Each instance, some 1,300 of these depending on the manuscript, must be evaluated on its own merits. Many times, the kethib (text) is correct and is a good reading or an even better reading than the qere (margin).
Tag: The Text of the Old Testament
WHAT IS OLD TESTAMENT TEXTUAL CRITICISM AND WHY DO WE NEED IT?
We begin by offering you what textual criticism is. It is the study of all the manuscript evidence and internal evidence (e.g., style of the
OTTC GENESIS 47:21: Did Moses write of Joseph, saying that “he removed them to the cities” or was it “he enslaved them as slaves”?
DIFFICULTY: For some scholars, this is a difficulty, as they feel “he removed them [i.e., the people] to the cities,” does not make a lot of sense in this context. They feel that “he made slaves of them” makes more sense in this context. What is the case?
OTTC GENESIS 25:18: Was It “They Settled” Or Was It “He Settled”?
The Hebrew Text has the reading “they settled” in verse 18 of chapter 25. On the other hand, the LXX and VG, have “he settled” in verse 18 of chapter 25, the latter translations being a reference to Ishmael for the sake of clarity.
OTTC GENESIS 19:17: “they said” or, “one said”
The Hebrew has the reading “he or one said” in verse 17 of chapter 19. On the other hand, the Greek Septuagint (LXX), Syriac Peshitta (SYR), and the Latin Vulgate (VG) have “they said” in verse 17 of chapter 19.
OTTC GENESIS 11:13: The Greek Septuagint (LXX) Differs Tremendously
The Hebrew has the reading “And Arpachshad lived four hundred and three years after he fathered Shelah, and he fathered other sons and daughters.” in verse 13 of chapter 11. On the other hand, the Greek Septuagint (LXX) differs tremendously …
