The Text of the Hebrew Bible

the question of our knowledge of the development of the text of the Hebrew Bible is of paramount importance for studying and understanding this collection. What evidence do we have for original Hebrew texts that underlie our modern interpretations? How do we know that modern translators are working with an "authentic" text? Since we are dealing with a collection of religious literature, sacred scripture, that Jewish and Christian communities understand to be, in some sense, `the word of God`, it is vitally important to establish that the text being studied or read is `authentic`. [Manuscripts] [Bible History]