Biblia Hebraica (Kittel)

The Biblia Hebraica (Kittel), often abbreviated as BHK, is a critical edition of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). First published by Rudolf Kittel in 1906, it was groundbreaking for its time as it attempted to represent the Masoretic Text, the authoritative text of the Hebrew Bible, while also including critical apparatus.

The initial editions of BHK were based on the Ben Asher manuscript tradition, specifically the text of Jacob ben Chayyim ibn Adonijah's Second Rabbinic Bible (published in 1524–25). Kittel’s edition was significant because it presented the Hebrew text in a relatively clean format, uncluttered by commentary found in traditional Rabbinic Bibles, but included marginal notes indicating textual variants found in other manuscripts and early versions (such as the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Targums). These notes made it a valuable tool for textual criticism.

Over subsequent editions, the Biblia Hebraica was improved and refined. Paul Kahle was instrumental in the later editions, particularly BHK3 (published in 1937), which adopted the text of Codex Leningradensis (B19A), the oldest complete manuscript of the Masoretic Text. Kahle also significantly expanded the critical apparatus.

The Biblia Hebraica (Kittel) served as the basis for the subsequent Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS) and its successor, Biblia Hebraica Quinta (BHQ), which continue to build upon the foundations laid by Kittel and Kahle in providing a critical edition of the Hebrew Bible for scholars. While superseded by later editions, the BHK remains historically significant for its pioneering role in making the Masoretic Text accessible alongside critical textual notes.