The Use of Scripture in 4Q175

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.