Textual variants in the Hebrew Bible—arising from scribal errors, revisions, or divergent traditions—offer vital insight into the text’s transmission and theological development. By comparing witnesses like the Masoretic Text, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Septuagint, scholars evaluate variants using external evidence (age, distribution) and internal criteria (difficulty, brevity, style). Case studies like Deuteronomy 32:8 reveal how a single word shift can reflect ancient worldview and theological nuance. Far from undermining Scripture, variants enrich our understanding of its preservation, inviting reverent engagement with its layered history.
What Are Textual Variants?
Textual variants are differences between manuscripts or versions of the biblical text. They can range from a single altered letter to entire phrases or verses. Because the Hebrew Bible was transmitted by hand for centuries, variations inevitably emerged. Identifying and analyzing these variants is central to textual criticism, enabling scholars to assess the history of the text and approach its earliest recoverable form.
While some variants have little or no impact on meaning (e.g., spelling differences), others influence interpretation, theology, or literary structure.
Common Causes of Variants
Textual variants arise from both unintentional errors and deliberate changes by scribes. The most common include:
| Type | Cause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Haplography | Omitting text because two lines or words end similarly. | Skipping from one יְהוָה to the next, omitting intervening words. |
| Dittography | Accidentally repeating letters, words, or phrases. | Writing אָמַר אָמַר instead of אָמַר. |
| Substitution | Replacing a word with a synonym or similar-sounding term. | Changing יְרוּשָׁלַיִם to צִיּוֹן in parallel lines. |
| Transposition | Switching the order of words or letters. | הָאָרֶץ הַטּוֹבָה → הַטּוֹבָה הָאָרֶץ |
| Intentional Revision | Harmonizing with a parallel passage or clarifying perceived ambiguity. | Aligning wording in Samuel with the Chronicles account. |
Sources for Identifying Variants
Textual critics identify variants by comparing major witnesses of the Hebrew Bible:
- Masoretic Text (MT): Standard medieval Hebrew text.
- Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS): Earliest Hebrew manuscripts, often revealing older readings.
- Samaritan Pentateuch (SP): Alternative Pentateuchal tradition.
- Septuagint (LXX): Ancient Greek translation reflecting a different Hebrew Vorlage in some books.
- Other Ancient Versions: Syriac Peshitta, Latin Vulgate, Aramaic Targums.
Evaluating Variants: External and Internal Evidence
Two categories of evidence guide the evaluation of textual variants:
- External Evidence:
- Age of the witness (earlier manuscripts are generally more valuable).
- Geographical distribution of supporting manuscripts.
- Textual family or tradition represented (e.g., MT, DSS, LXX).
- Internal Evidence:
- Lectio difficilior potior (“the more difficult reading is to be preferred”)—scribes tend to simplify, not complicate.
- Lectio brevior potior (“the shorter reading is to be preferred”)—scribes tend to add clarifications rather than omit.
- Consistency with the author’s style, vocabulary, and theology.
Case Study: Deuteronomy 32:8
Masoretic Text (MT): “…according to the number of the sons of Israel.”
Dead Sea Scrolls (4QDeutj) and LXX: “…according to the number of the sons of God.”
- External: DSS + LXX agree against MT, and DSS predates MT by centuries.
- Internal: “Sons of God” fits ancient divine council imagery but may have been altered in MT to “sons of Israel” to avoid theological misunderstanding.
- Conclusion: “Sons of God” is likely the earlier reading.
Theological Sensitivity to Variants
Some variants affect the meaning of prophecies, laws, or theological affirmations. Textual criticism must be practiced with reverence, ensuring that doctrinal conclusions are drawn from careful, well-supported readings rather than from a single manuscript or translation.
Practical Skills for Studying Variants
- Learn the symbols and abbreviations in the critical apparatus of BHS/BHQ.
- Consult multiple witnesses before drawing conclusions.
- Note when a variant aligns with a known scribal habit.
- Use digital databases and manuscript facsimiles for first-hand examination.
Variants as Windows into the Text’s History
Textual variants are not flaws in Scripture but windows into its transmission history. They testify to the care of ancient scribes, the vibrancy of the biblical tradition, and the providence of God in preserving His Word through diverse manuscript witnesses. By studying them carefully, interpreters gain not only a more accurate text but also a deeper appreciation for the sacred history of the Bible’s journey from parchment to page.
