Rethinking Rewritten Scripture: Composition and Exegesis in the 4QReworked Pentateuch Manuscripts

Zahn (religious studies, U. of Kansas) presents a revised version of her PhD dissertation (2009, U. of Notre Dame). In describing the 4QReworked Pentateuch (which came "onto the scene" in 1994), she remarks that "...these fragmentary manuscripts, all dating from the first century B.C.E., fit only uneasily into existing categories. On the one hand, they shared many features with texts classified as 'rewritten Scripture'....On the other hand, in some ways they seemed much closer to the Pentateuch...." She examines in detail the similarities and differences, expanding knowledge of the evolution of Jewish texts and the processes of rewriting and revision that occurred in the early years of their formation. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)