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  • From: George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>
  • To: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Was the MT for public consumption?
  • Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:09:26 +0000

Fred,

The intent to preserve 'orthodoxy' is within the scope of the religious and
pietistic purpose of the Masoretes. However, your three points (a, b, c) do
not necessarily lead to the conclusion you reach, namely that the MT was
produced 'for exclusive consumption by teachers and rabbis'. There is no
reason why it could not have a wider scope in mind. In fact, given the intent
of preserving orthodoxy for a particular community, it seems logical to
conclude that they would have liked a wider audience. While not all of the
community would have been able to read it, this does not preclude them from
being 'consumers' of the MT. Your conclusion appears to be narrower than your
three points require.


GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au





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