Objection · Case 03 · Reliability of Scripture

One fragment of 2 Chronicles is practically nothing, and it isn’t even certain the fragment is from Chronicles rather than a related text.

One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.

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Response

Agreed on both counts; the identification of 4Q118 has been questioned, and the safest wording is probable rather than certain. This is a thin data point. The near-absence of Chronicles at Qumran is more likely a fact about the community’s interests than about the book’s existence, since Chronicles is quoted and known elsewhere in the period. It is listed here for completeness, not as support.

About this exhibit

This objection is to 1 and 2 Chronicles.

Only a single fragment of 2 Chronicles was found, in Cave 4. No copy of 1 Chronicles has been identified.

Under Claim 02: The Dead Sea Scrolls show the Old Testament text was copied with remarkable stability across about a thousand years, alongside a documented plurality of text forms.