4Q120

Last updated
4Q120
Rockefeller Museum
4Q120 frg20.jpg
4Q120, fragment 20, 1st-century BCE, showing portions of verses 26 through 28 of Leviticus 4
Also known aspap4QLXXLevb
TypeManuscript
Date1st-century BCE (Hasmonean period)
Language(s)Koine Greek
MaterialParchment on papyrus
FormatScroll
ConditionToo fragmented
ScriptUncial, scripto continua
ContentsBook of Leviticus
DiscoveredCave No. 4 Nahal Hever

The manuscript 4Q120 (also pap4QLXXLevb; AT22; VH 46; Rahlfs 802; LDAB 3452) is a Septuagint manuscript (LXX) of the biblical Book of Leviticus written on papyrus, found at Qumran. The Rahlfs-No. is 802. Paleographically it dates from the first century BCE. Currently the manuscript is housed in the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem.

Contents

History

The manuscript was written in the Hasmonean period, and Patrick W. Skehan dated 4Q120 to "late first century BCE or opening years of the first century CE". [1] In the 1st century CE, the 4Q120 with several documents was taken by Jewish fugitives (Bar Kokhba's troops, women and children) who were taking refuge in the Caves of Nahal Hever. The manuscript was found at Qumran, Cave 4b. Cave 4 was discovered in August 1952, and was excavated on 22–29 September 1952 by Gerald Lankester Harding, Roland de Vaux, and Józef Milik. [2] [3]

Description

This scroll is in a very fragmented condition. Today it consists of 97 fragments. However, only 31 of those fragments can be reasonably reconstructed and deciphered, allowing for a reading of Leviticus 1.11 through 5.25; the remaining fragments are too small to allow for reliable identification. Additionally, space bands are occasionally used for the separation of concepts, and divisions within the text. A special sign (⌐) for separation of paragraphs is found fragment 27, between the lines 6 and 7. While the later divisions would label these verses 5:20-26, it appears to testify to a classical transition from chapter 5 to 6. Scriptio continua is used throughout.

Version

Emanuel Tov agrees with Eugene Ulrich that "4QLXXNum is a superior representative of the Old Greek text that LXX." [4] Albert Pietersma says that "the genuinely Septuagintal credentials of 4QLXXLevb are well-nigh impeccable." [5] Within what he called "limited scope of evidence", Patrick W. Skehan describes it "as a considerable reworking of the original LXX to make it conform both in quantity and in diction to a Hebrew consonantal text nearly indistinguishable [...] from that of MT." [4] According to Wilkinson, 4Q120 "is an irreproachably Septuagint text from the 1st century B.C. which bears no trace of having been subsequently conformed to the Hebrew text". [6]

ΙΑŌ

Detail: the Divine Name in verse 27 4Q120 frg20 with Divine Name.jpg
Detail: the Divine Name in verse 27

Apart from minor variants, the main interest of the text lies in its use of ΙΑΩ (Iaō) to translate the tetragrammaton in Leviticus 3:12 (frg. 6) and 4:27 (frg. 20). The presence of the name of God in this ancient manuscript has supported the conclusion of some scholars that this was the original form in the Septuagint. [7] Skehan, Tov and Ulrich agrees that "this writing of the divine name is more original than Κύριος". [4] Meyer states that the fact that ΙΑΩ appears with the same script in the fragments indicates that the same scribe wrote the name, and does not support Johann Lust of an original Κύριος. [8]

Skehan suggests that, in the Septuagint version of the Pentateuch, Ιαω is more original than the κύριος (Kyrios, "Lord") of editions based on later manuscripts, and he assumes that, in the books of the prophets, the Septuagint did use κύριος to translate both יהוה (the tetragrammaton) and אדני (Adonai), the word that traditionally replaced the tetragrammaton when reading aloud. [9] [10]

Emanuel Tov claims the use here of Ιαω as proof that the "papyrus represents an early version of the Greek scripture" antedating the text of the main manuscripts. [11] He states that "the writing of the Tetragrammaton in Hebrew characters in Greek revisional texts is a relatively late phenomenon. On the basis of the available evidence, the analysis of the original representation of the Tetragrammaton in Greek Scriptures therefore focuses on the question of whether the first translators wrote either κύριος or Ιαω." [12] Tov wrote: "this papyrus represents an early version of Greek Scripture, as shown by several unusual renderings, including the transliteration of the Tetragrammaton as Ιαω, instead of its translation as κύριος in the later Christian manuscripts of the Septuagint. 4QpapLXXLevb probably reflects a version antedating the text of the main manuscript tradition of the LXX". [13]

Frank E. Shaw says that "the appearance of Ιαω in 4Q120, roundly judged a good, third century B.C.E. exemplar of the LXX of Leviticus 1-5, evinces that some early Septuagintal manuscripts used Ιαω to represent the Tetragram (p. 33)." [14] According to Shaw:

