Testament of Qahat

He was the father of the Kohathites and was appointed to carry the Ark of the Covenant along with sacred utensils of the tabernacle during the Israelites' journey through the desert.

The Testament of Qahat is addressed to his son Amram, regarding the sacredness of the texts and laws that have been passed down from previous fathers all the way to Noah.

Cave 4 was found in August 1952 by Bedouin treasure hunters exploring under the noses of the archaeologists excavating Qumran.

The transmission of the priestly teachings is highly significant to this manuscript and a high-priestly line plays an important role in these three fragments.

[6] The first part of this manuscript stresses the transition of teachings passed down from Abraham through Issac, Levi, Qahat and finally to Amram.

The genealogy written highly stresses the importance of passing down the values and teaching of the priestly traditions, keeping the priesthood and its duties and prerogatives pure.

The three fragments contain the farewell exhortation of Qahat to his sons and in particular to his firstborn Amran, Moses’ father,[6] for the priestly family of Aaron to keep the eternal covenant.

While there are debates whether this was the question of the Gentile influence on the priestly line, or the concern relates to the fact that gentile rulers had been appointing the high priests from non-traditional lineages beginning with Onias or even intermarriage with strangers or those outside the pure priesthood line.

This geology of instruction is composed of “both proper moral conduct and correct knowledge of cultic/sacerdotal processes, elements, vestments, and ablutions.”[9] Like Qahat or Levi who learned correct sacrificial processes from their grandparents, similar findings with Tobit were found as he was instructed in the finer points of bringing appropriate offerings by his grandparent.

Although the text does not mention any specific historical figures that may have been around while this manuscript was being made, a possible "Sitz im Leben for this testament is the religious crisis ignited by the accession of Menelaus to the high-priestly office in 171 B.C.E.

The most emphasized teachings in this testament is the importance of preserving these writings through the Priesthood, as well as refraining from mingling with outsiders causing interbreeding.

[11] The significance of Testament of Qahat is its evidential support of the importance of passing down Priestly teachings through the Priesthood bloodline.