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The Samaritan Pentateuch: Origins and Characteristics

The Samaritan Pentateuch is a version of the first five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy) preserved by the Samaritan community, which traces its origins to the post-exilic period, specifically to the division between Samaritans and Jews during the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah (circa 5th century B.C.E.). Unlike the Masoretic Text (MT), which is the result of centuries of Jewish scribal tradition, the Samaritan Pentateuch represents an independent textual tradition, transmitted within the Samaritan community.

Key characteristics of the Samaritan Pentateuch include:

Theological Tendency: The Samaritan Pentateuch exhibits intentional theological adjustments, such as changes that emphasize the sanctity of Mount Gerizim as the proper place of worship, reflecting the Samaritan belief system (e.g., Exodus 20:17-18 and Deuteronomy 27:4). These alterations demonstrate how textual traditions can reflect specific religious ideologies.
Linguistic Differences: The Samaritan text is linguistically distinct from the MT, showing linguistic archaisms and the influence of Samaritan dialects.
Textual Agreements with the Septuagint: In many cases, the Samaritan Pentateuch aligns with the Greek Septuagint against the Masoretic Text, particularly in its expanded readings or alternative wordings. For instance, Genesis 5:32 in the Samaritan text matches the ages found in the Septuagint.

Points of Divergence and Convergence

When compared to the Masoretic Text, the Samaritan Pentateuch reveals areas of both divergence and remarkable consistency. These comparisons are crucial for understanding the textual history of the Pentateuch and the degree to which the MT has preserved the original autographs.

Chronological Discrepancies: The Samaritan Pentateuch contains chronological alterations, particularly in the genealogies of Genesis 5 and 11. These differences yield a shorter timespan from creation to Abraham, reflecting a deliberate textual adjustment.
Harmonizations: The Samaritan text often exhibits harmonizations of parallel passages, such as between the Decalogue in Exodus and Deuteronomy. These modifications aim to resolve perceived inconsistencies, suggesting a concern for narrative coherence within the text.
Preservation of the Core Text: Despite these differences, the Samaritan Pentateuch largely preserves the core content of the Pentateuch. For example, the creation account in Genesis 1 and the covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 remain consistent with the Masoretic tradition.

Implications for Old Testament Textual Criticism

The Samaritan Pentateuch provides a vital witness to the Pentateuch’s textual history, shedding light on how the text was transmitted, interpreted, and adapted in diverse religious communities. It underscores the existence of multiple textual traditions in the Second Temple period, highlighting the fidelity of the Masoretic Text as the most consistent and carefully preserved tradition.

For instance, Deuteronomy 27:4 in the Samaritan Pentateuch replaces “Mount Ebal” with “Mount Gerizim,” a change reflecting Samaritan religious claims. However, the Masoretic reading, supported by the Dead Sea Scrolls, demonstrates that “Mount Ebal” was the original reading, reaffirming the textual stability of the MT.

Moreover, the alignment of the Samaritan Pentateuch with the Septuagint in certain readings raises questions about the relationship between these traditions. While the MT generally takes precedence due to its meticulous transmission, such agreements indicate the presence of ancient textual variants that predate the Masoretic recension.

Conclusion: Trust in the Masoretic Text

While the Samaritan Pentateuch offers valuable insights, its theological alterations and textual peculiarities affirm the superiority of the Masoretic Text as the most accurate representation of the Hebrew Scriptures. By comparing the two, textual critics gain a deeper understanding of the historical and theological dynamics shaping the transmission of the Pentateuch.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).