The second sheet in the scroll contains five columns of the text (nos. 5-9) surrounded by hand-painted decoration. The medallions in the upper margin include the signs of Zodiac: Aquarius (a part of it is painted on the previous membrane), Pisces, Lamb, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer. The figures placed in the ovals on the twisted columns cannot be identified; only one of them is a woman (Zeresh, Haman's wife?) and all others are men with sabers, very similar to each other but directed differently. They could be Haman and the king's courtiers, or princes of Media and Persia listed in Es. 1:10 and Es. 1:14. The cartouches in the lower margin include the symbols of the Israelite tribes: Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and another unidentified tribe.
Length of the sheets in the scroll: 1) 580 mm, 2) 590 mm, 3) ca. 225 mm.
Dimensions of the selected details in the scroll:
- a segment of decoration with two lions and a medallion: 30x130 mm;
- twisted columns: ca. 220 mm (height);
- text columns are of different width, between less than 80 mm and up to 150 mm;
- an average letter: 2,5 mm (height);
- letters in col. 9: 8-9 mm;
- spaces between the lines of the text: 3 mm.
Z | Zodiac Signs | Pisces (Fish), Zodiac Sign of Adar
Z | Zodiac Signs | Taurus (Bull), Zodiac Sign of Iyyar
L | Lamb
Z | Zodiac Signs | Gemini (Twins), Zodiac Sign of Sivan
Z | Zodiac Signs | Cancer (Crab), Zodiac Sign of Tammuz
T | Tribes/Sons of Israel | Zebulun (Tribes/Sons of Israel)
T | Tribes/Sons of Israel | Dan (Tribes/Sons of Israel)
T | Tribes/Sons of Israel | Naphtali (Tribes/Sons of Israel)
T | Tribes/Sons of Israel | Gad (Tribes/Sons of Israel)
L | Lion
E | Esther, Book of (following the order of the story) | Esther story protagonists
C | Columns | Twisted columns
A | Acanthus Leaf
O | Ornamentation: | Cartouche
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In general, the manuscript is in good condition, although the rather suede surface of the sheets has caused both ink and paint to flake off in some places.
The membranes are rather dirty and dusty.
The decorations of the lower margins are preserved in worse condition than those on the upper margins.
The lower margin of the first membrane is torn in one place.
The Book of Esther in Hebrew
The scroll is formed of 3 sheets, in total containing 10 columns of text with 36 or 37 lines each, except for col. 9 which has 11 lines divided into two half-columns.
The number of text columns per sheet: no. 1 - 4, no. 2 - 5, no. 3 - 1.
The text is written in Hebrew square Ashkenazi script with tagin in dark brown ink on parchment membranes that are rather thick, stiff, suede, and grey.
The letters ח (Es. 1:6) and ת (Es. 9:29) are enlarged and bolded. Other enlarged and diminished letters are included in col. 9.
The ruling – horizontal and vertical lines - is made with a hard point, along with the sheets. The lines are especially visible on the blank opening section of the scroll.
The pricking is visible on the right edge of the first sheet.
The membranes in the scroll are stitched together.
None
Some details are painted in gold and silver paints.
No bibliography on the scroll is available.