Library
All Collections Home

Astrological Texts

The Astrological Texts from Qumran are a group of manuscripts that use astrological and physiognomic techniques to determine a person's character and destiny.|||4Q186 (4QZodiacal Physiognomy), 4Q561 (4QPhysiognomy ar), and related fragments.|||Composed in the 1st century BCE.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Represent the earliest known Jewish astrological and physiognomic texts. Show the intersection of Jewish thought with Hellenistic science and cosmology.|||Popović, M. Reading the Human Body. Brill, 2007.|||Schmidt, F. " Ancient Jewish Astrology: An Attempt to Interpret 4QCryptic (4Q186)." In Biblical Perspectives. Brill, 2000.|||Jacobus, H. R. Zodiac Calendars in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Brill, 2015.|||Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library|https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/|View 4Q186 fragment images.;; Wikipedia — Qumran Horoscopes|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qumran_Horoscopes|Background and discussion.|||" He whose face is long and narrow shall be wise and understanding." — 4Q186 (paraphrase)

Collection: Dead Sea Scrolls (Qumran) Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Composed in the 1st century BCE.

Language & Manuscripts

4Q186 (4QZodiacal Physiognomy), 4Q561 (4QPhysiognomy ar), and related fragments.

Why It Matters for Study

Represent the earliest known Jewish astrological and physiognomic texts. Show the intersection of Jewish thought with Hellenistic science and cosmology.

" He whose face is long and narrow shall be wise and understanding." — 4Q186 (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Popović, M. Reading the Human Body. Brill, 2007.
Schmidt, F. " Ancient Jewish Astrology: An Attempt to Interpret 4QCryptic (4Q186)." In Biblical Perspectives. Brill, 2000.
Jacobus, H. R. Zodiac Calendars in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Brill, 2015.