The Samaritan Pentateuch, also known as the Samaritan Torah, is the foundational sacred scripture of the Samaritan community. Written in the Samaritan script, it originates from an ancient version of the Torah that predates the Jewish Masoretic Text and holds canonical authority in Samaritanism. This text consists solely of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, with approximately 6,000 differences from the Masoretic Text. While many of these discrepancies are minor, some, like the directive to construct an altar on Mount Gerizim, are significant.

Historical and Religious Context

Samaritans believe their Pentateuch was divinely given to Moses and has remained unaltered since its inception. They refer to it as Qušṭā (“Truth”), emphasizing its sacred authenticity. Unlike the Jewish Tanakh, the Samaritan canon excludes all other books and limits itself to the Pentateuch. The schism between Samaritans and Jews, as described in both historical and biblical accounts, likely emerged during or shortly after the Babylonian exile. Divergences solidified in subsequent centuries, particularly after the establishment of the Samaritan temple on Mount Gerizim.

Written in the Samaritan script, the Samaritan Pentateuch represents an ancient version of the Torah that was used during the Second Temple period and constitutes the entire Samaritan biblical canon.

The Samaritan Pentateuch includes unique theological elements, particularly its veneration of Mount Gerizim as the central site of worship. This perspective is reflected in its version of the Ten Commandments, which explicitly commands the building of an altar on Mount Gerizim. Such differences underpin Samaritan claims that their traditions represent the authentic Israelite religion, contrasting with Jewish practices, which they view as divergent.

Comparison with Other Textual Traditions

The Samaritan Pentateuch diverges from the Masoretic Text in spelling, syntax, and semantics. Key distinctions include:

• Mount Gerizim Commandment: The Samaritan Pentateuch adds instructions for constructing an altar on Mount Gerizim, absent in the Masoretic version.
• Deuteronomy 27:4: Where the Masoretic Text mentions Mount Ebal, the Samaritan Pentateuch refers to Mount Gerizim, aligning with its theological emphasis.
• Anthropomorphism: The Samaritan text often employs less anthropomorphic descriptions of God, attributing actions to intermediaries rather than directly to God.

Agreements with the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate

Approximately 2,000 of the 6,000 differences between the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Masoretic Text align with the Greek Septuagint, an early translation of the Hebrew Bible. Examples include:

• Exodus 12:40: Both the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint extend Israel’s sojourn to include time in Canaan, contrasting the Masoretic focus solely on Egypt.
• Genesis 22:2: The Samaritan text situates the binding of Isaac in the “land of Moreh” near Mount Gerizim, diverging from the Masoretic “land of Moriah.”

Manuscript Tradition and Script

The Samaritan Pentateuch is written in the Samaritan script, derived from Paleo-Hebrew. This script was historically used by ancient Israelites before the Babylonian exile. In contrast, the Masoretic Text employs the later Aramaic-derived Hebrew script. Early manuscripts of the Samaritan Pentateuch lacked vocalization, but by the 12th century, partial vocalization resembling Masoretic conventions emerged. Modern versions incorporate complete vocalization.

Abisha Scroll

The Abisha Scroll, a significant Samaritan artifact, is traditionally believed to have been penned by Abishua, the great-grandson of Aaron. Despite Samaritan claims of its ancient origins, scholarly analysis dates it to the 12th–14th centuries CE. The scroll is revered as a symbol of Samaritan heritage and continuity.

Textual Criticism and Scholarly Analysis of the Samaritan Torah

Discoveries among the Dead Sea Scrolls have revealed “pre-Samaritan” manuscripts that exhibit textual similarities to the Samaritan Pentateuch. These findings suggest that the Samaritan text reflects an early version of the Torah that existed alongside proto-Masoretic manuscripts. Fragments like 4QpaleoExodm show parallels with the Samaritan text, particularly in their treatment of laws and rituals.

Modern scholars propose that the Samaritan Pentateuch emerged from a distinct textual tradition in the Land of Israel. This hypothesis is supported by agreements between the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Septuagint, indicating a shared textual ancestry. Differences between the Samaritan and Masoretic texts are attributed to regional developments and scribal practices.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Samaritan Pentateuch’s emphasis on Mount Gerizim highlights the divergence in sacred geography between Samaritans and Jews. While the Jewish tradition centers on Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, Samaritans revere Mount Gerizim as the true site of God’s covenant with Israel. This theological rift underpins the broader historical separation between the two communities.

The Samaritan Pentateuch serves as the basis for Samaritan worship, law, and theology. Its Aramaic translation, the Samaritan Targum, and other liturgical texts facilitate its use in religious ceremonies and scriptural study. These texts have been adapted to reflect the linguistic and cultural shifts within the Samaritan community over centuries.

Western Discovery and Impact

The Samaritan Pentateuch entered Western scholarship in the 17th century when a manuscript was acquired in Damascus and published in Paris. This discovery sparked debates about the text’s authenticity and its relationship to the Masoretic Text. Early Christian scholars found the Samaritan Pentateuch useful for textual criticism, noting its agreements with the Septuagint and the Vulgate.

Critical editions of the Samaritan Pentateuch, such as August von Gall’s Der Hebräische Pentateuch der Samaritaner, have facilitated comparative studies. Recent translations, including English versions, provide broader access to the text, enabling its use in academic and interfaith contexts.

Questions and Answers

How does the Samaritan Torah differ from the Masoretic Text?

The Samaritan Torah contains approximately 6,000 differences from the Masoretic Text, most of which are minor spelling or grammatical changes. However, significant differences include the Samaritan commandment to build an altar on Mount Gerizim and variations in key passages such as Deuteronomy 27:4, where the Samaritan text specifies Mount Gerizim instead of Mount Ebal.

What languages and translations have been associated with the Samaritan Torah?

Over time, the Samaritan Torah has been translated into Aramaic, Greek, and Arabic. These translations were used for liturgical and exegetical purposes. Modern English translations have also been published to allow for comparative study with the Masoretic Text.

What role did the Samaritan Torah play in the Dead Sea Scrolls discoveries?

Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, dating back to the second century BCE, revealed a “pre-Samaritan” text type. These findings suggest that the Samaritan Torah preserves ancient textual traditions that predate the schism between the Samaritans and Judean Jews.

What do the Samaritans believe about their Pentateuch?

The Samaritans believe their Pentateuch was divinely authored by God and given to Moses, maintaining that their version remains uncorrupted. They refer to it as “Qušṭā” (Truth) and include only the Pentateuch in their biblical canon, excluding the Prophets and Writings recognized in the Jewish Tanakh.

How does the Samaritan Torah compare to the Septuagint?

The Samaritan Torah shares approximately 1,900 textual agreements with the Greek Septuagint, including some significant variations. For example, both texts align in Exodus 12:40, where they mention the Israelites’ time in Canaan and Egypt as 430 years, a detail absent in the Masoretic Text.

What is the historical significance of the Samaritan Torah in textual criticism?

The Samaritan Pentateuch became known to the Western world in the 17th century, sparking debates about its age and authenticity compared to the Masoretic Text. Discoveries of related Dead Sea Scroll fragments further solidified its importance in understanding ancient biblical traditions.

What are some key differences in theological perspectives between Samaritans and Jews regarding the Pentateuch?

Samaritans hold Mount Gerizim as the central site for worship, as reflected in their Pentateuch, while Jewish tradition focuses on Jerusalem. The Samaritans view themselves as the true keepers of Israelite tradition, claiming that the Jews diverged from the authentic teachings during the time of Eli or later.