the-bible-and-the-dead-sea-scrolls

182 THE COMMUNITY OF LAY READERS
As a version, 4QSam a will never replace the MT (speaking of the
Masoretic family, i.e., the proto-Masoretic, the Masoretic texts of the
ninth and tenth centuries, and so forth), which has been used by religious
communities for approximately two millennia and is of inestimable value
for both Judaism and Christianity. Something must be said for a received
text that has been part of a long-standing tradition of both tradents (copyists,
scribes, redactors) and tens of millions of lay readers.
Accepting variant readings from 4QSam a will not change the shape of
the biblical canon, which consists of sacred books, nor will acceptance
destroy our long-standing appreciation for the MT. Acceptance of
selected major variant readings from 4QSam a , however, will be of some
consequence with the believing community over time, because the details
of people, places, and events are of great worth to the reader. The real
authority of the Scriptures comes in the individual words and expressions
that mold the life and faith of whoever reads them.