Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Jerry Shepherd <jshepherd53 AT gmail.com>]

Hi Steven,

 

Thanks for sharing your views about the use of the terms "diplomatic" and "eclectic."  But I think I will respectfully still have to disagree with you, for two reasons.

 

(1) In my reading in the literature, the terms "diplomatic" and "eclectic" do not have to do with general textual background, but indeed with particular manuscripts.  Perhaps I am not as well acquainted with the literature as you are, but it seems to me that the primary referents are to manuscripts and not text traditions.

 

(2)  Further to this point, these terms have definitely been employed to characterize the difference between the respective standard text-critical editions for the NT and OT.  Thus, the UBS/Nestle-Aland Greek NT is an eclectic text, not dedicated to any one manuscript.  By contrast, BHS is a diplomatic text, almost slavishly following B 19a.  This terminology also serves to distinguish BHS from, e.g., Snaith and Koren.

 

So despite the homogeneity of the Masoretic texts, I think the terms still preserve significant distinctions.

 

Blessings,

 

Jerry

Jerry Shepherd

Taylor Seminary

Edmonton, Alberta

jshepherd53 AT gmail.com