Has the Torah Been Altered Over Time?
The question of whether the Torah has been altered over time is a common one, and it's important to delve into the history and context behind the Old Testament to address this concern.
Origins and Compilation of the Old Testament
It's clear that there is no "Original form" of the Old Testament (OT). Instead, it is a compilation of many sources over a span of approximately 500 years. The process of compilation and collation involved various collections of texts, testimonies, and traditions. The Old Testament is not a single coherent work but a diverse collection of writings from different periods, regions, and contexts.
Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Biblical Texts
One of the most significant findings related to the Old Testament is the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS). These scrolls contain different versions of many books, pointing to the fact that even in the 1st century BCE, there was no agreement on the canon. The DSS demonstrate that there were multiple versions of certain biblical texts, indicating a dynamic and evolving textual tradition.
Rabbinic Scrolls and Biblical Errors
The Talmud presents evidence from the 3rd to 5th centuries CE suggesting that rabbinic scrolls differed significantly from their ancestors. Rabbis frequently quoted Bible verses with significant mistakes. There are even passages that describe how the Pharisees had a tradition of middle letters in the Torah and other books, such as the Psalms. When rabbis checked their scrolls, they often could not authenticate this tradition, indicating discrepancies and changes in the text over time.
Modern Versions of the Old Testament
It is true that modern versions of the Old Testament are likely to be better than ever before. This improved accuracy can be attributed to a great deal of research over time and the availability of ancient manuscripts. The desire to provide the most accurate and reliable version of the Old Testament is driven by the belief that it is essential, especially during this critically important period in history.
Restoration of the Hebrew Old Testament
The original Hebrew Old Testament was almost entirely lost and had to be restored. After the Jews returned from Babylon/Persia in Iran/Iraq, they brought back the Aramaic language, which was widely spoken in these kingdoms. Hebrew continued to exist but was primarily used by the ruling and educated class. However, during the Greek occupation, Hebrew became a lost language, and the Jews were forced to speak Greek. As a result, many of the regular speakers were no longer fluent in Hebrew.
During the Greek occupation, the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek. This translation, known as the Septuagint, became the version of the Bible used by most people, including the early Christians. The Septuagint is the version of the Old Testament quoted in the New Testament. After the Christian era, the Jews reconstructed the Hebrew text using any available scraps and the Septuagint, making adjustments to make it less messianic and less supportive of growing Christian theology.
Modern Jews deny these changes, but a comparison of the Septuagint and the Masoretic text (the standard Hebrew text used today) clearly shows the differences. Additionally, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which contain Hebrew versions of the Old Testament, often match the Septuagint rather than the Masoretic text, further confirming the original wording.
It's important to note that Jesus and his contemporaries likely spoke Aramaic, not Hebrew, which had become a dead language by the time of Jesus. In the New Testament, Hebrew is often referred to as Aramaic, and Jesus read from the Septuagint version of the Scriptures in the synagogue.
Conclusion
The evidence presented by the Dead Sea Scrolls, the differences in rabbinic scrolls, and the restoration of the Hebrew Old Testament based on the Septuagint all indicate that the Old Testament has undergone changes over time. While modern versions strive to provide the most accurate representation, understanding the historical context is crucial. The Old Testament is a dynamic text with a rich history, reflecting the complex social, linguistic, and religious developments of its time.