Biblical Textual Criticism

Biblical textual criticism is the scholarly practice of studying and comparing different manuscripts and versions of the Bible to determine the most accurate original text. Since ancient texts were handwritten and often copied by scribes, variations or errors can occur. Textual critics analyze these differences, considering historical context and writing styles, to reconstruct the earliest possible wording of biblical passages. This process helps ensure that modern translations reflect the true message of the original texts as closely as possible.