ery ancient manuscript. Many variants were unintentional (e.g., numerous
types of errors, inadvertent substitution oflectiones faciliores,loss of let-
ters, loss of one or more words through inattention or parablepsis); others
were intentional (clarifying insertions, scribal correction [whether correct
or not], additional information, linguistic smoothing, euphemistic substi-
tutions, literary flourishes, theological ideas). This general phenomenon is
well known, and the traditional handbooks on textual criticism primarily
deal with this level, describing general rules of thumb that remain well
founded for judging variants.Isolated Insertions
Learned scribes occasionally inserted into the text they were copying what
they considered an appropriate piece of additional material. Comparisons
between the Scrolls, the MT, the SP, and the LXX highlight insertions of up
to eight verses now in one text, now in another. Depending upon the genre
of book being copied, the insertions provided information (2 Sam. 5:4-5 in
MT vs. 4QSama), offered instruction (Isa. 2:22 in 1QIsaaMT vs. LXX),
solved nomistic inconsistencies (Lev. 17:4 in 4QLevdSP vs. 11QpaleoLeva
MT), stemmed from piety (Isa 2:9b in 4QIsaa4QIsabMT LXX vs. 1QIsaa),
added prophetic apparitions (Judg. 6:7-10 in MT vs. 4QJudga), introduced
apocalyptic tendencies (Isa. 2:10 in 4QIsaa4QIsabMT LXX vs. 1QIsaa,plus
many “on that day” passages in Isaiah), or simply added similar material
(Isa. 34:17b–35:2 in MT LXX vs. 1QIsaa; Jer. 7:30–8:3 in MT 4QJera2mvs.
4QJera*) or contrasting material (Jer. 10:6-8, 10 in MT vs. 4QJerbLXX).
The prophetic books especially are replete with such expansions, and re-
sults of this activity have penetrated all texts; indeed, it seems to have been
a widespread factor in the development of all the biblical books. If such in-
terpretive insertions are isolated and not linked as part of a series, they are
classified in this category. If there are a number of coordinated patterned
sets showing substantial harmonizations, revisions, or insertions, these
would form a new edition of a book.New and Expanded Editions of Biblical Books
The most influential method by which the texts developed in major ways
was through successive revised and expanded editions of each book. From139The Jewish Scriptures: Texts, Versions, CanonsEERDMANS -- Early Judaism (Collins and Harlow) final text
Tuesday, October 09, 2012 12:03:58 PM