Endnote 3 – Caution: Bible Critic at Work

As Emanuel Tov has noted, “The logic underlying [lectio brevior and lectio difficilior] is questionable” (Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible [Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992], p. 308). “Often a scribal error creates a lectio difficilior” (p. 303). And again: “In neither the NT nor the Hebrew Bible can it be automatically decided that the shorter reading [lectio brevior] is original” (p. 306). The shorter reading can easily be the result of haplography. In short, the use of these so-called rules takes judgment, not simply automatic application.