The Leningrad Codex: Unveiling the Oldest Complete Hebrew Bible / Dr. Kim Phillips

The Leningrad Codex: Unveiling the Oldest Complete Hebrew Bible

Dive deep into the rich history of the Leningrad Codex. This magnificent book is the oldest complete manuscript of the Hebrew Bible in existence, written in Cairo in 1008 AD.

Follow Dr. Kim Phillips of the University of Cambridge and Alex as they delve into the fascinating history of the Leningrad Codex and of the Masoretic enterprise.
The Leningrad Codex, says Dr. Philips, is the pinnacle of a centuries-long enterprise, of a national effort to meticulously preserve the ancient texts of the Hebrew Bible, and of a personal body of work of a great master Samuel Ben Jacob.

Samuel Ben Jacob was, according to Dr. Phillips the “latest and the greatest” of The Masoretes - generations of scribes devoted to preserving and transferring the most orderly, accurate, unified and dignified version of the ancient Hebrew texts known today as the Hebrew Bible.
Indeed, The Leningrad Codex shines from above also due to its breathtaking artwork, a masterpiece of calligraphy.

The session meticulously examines the Codex's inception, its critical import in the realm of biblical texts, and the rigorous efforts of the Masoretes in its transcription. The discourse explores the Codex's substantial role in safeguarding the consistency and accuracy of the Hebrew text, as well as its relation to the findings from the Cairo Geniza, thereby illuminating its scholarly significance and its enduring legacy within Jewish tradition.

Featured Expert Dr. Kim Phillips, a distinguished academic specializing in the history and preservation of the Hebrew Bible. Dr Phillips is currently a Research Associate at the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Research Unit, working principally on the Bible fragments and other Masoretic materials from the Genizah. Dr. Phillips holds an M.A. (1st class) from the University of Cambridge in Mathematics and Hebrew Studies, a PGDip. (Distinction) in Theology from the University of Wales, an M.Phil. (Distinction) in Old Testament Studies from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from the University of Cambridge.

In This Video:
● [0:00] Introduction to the Leningrad Codex and its unparalleled value.
● [5:22] Insights into the Masoretic Text and the scribes’ contribution to its preservation.
● [12:10] The role of the Dead Sea Scrolls in contextualizing the Leningrad Codex.
● [18:34] Detailed examination of the Codex's features and its scholarly impact.
● [25:10] Discussion on the Cairo Geniza and its revelations about biblical manuscripts.

Music credit: Shlomi Kaynan [email protected]

🔔 Don’t miss an episode - enable notifications by clicking the bell icon!

#LeningradCodex #HebrewBible #MasoreticText #BiblicalManuscripts #JewishHeritage #BiblicalHistory