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What is the oldest version of Leviticus still in existance?

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:44 am
by Royce
Trying to verify something about beards and hair style so I am wondering what the oldest we have still available for research that we know of. Thanks

Re: What is the oldest version of Leviticus still in existan

Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:10 pm
by TWTY-Admin
Ironically, Royce, two of the oldest manuscripts of the Book of Leviticus are Greek Septuagint Ones - 4QLXXLeva and 4QLXXLevb dating from the 2nd Century BCE (both from among the DSS).

There is one manuscript that predates them - 4QExod-Levf - which as you can see, contains both Exodus and Lev. This dates to around 250 BCE, therefore even predating the Great Isaiah Scroll.

They also have a contemporary - 4QLev-Numa - containing, again, two books (Leviticus & Numbers). This has been dated to 2nd Century BCE.

The next oldest are further DSS manuscripts, the oldest being 11QPaleoLeva (written in Paleo Hebrew) dating from around 90-100BCE. There are several more dating to the 1st Century BCE - 1QPaleolev; 2QPaleolev; 4QLevb & MasLeva.

The two remaining manuscripts that can actually be dated are MasLevb and 4QLevd.

Re: What is the oldest version of Leviticus still in existan

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:20 pm
by Royce
Thanks man, you are a huge time saver and help.

Re: What is the oldest version of Leviticus still in existan

Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:22 pm
by TWTY-Admin
Forgot to mention - MasLevb and 4QLevd are dated to the first Century CE

Re: What is the oldest version of Leviticus still in existan

Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 12:07 am
by Royce
good stuff Stephen, thanks buddy