A textual analysis of Pseudo-Ezekiel (4Q385 & 4Q386) in order to determine its dating in the light of ancient scribal practices

Abstract

This study investigates the textual differences between Pseudo-Ezekiel 4Q385 fragments 2 and 3, and 4Q386 fragment 1 column i, in order to determine the possible provenance, authorship and date of each fragment. The research consists of a literary-exegetical analysis, an analysis of the differences in orthography between these texts, and a text-critical analysis between the Pseudo-Ezekiel fragments and the MT, LXX, and p967. The aim with this study is to contribute to our understanding of Pseudo-Ezekiel with regard to the vision of the valley of the dry bones in the light of what the text may reveal about scribal practice, authorship, provenance, and the dating of these texts. It would appear that the rewriting of texts can reflect the ideology or perspective of different authors. It has been indicated that Pseudo-Ezekiel 4Q385 fragments 2 and 3, and 4Q386 fragment 1 column i, date from different times, and were penned by different authors. It is proposed that Pseudo-Ezekiel 4Q386 may be contemporary to the assassination of Pompey and 4Q385 to the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.