The Use of Scripture in 4Q175

Abstract It has been previously suggested that 4Q175 21-30 utilizes rare words and phrases obtained through its use of a lexicon derived from the Hebrew scriptures. It has not been noticed, however, that this entire section is made up of a string of rare or otherwise conspicuous words and phrases that function as allusions to "biblical" verses. As a result of identifying the context and primary meaning of these allusions, it will be shown that 4Q175 as a whole can be understood as being a stylized blessing-cursing text as is seen elsewhere in the Qumran Library (QL). Further, the synonymous root words for arising, ק-ו-ם and ע-מ-ד serve as unifiers of the four sections of 4Q175. Most importantly, it will be shown through this exercise that the ultimate unifying aspect of 4Q175 is that it serves as a contemporizing exegesis on Deut 11:26-13. It will also become clear that Josh 6, which is the basis for 4Q175 21-30, is itself an intra-biblical midrash on Deuteronomy 13. This suggests that Jericho is being used as a cipher for the wayward city which is being discussed in 4Q175 21-30. All of this points to 4Q175 21-30 being an intrinsic part of 4Q175 rather than having been borrowed from 4Q379.