The Text of the Old Testament: An Introduction to the Biblia Hebraica

by Ernst Würthwein, Alexander Achilles Fischer, Erroll F. Rhodes (Translator)

Kristin De Troyer — University of St. Andrews “This finely revised and nicely updated version of one of the classics in our field can truly be called a grand introduction to the history of the biblical text.”Leonard Greenspoon — Creighton University  “Readers familiar with Würthwein’s earlier work will discover all of the strengths of his approach to Biblical Hebrew. Old and new readers will enjoy the thoroughly up-to-date discussion of the aims and methods of textual criticism as well as the unbiased analysis of ancient versions and their modern scholarly editions. Beautifully reproduced plates are easy to read, and the updated bibliography is satisfyingly full. . . . This successful project can be easily digested by newcomers and savored by specialists.”Robert L. Hubbard — North Park Theological Seminary “A very welcome, thorough revision of the long-honored standard introduction to the Masoretic text. Its integration of recent scholarship is first-rate, and the rewritten text retains the clear, accessible style that won its predecessors decades of popularity as a textbook. Yet another generation of students will find in this book a friendly, reliable guide through the complex terrain of ancient Hebrew texts and their relationships. Highly commended.”The Bible Today “Every scholar and serious Bible student should have a passing knowledge of the work of the text critic. This book will provide such knowledge.”Books at a Glance "An important, up-to-date resource that will benefit everyone interested in Old Testament Textual criticism. The excellent bibliography, diagrams, and plates are unique contributions among introductory works in the field. Highly recommended."

Genres: Old Testament, Theology, Biblical Studies, History, Religion, Reference, Scripture

436 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1957

Reviews

[Louis Lapides · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many Introductions to the Old Testament. But this work dealt mostly with manuscripts, versions, editions and loose parchment containing OT Passages. I woul recommend this book as a great introduction to textual studies of the OT. However, this work should be kept handy for constant reference. This is not a book you read through and then relegate to a bookshelf to gather dust.

[Nathaniel McVay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given to me by my Hebrew professor. A wonderful gift, an introduction to the main points of textual criticism and manuscript history. A necessary guide to Biblia Hebraica. I hear that, due to the new style of Biblia Hebraica Quinta, this book might require some updating. Nonetheless, so important if you’re interested in embarking on a more-than-surface-level confrontation of the text.

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Experiencing the joy of reading directly from the Isaiah scroll from Qumran (ie. One of the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls) and from the Aleppo Codex upon a visit to Jerusalem, I was inspired to re-read The Text of the Old Testament by Ernst Wurthwein (in the translation by Erroll F. Rhodes). This had been my textbook in a graduate seminar, but re-reading the volume reminded me of how much of my research had been zeroing in on the major manuscripts and only considering the manuscripts related to whatever passage I was translating. This reading offered a more comprehensive look at the puzzle of how biblical manuscripts fit together within various traditions.

One of the many useful aspects of this volume is the abundance of photographic plates from important manuscripts and the helpful chart of the Old Hebrew alphabet, comparing the script of the Gezer almanac, various inscriptions, a form of cursive, coin inscriptions, literary passages, and the writing of the Samaritan Pentateuch with that square script associated with Hebrew today (p. 217). I remember using this chart as a quick reference during my grad school days. Reading The Text of the Old Testament again without deadlines and the tunnel vision of gleaning what one needs for an assignment has been incredibly refreshing. For example, when I was working from photographic plates and the footnotes of a critical apparatus, I didn’t pay a great deal of attention to such matters as “ink.” I remembered that many of the inks were vegetable and non-metallic, but I overlooked the clear explanation that metallic ink, usually comprised of gall nuts and vitriol, both damaged the writing material and was prohibited by Talmudic scholars (p. 10). I missed some delightful quotations such as Rabbi Akiba’s comment on the Masora (critical notes in the margin of the text): “The Masora is a (protective) fence about the Law.” (p. 19)

At some point in my previous use of the book, I seem to have missed a vital point: “Although the text of BHS [the standard Hebrew Bible with critical apparatus] reproduces manuscript L [Codex Leningradensis] with the greatest fidelity, the editor of the Masora, G. E. Weil, is much freer with it.” (p. 28) Hmm! Maybe that explains certain discrepancies between the margin notes in BHK [the standard Hebrew Bible with apparatus before BHS] and BHS. It makes me glad I’ve kept both.

Such insights kept popping up frequently in my re-reading and it’s quite embarrassing to someone who once taught Hebrew at the graduate level, even though I’m thrilled with new and re-discoveries. Wurthwein’s discussions of ancient texts and versions reminded me of why a reliance on the Septuagint to adjust the Hebrew text needs careful sifting of evidence, and why it is always interesting to consider the Aramaic Targums, even though the copyists of those many versions were more interested in interpretation than fidelity to the text (p. 76). I did remember the causes of accidental changes in the texts from my previous reading of the book: transposition of letters (metathesis), dropping phrases after similar consonants (haplography) or dropping two identical or similar words, accidental repetition of a letter (dittography), omission when two words are similar enough and close together so the copyist’s eyes move from one word to another (homoioteleuton), errors in joining and dividing words, mistaking vowels for consonants, and confusing abbreviations for words (pp. 107-108).

I also remember the deliberate alterations of the text: adding small, common connecting and distinguishing words to clarify a reading, using euphemisms to soften use of a harsher word (hence Job is urged to “bless” God in 1:5, 11, 2:5, 9 instead of the harsher and somewhat blaspheming “curse”), and adding words or phrases to force a given interpretation (pp. 109-110). I remember paying great attention to Wurthwein’s descending order of confidence regarding the texts and versions: Masoretic text, Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Aquila, Origen, Theodotion, Syriac, Targums, Vulgate, Old Latin, Codex Ambrosianus, Coptic, Ethiopian, Arabic, and Armenian (p. 112).

As both a walk down memory lane and a refresher in paying more attention to the critical apparatus when translating, The Text of the Old Testament has been one of the most valued books I’ve ever used.

[Josh Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

very dry read at point, but in its context as a text book as an overview of OT textual criticism and scholarship, it is a very helpful read.

[Bfleegs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful introduction to the history and apparatus of BHS.

[Abram · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my privilege to translate this book into Arabic with expanded footnotes and new plates , I can't wait to see my Masterpiece to see the light of publishing.

[Frankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of the year and it’s for college. Wow! I feel so studious haha

Good introduction and a solid complement to what I already knew and the other books I have regarding the topic.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scholarly book through and through. The depth and compilation of research is amazing! The succinct descriptions of the various major works that comprise the modern understanding of the ancient Hebrew texts of the Bible are helpful and insightful. Additionally, the translation into English has been done in a way that is highly readable and fluid - something that isn't always the case with translated works. Anyone desiring to research textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, or anyone wanting to know more about how the modern Hebrew texts came to be ought to read this book as it is well done from cover to cover. There is a wealth of easily accessible information both for the serious researcher as well as for the interested student of the Old Testament.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmm. I'm not quite sure this is the edition I have. Certainly the cover is different.

In any case, this is a thorough and fascinating (to me, anyway) coverage of textual issues with the Old Testament manuscript tradition.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short read. Half of the book is just appendix. This is good introduction to the subject and nice directions for further studies.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the issues surrounding textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, particularly if you are diving in to the text-critical process for the first time.

[Steven Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good introduction to basics of OT text criticism: Hebrew traditions, ancient versions and their significance, and the methods of modern criticism. Very clear and interesting book.