Isaiah 44 — Dead Sea Scrolls
28 verses • 8 variants • Columns XXXVI-XXXVII of 1QIsaiah-a
Scroll Overview
Summary
Isaiah 44 contains the promise of the Spirit (vv. 1-5), a powerful polemic against idolatry (vv. 9-20), and the introduction of Cyrus as God's instrument (v. 28). The chapter has 28 verses in columns XXXVI-XXXVII. The idol-polemic section is particularly well preserved.
Notable Variants
Verse 3: the promise 'I will pour my spirit upon your seed' is identical in both texts. Verse 9: minor variant in the idol-makers description. Verse 23: the scroll reads 'Sing, O heavens' identically. Verse 28: Cyrus named as shepherd — identical in both traditions.
Scroll Condition
Well preserved. No significant damage.
But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVI, line 26
This is what the LORD says — He who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
Masoretic (WLC)
יְשֻׁרוּן
Jeshurun
Dead Sea Scroll
ישרון
Jeshurun
Identical consonantal text. The affectionate name 'Jeshurun' for Israel is the same in both.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVI, line 27
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVI, line 28
They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVI, line 29
This one will say, 'I am the LORD's,' another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and take the name of Israel.
Masoretic (WLC)
יִקְרָא
shall call
Dead Sea Scroll
יקרא
shall call
Identical consonantal text.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 1
This is what the LORD says — the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 2
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 3
Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.
Masoretic (WLC)
הֲיֵשׁ
is there?
Dead Sea Scroll
היש
is there?
Identical. The rhetorical question 'Is there a God besides me?' is the same in both texts.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 4
All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.
Masoretic (WLC)
יֹצְרֵי
the makers of
Dead Sea Scroll
יוצרי
the makers of
1QIsaiah-a uses plene spelling with vav. The harsh polemic against idol-makers — 'they are all nothing' — begins here identically in both traditions.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 5
Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 6
Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth; they shall be terrified and put to shame together.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 7
The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint.
Masoretic (WLC)
חָרָשׁ
the craftsman
Dead Sea Scroll
חרש
the craftsman
Identical consonantal text.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 8
The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 9
He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 10
Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 11
Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, 'Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!'
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 12
And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol; and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, 'Deliver me, for you are my god!'
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 13
They know not, nor do they discern, for their eyes are shut so that they cannot see, and their hearts so that they cannot understand.
Masoretic (WLC)
טָח
smeared over
Dead Sea Scroll
טוח
smeared over
1QIsaiah-a adds vav mater lectionis. Same word — their eyes are 'smeared over' so they cannot see.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 14
No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, 'Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and ate. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?'
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 15
He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 16
Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 17
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Masoretic (WLC)
מָחִיתִי
I have blotted out
Dead Sea Scroll
מחיתי
I have blotted out
Identical consonantal text.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 18
Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout, O depths of the earth! Break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 19
This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself —
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 20
who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish;
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 21
who confirms the word of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'She shall be inhabited,' and of the cities of Judah, 'They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins';
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 22
who says to the deep, 'Be dry; I will dry up your rivers';
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 23
who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.'
Masoretic (WLC)
רֹעִי
my shepherd
Dead Sea Scroll
רועי
my shepherd
The remarkable declaration naming Cyrus as God's 'shepherd' (ro'i) is identical in both texts. This is the first mention of Cyrus by name in Isaiah, and the scroll confirms the MT reading exactly.
1QIsaᵃ col. XXXVII, line 24