Hebrew Bible

This article examines the complex composition of the Old Testament, from oral transmission to written compilation. It covers various sections of the Hebrew Bible, such as the historical books recounting the history of Israel and the poetic books offering reflections on faith. The prophetic texts are also analyzed, highlighting the prophets' calls to repentance. The impact of these texts, at first limited to the Jewish people, is now worldwide.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

This article analyzes the development and compilation of the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, focusing on its three sections: the Torah, the Nevi'im and the Ketouvim. It highlights the historical processes and scholarly decisions that led to its final form.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

The article deals with the translation of the Septuagint, a Greek version of the Hebrew Bible made in the 3rd century BC for Greek-speaking Jews. Produced in Alexandria, the Septuagint greatly influenced the first Christians. It includes various biblical books and was initiated by King Ptolemy II.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

This article clarifies the distinction between three terms related to the Hebrew Scriptures: the Tanakh refers to the whole Jewish canon (Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim); the Torah is its first section, made up of the five books of Moses (Pentateuch); the Hebrew Bible is simply another name for the Tanakh. The Torah is part of the Tanakh, and the Hebrew Bible and the Tanakh are synonymous.

Level: Easy Audience: Beginners

The Codex Leningradensis, dated to around AD 1008, is the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible. Preserved in Saint Petersburg, it uses the Masoretic text and Tiberian vocalization. Based on the work of Aaron ben Moshe ben Asher, it serves as the foundation of the Biblia Hebraica and the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Its exceptional state of preservation makes it an essential primary source for biblical studies and for the reconstruction of the Aleppo Codex.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

The Masoretes were Jewish scholars active from the 1st century BC to the 10th century, charged with preserving the Hebrew biblical text. They developed the Masorah, a system of diacritical marks to fix the vocalization and pronunciation of the Scriptures. Their work resulted in the Masoretic Text, a fundamental reference for modern Bible translations and textual criticism.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

The Aleppo Codex (Keter Aram Tsova) is a medieval manuscript of the Hebrew Bible, written around AD 920 in Tiberias. Regarded as the most accurate version of the Hebrew Bible, it includes Masoretic vocalization and cantillation. Kept for six centuries in Aleppo, it was partially destroyed in 1947. Now kept at the Israel Museum, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2016.

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate