4QExodb 2 2 hnt[ sion.^845
Q125 MT Exod 1:18 omits SV(2) – 4QExodb has an explicat-
4QExodb 2 4 twyrb(h ing plus.^846
Q126 MT Exod 1:19 Nhl) OV(l) – Possible difference in
4QExodb 2 6 hnhyl) pronunciation.
Q127 MT Exod 2:3 ykl htxp#l rm)wtw SV(2) – 4QExodb has an explicat-
4QExodb 3 i-4 2 omits ing plus.^847
Q128 MT Exod 2:3 omits SV(2) – 4QExodb has an explicat-
4QExodb 3 i-4 2 wtw) ing plus.^848
Q129 MT Exod 2:4 h(dl OV(l) – Possible difference in
4QExodb 3 i-4 3 t([ pronunciation.^849
Q130 MT Exod 2:6 wh)rtw SV(2) – 4QExodb lacks the cata-
4QExodb 3 i-4 5 h)rtw phoric pronominal object suffix.
Q131 MT Exod 2:6 omits SV(2) – 4QExodb clarifies the
subject of the verb √lmx, “to have
compassion.”^850
4QExodb 3 i-4 5 h(rp tb
845
The form of the verb in the MT is hyx, read as Qal 3fs perfect plus waw consecutive, √hyx, “be alive.”
The clause in the MT is hyxw )yh tb M)w, “and if she is a daughter, then she will live.” The verb in 4QExodb
is restored hntyyx, and if read with the LXX περιποιεισθε (2pl present middle imperative), is Pi‘el 2fpl im-
perative of the same root. 4QExodb therefore has a different reading: hntyyxw )yh tb M)w, “and if she is a
daughter, you will preserve (her).” This is a rephrasing of the text. 846
The object of the verb is clarified in 4QExodb with the addition of an adjective: twyrb(h twdlym, “He-
brew midwives.” The addition in 4QExod 847 b harmonises this phrase with those in Exodus 1:15 and 16.
In the MT narrative, the infant Moses is deposited in the river by his mother: r)yh tp# l( Pwsb M#tw,
“and she put (it) in the reeds upon the bank of the river.” 4QExodb is restored to suggest that it was the
maidservant of the mother of Moses: r)yh tp# l( Pwsb wtw) My#tw ykl htxp#l rm)wtw, “and she said to
her maidservant, ‘Go,’ and she put it in the reeds upon the bank of the river.” The longer text of 4QExodb is
not reflected in any of the other witnesses. 848
See note above. The object marker plus pronominal suffix clarifies the object of the (restored) verb
My#tw 849 , “and she put.”
850 The form in 4QExodb is restored t(dl. See Q109 and note above.
4QExodb agrees with the LXX which reads: και εφεισατο αυτου η θυγατηρ Φαραω, “and the daughter of
Pharaoh has compassion on it.”