The Testimonia is a short document containing five
Biblical quotations arranged in four sections concerning
God's activities at the end-time. Only the last section is followed by an interpretation. The first three sections refer to future blessings which will come from three figures, a prophet similar to
Moses, a
messianic figure and a priestly teacher. The first section consists of two texts from Deuteronomy and refers to the prophet-figure who is like
Moses (
Deuteronomy 5:28-29; 18:18-19). The second section is an extract from a prophecy of
Balaam about the
Messiah-figure, who is similar to
David (Numbers 24:15-17). This prophecy predicts "A star shall come out of Jacob and a sceptre shall arise out of Israel; he shall crush the temples of Moab and destroy all the children of Sheth." The third section is a blessing of the Levites, and of the Priest-Messiah who will be a teacher like
Levi (Deuteronomy 33:8-11). The last section begins with a verse from
Joshua (6:26), which is then expounded by means of a quotation from the Psalms of
Joshua (see
4Q379). These verses show that the
Qumran community was interested in the messianic prophecies found in the
Tanakh. The message of those 5 verses are: - God promised wellness for his followers - God will send a prophet - There will be an Israel leader that will occupy Moab - God, bless the army of the high-priest ("Your Thummim and Urim...Bless all his army, Lord"). - The person who will rebuild Jericho will be cursed The first four verses are positive and praise one man as opposed to the last verse and the speech which disgrace another wicked man who rebuilt Jericho and started a civil war. == Interpretation ==