Errors in the Masoretes’ “Original” Hebrew Manuscripts of the Bible?
Why critical editions of the Bible—like Biblia Hebraica Quinta—are essential
A MASTERPIECE OF THE MASORETES. The Masoretes established an astoundingly accurate tradition of Bible transmission. This carpet page from the Leningrad Codex (1008 C.E.)—of the tradition of the Masoretes—is the base text for Biblia Hebraica Quinta. The scribe of the manuscript Samuel son of Jacob, one of the Masoretes, even records his name. Photo by Bruce and Kenneth Zuckerman, West Semitic Research/With the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center/Courtesy Russian National Library.
The Hebrew Bible—or Old Testament—that we have today differs from the Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible penned in the first millennium B.C.E. . When transmitting any sort of a document from generation to generation, small alterations—some intentional, others not—are made. Even the most careful scribe makes errors, which are perpetuated and often compounded by future scribes. Thus, it should not surprise us that the Hebrew Bible, which has a transmission history of several millennia, contains textual difficulties, corruptions and even mistakes. Critical editions of the Bible examine these differences by looking at varying Hebrew witnesses and try to accurately reconstruct the original Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible. In the November/December 2013 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, David Marcus and James A. Sanders discuss why critical editions of the Bible are necessary and describe the work that goes into creating such an edition in the article “What’s Critical About a Critical Edition of the Bible?”
Marcus and Sanders are both involved with the publication of Biblia Hebraica Quinta, the latest revision of Biblia Hebraica, which refers to the series of critical Bible editions published in Germany since 1905. The base for Biblia Hebraica Quinta is the Leningrad Codex, which dates to 1008 C.E. and was written by Samuel son of Jacob, who was part of a group of rabbinic scribes called the Masoretes.
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THE MASORETES DOING WHAT THE MASORETES DO BEST. This page comes from the Aleppo Codex. Until a third of it was burned in a 1947 anti-Jewish uprising in Syria, the Aleppo Codex was considered to be the oldest, most complete, and most accurate of the Masoretes’ manuscripts. The Masoretes filled its margins with notes to safeguard against corruption. Credit: David Harris/Ben-Zvi Institute in the Shrine of the Book.
Working in Tiberias during the Middle Ages, the Masoretes recognized the possibility of human error when copying the Hebrew Bible. They tried to combat it by adding supplements to the text. In the margins of the Masoretes’ manuscripts, there are innumerable notes—masorah—to safeguard the text. The precision with which the Masoretes were able to preserve the Hebrew text beginning in the seventh century C.E. is astounding. Nevertheless, the Masoretes were not working with the original Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible. Corruptions had already crept into the versions they copied.
The Masoretes’ efforts preserved the Biblical text in the first millennium C.E. Modern scholarship, with critical editions of the Bible like Biblia Hebraica Quinta, is bringing us even closer to reconstructing the original Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible.
Subscribers: Read the full article “What’s Critical About a Critical Edition of the Bible?” by David Marcus and James A. Sanders as it appears in the November/December 2013 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.
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This Bible History Daily feature was originally published on October 25, 2013.
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I find it discomforting for people to pronounce my name incorrectly, and excuse such mistakes as coming from ignorance. I think the same about God who has to put up with those who don’t really know the correct pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton, as Kurt reminds us, and God must wear the insult and excuse the ignorant with the excuse that perhaps they meant well. Far better, I think, to refer to God as Lord and avoid giving unnecessary offence. It’s nice to see the joy in Joy’s celebration of the name of God, but I don’t think God would get the same joy in a mispronunciation. And I don’t think Paul would get much joy in Joy missing out all those times Paul refers to Jesus as “Christ”.
When baby’s first learn to say my name it sounds nothing like Gail but I know that in using my name they are refering to me, talking to me, calling to me because they recognise me, know me and mostly they love me.
I believe the creator would feel the same way when people use his name mispronounced or not because it is an acknowledgement of recognition. He encourages us to walk with Him an be His friend afterall.
So why would I constantly call you “Mr” or “guy” or “hey dude” instead of Brian? Do you have a desire to remain mysteriously aloof or anonymous?
If our loving creator Jehovah who “causes to become” had the same desire to remain mysterious, aloof and anonymous why would He have bothered providing us with his word the Bible, which is essentially instructions on living a good life and a warning of what dangers may befall us and of those who willfully wish to harm and mislead us simply because they are jealous of the attention owing or due to the One, Only and true Sovereign and Creator of all things? Why would He send us a letter to let us know all of his plans and desires for us, and how he will cause His plans to become a reality?
…….
…..that would be the sound of my irritation at having my name mispronounced quietly fading into the background……yes the irrritation is fading ….shhhh…..what was that? Mmmmm thanks for that Brian, great conversation when we build one another up instead of all that negativity. Satan has enough negative current flowing through the world to make it seem like twilight instead of midday, almost, but not quite because I see you, I know you’re there, I know what you want because my Father warned me about you so I’m happily forewarned and forearmed and ready to meet the challenge with my Father holding my hand walking with me right by my side.
