4Q107 (4QCantb) is a fragment of theSong of Songs (2:9‑17; 3:1‑2, 5, 9‑11; 4:1‑3, 8‑11, 14‑16; 5:1) inHebrew found in Cave 4 atQumran in the Judean Desert inIsrael and which comprises part of theDead Sea Scrolls.[1][2][3] Thescript on the fragment has been identified as early-Herodian (c.30 BCE-30 CE). Thescribe responsible for 4Q107 did not write4Q108 as there are differences in writing style. Also, thelacuna in the second column of 4Q107 does not provide enough space to accommodate 4Q108. The fragments which make up theSong of Songs found at Qumran are numbered4Q106, 4Q107,4Q108, and6Q6. The scroll4Q240 is possibly a commentary on theSong of Songs.
Emmanuel Tov once argued that 4Q107 is a liturgical text, later changed his assessment to a text for private use, and then abstained from any identification of the use of the text, a position that other scholars have also reached.[4]
This text includes four units of text from the Song of Songs.[5]
| Fragment | Song of Songs verses | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Frag. 1 | 2:9-3:2 | |
| Frag. 2 i | 3:4-5, 9-11 | Omits 3:6-8 |
| Frag. 2 ii | 4:1-3, 8-11 | Omits 4:4-7 |
| Frag. 3 | 4:14-5:1 |