In plain language and with ample illustration, Paul D. Wegner presents an overview of the history and methods, aims and results of textual criticism of the whole Bible--the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. You will gain an appreciation for the vast work that has been accomplished in preserving the text of Scripture and find a renewed confidence in its reliability.

Textual Criticism of the Bible provides a starting point for the study of both Old and New Testament textual criticism. In this book, you will be introduced to the world of biblical manuscripts and learn how scholars analyze and evaluate all of that textual data to bring us copies of the Bible in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that can be used for translating the Bible into modern languages. Textual Criticism of the Bible surveys the field, explains technical terminology, and demonstrates in numerous examples how various textual questions are evaluated. Complicated concepts are clearly explained and illustrated to prepare readers for further study with either more advanced texts on textual criticism or scholarly commentaries with detailed discussions of textual issues. You may not become a textual critic after reading this book, but you will be well prepared to make use of a wide variety of text--critical resources.

Customers in North America who wish to purchase this publication, please contact Augsburg Fortress Press. First published in 1992, Emanuel Tov’s Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible has rapidly established itself as the authoritative reference work for all those engaged in the study of the text of the Hebrew Bible. This thoroughly revised second edition will be welcomed by students and scholars alike. A wide range of readers will find this book accessible and indispensable. Emanuel Tov offers extensive descriptions of the major witnesses to the text of the Hebrew Bible–the Hebrew texts from Qumran, the Septuagint, the Masoretic Text–as well as the Aramaic Targumim, the Syriac translations, the Vulgate, and others. Special attention is given to the exegetical aspects of the textual transmission, literary issues, and the problem of the original shape of the biblical text. Praise for the First Edition: “Emanuel Tov is preeminent in the world in the field of Septuagint studies. This is a solid and durable work which, given its technical character, is written in a readable way.” Frank Moore Cross, Harvard University “Nowhere else can you find such a thorough presentation of how the Bible was transmitted in Second Temple times ... This excellently written handbook represents a major step forward for biblical studies.” Lawrence Schiffman, New York University “History will surely regard Emanuel Tov’s monumental work as the definitive discussion of textual criticism of this generation. A ‘must-have’ for any serious scholar of the Bible!” Sidnie A. White, University of Nebraska “The basic reference work on the textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible for at least the next decade. This is a magisterial work which is badly needed and masterfully done.” Journal for the Study of Judaism “This book will soon be viewed as a classic of biblical studies.” Ralph W. Klein, Journal of Religion “Replete with examples, tables, plates, lucid definitions and explanations, as well as extensive bibliographies, the volume brings together a wealth of information not previously so accessible and makes the theory and practice of textual criticism easily understandable and visually clear.” Judith E. Sanderson, Seattle University

A textbook on the textual criticism of the Old Testament based on a high view of the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. It also provides a special section on the contributions of Martin Luther as a pioneer of Old Testament textual criticism.

This collection of articles uniquely brings into scholarly dialogue the textual history and criticism of authoritative literatures from diverse cultures: they study Mesopotamian literature, the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, the Homeric epics, the Quran, and Hindu and Buddhist literatures with an interest in all matters of their textual transmission. Contributors address questions such as: What role does textual criticism play in the study of authoritative texts in these fields? How much variation exists in these textual traditions? Can you observe processes of textual standardization? What role does the oral transmission play? How are critical editions prepared? While these questions have produced a wealth of scholarly literature for each individual field, this volume is the first to study them from a comparative perspective.

"INTRODUCTION TO OLD TESTAMENT TEXTUAL CRITICISM" serves as an in-depth exploration of the fascinating field of textual criticism and its vital role in the understanding of the Old Testament. This comprehensive guide elucidates the rich history, rigorous methodology, and intricate processes of textual criticism applied to the Hebrew Bible. The book begins by setting the foundation with a meticulous examination of the Hebrew language, its scripts, writing materials, and the transition from scrolls to codices. This context provides readers with an essential backdrop against which to consider the complexities of the Masoretic Text, the Qumran Scrolls, and the Samaritan Text. As readers delve further into this critical text, they will encounter detailed analysis of the Septuagint and other significant ancient translations such as the Aramaic Targums, the Syriac Peshitta, and Jerome's Latin Vulgate. Through this exploration, the book demonstrates how these ancient translations serve as crucial witnesses to the text of the Old Testament. Finally, the book delves into the heart of textual criticism, presenting its goals, the types of textual corruption and changes, and the scholarly methodologies employed to reconstruct the most plausible original text. It explores the complexities and challenges of textual criticism, from reading the apparatus of Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, understanding and applying external and internal textual criticism, to the importance and implications of making textual decisions. "INTRODUCTION TO OLD TESTAMENT TEXTUAL CRITICISM" is a masterful work that bridges the gap between academic scholarship and those churchgoers with a deep interest in the integrity and transmission of the Hebrew Bible. It stands as a crucial resource for scholars, students, pastors, and any reader intent on gaining a more nuanced understanding of the Old Testament. With its accessible language, well-structured format, and rich bibliographic references, this book is invaluable in studying the world's most enduring religious texts.

Thirty-three revised and updated essays on the textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, Qumran and the Septuagint, originally published between 2008 and 2014 are presented in this volume, the third volume of the author’s collected writings. All three areas have developed much in modern research, and the auhor, the past editor-in-chief of the international Dead Sea Scrolls publication project, is a major speaker in all of them. The scrolls are of central importance in the modern textual research and this aspect is well represented in this volume. Among the studies included in this volume are central studies on coincidence, consistency, the Torah, the nature of the MT and SP, the diffusion of manuscripts, and the LXX of Genesis. The previous two volumes are: The Greek and Hebrew Bible: Collected Essays on the Septuagint (VTS 72; Leiden: Brill, 1999). Hebrew Bible, Greek Bible, and Qumran: Collected Essays (TSAJ 121; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008).

A Readable, Updated Introduction to Textual Criticism This accessibly written, practical introduction to Old Testament textual criticism helps students understand the discipline and begin thinking through complex issues for themselves. The authors combine proven expertise in the classroom with cutting-edge work in Hebrew textual studies. This successful classic (nearly 25,000 copies sold) has been thoroughly expanded and updated to account for the many changes in the field over the past twenty years. It includes examples, illustrations, an updated bibliography, and a textual commentary on the book of Ruth.

An introduction to the goals and methods of textual criticism of the Bible, intended to give students of Hebrew the necessary tools to study the text. The principles of textual criticism are explained in terms of both their usefulness and their limitations, and are illustrated with examples from the Bible.