How Long Did Abraham Sojourn in Haran? Traditions on the Patriarch in Compositions from Qumran / כמה שנים ישב אברהם בחרן? מסורות על אבי האומה בחיבורים מקומראן

Although the Bible is silent regarding the length of Abraham's sojourn in Haran (Gen. 11:31), three exegetical compositions found at Qumran – Jubilees, a copy of the composition known as Pseudo-Jubilees (4Q225), and the Commentary on Genesis A (4Q252) – specify the length of time the patriarch dwelt in the city. Analysis of the chronological data reveals that the disparate number given in each of these texts embodies each composition's specific purposes. This reflects the plurality of attitudes and exegeses exhibited by works belonging to the Qumran library. Comparison of the chronological data in Jubilees and Pseudo-Jubilees is of special interest. Although Milik assigned the latter its title on the grounds that it contains terms and/or motifs familiar from Jubilees, examination of the material relating to Abraham's sojourn in Haran indicates that Pseudo-Jubilees represents a divergent tradition. Given that the two compositions exhibit additional dissimilarities, such as a different selection of reworked biblical passages and significant disparities in their version of Isaac's sacrifice, I suggest that the name "Pseudo-Jubilees" is an inappropriate title for 4Q225.