The First Full Eclectic Edition of the Hebrew Bible - with Stephen Brown

Working for the Word - a Bible translation podcast

The Solid Rock Hebrew Bible represents a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to recover the most accurate possible form of the biblical text. Unlike many standard editions in circulation today—which are largely based on a single medieval manuscript—this volume offers an eclectic Hebrew text informed by the insights of modern textual criticism. The goal: to move closer to the original wording of the Scriptures as they were first composed.

This edition moves beyond the limitations of diplomatic editions—texts that follow a single manuscript while relegating alternative readings to the margins. Instead, the Solid Rock Hebrew Bible integrates thousands of textual decisions directly into the text, reflecting the editor’s judgment regarding the most probable original forms.

That said, this is not a critical edition in the traditional sense. Readers will not find an exhaustive apparatus detailing the textual variants or the evidence behind each decision. Rather, this is a curated edition, transparently offered as the editor’s best effort, subject to revision and open to critique. It is a scholarly but accessible resource that welcomes engagement from others in the field.

Another notable feature is the adoption of the Tiberian vocalization system—commonly used in medieval manuscripts—while also making reasoned deviations where warranted by linguistic, exegetical, or historical considerations. The divine name, for instance, is presented as יַהְוֶה (Yahweh) throughout, except in Chronicles, reflecting both historical pronunciation and sensitivity to textual tradition.

Importantly, this edition is also open-access. It’s freely available in electronic format and released under a Creative Commons license, making it a valuable tool for students, teachers, pastors, and scholars around the world, regardless of institutional access or financial means.

Download the SRHB and view the notes.

Explore other projects from Stephen.

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