The bible simply says that that one aspect of God’s purpose for humanity is to have His name declared in all the earth, and that will be done regardless of linguistic barriers. Remember, He ” confused ” the languages of man at Babel , so evidently His name started being pronounced in many tongues early on, so that’s nothing new. Jehovah is just the most commonly understood version of the name, and if God’s purpose is for as many people as possible to come to understand His word and the fact He has a unique name, why not use it? Do you really think that a progressive God interested in the future outworking of His purposes is concerned over ” dead” languages or human scholars who insist that everyone MUST be able to speak these ancient tongues to understand the Bible?
The letter killeth but the spirit giveth life!… Or should it be Spirit? 😉
There is no corroborated evidence that a third of the Aleppo Codex was burned in the uprising in Aleppo Syria in 1947 and no current forensic evidence that the two thirds remaining was ever exposed to extreme heat. The best unbiased investigation of this issue was done by Matti Friedman. His 2013 book “The Aleppo Codex” is certainly worth reading as it raises a number of serious questions regarding the several conflicting accounts of the “missing Torah section”. The first rule of good scholarship is not to repeat and perpetuate the assertions of poor scholarship.
Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
The Jerusalem Bible Project by scholars from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, is one of the best editions of the Hebrew Bible (תנ״ך) with critical notes. Unfortunately, only a few books are available. It will be a few more decades before the whole canon of the HB is available in this amazing and great project. The current volumes are available at Magnes Press.
חג שמח
Frantz
Dear Folks, unfortunately, Codex Leningradensis like the ‘Aleppo Codex’… is in error!… this can be easily proven. There is a watermark in the Torah, which I have been working with over the past 17 years. The Torah text that was used by the Hebrew Publishing Co. of NY in 1917, the Living Torah by Aryeh Kaplan and The Koren House Publishing Torah text are all in accordance with Sifra di’Tzni-uta (the Book of Concealment contained in the Zohar (See Matt, Pritzker Edition of the Torah – vol 5. pg. 535.) The Editions of the other texts (above) do not produce the original watermark – “the Great White-Haired One, the Ancient of Days”… instead we find in the Codices and all derivatives a face – not human, but very animal-like. I am hoping people will awaken to this fact soon(!) things are getting serious in this world. – respectfully yours, Manuel Colunga-Hernandez
I am sorry, I do not understand what you are saying, but would like to. Can you explain more? thanks : “Dear Folks, unfortunately, Codex Leningradensis like the ‘Aleppo Codex’… is in error!… this can be easily proven. There is a watermark in the Torah, which I have been working with over the past 17 years. The Torah text that was used by the Hebrew Publishing Co. of NY in 1917, the Living Torah by Aryeh Kaplan and The Koren House Publishing Torah text are all in accordance with Sifra di’Tzni-uta (the Book of Concealment contained in the Zohar (See Matt, Pritzker Edition of the Torah – vol 5. pg. 535.) The Editions of the other texts (above) do not produce the original watermark – “the Great White-Haired One, the Ancient of Days”… instead we find in the Codices and all derivatives a face – not human, but very animal-like. I am hoping people will awaken to this fact soon(!) things are getting serious in this world. – respectfully yours, Manuel Colunga-Hernandez”
There is no historical evidence for the names Yahweh or Jehovah. They both are products of, German particularly, Protestant speculation. There are no copies of the Hebrew Scripture where in the vowels of the Tetragrammaton are ponted. Any pointing always turns it into Adonai, (Lord in English or Κύριος in Greek.
Thie whole attempt to try and figure out God’s name reeks of Gnosticism.
Well I believe that if the Set Apart Spirit – Yehuvah/Jehovah provided It’s Name one would think that we should address and reference the Set Apart Being by that Name out of respect and reverence. Maybe it’s time to take down ‘the fence’. On another note, I am sorely disturbed by the translations of the Scriptures we use in our modern Bibles. My thoughts and interests are specifically drawn to all of the information contained in the Scriptures that were inserted, removed/replaced, changed/corrected and relocated during the reign of Constantine and with each re-writing of the previous translation by scribes. Thank the Almighty Set Apart Spirit Yehuvah for the discernment needed to navigate the doctrines. Many clearly appear to me to reference a great amount of pagan old world lore, legends, rites and rituals that predate the time of of the Son of Man from Nazareth – Yehushua/Yeshua. We should consider and question what is said or portrayed to be spoken and taught by Him. Somewhere it is written,” In the last days many will run to and fro and knowledge will increase.” My hope is that BAR will continue to play a leading and important role in the dispensing of this knowledge through archeological discovery and through discussions like this one. The truth is out there. Now lets go find it!