The Leningrad Codex [Facsimile] [Hardcover]

Beck (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0802837867 | ISBN-13: 978-0802837868 | Publication Date: February 9, 1998 | Edition: Facsimile edition

This scholar's edition of the oldest complete Hebrew Bible in the world has been produced under the auspices of the University of Michigan in cooperation with the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center and the West Semitic Research Project. This is the first time in history that the Leningrad Codex is available in a facsimile edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: Hebrew, English

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1072 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Facsimile edition edition (February 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802837867
• ISBN-13: 978-0802837868
• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 11.3 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,786,401 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words of old..., January 15, 2004

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Leningrad Codex: A Facsimile Edition (German Edition) (Hardcover)

The Leningrad Codex (so named because it was housed in a museum in Leningrad, when it was Leningrad) is the oldest complete codex of the Hebrew Bible -- a codex being a book form, as opposed to scrolls; the other existing ancient codex, the Aleppo Codex, has a few sections missing; it may be older, but the incomplete nature (especially as it is missing part of the Torah) make its use limited. The same is not true for the Leningrad Codex -- for a thousand year old book, it is remarkably complete. Comparison of modern Hebrew Bibles to this text helps to highlight textual transmission validity and authenticity; other texts of the Hebrew Bible through the first millennium of the common era are incomplete or in fragments; the Dead Sea Scrolls, apart from being scrolls and not in codex or book form, date from pre-canonical times.

The Leningrad Codex is a big book, meant for public use. It is ornamented, with thick white parchment pages, and unusually has the wording of the text vocalised (Hebrew is generally written without vowel or vocalisation marks). In addition to the text of the Hebrew Bible, it includes an introductory section that dates the manuscript (to roughly 1008 to 1010), and places it as originating in Cairo, a city which at that point still had a significant Jewish and Christian community. The conclusion has Masoretic lists and a few poems, one by Moshe ben-Asher, and one by the scribe of this text, Shemu'el ben-Ya'aqob.

This is a photo-plate edition of the entire text, largely in black-and-white high resolution plates, with additional full-colour plates of carpet pages and a few text pages to give a sense of the natural colouration of the regular parchment pages. This edition was filmed in 1990 by a team from the University of Southern California, experts in the task of ancient document photography. The importance of preservation of this document cannot be overstated; given insecurities in all parts of the world, but particularly the former Soviet lands, rare and valuable items are vulnerable. This is a standard document against which later Hebrew Bibles are measured; it is an important milestone in the path of development of the texts.

There are nearly 1000 picture plates in this text, which include the front cover and backpiece of the book. The photography is so clear that the fading of one page onto the next or the bleed-through from the backside can clearly be seen; the photographs are not retouched for this purpose. All are in Hebrew. As this is a photographic reproduction, there are no textual notes, footnotes or other inserted text as a guide -- what you see is what you get.

This is not a book for the average Bible reader. Even more advanced biblical scholars will likely not need or come across this text. However, for those whose study requires comparison of texts, study of transmission and integrity of the text, this is a very worthwhile text. It is one that would make a fine gift to the libraries of churches, synagogues, seminaries and religious schools. It is a massive book, one that would look good on a lectern or on display in a museum or library. Even the facsimile copy is a work of art.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunning Book for anyone in Theological Studies should own, May 8, 2003

By 

Yonatan Mosebach (United States of America Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Leningrad Codex: A Facsimile Edition (German Edition) (Hardcover)

This book is truly Cherished. When I was doing my undergrad studies alol my professors got jealous of my owning this book. This is the Oldest Full connon of the Tenach, The Hebrew Bible. There are fantastic folio pages of rich colour. Whether you are a Jew, Muslim, or Christian this is an important text in terms of Biblical Scholarship. The only warning that I would give is learn Hebrew before obtaining or else you will be frustrated as 99 44/100% of the book is written in Hebrew. Every Synagogue and Church Library would be greatly enhanced in adding this very important text. Even Sunday School teachers would be blessed owning this book. I am in Seminary now and find that I use this book on a regular basis. I know that this book is rather on the pricey side, but it is a truly once in a lifetime purchase. This is a book to be used, loved, and adored. I hope that this review has been Helpful. Baruch HaShem Yeshua HaMashiach

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent work!, April 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Leningrad Codex (Hardcover)

You must be able to read Hebrew to read the bulk of this book. It is, after all, the Hebrew Bible! The introductionary material IS in English. Despite the fact that most of the work is in Hebrew, it is a testament to the scribes who toiled over this work to preserve it for later generations. There are some beautiful color plates in the book which illustrate the medieval Jewish use of calligraphy as art. This is a book which belongs in every synagogue in the world and which churches should be proud to own. Yeshivot and seminaries would also appreciate a copy for their libraries. If you love Torah you owe it to yourself to present a copy of this to an institution which will preserve and disseminate its contents.