"The Second Temple Ιαω users probably represent a variety of social classes, not simply the lower class. The evidence for this position includes the scribe/translator of 4Q120, the educated users of the onomastica (surely lower-class Jews would have no need for onomastica), and more broadly, if we include Jews who used a similar pronounced form of the name Ιαω, attention should be given to the documentary, diplomatic, and priestly uses of YHH/YHW at Elephantine, the liturgical use of YH[W] in P. Amherst 63, and the administrative context of the Idumean ("House of YHW") Ostracon." [15]

According to Meyer, 4Q127 ("though technically not a Septuagint manuscript, perhaps a paraphrase of Exodus or an apocalyptic work") appears to have two occurrences of Ιαω. [16] The Codex Marchalianus gives Ιαω, not as a part of the Scripture text, but instead in marginal notes on Ezekiel 1:2 and 11:1, [17] [18] as in several other marginal notes it gives ΠΙΠΙ. [19] [20] [21]

Greek text

Text according to A. R. Meyer:

Lev 4:27

[αφεθησεται ]αυτωι εαν[ δε ψυχη μια]
[αμαρτ]η[ι α]κουσιως εκ[ του λαου της]
[γης ]εν τωι ποιησαι μιαν απ[ο πασων]
των εντολων ιαω ου πο[ιηθησε] [22]

Lev 3:12–13

[τωι ιαω] 12εαν δ[ε απο των αιγων]
[το δωρ]ον αυτο[υ και προσαξει εν]
[αντι ι]αω13και ε[πιθησει τας χει] [23]

Romanization of Meyer:

Lev 4:27

[aphethēsetai ]autōi ean[ de psychē mia]
[hamart]ē[i a]kousiōs ek[ tou laou tēs]
[gēs ]en tōi poiēsai mian ap[o pasōn]
tōn entolōn iaō hou po[iēthēse] [22]

Lev 3:12–13

[tōi iaō] 12ean d[e apo tōn aigōn]
[to dōr]on auto[u kai prosaxei en]
[anti i]13kai e[pithēsei tas chei] [23]

NIV:

Lev 4:27

he will be forgiven. If any member of the community
sins unintentionally and does
what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s
commands, when they realize...

Lev 3:12–13

...to the LORD. If your offering is
a goat, you are to present
it before the LORD, lay your hand...

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Septuagint</span> Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures

The Septuagint, sometimes referred to as the Greek Old Testament or The Translation of the Seventy, and often abbreviated as LXX, is the earliest extant Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible from the original Hebrew. The full Greek title derives from the story recorded in the Letter of Aristeas to Philocrates that "the laws of the Jews" were translated into the Greek language at the request of Ptolemy II Philadelphus by seventy-two Hebrew translators—six from each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

In contrast to the variety of absolute or personal names of God in the Old Testament, the New Testament uses only two, according to the International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. From the 20th century onwards, "a number of scholars find various evidence for the name [YHWH or related form] in the New Testament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tetragrammaton</span> Four-letter Hebrew name of the national god of Israel

The Tetragrammaton, or the Tetragram, is the four-letter Hebrew theonym יהוה‎, the name of God in the Hebrew Bible. The four letters, written and read from right to left, are yodh, he, waw, and he. The name may be derived from a verb that means "to be", "to exist", "to cause to become", or "to come to pass", While there is no consensus about the structure and etymology of the name, the form Yahweh is now accepted almost universally, though the vocalization Jehovah continues to have wide usage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Codex Marchalianus</span> 6th-century Greek manuscript

Codex Marchalianus designated by siglum Q is a 6th-century Greek manuscript copy of the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible known as the Septuagint. The text was written on vellum in uncial letters. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 6th century. Marginal annotations were later added to the copy of the Scripture text, the early ones being of importance for a study of the history of the Septuagint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papyrus Rylands 458</span> Greek biblical manuscript fragments

Papyrus Rylands 458 is a manuscript of the Pentateuch in the Greek Septuagint version of the Hebrew Bible. It is a roll made from papyrus, which has survived in a very fragmentary condition. It is designated by the number 957 on the list of Septuagint manuscripts according to the numbering system devised by biblical scholar Alfred Rahlfs. Using the study of comparative writing styles (palaeography), the manuscript has been dated to the middle of the 2nd century BCE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papyrus Fouad 266</span> 1st century BCE manuscript of the Septuagint

The Papyrus Fouad 266 are fragments, part of a papyrus manuscript in scroll form containing the Greek translation, known as the Septuagint, of the Pentateuch. They have been assigned palaeographically to the 1st century BCE. There is discussion about whether the text is original or a later recension of the Septuagint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greek Minor Prophets Scroll from Nahal Hever</span>

The Greek Minor Prophets Scroll from Nahal Hever is a Greek manuscript of a revision of the Septuagint dated to the 1st century BC and the 1st century CE. The manuscript is kept in the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem. It was first published by Dominique Barthélemy in 1963. The Rahlfs-Siglum is 943.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 3522</span>

The Papyrus LXX Oxyrhynchus 3522, – is a small fragment of the Greek Septuagint (LXX) written in papyrus, in scroll form. As one of the manuscripts discovered at Oxyrhynchus it has been catalogued with the number 3522. Palaeographically it has been dated to the 1st century CE. The text agrees with the LXX.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 5101</span> Fragmentary manuscript

Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 5101, designated by 2227, or P.Oxy.77 (LXXVII) 5101, is a manuscript of the Greek Septuagint Psalms, written on papyrus in roll form. It has survived in a very fragmentary condition. Using the study of comparative writings styles (palaeography), it has been dated to the middle of the first - middle of the second century CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 656</span>

Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 656 – is a Greek fragment of a Septuagint manuscript written on papyrus in codex form. This is a manuscript discovered at Oxyrhynchus, and it has been catalogued with number 656. Palaeographycally it is dated to late second century or early third century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaige revision</span> Group of revisions to the Septuagint

The kaige revision, or simply kaige, is the group of revisions to the Septuagint made in order to more closely align its translation with the proto-Masoretic Hebrew. The name kaige derives from the revision's pervasive use of Koinē Greek: και γε to translate the Hebrew: וְגַם. The importance of this revision lies in its status as a precursor to later revisions by 'the Three' as well as the light it sheds on the origins of the Septuagint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4Q122</span>

4Q122 – is a septuagint manuscript written on parchment, dated from second century B.C.E.. The scroll contains a fragment of the biblical Book of Deuteronomy 11:4. It was found in a cave at Qumran in Cave 4. This fragment is also referred to as number 819 on the list of the Septuagint manuscripts according classification system by Alfred Rahlfs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor-Schechter 12.182</span> 7th-century manuscript of Origens Hexapla

The siglum Taylor-Schechter 12.182 designates a manuscript written on parchment in codex form. This is a palimpsest of a copy of Origen's work called the Hexapla. The manuscript is dated to 7th-century AD, and is the oldest of the hexapla manuscripts. The hexapla was completed before 240 CE.

4Q121 is a Septuagint manuscript written on parchment, dated to the 1st century BCE or CE. The scroll contains fragments of the biblical Book of Numbers 3:40-43; 4:5-16. It was found in Qumran in Cave 4. This fragment is also numbered 803 in the list of manuscripts of the Septuagint by Alfred Rahlfs. The manuscript has been assigned palaeographically between 30 BCE and 68 CE.

Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 4443 is a fragment of a Septuagint manuscript (LXX) written on papyrus in scroll form. It is the oldest extant manuscript that contains Esther 8:16–9:3 of the Septuagint text and verse numbering, according to the text of LXX. The manuscript has been assigned palaeographically to 50–150 CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4Q127</span> Part of the Dead Sea Scrolls

The manuscript 4Q127 is one of the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is probably a paraphrase of Exodus according to the Septuagint (LXX) of the biblical Book of Leviticus, found at Qumran. The Rahlfs-No. is 802. Palaeographically it dates from the first century BC. Currently the manuscript is housed in the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4Q126</span>

The 4Q126 is an ancient Greek fragment and one of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The text of this manuscript is unknown and it has not been possible to identify it with any known LXX passage, a biblical verse or from some other literary work. Palaeographically it dates from the first century BCE or early first century CE.

Pavlos D. Vasileiadis is a Greek biblical scholar. His research is focused on biblical theology and biblical translation, with emphasis on the textual criticism of the New Testament and the research of the diachronic reception of the Tetragrammaton in Greek literature. He has been an author of the Μεγάλη Ορθόδοξη Χριστιανική Εγκυκλοπαίδεια (MOXE) [Great Orthodox Christian Encyclopedia]. For over two decades he has been an educational professional in the field of information technology.

Frank Edward Shaw is a retired professor and the originator of the theory that there was no single original form of writing of the name of God in the Greek Bible, instead of Ιαω, transliterations in square Hebrew characters, in paleo-Hebrew characters, Greek characteres ΠΙΠΙ, Θεὀς or, contrary to the more common opinion, of an original κύριος.

Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript 7Q1 is an early fragmentary manuscript of the Greek Bible containing verses from the Book of Exodus 28:4–7, written on papyrus. Using the study of comparative writing styles (palaeography), it has been dated to the hasmonean period, about late 2nd-early 1st century BCE.

References

  1. Skehan 1980, pp. 28.
  2. VanderKam 1994, pp. 10–11.
  3. Milik 1957.
  4. 1 2 3 Ross & Glenny 2021.
  5. Pietersma, Cox & Wevers 1984, pp. 91.
  6. Wilkinson 2015, pp. 58–59.
  7. Vasileiadis 2014, pp. 60.
  8. Meyer 2022, pp. 222.
  9. Skehan 1957, pp. 148–160.
  10. Rösel 2018, pp. 295.
  11. De Troyer 2006, pp. 60–61.
  12. Tov 2008.
  13. Tov 2008, pp. 345.
  14. Troxel 2016, pp. 128–131.
  15. Meyer 2016.
  16. Meyer 2017, pp. 223.
  17. Metzger 1981, pp. 296.
  18. Rösel 2018, pp. 296.
  19. Rösel 2018, pp. 304.
  20. Wilkinson 2015, pp. 58.
  21. Aune 2006, pp. 363.
  22. 1 2 Meyer 2017, pp. 220.
  23. 1 2 Meyer 2017, pp. 221.

Bibliography