Section outline

    • 3.1 Overview

      • Text of the Old Testament
        • History of the text of the Old Testament, theories of the textual development
        • Importance of the Dead Sea scrolls (Qumran)
        • Textual criticism: basic concepts
      • Ancient versions of the Old Testament
        • Septuagint, its importance and its later revisions
        • Latin versions (Vulgate)
        • Aramaic and Syriac versions (Targumim, Peshitto)

    • 3.2 Comment

      In this lesson students get acquainted with the basic concepts of Old Testament textual criticism. They learn about the Hebrew text of the Old Testament (especially the Masoretic text), also about the Samaritan Pentateuch and about the Qumran texts. Most important ancient versions of the Old Testament are introduced: the Greek Septuagint, the Latin Vulgate, Aramaic Targums and the Syriac Peshitto.

    • 3.3 Literature for individual study

      Brotzman, Old Testament Textual Criticism, 17–21, 37–96, 107–121.

    • 3.4 Verifying comprehension

      1. Why is the textual criticism needed? What is its goal? What are the specific issues in the OT textual criticism?
      2. What were the most important features in the transmission of the OT text prior to 300 B.C.E.?
      3. Why is the period between 300 B.C.E. and 135 C.E. very important in the history of the transmission of OT text?
      4. What are so called “Dead Sea Scrolls”? What has been their importance for our understanding of the transmission of the OT text?
      5. What is the Masoretic text (MT)? What are the important manuscripts of MT?
      6. Explain the following terms: Septuagint, Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum, Peshitta, Vulgate.