Answer · confidence: thin

How do the oldest copies of Genesis 16 and 21 differ on Hagar and Ishmael?

Research question: What are the earliest dated manuscript witnesses to Genesis 16 and 21 (Hebrew, Septuagint, Samaritan Pentateuch, Dead Sea Scrolls), and how do their readings on Hagar and Ishmael compare?

The records show that the Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran Cave 1 were created between 408 BCE and 318 CE ¹ and were discovered between November 1946 and February 1947 ³. The only Genesis fragment described in the facts is 2Q1, a Hebrew manuscript from the Herodian period ⁶, and it contains Genesis 19:27–28 and 36:6, 35–37 but not Genesis 16 or 21 ⁵. The facts say nothing about Genesis 16 or 21 in the Septuagint or Samaritan Pentateuch, so no comparison of how those witnesses treat Hagar and Ishmael can be drawn ⁴⁷. The newest dated fact is from 1952, the Cave 2 entry on Jubilees and Sirach ⁷, which is about 74 years before October 2026.

Checked 2026-10-14. Only documented and supported facts are used.

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Sources

[1] supported

The Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran Cave 1 were created between 408 BCE and 318 CE.

"Created Est. 408 BCE to 318 CE"

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 1

[2] supported

The Great Isaiah Scroll contains all 66 chapters of Isaiah with occasional lacunae.

"Contains all 66 chapters with occasional lacunae and some missing words at the bottom of some columns"

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 1

[3] supported

The initial discovery of the scrolls in Qumran Cave 1 took place between November 1946 and February 1947.

"The initial discovery, by Bedouin shepherd Muhammed edh-Dhib, his cousin Jum'a Muhammed, and Khalil Musa, took place between November 1946 and February 1947."

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 1

[4] supported

The original seven scrolls from Qumran Cave 1 include the Great Isaiah Scroll, a second copy of Isaiah, the Community Rule Scroll, the Pesher on Habakkuk, the War Scroll, the Thanksgiving Hymns, and the Genesis Apocryphon.

"The original seven Dead Sea Scrolls from Cave 1 at Qumran are the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa a ), a second copy of Isaiah ( 1QIsa b ), the Community Rule Scroll (1QS), the Pesher on Habakkuk (1QpHab), the War Scroll (1QM), the Thanksgiving Hymns (1QH), and the Genesis Apocryphon (1QapGen)."

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 1

[5] supported

The manuscript 2Q1 from Qumran Cave 2 contains fragments of Genesis 19:27–28 and 36:6, 35–37, but does not contain Genesis 16 or 21.

"2Q1 Genesis 19:27–28; 36:6, 35–37"

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 2

[6] supported

The manuscript 2Q1 is written in Hebrew and dated to the Herodian period.

"2Q1 Genesis 19:27–28; 36:6, 35–37 Hebrew Herodian"

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 2

[7] supported

The Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran Cave 2 include fragments of Jubilees and the Wisdom of Sirach written in Hebrew.

"The cave eventually yielded 300 fragments from 33 manuscripts of Dead Sea Scrolls , including fragments of Jubilees and the Wisdom of Sirach written in Hebrew."

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 2

[8] supported

The manuscripts from Qumran Cave 2 were created between an estimated 408 BCE and 318 CE.

"Created Est. 408 BCE to 318 CE"

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 2

[9] supported

The materials used for the Qumran Cave 2 manuscripts include papyrus, parchment, and bronze.

"Material Papyrus , Parchment, and Bronze"

List of manuscripts from Qumran Cave 2