Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
The Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Old Testament, is a section of the Holy Bible that is written primarily in Hebrew, with a few chapters and isolated verses written in Aramaic. This collection of texts was completed over 2,400 years ago, and many people question the accuracy of modern copies in comparison to the original texts.
How the Hebrew Old Testament was preserved from Ezra through the Masoretes, major codices, printed editions, and BHS.
The Old Testament text was preserved through faithful copying and restored through disciplined textual criticism, not miraculous copyist perfection.
The Leningrad Codex is the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible in Hebrew, using the Masoretic Text and Tiberian vocalization. It is dated 1008 CE (or possibly 1009).
The Masoretes preserved the Hebrew Old Testament through vowels, accents, notes, and disciplined scribal control.
