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The '''Masoretic Text''' (also spelled '''Massoretic''') is the [[Hebrew]] version of the [[Old Testament]] traditionally used by [[Jews]] and [[Protestants]]. It's name is derived from the Hebrew ''masora'', after the marginal notes added by the ''Masoretes'', Jewish scribes and scholars of the Middle Ages.<ref>Thomas Holland, ''Crowned With Glory: The Bible from Ancient Text to Authorized Version'' (Lincoln, NE: Writers Club Press, 2000), 112-113.</ref> Scholars generally agree that the Masoretic Text became the standard authoritative Old Testament around AD 100.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 115.</ref>

The '''Masoretic Text''' (also spelled '''Massoretic'''), simplified as the '''MT''', is the [[Hebrew]] version of the [[Old Testament]] traditionally used by [[Jews]] and [[Protestants]]. It's name is derived from the Hebrew ''masora'', after the marginal notes added by the ''Masoretes'', Jewish scribes and scholars of the Middle Ages.<ref>Thomas Holland, ''Crowned With Glory: The Bible from Ancient Text to Authorized Version'' (Lincoln, NE: Writers Club Press, 2000), 112-113.</ref> Scholars generally agree that the Masoretic Text became the standard authoritative Old Testament around AD 100.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 115.</ref>

==Textual Support==

==Textual Support==

Before the 20th century, the oldest extant Hebrew Old Testament MSS were from the 9th century. In the mid-20th century, the discovery of the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]], among others, changed this.

Before the 20th century, the oldest extant Hebrew Old Testament MSS were from the 9th century. In the mid-20th century, the discovery of the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]], among others, changed this.

The majority of the biblical texts among the Dead Sea Scrolls (which date from the 3rd century BC to about 68 AD) agree with the Masoretic Text. For example, the two Isaiah Scrolls found in Cave 1 (1QIsa.''a'' and 1QIsa.''b'') are nearly identical to the Masoretic Text manuscripts of the 9th century.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 133.</ref>

The majority of the biblical texts among the Dead Sea Scrolls (which date from the 3rd century BC to about AD 68) agree with the Masoretic Text. For example, the two Isaiah Scrolls found in Cave 1 (1QIsa.''a'' and 1QIsa.''b'') are nearly identical to the Masoretic Text manuscripts of the 9th century.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 133.</ref>

MSS dated at 132-135 AD were found in 1951 South of Qumran. These were exclusively Masoretic, unlike at Qumran, where a minority of manuscripts were Proto-Septuagint or Proto-Samaritan.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 134.</ref>

MSS dated at AD 132-135 were found in 1951 South of Qumran. These were exclusively Masoretic, unlike at Qumran, where a minority of manuscripts were Proto-Septuagint or Proto-Samaritan.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 134.</ref>

At Masada, fourteen exclusively Masoretic scrolls were found, dating to AD 74 or earlier.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 134.</ref>

At Masada, fourteen exclusively Masoretic scrolls were found, dating to AD 74 or earlier.<ref>Holland, ''Crowned With Glory'', 134.</ref>