In orthography, the quiescent letters, or matres lectionis, are inserted, as '1 for ' (Gen. i. 14, 16).
In the case ofpronouns, their unusual forms are constantly corrected, as lzrot.:, for in), ;inn for Mri, etc.
As to verbs, the shorter or apocopated future is changed into the long one ; thus for -1Arn is put Tarn.
In regard to nouns, the pamgogic and ap pended to the noun in regimen are omitted, asi=j for +#v).
Genders are also corrected, nouns common being made masculine or feminine as the scribe thought fit. For example, al+ is made masculine (Gen. xlix. 20).
With respect to the syntax of verbs, the infinitive absolute is altered into a finite verb, as in Gen. viii. 3. Where the verb is singular with a plural noun, it is almost always changed into the plural, as in Gen. iv. ro.
II. The second class consists of interpretations or glosses received into the text. These are numerous, many of them being also in the LXX.
An example occurs in Gen. xx. 3, where for the Samaritan has riciNn In The third class consists of readings sub stituted to remove real or imaginary difficulties from the text. Thus, instead of pp, from between his fret, the Samaritan reading is pn front among his banners (Gen. xlix. ro).
IV. The fourth class consists of those readings where the Samaritan is corrected or supplied from parallel passages. Proper names, which are va riously written in Hebrew, are all conformed to one orthography, as rim, Moses's father-in-law. In Gen. xi. 8, and the tower, is added to the Hebrew text, taken from the fourth verse.
V. The fifth class consists of larger interpola tions taken from parallels, in which, whatever was said or done by Moses as recorded in a preceding passage is repeated ; and whatever is said to have been commanded by God is repeated in as many words where it is recorded to have been carried into effect. In this way Exodus is much enlarged by interpolations from itself, or from Deuteronomy. Gesenius thinks that these insertions were made between the date of the Septuagint and Origen, because the Alexandrian father mentions a passage of the kind.
VI. The sixth class consists of corrections made in order to remove what was offensive in sentiment to the Samaritans, or what conveyed an improbable meaning in their view. Thus in the antediluvian times, none begets his first son after he is 15o years of age. Hence, from Jared, Methuselah, and Lamech, roo years are subtracted at the time they are said to have their first son. In the post diluvian times, none is allowed to beget a son till after he is 5o years old. Accordingly, some years are subtracted from several patriarchs and added to others. Under this head falls the passage Exod. xii. 4o, Now the sojourning of the children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt was 43o years.' The Samaritan has, The sojourning of the children of Israel and their fathers who dwelt in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt was 43o years.' The same reading is in the Septuagint (cod..Alex.) In Gen. ii. 2, V=7;.1 is altered into vva the sixth.
VII. Passages which have been conformed to the theology, hermeneutics, and worship of the Samaritans. Thus, to avoid the appearance of polytheism, the four passages where Elohim is con strued with a plural are altered so as to present the singular (Gen. xx. 13 ; xxxi. 53 ; xxxv. 7; Exod. xxii. 9). Again, whatever savours of an thropomorphism, or is unsuitable to the divine majesty, is either removed or softened. Wherever the Almighty himself is brought immediately into view as speaking to and dealing with men, the angd of Goa' is substituted. Reverence for the patriarchs and Moses led to the alteration of Gen. xlix. 7 and Deut. xxxiii. 12 ; for example, for cursed is their anger, the Samaritan reads, excellent is their anger ; and instead of the beloved of the Lord shall dwell, it has, the hand, the hand of the .Lord makes him to dwell, which yields no sense. In like manner, voces honestiores are sometirnes put when there is fancied immodesty, as in Deut. xxv.
Ilvznz is changed into 11V31.