Scribes, Manuscripts and Translations of the Hebrew Bible

This course focuses on text-critical study of the Hebrew Bible, providing an introduction to the manuscript evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Septuagint, the Masoretic text and the Samaritan Pentateuch, as well as from other ancient sources. Issues pertaining to paleography, orthography and manuscript production are discussed, as well as processes of textual composition and development, and techniques used by ancient translators (Greek, Latin, etc.). Of particular interest is the state of the scriptural text leading to the time of canonization in the first or second century CE. Students are taught and encouraged to integrate text-critical study as a solid basis for any area of research specialization.