Isaiah 3 — Dead Sea Scrolls
26 verses • 12 variants • Columns III–IV of 1QIsaiah-a contain Isaiah chapter 3.
Scroll Overview
Summary
Isaiah 3 in 1QIsaiah-a is well preserved. The chapter's social critique — removing leaders and describing societal collapse — reads very closely to the MT. Most variants are orthographic. The catalogue of women's luxury items (vv. 18-23) contains a few minor spelling differences.
Notable Variants
No theologically significant variants. The luxury-item catalogue (vv. 18-23) shows minor orthographic variations in some of the rare vocabulary items, which is expected given their obscurity.
Scroll Condition
Good condition. Fully legible.
For look — the Lord, the LORD of Hosts, is removing from Jerusalem and from Judah every support and every prop: the entire supply of bread and the entire supply of water;
Masoretic (WLC)
מַשְׁעֵן
stay
Dead Sea Scroll
משען
stay
Identical consonantal text.
1QIsaᵃ col. III, line 19
the warrior and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder;
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. III, line 20
the captain of fifty, the dignitary, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the expert in charms.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. III, line 21
"I will make boys their leaders, and children will rule over them.
Masoretic (WLC)
נְעָרִים
youths
Dead Sea Scroll
נעורים
youths
1QIsaiah-a uses plene spelling with waw. The meaning — unqualified youths ruling — is identical.
1QIsaᵃ col. III, line 22
The people will oppress one another — each person against another, each against his neighbor. The young will act insolently toward the old, the despised toward the honored.
Masoretic (WLC)
תַּעֲלֻלִים
capriciously
Dead Sea Scroll
תעלולים
capriciously
Plene spelling with additional waw. Same meaning: capricious or childish rulers.
1QIsaᵃ col. III, line 23
When a man grabs his brother in his father's house: 'You have a cloak — you be our leader! Take charge of this heap of ruins!'
Masoretic (WLC)
וְנִגַּשׂ
will oppress
Dead Sea Scroll
ונגש
will oppress
Identical consonantal text. The description of social collapse — people oppressing one another — reads the same.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 1
On that day he will protest: 'I am no healer! In my house there is neither bread nor cloak — do not make me leader of this people!'
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 2
For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying the eyes of his glory.
Masoretic (WLC)
שִׂמְלָה
a garment
Dead Sea Scroll
שמלה
a garment
Identical consonantal text. The scenario of grabbing someone and saying 'you have a garment, be our leader' is the same in both traditions. Some scholars note 1QIsaiah-a may have a slightly different word division in this verse.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 3
The expression on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom — they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought disaster on themselves.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 4
Tell the righteous it will go well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 5
Woe to the wicked — it will go badly! For what their hands have done will be done to them.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 6
My people — children oppress them, and creditors rule over them. My people, your guides mislead you and confuse the direction of your paths.
Masoretic (WLC)
עֲלִילוֹתָיו
his deeds
Dead Sea Scroll
עלילותיו
his deeds
Identical consonantal form with standard orthographic variation.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 7
The LORD takes his stand to press charges; he rises to judge the peoples.
Masoretic (WLC)
כִּסְדֹם
like Sodom
Dead Sea Scroll
כסדום
like Sodom
Plene spelling with waw. The comparison of Jerusalem to Sodom is identical in meaning.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 8
The LORD enters into judgment with the elders of his people and their princes: "It is you who have devoured the vineyard! The plunder of the poor is in your houses.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 9
What gives you the right to crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?" — declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.
Masoretic (WLC)
צַדִּיק
the righteous
Dead Sea Scroll
צדיק
the righteous
Identical consonantal text.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 10
And the LORD said: "Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, walking with dainty steps, jingling the anklets on their feet —
Masoretic (WLC)
גְּמוּל
recompense
Dead Sea Scroll
גמול
recompense
Identical reading.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 11
the Lord will afflict the scalps of the daughters of Zion with sores, and the LORD will lay bare their foreheads.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 12
On that day the Lord will strip away the finery: the anklets, the headbands, and the crescent pendants;
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 13
the earrings, the bracelets, and the veils;
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 14
the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume bottles, and the amulets;
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 15
the signet rings and the nose rings;
Masoretic (WLC)
וּמְטַפְּסוֹת
and mincing
Dead Sea Scroll
ומטפשות
and mincing
A minor spelling variation in this word describing the affected walk of the daughters of Zion. Both texts describe the same behavior.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 16
the fine robes, the cloaks, the shawls, and the purses;
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 17
the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the outer veils.
Masoretic (WLC)
הָעֲכָסִים
the anklets
Dead Sea Scroll
העכסים
the anklets
Identical consonantal text. The luxury catalogue begins identically.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 18
And it will be: instead of perfume — rottenness; instead of a sash — a rope; instead of styled hair — baldness; instead of fine clothing — sackcloth; branding instead of beauty.
Masoretic (WLC)
הַשְּׁבִיסִים
the headbands
Dead Sea Scroll
השביסים
the headbands
Identical consonantal text.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 19
Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 20
Her gates will lament and mourn; she will sit on the ground, emptied out.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 21