This subject will be dealt with in such a way as to explain the
textual notes found in this commentary. The following outline
will be utilized I. The textual sources of our English Bible A.
Old Testament B. New Testament II. Brief explanation of the
problems and theories of "lower criticism" also called "textual
criticism." III. Suggested sources for further reading I. The
textual sources of our English Bible A. Old Testament 1.
Masoretic text (MT) - The Hebrew consonantal text was set by
Rabbi Aquiba in a.d. 100. The vowel points, accents, marginal
notes, punctuation and apparatus points started being added in
the sixth century a.d. and were finished in the ninth century
a.d. It was done by a family of Jewish scholars known as the
Masoretes. The textual form they used was the same as the one in
the Mishnah, Talmud, Targums, Peshitta, and Vulgate. 2.
Septuagint (LXX) - Tradition says the Septuagint was produced by
70 Jewish scholars in 70 days for the Alexandria library under
the sponsorship of King Ptolemy I