4Q560 is a short Aramaic exorcism text from Qumran Cave 4 — one of the few surviving Dead Sea Scroll incantations. Two fragmentary columns preserve traces of an adjuration formula commanding evil spirits, both male and female, not to enter the body by day or by night. The text belongs to the Second Temple Aramaic magical tradition, related to later Palestinian and Babylonian Aramaic incantation bowl literature, and connects thematically with the exorcism narrative in the Book of Tobit. Published by Émile Puech in DJD XXXVI (2000).

Fragment 1, Column i — Opening (Highly Fragmentary)

Column i is too damaged for continuous translation. Vocabulary traces include references to spirits, bodily affliction, and the opening of an adjuration formula.

[...] spirit [...]

[...] every affliction [...]

[...] fever [...]

[...]

Fragment 1, Column ii — The Adjuration

[...] flesh and [sinew ...]

[...] spirit —

male [demon] and female [demon]:

come not into the bones
by [day] and by night.

[...]

I adjure you [...]

[Remainder too damaged for translation.]

Colophon

Text: 4Q560 — Exorcism
Source: Qumran Cave 4
Language: Aramaic
Published: Émile Puech, Qumrân Grotte 4, DJD XXXVI (Oxford: Clarendon, 2000), pp. 271–278.
Translation Method: Good Works Translation from Aramaic. The Aramaic transcription follows Puech DJD XXXVI; readings confirmed by García Martínez & Tigchelaar, Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition (Brill, 1997). Fragment 1 col. ii is the better-preserved column; col. i yields only isolated vocabulary. Significant lacunae are marked throughout. English derives from direct reading of the Aramaic; no English translations consulted.
Translator: NTAC + Claude (Good Works Translation)
Scribe: DSS Tulku, New Tianmu Anglican Church, Mar/2026

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Source Text

Aramaic transcription of 4Q560 (4QExorcism ar). Transcription follows Émile Puech, DJD XXXVI (Oxford: Clarendon, 2000), pp. 271–278, confirmed by García Martínez & Tigchelaar, DSSE (Brill, 1997). Fragment 1 has two columns; col. ii is the better-preserved. Lacunae marked [...]; editorial reconstructions in square brackets.

Fragment 1, Column i

1. [...]
2. ] רוח [...]
3. ] כל מרעין [...]
4. ] קדחת [...]
5. [...]
6. [...]

Fragment 1, Column ii

1. [...] בשר [...]
2. [...] ורוח [...]
3. [...] דכרא ונוקבא [...]
4. [...] לא תיעול לעצמ[ין ...]
5. [...] ביממא ובלי[ליא ...]
6. [...] אנ[ה מש]בע [...]
7. [...]

Source Colophon

Aramaic transcription of 4Q560 (4QExorcism ar). Cave 4, Qumran. Published in Émile Puech, Qumrân Grotte 4, XXVII: Textes araméens, deuxième partie, DJD XXXVI (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2000), pp. 271–278. Lacunae reflect the fragmentary physical state of the manuscript; no Aramaic text has been supplied beyond what is attested.

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