Chronological timeline of texts tagged with Tiqqun Soferim
About This Tag
Tiqqun Soferim ("Corrections of the Scribes") refers to a set of textual changes made by Masoretic scribes (Sopherim) to the Hebrew Bible. These corrections, traditionally numbering 18, were implemented to adjust or correct passages that were deemed disrespectful or inappropriate in their original form, modifying references to God as a form of reverence, and preventing the common person from reading or speaking something disrespectful about God.
Note: Dates shown in this timeline are approximate and based on scholarly estimates.
Back to TagGenesis 18:22 / Onkelos Genesis 18:22
5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
Genesis 18:22
Hebrew Bible
20 So the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so blatant 21 that I must go down and see if they are as wicked as the outcry suggests. If not, I want to know.” 22 The two men turned and headed toward Sodom, but Abraham was still standing before the Lord. 23 Abraham approached and said, “Will you really sweep away the godly along with the wicked?
100-200 C.E.
Onkelos Genesis 18:22
Targum
20 And the Lord said, The cry of Sedom and Amorah [is heard before Me] because it is great, and the guilt of them is very mighty: 21 I will now see, and will judge, whether they do according to the report of them which hath ascended before me. I will deal with them thoroughly unless they convert; but if they convert, I will not punish. 22 And the men turned away from thence, and went toward Sedom. And Abraham yet ministered in prayer before the Lord. 23 And Abraham approached, and said, Wilt Thou, in anger, destroy the righteous with the guilty?
5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
Numbers 11:15
Hebrew Bible
14 I am not able to bear this entire people alone, because it is too heavy for me! 15 But if you are going to deal with me like this, then kill me immediately. If I have found favor in your sight then do not let me see my trouble.” 16 The Lord said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know are elders of the people and officials over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting; let them take their position there with you.
100-200 C.E.
Onkelos Numbers 11:15
Targum
14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 And if Thou do thus with me, kill me, I pray, if I have found mercy before Thee, that I may not see my wretchedness. 16 And the Lord said to Mosheh, Gather unto Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be elders of the people, and the overseers thereof, and bring them to the tabernacle of ordinance, and let them stand there with thee;
5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
Numbers 12:12
Hebrew Bible
10 After the cloud had departed from above the tent, there was Miriam, leprous like snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and realized that she was leprous. 11 So Aaron said to Moses, “O my lord, please do not hold this sin against us, in which we have acted foolishly and have sinned! 12 Do not let her be like a baby born dead, whose flesh is half consumed when it comes out of its mother’s womb!” 13 Then Moses cried to the Lord, “Heal her now, O God.” 14 The Lord said to Moses, “If her father had only spit in her face, would she not have been disgraced for seven days? Shut her out from the camp seven days, and afterward she can be brought back in again.”
3rd Century B.C.E.
LXX Numbers 12:12
Septuagint
10 And the cloud drew away from the tent, and, look, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron looked on Miriam, and, look, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said to Moses, “I beseech, my lord, that sin not be laid on us, because we did not realize that we sinned. 12 Let her not become the same as dead, like an untimely birth coming forth from the mother’s womb, eating up half of her flesh.” 13 And Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “O God, I beseech you to heal her.” 14 And the Lord said to Moses, “If her father had indeed spit in her face, would she not be turned out for seven days? Let her be shut out for seven days outside the encampment. And afterward she will reenter the camp.”
6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
1 Samuel 3:13
Hebrew Bible
12 On that day I will carry out against Eli everything that I spoke about his house—from start to finish! 13 You should tell him that I am about to judge his house forever because of the sin that he knew about. For his sons were cursing themselves, and he did not rebuke them. 14 Therefore I swore an oath to the house of Eli, ‘The sin of the house of Eli can never be forgiven by sacrifice or by grain offering.’”
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX 1 Samuel 3:13
Septuagint
12 In that day, I will stir up against Eli everything, as much as I spoke to his house. I will begin, and I will finish. 13 And I have declared to him that I am avenging his house for eternity for the injustice of his sons, because his sons were abusing God, and he did not admonish them—and not even in any way. 14 I swear this to the house of Eli, even if the injustice of the house of Eli will be appeased with incense or with sacrifice for eternity!”
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan 1 Samuel 3:13
Targum
12 On that day I will fulfil against Eli all that I have spoken concerning the people of his house. I will destroy and I will end 13 And I told him that I take revenge on the people of his house for ever, for the sins which he knew, because his sons are provoking and he did not restrain them 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli that the sins of Eli’s house shall not be forgiven by holy slaughterings or offerings for ever.’
