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Evidence ID: BIB-EV06
Evidence: Old Testament Books Meticulously Copied
Summary: The Masoretic scribes were entrusted by the nation of Israel with copying the ancient Old Testament texts. They approached their duties with the utmost of reverence and care. The methodologies they used contained the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the copies they produced were of high fidelity.
Description: Masoretic scribes were Jewish scholars who worked on the Old Testament text from 600-1000 AD [REF-GEI03]. They are credited for their production of what is known as the Masoretic Text [REF-MTX01] [REF-MTX02].
The creation of the Masoretic Text was an attempt to correct the textual errors of the Old Testament that were introduced during the Babylonian captivity. Their goal was to restore the Old Testament text to its original autographic state and introduce safeguards in the copying process to preserve these texts.
According to Sir Frederic Kenyon (1863-1952),
"Besides recording varieties of reading, tradition, or conjecture,
the Masoretes undertook a number of calculations that do not enter into the ordinary sphere of textual criticism.
They numbered the verses, words, and letters of every book.
They calculated the middle word and the middle letter of each.
They enumerated verses that contained all the letters of the alphabet, or a certain number of them; and so on.
These trivialities, as we may rightly consider them, had the effect of securing minute attention to the precise transmission of the text;
and they are but an excessive manifestation of a respect for the sacred Scriptures, which in itself deserves nothing but praise. The Masoretes were indeed anxious that no one jot nor tittle, not one smallest letter nor one tiny part of a letter,
of the Law should pass away or be lost."
Sir Frederic G. Kenyon, Paleographer and Former Director of the British Museum [REF-FGK01] [REF-FGK02]
The Masoretes were not just interested in copying the Old Testament but were preoccupied with the nature of the text itself. They went beyond their duties by
The Masoretes were so exacting that if a mistake was found on a page - even one letter - the page was burned and recopied correctly.
The Masoretes had a great reverence for the scriptures they copied. In preparation for copying the Old Testament texts, they purified themselves through the Jewish cleansing ritual. This was to prepare them for the handling sacred texts.
The Masoretes were entrusted with the transmission of Old Testament texts by the nation of Israel. Therefore, they were meticulous in their stewardship of these ancient texts. They regarded their duties as a high calling from God.
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