Deuteronomy 21 — Dead Sea Scrolls
1 attestation entry • 0 variants • 4QDeut family
Manuscript Overview
Summary
Deuteronomy 21 contains the heifer ritual for unsolved murder, the law of the captive woman, the firstborn's double portion, and the rebellious-son law. Crucially, vv. 22–23 (the 'hanged man is cursed') is foundational for the cross interpretation in Galatians 3:13. 4QDeutᵏ² preserves vv. 1–7.
Notable Variants
No significant content variants. Verse 23 ('a hanged man is cursed by God') is preserved as in MT — the Hebrew Vorlage behind Paul's citation at Gal 3:13.
Manuscripts
4QDeutᶠ (4Q33), 4QDeutᵏ² (4Q38a)
Scroll Condition
Fragmentary; the 'hanged man' verses are not directly preserved among published Cave 4 readings, but the chapter's earlier verses are.
his body must not remain on the tree overnight. You must bury him that same day, for a hanged person is under God's curse, and you must not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
'A hanged man is cursed by God' (κατάρα θεοῦ in LXX) is the Hebrew Vorlage behind Paul's citation at Gal 3:13 ('Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us'). The temple scroll 11QT also cites this passage.
fragmentary; tracks MT consensus