What is the Samaritan Pentateuch?
Q: What is the Samaritan Pentateuch?
A: The Samaritan Pentateuch is a special version of the Torah used by the Samaritans. It contains the first five books of Moses, or the Torah.
Q: When was it created?
A: The latest date that it was created is 127 BC when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and the Samaritans split from other groups in the Temple.
Q: Why do scholars use this version?
A: Scholars use this version when they want to find meaning of words in original Pentateuch or if they want to learn about history of different versions of Bible.
Q: Are there any differences between this version and others?
A: Yes, some differences are small such as ages of people mentioned in genealogy while others are major such as commandment to only have one wife which appears in Samaritan text but not other versions.
Q: What importance does Abisha Scroll have for Samaritans?
A: The Abisha Scroll has special importance for Samaritans as it is used in their synagogue at Nablus and they claim it was penned by Abishua, great-grandson of Aaron thirteen years after entry into land of Israel under Joshua's leadership.
Q: How old is Abisha Scroll according to modern scholars?
A: Modern scholars believe that oldest texts within Abisha Scroll date back to 12th century A.D.
