Lexis-coding Orthography in 4QIsam (4Q66)

The article investigates orthographic practices in the Dead Sea Scroll fragment 4QIsam (4Q66), dated to the first century bce, with a focus on variants in Isaiah 61.3. The study highlights a scribal correction involving the addition of a yod to differentiate between meanings such as ‘oaks of righteousness’, ‘gods of righteousness’, and ‘chiefs of righteousness’. This orthographic adjustment reflects broader Second Temple exegetical concerns, aiming to clarify ambiguous terms with significant theological implications. The analysis situates the scribal practices of 4QIsam within the linguistic variability of ancient Hebrew and its interaction with other traditions, such as those behind the Greek, Syriac, and Targumic translations, which often diverge in their understanding of these texts. This study demonstrates how even small orthographic details can reveal profound interpretive strategies in ancient scriptural transmission.