The תיקוני סופרים [tiqqune sopherim] of Zechariah 2:12

 

In the history of the Hebrew Bible, there has been a scribal practice known as tiqqune sopherim, which refers to scribal corrections or emendations. The general lists give 18 instances in the OT where such corrections can be found. One such place is in Zechariah 2:12 (it is verse 8 in many modern English Bibles). Here is a translation:

"For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye [עֵינֽוֹ]—" (NIV)

כִּ֣י כֹ֣ה אָמַר֮ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָאוֹת֒ אַחַ֣ר כָּב֔וֹד שְׁלָחַ֕נִי אֶל־הַגּוֹיִ֖ם הַשֹּׁלְלִ֣ים אֶתְכֶ֑ם כִּ֚י הַנֹּגֵ֣עַ בָּכֶ֔ם נֹגֵ֖עַ בְּבָבַ֥ת עֵינֽוֹ (MT - Leningrad Codex)

However, other sources say it should be read as "my eye" [עני]. In particular, here is what one Jewish text has said:

"Similarly it is written: For he who toucheth thee toucheth the apple of his eye (Zech 2:12). 'My eye' should be written here, for it refers, as it were, to the Heavenly One. However, the text was modified by the scribes of the Great Synagogue" (Midrash Tanchuma, Beshalach 16:2)

Another source at least seems to attest to "his eye":

"Similarly, (Zechariah 2:12) "for whoever touches you touches the pupil of His eye." R. Yehudah says: It is not written "the pupil of the eye, but "the pupil of His eye" — the "eye" of the Holy One, as it were." (Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael 15:7:1)

So which reading is correct?

First of all, I have noticed in some discussions of this verse, that the DSS are not brought in at all into the argument, which I have found surprising. The MT reading ("his eye") is supported by 4Q80 Minor Prophets e. I was able to get a preview of the transcription of this scroll from Logos Bible Software. The real images of this scroll can be found here. 

Here is what 4Q80 Minor Prophets e says:

https://www.logos.com/product/27971/4q80-minor-prophets-e

It might be a bit blurry, but nonetheless you can see quite clearly that this scroll has the reading of "his eye" [עֵינֽוֹ]. This is a supporting witness to the reading of the Masoretic text. 

Furthermore, the Septuagint also has the reading τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ αὐτοῦ, meaning "his eye". 

Carmel McCarthy, in his book The Tiqqune Sopherim and Other Theological Corrections in the Masoretic Text of the Old Testament (1981) argues that "my eye" is the better reading. However, he nonetheless admits the following:

"it is evident that the MT reading, "his eye", is attested by the greater number cf MSS for each cf the textual traditions cf the Versions as well as the Hebrew text, in such a way that if it be an "emendation", it was a very thoroughly and successfully imposed one." (pg. 67)