy in 11:40-45. Consequently, the War Scroll is one of the earliest evidences of the use of Num 24:24 in eschatological texts of the Second Temple Period.