An extensive, all in one guide to the key features of the most important text type of the Hebrew Bible, the Masoretic Text. The contributors examine all aspects of the Masoretic Text: its origins, transmission, history and textual forms. The handbook traces the development of the text type from ancient manuscripts found in the Judean Desert, through to the pointed medieval codices and the Second Rabbinic Bible. It outlines the main aspects of ancient and medieval scribal practice, including a brief history of the Tiberian School of scribes, the development of the vowel and cantillation system, introduction to the marginal Masorah notes, and provides descriptions of the major codices. The contributors examine the features of the Masoretic Text in the books of the bible. The volume also includes an extensive bibliography to enable further detailed study.

Vorwort
Provides a sophisticated orientation to the Masoretic Text, the most important manuscript tradition for understanding the textual history of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.

Autorentext
George Athas received his Ph.D. from the University of Sydney. He is Director of Postgraduate Studies and Lecturer in Old Testament, Hebrew, and Church History at Moore College, in Sydney, Australia. David Davage is Reader in Old Testament Exegesis at Örebro School of Theology, Sweden.

Inhalt
Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Part 1 General Introductions

1. Modern Resources (Elvira Martín-Contreras)
2. Scribes in Antiquity (William M. Schniedewind)
3. A History of the Masoretes (George Athas)
4. Paragraphing and Versification (David Marcus)
5. Vocalization and Accentuation (David Marcus)
6. Pronunciation of the Medieval Reading Traditions (Geoffrey Khan)
7. The Masorah (Daniel Mynatt)
8. Proto-Masoretic Texts from the Judean Desert (Emanuel Tov)
9. The Major Masoretic Codices (Donald Vance)
10. The Second Rabbinic Bible (Elvira Martín-Contreras)
11. The Materiality of the Masoretic Text (William Yarchin)
    Part 2: The Books of the Hebrew Bible
12. The Torah (Emanuel Tov)
13. Joshua (Gary A. Rendsburg)
14. Judges (Jerome A. Lund)
15. Samuel (Emanuel Tov)
16. Kings (Nathan Lovell)
17. Isaiah (H. G. M. Williamson)
18. Jeremiah (Jerome A. Lund)
19. Ezekiel (Godwin Mushayabasa)
20. The Twelve (Nicholas R. Werse)
21. The Psalms (David Davage)
22. Job (C. L. Seow)
23. Proverbs (Suzanna Millar)
24. Megillot (Gideon R. Kotzé)
25. Daniel (Ian Young)
26. Ezra-Nehemiah (Deirdre N. Fulton)
27. Chronicles (August Konkel)
    Author Index
    Scripture Index
    Subject Index