The oval below the 5th column of the text includes two scenes. On the right, small figures bow down before Haman, who sits on a chair, while Mordecai is standing in the king's gate and not bowing before the vizier (Es. 3:2). On the high chair on the left sits a man (Haman?) accompanied by three other men with open books. They may be either astrologers casting the lots for Haman (Es. 3:7) or the scribes ready to write Haman's decree (Es. 3:12).
On the left side of the oval, the scene with Joseph and Potiphar's wife appears. The figure of the woman is inscribed אשת פוטיפר; she reclines in a bed, while Joseph, named יוסף, runs out partly clothed (Genesis 39:11-19).
The length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) ca. 775 mm, 2) 735 mm, 3) 445 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- text column: ca. 142x90 mm;
- decorative columns between the columns of the text: ca. 160x15-20 mm;
- illustration: 35 x ca. 85 mm;
- an average letter: 3 mm;
- spaces between the lines of the text: 3 mm.
There is some blank space at the beginning (ca. 110 mm) and the end (ca. 75 mm) of the scroll.
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Mordecai refusing to bow down before Haman (Es. 3:2)
J | Joseph | Joseph and Potiphar's wife
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Haman dictating the decree to scribe(s) (Es. 3:12)
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Scribe(s) writing Haman's decree (Es. 3:12)
| (?)
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The scroll is formed of 3 sheets containing 15 columns of the text with 26 or 27 lines, except for col. 13 with 11 lines divided into two parts.
Sheets nos. 1 and 2 contain 6 columns of the text, and the third sheet contains 3 columns.
The text is inscribed in the Hebrew square Italian script with tagim, in dark brown ink, on the flesh side of parchment sheets that are bright, of medium thickness, and rather stiff. The blank side of the sheets is very dark.
Tagin seem to be marked in darker ink than the text was written.
The letter ח (Es. 1:6) is marked by its form - it is composed of two parts joined with a roof. The letter ת (Es. 9:29) is enlarged. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 13.
The ruling was possibly drawn with a pencil along with the whole sheet.
The membranes in the scroll are stitched.
None
Originally some details could be painted in gold.
The paints' shades are not the same on all membranes.