Biblia Hebraica Quinta
Encyclopedia
The Biblia Hebraica Quinta is the fifth edition of the Biblia Hebraica
and when complete will supersede the fourth edition, the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
(BHS). Like the third and fourth editions, it uses a text based on the Leningrad Codex
; the text has been corrected against colour photographs of the codex taken in the 1990s.
Unlike previous editions, it includes a commentary explaining the Masorah
and discussing the significance of the textual variants in the footnotes. It also contains the Masorah magna, which was not in the first three versions and only available in a supplementary volume in BHS. Another change is that it rarely cites variants from Hebrew
manuscripts collated by Benjamin Kennicott
and C. D. Ginsburg; the editors, following the work of Moshe Goshen-Gottstein
, believe that such variants are of little value.
The work is currently being published in fascicles:
According to Eisenbrauns, Amazon.com, and Hendrickson Publishers, the sixth fascicle (Judges, part 7) is scheduled to be published in January 2012.
That Eisenbrauns web page predicts that the entire Hebrew Bible will be completed by 2020. (According to an older statement from the German Bible Society, the entire Hebrew Bible should be completed by 2015. The 2015 date seems unlikely given the number of fascicles that have not yet been published.)
Biblia Hebraica
Biblia Hebraica is a Latin phrase meaning Hebrew Bible. It is traditionally used as a title for printed editions of the Tanakh ....
and when complete will supersede the fourth edition, the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
The Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, or ', is an edition of the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible as preserved in the Leningrad Codex, and supplemented by masoretic and text-critical notes...
(BHS). Like the third and fourth editions, it uses a text based on the Leningrad Codex
Leningrad Codex
The Leningrad Codex is the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible in Hebrew, using the masoretic text and Tiberian vocalization. It is dated AD 1008 according to its colophon...
; the text has been corrected against colour photographs of the codex taken in the 1990s.
Unlike previous editions, it includes a commentary explaining the Masorah
Masoretic Text
The Masoretic Text is the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible and is regarded as Judaism's official version of the Tanakh. While the Masoretic Text defines the books of the Jewish canon, it also defines the precise letter-text of these biblical books, with their vocalization and...
and discussing the significance of the textual variants in the footnotes. It also contains the Masorah magna, which was not in the first three versions and only available in a supplementary volume in BHS. Another change is that it rarely cites variants from Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
manuscripts collated by Benjamin Kennicott
Benjamin Kennicott
Benjamin Kennicott was an English churchman and Hebrew scholar.He was born at Totnes, Devon. He succeeded his father as master of a charity school, but the generosity of some friends enabled him to go to Wadham College, Oxford, in 1744, and he distinguished himself in Hebrew and divinity...
and C. D. Ginsburg; the editors, following the work of Moshe Goshen-Gottstein
Moshe Goshen-Gottstein
Moshe Goshen-Gottstein was a German-born professor of Semitic linguistics and biblical philology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and director of the lexicographical institute and Biblical research institute of Bar-Ilan University.-Biography:Moshe Goshen-Gottstein was born in Berlin...
, believe that such variants are of little value.
The work is currently being published in fascicles:
- The first fascicle (general introduction and The Five MegillothThe Five ScrollsThe Five Scrolls or The Five Megillot are parts of the Ketuvim , the third major section of the Tanakh . The Five Scrolls are the Song of Songs, the Book of Ruth, the Book of Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and the Book of Esther...
, part 18) was published in 2004. The books are in the same order as in the Leningrad Codex and BHS, namely Ruth, Canticles (Song of Songs), Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), Lamentations and Esther. - The second fascicle (Ezra and Nehemiah, part 20) was published in 2006.
- The third fascicle (Deuteronomy, part 5) was published in September 2007.
- The fourth fascicle (Proverbs, part 17) was published in February 2009.
- The fifth fascicle (The Twelve Minor Prophets, part 13) was published in November 2010.
According to Eisenbrauns, Amazon.com, and Hendrickson Publishers, the sixth fascicle (Judges, part 7) is scheduled to be published in January 2012.
That Eisenbrauns web page predicts that the entire Hebrew Bible will be completed by 2020. (According to an older statement from the German Bible Society, the entire Hebrew Bible should be completed by 2015. The 2015 date seems unlikely given the number of fascicles that have not yet been published.)
External links
- Richard D. Weis, "Biblia Hebraica Quinta and the Making of Critical Editions of the Hebrew Bible", TC: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism 2002 (including sample pages showing edition, apparatuses, and textual commentary for Jeremiah 23:1-9)
- James A. Sanders, review of the BHQ edition of the Megilloth, Review of Biblical Literature 2005
- (German) Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Wissenschaftliche Bibelausgaben / Urtexte Altes Testament / Hebräisch