On the work of copying or translating texts...
'Like all of the ancient historical writings, they were orally dictated to scribes. Being a scribe was a profession just as an accountant is today, and they had very strict procedures when scribing. Papyrus, Parchment, or Vellum were the common "papers" used. They also used clay tablets or wax tablets, and sometimes even stone (scribed with an iron pen).
Oral repetition was also used by people who memorized the writings and would orally present the writings to those who could not read.
Talmudists (A. D. 100-500) were responsible for cataloging Hebrew civil and canonical law. They operated under strict regulations in regard to the scriptures.
1.) The synagogue roll must be written on the skins of clean animals.
2.) They must be fastened together with strings made from clean animals
3.) Every skin must contain a certain amount of columns, equal throughout the entire codex.
4.) The length of each column must not extend over less than 48 lines or more than 60 lines; and the breadth must consist of 30 letters.
5.) The whole copy must be first-lined; and if any three words be written without a line, it is worthless.
6.) The ink must be black and prepared according to a definite recipe.
7.) An authentic copy must be the exemplar, from which the transcriber ought not in the least deviate.
8) No word or letter, not even a yod, must be written from memory, the scribe not having looked at the codex before him.
9.) Between every consonant, the space of a hair or thread must intervene.
10.) Between every new parashah, or section, the breadth of nine consonants.
11.) Between every book, three lines.
12.) The fifth book of Moses must terminate exactly with a line; but the rest need not do so.
13.) The copyist must sit in full Jewish dress.
14.) Wash his whole body.
15.) Not begin to write the name of God with a pen newly dipped in ink.
16.) Should a King address him while writing Gods name he must take no notice of him.
Rolls in which these regulations were not observed were condemned and buried or burned; or they were banished to school to be used as reading books.
When a manuscript was verified that it had been copied with the exactitude prescribed bu the Talmud, it was considered authentic and equal in value to any other copy, and given equal authority.
The earliest translation was Old Syriac Version about 150-250 A.D. It was of the four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The point being: the accuracy of any translation will stand up to the most intense literary scrutiny.'
-from 'Intellectual argument for whether the Bible is corrupt or not'.
Blacknad.
