Numbers — Samaritan Pentateuch
24 variants • 2 high significance • 9 moderate
Overview
Summary
Numbers in the SP contains a moderate number of significant variants, primarily in the Balaam oracles (Num 22-24), census figures, and the itinerary sections. SP continues its harmonistic program by inserting fulfillment reports where MT has only commands, and it makes several adjustments to the Balaam narrative that affect theological interpretation. Some census numbers differ between SP and MT.
Notable Variants
The Balaam oracles (Num 23-24) contain variants that affect messianic interpretation. Numbers 10:10 has a Gerizim-related variant. Several census figures in chapters 1-4 and 26 show minor numerical differences. The red heifer legislation (Num 19) has minor terminological variants.
Theological Significance
SP Numbers reinforces Gerizim theology in the few places where sanctuary location is relevant. The Balaam oracles are interpreted in Samaritan tradition as referring to the Taheb (Samaritan restorer figure) rather than a Davidic king. The harmonistic expansions continue SP's program of ensuring narrative consistency between divine command and human execution.
Masoretic (MT)
Census of Gad: 45,650
forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty
Samaritan (SP)
Census of Gad: 45,650
forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty
Most first-census figures agree between MT and SP. Minor orthographic differences in how numbers are expressed.
Masoretic (MT)
רְעוּאֵל
Reuel
Samaritan (SP)
דְּעוּאֵל
Deuel
The name of the Gadite leader's father varies: MT reads 'Reuel' here (but 'Deuel' in 1:14, 7:42, 10:20). SP reads 'Deuel' consistently throughout, harmonizing the name. The resh/daleth confusion is one of the most common scribal errors in Hebrew.
Masoretic (MT)
Levitical service vessels list
(Standard vessel list)
Samaritan (SP)
Slightly expanded vessel list
(Expanded with additional items from parallel passages)
SP harmonizes the Kohathite duties with related passages, adding minor details about the service vessels.
Masoretic (MT)
יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you
Samaritan (SP)
ישא יהוה פניו אליך
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you
The priestly blessing (Birkat Kohanim) is identical in MT and SP. This blessing remains central to Samaritan liturgy.
Masoretic (MT)
Standard trumpet legislation
(Standard legislation about festival trumpets)
Samaritan (SP)
Trumpet legislation with added reference to the chosen place
(SP adds contextual reference to worship at the chosen place)
SP connects the trumpet legislation to the designated sanctuary, reinforcing centralized worship at Gerizim.
Masoretic (MT)
שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים
three days
Samaritan (SP)
שלשת ימים
three days
The ark's journey from Sinai — text agrees between MT and SP.
Masoretic (MT)
הָאִשָּׁה הַכֻּשִׁית
the Cushite woman
Samaritan (SP)
האשה הכשית
the Cushite woman
SP agrees with MT on the Cushite wife reference. Some SP manuscripts show minor orthographic variance, but the content is identical. Samaritan tradition does not identify this woman differently from Jewish tradition.
Masoretic (MT)
וּתְמֻנַת יְהוָה יַבִּיט
and he beholds the form of the LORD
Samaritan (SP)
ותמונת יהוה יביט
and he beholds the form of the LORD
SP retains the anthropomorphic language here despite its usual tendency to soften such expressions. Moses' unique prophetic status is affirmed in both traditions.
Masoretic (MT)
וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר
And the LORD spoke to Moses saying
Samaritan (SP)
SP adds fulfillment from Deuteronomy 1:22-23
(SP adds the people's request to send spies, harmonizing with Deut 1:22-23)
In MT, the spy mission originates with God's command. Deuteronomy 1:22 says the people requested it. SP harmonizes by inserting the people's request before God's command, making both accounts consistent. This is one of SP's most notable harmonistic additions in Numbers.
Masoretic (MT)
הִנֶּנּוּ וְעָלִינוּ
Here we are, and we will go up
Samaritan (SP)
הננו ועלינו
Here we are, and we will go up
The failed Hormah campaign narrative agrees between MT and SP.
Masoretic (MT)
וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח
And Korah took
Samaritan (SP)
ויקח קרח
And Korah took
The Korah rebellion narrative is essentially identical in MT and SP. No significant theological variants.