6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
1 Samuel 3:13
Hebrew Bible
12 On that day I will carry out against Eli everything that I spoke about his house—from start to finish! 13 You should tell him that I am about to judge his house forever because of the sin that he knew about. For his sons were cursing themselves, and he did not rebuke them. 14 Therefore I swore an oath to the house of Eli, ‘The sin of the house of Eli can never be forgiven by sacrifice or by grain offering.’”
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX 1 Samuel 3:13
Septuagint
12 In that day, I will stir up against Eli everything, as much as I spoke to his house. I will begin, and I will finish. 13 And I have declared to him that I am avenging his house for eternity for the injustice of his sons, because his sons were abusing God, and he did not admonish them—and not even in any way. 14 I swear this to the house of Eli, even if the injustice of the house of Eli will be appeased with incense or with sacrifice for eternity!”
6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
2 Samuel 16:12
Hebrew Bible
11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son, my very own flesh and blood, is trying to take my life. So also now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone so that he can curse, for the Lord has spoken to him. 12 Perhaps the Lord will notice my affliction and this day grant me good in place of his curse.” 13 So David and his men went on their way. But Shimei kept going along the side of the hill opposite him, yelling curses as he threw stones and dirt at them.
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan 2 Samuel 16:12
Targum
11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son whom I begot seeks to kill me; how much more now this son of the tribe of Benjamin. Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has said him so. 12 It may be that the tear of my eye will be revealed before the Lord, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him, cursing as he went, and threw stones at him and flung dust.
6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
1 Kings 12:16
Hebrew Bible
15 The king refused to listen to the people, because the Lord was instigating this turn of events so that he might bring to pass the prophetic announcement he had made through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat. 16 When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king, “We have no portion in David, no share in the son of Jesse! Return to your tents28, O Israel! Now, look after your own dynasty, O David!” So Israel returned to their homes. 17 (Rehoboam continued to rule over the Israelites who lived in the cities of Judah.)
200-300 C.E.
Jonathan 1 Kings 12:16
Targum
15 And the king did not accept from the people, for there was division from before the Lord in order to fulfill his word that the Lord spoke by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite about Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 And all Israel saw that the king did not accept them, and the people answered the king a word, saying: What portion is there for us in David? And there is no inheritance in the son of Jesse. Each man to your cities, O Israel. Now rule over the men of your house, O David. And Israel went to its cities. 17 And the sons of Israel who were dwelling in the cities of the house of Judah, Rehoboam ruled over them.
6th Century B.C.E.
Ezekiel 8:17
Hebrew Bible
16 Then he brought me to the inner court of the Lord’s house. Right there at the entrance to the Lord’s temple, between the porch and the altar, were about 25 men with their backs to the Lord’s temple, facing east—they were worshiping the sun toward the east! 17 He said to me, “Do you see, son of man? Is it a trivial thing that the house of Judah commits these abominations they are practicing here? For they have filled the land with violence and provoked me to anger still further. Look, they are putting the branch to their nose! 18 Therefore I will act with fury! My eye will not pity them nor will I spare them. When they have shouted in my ears, I will not listen to them.”
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Ezekiel 8:17
Septuagint
16 And he led me into the interior court of the house of the Lord and toward the front-door space of the temple of the Lord, between the Elam and between the altar, were about twenty men; their backsides were toward the temple of the Lord and their faces opposite, and they were bowing to the sun. 17 And he said to me, “Have you seen, son of man? Is it a small thing for the house of Judah to be doing the transgressions that they have done here? Because they have filled the land with lawlessness! And look; it is as if they are mocking! 18 And I will treat them with wrath. My eye will have no pity, and I will show no mercy.”
6th Century B.C.E.
Hosea 4:7
Hebrew Bible
6 You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants. 7 The more the priests increased in numbers, the more they rebelled against me. They have turned their glorious calling into a shameful disgrace! 8 They feed on the sin offerings of my people; their appetites long for their iniquity!
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Hosea 4:7
Septuagint
6 My people has become as if it possesses no knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, so I will reject you from being a priest to me. And you forgot the law of your God, so I will forget your children. 7 In accordance with their multitude, thus they sinned against me. I will turn their glory into dishonor. 8 They will eat the sins of my people, and they will take their souls by their injustices.
6th Century B.C.E.
Habakkuk 1:12
Hebrew Bible
11 They sweep by like the wind and pass on. But the one who considers himself a god will be held guilty.” 12 Lord, you have been active from ancient times; my sovereign God, we will not die35. Lord, you have made them your instrument of judgment. Protector, you have appointed them as your instrument of punishment. 13 You are too just to tolerate evil; you are unable to condone wrongdoing. So why do you put up with such treacherous people? Why do you say nothing when the wicked devour those more righteous than they are?
