Investigation: The Song at Qumran

Of the Five Scrolls, the Song is as well represented at Qumran as Ruth and Lamentations (four copies each); Esther is absent. The Song's copies are small and damaged, but they contain surprises.

Abbreviated texts?

E. Tov (1995) proposed that 4Q106 and 4Q107 are deliberately abbreviated copies, perhaps for personal or liturgical use, rather than witnesses to an earlier, shorter Song. Others suggest accidental loss or different editions. The debate matters for the book's formation: if a shorter Song circulated, the book may have grown by collection. The site reports the hypothesis and leaves it open.

Status

Four Hebrew manuscripts from Qumran: 4Q106 (4QCant-a), 4Q107 (4QCant-b) and 4Q108 (4QCant-c) from Cave 4, and 6Q6 (6QCant) from Cave 6, all reported to date from the late 1st century BC to the 1st century AD. E. Tov (1995) argued that 4Q106 and 4Q107 are abbreviated texts: 4Q106 is reported to pass from 4:7 directly to 6:11, without 4:8–6:10, and 4Q107 to lack other verses. 6Q6 preserves parts of 1:1–7 (DJD III). Exact contents and readings are a C check (S-C04). Images in the Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library must be checked for rights before display (S-C12).