Q447 MT Num 16:5 rxby OV(l) – Difference in grammati-
4QNumb VI 6-10 17 ]b cal form.^1053
Q448 MT Num 16:8 omits SV(2) – 4QNumb has an expan-
4QNumb VI 6-10 21 wtd( lwk l)[ sive plus.^1054
Q449 MT Num 16:10 Kt) OV(l) – Possible difference in
4QNumb VI 6-10 23 hktw) pronunciation.
Q450 MT Num 16:11 Ktd( OV(l) – Possible difference in
4QNumb VI 6-10 24 hktd( pronunciation.
Q451 MT Num 18:26 Mkl OV(l) – Possible difference in
4QNumb X 12 2 hmkl pronunciation.
Q452 MT Num 28:26 omits SV(1) – The MT lacks the object
4QNumb X 12 3 t[ marker.
Q453 MT Num 18:26 hwhy SV(2) – The MT has an explicat-
1053
The entire phrase is constructed as a past temporal sequence in 4QNumb in agreement with the LXX,
against the future sequence in the MT and the SP. The verb form, taken with the preceding perfect form
byrqh, indicates that this is indeed the case. The entire phrase can be restored as a series of past temporal
clauses thus: wyl) byrqh wb rxb r#) t)w wyl) byrqh #wdqh t)w wl r#) t) hwhy (dyw rqb, “And Yahweh
has scrutinised, and has made known who belongs to him, and the holy he has drawn near to himself, and
the one he has chosen he has drawn near to himself.” Here the form rqb is translated as Pi‘el 3ms perfect
√rqb, “examine,” following E. Ulrich and F.M. Cross, Qumran Cave 4. VII, 222. Against this the MT has
the waw consecutive plus perfect verb byrqhw (see Q446 above) and the imperfect verb rxby, as well as
writing rqb as a noun meaning “morning.” The phrase in the MT is translated thus: “(By) morning Yahweh
will make known who belongs to him, and the holy he will draw near to himself, and the one he has chosen
he will draw near to himself.” However, the two variants taken individually could be otherwise interpreted.
The first form, Q446 where 4QNumb lacks waw consecutive, could be read simply as the elision of a con-
junction with no impact on the tense or aspect of the phrase. The second form, Q447, could be read as a
participle, and similarly have no significant impact on the overall incomplete aspect of the phrase. In light
of Rule 4 this interpretation is preferred, and so two separate minor variants are counted. Such a reading
admittedly makes no use of the LXX reading, which otherwise sheds light on the verbal forms in this pas-
sage of 4QNumb. However, seeing as we can find a reading of the bare consonantal text that maintains the
sense of the MT, this reading is preferred. 1054
The phrase in 4QNumb harmonises with Num 16:5 and 6.