Masoretic (MT)
פָרָה אֲדֻמָּה תְמִימָה
a red heifer, unblemished
Samaritan (SP)
פרה אדמה תמימה
a red heifer, unblemished
The red heifer legislation is identical in MT and SP. Both traditions preserve this ritual, though Samaritans last performed it on Mount Gerizim.
Masoretic (MT)
הֵמָּה מֵי מְרִיבָה
These are the waters of Meribah
Samaritan (SP)
המה מי מריבה
These are the waters of Meribah
The Meribah narrative agrees between MT and SP.
Masoretic (MT)
Itinerary stations
(Standard itinerary)
Samaritan (SP)
Itinerary stations with minor name variants
(Minor orthographic variants in place names)
Several place names in the wilderness itinerary show minor spelling differences between MT and SP.
Masoretic (MT)
פְּתוֹרָה אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַנָּהָר אֶרֶץ בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹ
to Pethor, which is by the River, the land of the sons of his people
Samaritan (SP)
פתורה אשר על הנהר ארץ בני עמון
to Pethor, which is by the River, the land of the sons of Ammon
SP reads 'Ammon' (עמון) where MT reads 'his people' (עמו). SP's reading gives a more specific geographical location and is supported by some LXX manuscripts.
Masoretic (MT)
אִם־לִקְרֹא לְךָ בָּאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים
If the men have come to call you
Samaritan (SP)
SP expands God's speech to Balaam
(SP expands the divine speech with additional conditions)
SP adds material to God's nighttime speech to Balaam, smoothing the apparent contradiction between God giving permission (22:20) and being angry that Balaam went (22:22).
Masoretic (MT)
מִי מָנָה עֲפַר יַעֲקֹב
Who can count the dust of Jacob
Samaritan (SP)
מי מנה עפר יעקב
Who can count the dust of Jacob
Balaam's first oracle largely agrees between MT and SP. Minor orthographic differences only.
Masoretic (MT)
וְיָרֹם מֵאֲגַג מַלְכּוֹ
And his king shall be higher than Agag
Samaritan (SP)
וירם מגוג מלכו
And his king shall be higher than Gog
SP reads 'Gog' (גוג) where MT reads 'Agag' (אגג). The LXX also reads 'Gog.' This variant has eschatological implications: 'Agag' connects to the historical Amalekite king, while 'Gog' connects to the apocalyptic enemy of Ezekiel 38-39. SP's reading may be original or may reflect later eschatological interests.
Masoretic (MT)
דָּרַךְ כּוֹכָב מִיַּעֲקֹב וְקָם שֵׁבֶט מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל
A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel
Samaritan (SP)
דרך כוכב מיעקב וקם שבט מישראל
A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel
The star prophecy agrees in wording between MT and SP, but interpretation differs dramatically. Jewish tradition reads this as a royal/messianic prophecy (applied to David or the Messiah). Samaritan tradition reads it as referring to the Taheb, the restorer figure who will re-establish true worship at Gerizim.
Masoretic (MT)
Second census introduction
(Census instructions)
Samaritan (SP)
Second census — minor expansion
(SP adds harmonistic detail from Num 1)
SP harmonizes the second census introduction with the first census (Num 1), adding parallel formulaic language.
Masoretic (MT)
מֵי מְרִיבַת קָדֵשׁ מִדְבַּר צִן
the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin
Samaritan (SP)
מי מריבת קדש מדבר צן
the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin
Moses' punishment narrative agrees between MT and SP.
Masoretic (MT)
Standard Joshua commissioning
(Moses lays hands on Joshua)
Samaritan (SP)
Expanded Joshua commissioning with additional charge
(SP adds material from Deut 3:21-22 to Joshua's commissioning)
SP imports Moses' charge to Joshua from Deuteronomy 3:21-22 into this passage, harmonizing the two accounts. This is a significant structural expansion.
Masoretic (MT)
Wilderness itinerary — 42 stations
(Full itinerary list)
Samaritan (SP)
Wilderness itinerary — minor name variants
(Same stations with orthographic name variants)
The wilderness itinerary in Numbers 33 is substantially the same in MT and SP. Several station names show minor spelling differences.
Masoretic (MT)
Levitical city measurements
(2,000 cubits on each side)
Samaritan (SP)
Levitical city measurements — minor numerical variant
(Same measurement with minor expression variant)
Minor difference in how the Levitical city measurements are expressed. The actual dimensions are identical.