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Habakkuk 1:12
Septuagint
11 Then the spirit will have a change and pass through and will make atonement. This is the strength of my God.” 12 Are you not from the beginning, O Lord, my holy God? And we will not die. O Lord, you have appointed him for judgment, and he formed me to decide his chastisement. 13 A clean eye is not to see evil things and to look upon the afflictions of pain. For what purpose do you look upon those acting contemptuously? Will you turn a blind eye to the wicked swallowing the righteous?
5th Century B.C.E.
Jeremiah 2:11
Hebrew Bible
10 Go west across the sea to the coasts of Cyprus and see. Send someone east to Kedar and have them look carefully. See if such a thing as this has ever happened: 11 Has a nation ever changed its gods (even though they are not really gods at all)? But my people have exchanged me, their glorious God, for a god that cannot help them at all! 12 Be amazed at this, O heavens. Be shocked and utterly dumbfounded,”says the Lord.
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Jeremiah 2:11
Septuagint
10 Therefore you came to the islands of Cyprus, and look, and send to Kedar and observe very much, and see whether such things have been done, 11 whether the nations will change their gods though they are not gods. But my people have changed their glory according to that which will not be helpful. 12 The heaven is amazed at this and shudders very excessively,” says the Lord.
5th Century B.C.E.
Zechariah 2:8
Hebrew Bible
7 “Escape, Zion, you who live among the Babylonians!” 8 For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “For his own glory he has sent me to the nations that plundered you—for anyone who touches you touches the pupil of his eye. 9 Yes, look here, I am about to punish them so that they will be looted by their own slaves.” Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Zechariah 2:8
Septuagint
7 “Escape into Zion, the ones who dwell with daughter Babylon.” 8 Because this is what the Lord Almighty says: “From behind the glory he sent me against the nations, the ones plundering you, because the ones touching you are as ones touching the pupil of my eye. 9 Behold, I lay my hand upon them, and they will be spoils for the ones serving them. And you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.
5th Century B.C.E.
Malachi 1:13
Hebrew Bible
12 “But you are profaning it by saying that the table of the Lord is common and its offerings despicable. 13 You also say, ‘How tiresome it is.’ You turn up your nose at it,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and instead bring what is stolen, lame, or sick. You bring these things for an offering! Should I accept this from you?” asks the Lord. 14 “There will be harsh condemnation for the hypocrite who has a valuable male animal in his flock but vows and sacrifices something inferior to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is awesome among the nations.”
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Malachi 1:13
Septuagint
12 “But you have profaned it when you say, ‘The table of the Lord is polluted, and his prepared meat has been disdained. 13 And you said, ‘These things are from much toil,’ so I blew them away,” says the Lord Almighty. “And you brought in the spoils of war and the lame and the unwell. So, if you bring this as the sacrifice, should I receive them out of your hands?” says the Lord Almighty.
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
Psalm 106:20
Hebrew Bible
18 Fire burned their group; the flames scorched the wicked. 19 They made an image of a calf at Horeb and worshiped a metal idol. 20 They traded their majestic God for the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They rejected the God who delivered them, the one who performed great deeds in Egypt, 22 amazing feats in the land of Ham, mighty acts by the Red Sea.
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Psalm 106:20
Septuagint
18 And fire was burned in their assembly, and a flame burned down sinners. 19 And they made a young bull in Horeb and worshiped the carved thing. 20 And they exchanged their glory with the likeness of a young bull eating grass. 21 They forgot the God who saves them, who made great things in Egypt, 22 wonderful things in the land of Ham, and awesome things in the Red Sea.
5th Century B.C.E.
Job 7:20
Hebrew Bible
19 Will you never look away from me, will you not let me alone long enough to swallow my spittle? 20 If I have sinned—what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you set me as your target? Have I become a burden to myself72? 21 And why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, and you will seek me diligently, but I will be gone.”
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Job 7:20
Septuagint
19 How long will you not leave me nor release me, until possibly I should swallow my spit in pain? 20 If I should sin, what will I be able to do, O you who establishes the mind of humans? On what account have you set me as an accuser of you, only to be a burden to you? 21 And on what account did you not make my iniquity forgotten and a purification of my sin? But now I shall depart to the earth, and in my rising up I am no more.” Bildad Encourages Job to Repent
5th Century B.C.E.
Job 32:3
Hebrew Bible
1 So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3 With Job’s three friends he was also angry because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty.
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Job 32:3
Septuagint
1 aAnd Job stopped his words. And so his three friends were quiet, no longer opposing Job. For Job was righteous before them. 2 But Elihu, son of Barachel, of the Buzites from the family of Ram of the territory of Ausitis, became angry. And he was very angry with Job, because he declared himself righteous before the Lord. 3 But also he was very angry with the three friends, because they were not able to answer in opposition to Job, even though they had designated him to be ungodly.