Scribal processes in the Qumran Scrolls: The case of 2Sam 15:1 in 4QSama and 4QSamc

This short article focuses on the text of 2Sam 15:1, which occurs in the Dead Sea Scrolls fragments 4QSama and 4QSamc. This passage presents one scribal correction in 4QSamc, and at the same time it presents some variants between the scrolls. While in the last decades several studies have focused on 4QSama, the third scroll of Samuel from Qumran, 4QSamc (4Q53), has been considered very little. This article presents in particular two points of discussion. Firstly, the readings proposed by the DJD Editors of 4QSama are object of paleographical analysis. I suggest a different reading of the fragments 112-113, following Herbert’s and Fincke’s reconstructions. Secondly, the reconstruction of 4QSamc is investigated: although the reconstruction of the text not attested by the scrolls might look purely speculative, I suggest a different reconstruction of the fragment compared to that of DJD. This reconstruction is based on grammatical considerations and on comparison with the Septuagint.