אות und ערב . Ein Beitrag zum hebräischen Lexikon und zum Verhältnis von CD zu 1QS

The meaning of Hebrew אות – known not only from the Bible and rabbinic texts but also found in CD XX 7 and 4Q266 frag. 11,15 – is debatted. Since in comparable contexts, 1QS VII 24 and VIII 34 has אות hitpaʿel instead of ערב , some assume both to be synonymous. Finally, it was pointed out that some Targums translate ערב using אות which could be taken as the exegetical background of the alleged synonymity. But an analysis of the biblical and rabbinical texts reveals that àåú denotes a desirable acting or an acting lead by benefit or interest – a meaning also to be found in CD. On the other hand, the terminological change between CD and 1QS is obviously based on a change of intention and not on a synonymity of both words. Finally, an analysis of the targumic texts reveals, that the use of אות there is the result of a later development and that אות is used in a completely different meaning.