The authority of canonical texts, especially of the Bible, is often described in static definitions. However, the authority of these texts was acquired as well as exercised in a dynamic process of transmission and reception.

This book analyzes selected aspects of this historical process. Attention is paid to biblical master-texts and to other texts related to the "biblical worlds" in various historical periods and contexts. The studies examine particular texts, textual variants, translations, paraphrases and other elements in the process of textual transmission. The range covered...