SCRIBAL PRACTICES AND APPROACHE S ... - Emanuel Tov

Scribal Practices and Approaches Reflected in the Texts from the Judean Desert 97
4QRP d (4Q366) 1 2.9 and 2.5
4QT a ? (4Q365a) 3 2.9 (top)
4QpapPrQuot (4Q503) 1.0–1.2 and 2.9
4QTime of Righteousness (4Q215a) 2, 3 2.8 (top)
4QEnastr b ar (4Q209) 2.8 (bottom)
4QJer a 2.2 and 2.8
MasLev b 1.8 and 2.7
4QIsa a 2.7 (top)
4QPrFêtes b (4Q507) 2.7 (bottom)
4QFlor (4Q174) 2.7 and 2.7
4QPs f 2.7 (bottom)
4QPs e frgs. 15, 20 2.7 (top)
4QD e (4Q270) 1.8 and 2.0
4QIsa e 2.0 and 2.6
4QNum b 1.9 and 2.6
4QShir b (4Q511) 2.4–2.6 (bottom)
4QWiles of the Wicked Woman (4Q184) 1.3+ and 1.8–2.5
1QHymns (1Q36) 25 2.5 (bottom)
4QM b (4Q492) 2.5 (top)
4QpIsa e (4Q165) 1.8 and 2.5
4QDeut q 0.7 and 2.5
4QpapTob a ar (4Q196) 1.7 and 2.5
1QapGen ar 2.5 (top)
4QLev b 1.8–2.5 (top)
1QSb 1.7+ and 2.4
4QapocrLam A (4Q179) 2.4 (top)
4QPs a 2.4 (bottom)
4QIsa f 2.4 (bottom)
4QInstr g (4Q423) 2.4 (top)
4QpNah (4Q169) 1.5+ and 2.3
4QpapHodayot-like Text B (4Q433a) 2.3 (bottom)
4QAges of Creation A (4Q180) 2.0–2.3 and 2.0–2.3
4QpapS a (4Q255) 2.0–2.3 (top)
Intercolumnar margins. Columns are separated by intercolumnar margins which are best visible
when at least the left ends of the writing block are indicated by vertical lines (§ a above) and when
scribes adhered to these ruled margins. The right margin of the column (where the writing
commenced) was almost always straight (an exception is 4QTest [4Q175]). However, in the
absence of a left margin indication (ruled line), when scribes adhered to a ‘notional’ margin (thus
Herbert, A New Method, 21–4, 63–76; see § f below), the intercolumnar left margin is still visible
and can be used as a base for calculations. When a scribe paid little attention to the left margin,
thus creating a rather ragged separation line between the columns (e.g. 4QapocrDan ar [4Q246] 1
ii 3, 6, 9), he nevertheless left an impression of his notional margin which can be used for
measurements. In calculating the intercolumnar margins, the space between the vertical lines or
the notional margins is measured, while words falling short or exceeding these lines are
disregarded.
The scroll manufacturer decided upon the width of the intercolumnar margins in multi-column
sheets. Such margins are usually 1.0–1.5 cm; see, for example, 4QSam a , 4QIsa b,c , 4QJer a , and
4QpapAdmonitory Parable (4Q302), 4QRP b (4Q364; see DJD XIII, 200), 4QRP c (4Q365; see
DJD XIII, 258). The margins in 4QCommGen A (4Q252) are between 0.58 and 1.5 cm. The
margins in 4QEnGiants b ar (4Q530; 1.5–2.5 cm), 4QIsa d (1.5–2.0 cm), 4QJer c (1.3–1.9 cm),
11QtgJob (1.2–1.9 cm) are slightly larger. A rather wide margin of 2.0–2.2 cm is found in
4QInstr d (4Q418) 45 and in 4QcryptA Lunisolar Calendar (4Q317; 2.2 cm). In y. Meg. 1.71d, the