Deuteronomy 23 — Dead Sea Scrolls
2 attestation entries • 0 variants • 4QDeut family
Manuscript Overview
Summary
Deuteronomy 23 regulates admission to the assembly of YHWH (Moabites/Ammonites excluded; Edomites and Egyptians admitted in the third generation). The chapter also contains laws on bodily purity and the prohibition of cult-prostitution. 4QDeutᵃ preserves vv. 25–26. 4QDeutⁱ covers vv. 4–15. 4QDeutᵏ² preserves vv. 21–26. Coverage is good.
Notable Variants
No significant content variants. The Moabite-Ammonite exclusion (v. 4) tracks MT — relevant background to Ruth 4 and Neh 13:1-3.
Manuscripts
4QDeutᵃ (4Q28), 4QDeutᵍ (4Q34), 4QDeutⁱ (4Q36), 4QDeutᵏ² (4Q38a)
Scroll Condition
Multiple manuscripts together cover most of the chapter.
No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the LORD. Even to the tenth generation, none of their descendants may ever enter the assembly of the LORD,
The Moabite-Ammonite exclusion tracks MT. Cited at Neh 13:1.
4QDeutⁱ frag.
When you enter your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat as many grapes as you wish until you are full, but you must not put any in a container.
The grain-plucking-from-a-neighbor's-field permission tracks MT. Echoed at Mark 2:23 / Matt 12:1 / Luke 6:1.
4QDeutᵃ frag. 1