Material Reconstruction, New Joins and Readings in 4Q415 (4QInstructiona)

This paper proposes a new material reconstruction of 4Q415, one of the copies of Instruction from Qumran. The reconstruction encompasses approximately one quarter of the 32 fragments of the scroll. This reconstruction supports and further develops the suggestion that several fragments of the scroll were wadded in the rolled scroll. It demonstrates the possibility of placing the fragments in seven consecutive layers, and arranges them in a digital canvas. The material evidence supports new joins, and consequently new readings. The reconstruction sheds new light on the arrangement of the text of the scroll. It thus establishes a better understanding of this fragmentary copy of Instruction, and it hopefully will serve as a further milestone in the study of this enigmatic composition.