In this detailed study, Barr examines the problem of standardization of spelling in the Bible. He scrutinizes both the optional use or omission of letters such as W or Y to indicate certain vowels, and the several variations of spelling present in the individual books and passages, suggesting explanations of how the different spellings occur on the same page or even in the same verse. An authoritative and original analysis, this book will make an important contribution to the development of the text of the Hebrew Bible and to the history of the Hebrew language.