What is the oldest version of Leviticus still in existance?

[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

[TWTY-Admin]

Ironically, Royce, two of the oldest manuscripts of the Book of Leviticus are Greek Septuagint Ones - 4QLXXLev^a and 4QLXXLev^b dating from the 2nd Century BCE (both from among the DSS).

There is one manuscript that predates them - 4QExod-Lev^f - 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-Num^a - containing, again, two books (Leviticus & Numbers). This has been dated to 2nd Century BCE.

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

The two remaining manuscripts that can actually be dated are MasLev^b and 4QLev^d.

[Royce]

Thanks man, you are a huge time saver and help.

[TWTY-Admin]

Forgot to mention - MasLev^b and 4QLev^d are dated to the first Century CE

[Royce]

good stuff Stephen, thanks buddy