Microsoft Word - Revised dissertation2.docx

4QNumb XV 20-22
29

hkl sive plus.^1083

Q505 MT Num 22:32 +ry SV(1) – Lexical interchange.^1084
4QNumb XV 20-22
29

h(r

Q506 MT Num 22:33 ynpl SV(1) – The MT lacks the prepo-
4QNumb XV 20-22 sition Nm.
29

ynplm

Q507 MT Num 22:33 ynpm SV(1) – The MT lacks the prepo-
4QNumb 22 33 ynplm sition l.

Q508 MT Num 23:3 Ktl( OV(l) – Possible difference in
4QNumb XVI 23-26 pronunciation.
12

hktlw[

Q509 MT Num 23:3 omits SV(2) – 4QNumb has an expan-
4QNumb XVI 23-26 sive plus.^1085
12

ykwn)w

Q510 MT Num 23:3 Kl) OV(l) – Difference in grammati-

1083

4QNumb has the addition of the secondary object in the phrase hkl N+#l yt)cy ykn) hnh, “Behold, I
have come out to be hostile towards you.” The addition of the preposition plus genetive pronominal suffix
is similar to the addition noted in Q496 above. The SP and the LXX agree with the MT, so the addition
probably reflects the preferred syntax of the scribe. 1084
The MT and the SP have the rare form +ry, “to throw down,” which seems to have the sense of implied
difficulty in the context: ydgnl Krdh +ry yk, “for the way has become difficult in my presence,” that is, the
presence of the messenger of Yahweh has made Balaam’s path treacherous. Perhaps the rarity of this lex-
eme, which occurs only here and possibly in Job 16:11 (though the latter may be √h+r, “push, shove”)
prompted the scribe of 4QNumb to replace the lexeme with a more commonly occurring word, h(r, “to be
wicked.” 1085
The cohortative form in the MT is written as an imperfect verb preceded by the first person singular
independent pronoun in 4QNumb, in agreement with some Greek manuscripts. The difference in expression
may be related to the diminished syntactical function of the cohortative form in Qumran Hebrew (see E.
Qimron, Hebrew of the Dead Sea Scrolls, 44).