Exodus שְׁמוֹת

The Book of Exodus שְׁמוֹת (Shemot)

Exodus 1	Exodus 2	Exodus 3	Exodus 4	Exodus 5
Exodus 6	Exodus 7	Exodus 8	Exodus 9	Exodus 10
Exodus 11	Exodus 12	Exodus 13	Exodus 14	Exodus 15
Exodus 16	Exodus 17	Exodus 18	Exodus 19	Exodus 20
Exodus 21	Exodus 22	Exodus 23	Exodus 24	Exodus 25
Exodus 26	Exodus 27	Exodus 28	Exodus 29	Exodus 30
Exodus 31	Exodus 32	Exodus 33	Exodus 34	Exodus 35
Exodus 36	Exodus 37	Exodus 38	Exodus 39	Exodus 40

Introduction to the Book of Exodus in the Samaritan Pentateuch

The Book of Exodus in the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) provides a distinctive textual and theological perspective on one of the most foundational books of the Hebrew Bible. Exodus narrates the story of Israel’s liberation from Egypt, the covenant at Sinai, and the establishment of divine laws. In the Samaritan tradition, this book holds a central place, especially regarding the location of true worship and the role of Moses as the ultimate prophet. This introduction explores the textual, theological, and historical aspects of Exodus within the SP tradition and its relationship to the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Septuagint (LXX).

Origins and Textual Background

The Samaritan Pentateuch is a version of the Torah that was preserved by the Samaritan community, which split from mainstream Judaism in antiquity. Written in Paleo-Hebrew script, the SP diverged from what later became the standard Masoretic Text. The Samaritan tradition regards the Torah as the only divinely inspired scripture, rejecting the later books of the Hebrew Bible.

Scholars estimate that the Samaritan textual tradition separated from the Jewish textual tradition between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC. The differences in Exodus reflect the theological emphasis of the Samaritan community, particularly in regard to Mount Gerizim as the rightful place of worship, in contrast to the Jewish tradition centered on Jerusalem.

Textual Comparisons: SP vs. MT and LXX

Linguistic Features

The SP maintains linguistic archaisms and simplifications that sometimes align with the Septuagint rather than the MT.
It shows regional dialectical influences from ancient Hebrew traditions in Palestine.

Theological Revisions

The Samaritan Exodus modifies key passages to emphasize Mount Gerizim as the true location of divine revelation.
For example, in Exodus 20, where the MT describes the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, the SP introduces allusions to Mount Gerizim as the chosen place of worship.

Harmonization of Laws

The SP tends to harmonize legal texts, eliminating perceived contradictions or ambiguities found in the MT.
Repetitions in the MT’s legal codes are sometimes streamlined or clarified in the SP.

Alignment with the Septuagint

In several places, the SP shares readings with the Septuagint (LXX) that differ from the MT.
For example, numerical discrepancies in census records or genealogical lists sometimes align more closely with the LXX than with the MT.

Theological Themes in Exodus within the Samaritan Tradition

The Book of Exodus in the Samaritan Pentateuch reinforces key Samaritan beliefs, particularly:

Mount Gerizim as the True Sanctuary: The central theological emphasis of the SP is that Mount Gerizim, not Jerusalem, was designated by God as the true place of worship.
Moses as the Ultimate Prophet: Exodus in the SP strongly upholds Moses as the sole, final prophet, rejecting later prophetic traditions in Jewish scripture.
Strict Monotheism: The Ten Commandments and other legal instructions in Exodus reinforce absolute monotheism, with revisions that downplay anthropomorphic descriptions of God.

Historical and Archaeological Insights

The Samaritan Identity and Exodus

The Samaritan community claims to have preserved the original Torah tradition from before the Babylonian exile. The Exodus narrative supports this claim by emphasizing Moses’ authority and the centrality of the covenant, which the Samaritans believe they have maintained without later Jewish modifications.

Archaeological Evidence and Manuscript Discoveries

The Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) contain fragments of texts that align with the Samaritan version of Exodus, suggesting that this textual tradition was once more widespread.
Ancient Samaritan inscriptions reinforce the idea that Mount Gerizim was a major sacred site, in contrast to Jerusalem.

The Importance of Exodus in the Samaritan Torah

The Book of Exodus in the Samaritan Pentateuch presents a unique textual and theological tradition that diverges from the Masoretic Text in significant theological and linguistic ways. While maintaining the essential narrative of Israel’s liberation, covenant, and laws, the SP version of Exodus reinforces Samaritan beliefs, especially concerning Mount Gerizim as the true place of worship.

As a distinct textual witness, the SP provides valuable insights into the diverse traditions of biblical transmission and theological interpretation in ancient Judaism. The study of Exodus in the SP contributes significantly to textual criticism, shedding light on the complexity of biblical history and sectarian developments in the Second Temple period.