The God of Knowledge: Qumran Reflections on Divine Prescience Based on 1 Sam 2:3

The first section of this contribution discusses Michael Segal’s argument that the Septuagint and Qumran readings of 1 Sam 2:3 are based on the same version which is an emendation of the Masoretic text’s ktiv. The second section discusses four passages that are based on interpretations of 1 Sam 2:3 (1QS III 15-16; 4Q417 1 i 7-9; 1QHa XX 12-14; 4Q402 4 12 par). These passages connect specific connotations to the expression God of knowledge. The main point in discussing the passages is to demonstrate that they engage in an abstract reflection on the nature of divine prescience. This abstract reflection is based on the study of texts: 1 Sam 2:3 and other texts were scrutinized in the course of meditations on profound theological questions.