To Read or Not to Read?

Traslating the Qere/Ketiv in Modern English Trasnations

By Tim Hegg

Introduction The purpose of this paper is (1) to give a brief overview of what constitutes the Qere/Ketiv in the Masoretic notes of the extant codices, (2) to survey the history of interpretation as to the origins, purpose, and classifications of the Qere/Ketiv and to offer a brief evaluation of the various scholarly perspectives, and (3) to present the Qere/Ketiv involving אֹ ל and וֹל as a test case to see how modern English translations of the OT choose either the Qere or Ketiv in their respective translations. The translations chosen for this test case are:

New American Standard Bible (The Lockman Foundation, 1995) – NASB

New Revised Standard Version (NCCC, 1989) – NRSV

The Revised English Bible (Oxford Univ Press, 1989) – REB

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Tim Hegg

President / Instructor

Tim graduated from Cedarville University in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Bible, with a minor in Philosophy. He entered Northwest Baptist Seminary (Tacoma, WA) in 1973, completing his M.Div. (summa cum laude) in 1976. He completed his Th.M. (summa cum laude) in 1978, also from NWBS. His Master’s Thesis was titled: “The Abrahamic Covenant and the Covenant of Grant in the Ancient Near East”. Tim taught Biblical Hebrew and Hebrew Exegesis for three years as an adjunct faculty member at Corban University School of Ministry when the school was located in Tacoma. Corban University School of Ministry is now in Salem, OR. Tim is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature, and has contributed papers at the annual meetings of both societies. Since 1990, Tim has served as one of the Overseers at Beit Hallel in Tacoma, WA. He and his wife, Paulette, have four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.