The Medieval Bible — Jewish Textual Transmission

The Leningrad Codex

AD 1008-1009

The Leningrad Codex is the oldest complete surviving manuscript of the Hebrew Bible in the Tiberian Masoretic tradition.

Full Account

Copied in Cairo, the codex contains all books of the Hebrew Bible with vowels, accents, and extensive Masoretic notes. Its order follows the Jewish division of Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

Because it is complete and carefully preserved, the Leningrad Codex became the base manuscript for Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and Biblia Hebraica Quinta.

Historical Significance

This codex provides the principal complete medieval witness underlying many modern Hebrew editions and Old Testament translations.

People, Places and Sources

Key people: Samuel ben Jacob, the named scribe
Key places: Cairo; now Saint Petersburg
Languages: Hebrew, Aramaic