The Last Surviving Columns of IIQNJ

The 'Description of the New Jerusalem' of Qumran Cave 11 is the only manuscript of a considerable size in the Dutch lot which is still unpublished. It seems thus appropriate to include its preliminary publication in a volume in honour of Prof. A.S. VAN DER WOUDE, as a fitting tribute to his achievements in publishing the Dutch share of Qumran scrolls. At the time of its discovery 11QNJ was a seemly complete scroll, but in such a bad state of preservation that only isolated fragments from a protuberance on the upper exterior part could be recovered. In all aspects the appearance of the scroll was similar to the scroll of Ezekiel from 11 Q which has been amply described by W.H. BROWNLEE. This scroll was also complete when acquired, but after many efforts by H.J. PLENDERLEITH, the foremost expert, only a few fragments could in the end be recovered.