This study deals with the not very popular subject of the Masoretic accentuation. It discusses the threefold classification of the function of the Masoretic accents, namely stress, syntax, and the musical recitation, with regard to their original purpose. The threefold classification describes the present (sub-)functions, but some accents do not mark the stressed syllable, whereas their positioning in the text sometimes seems to suggest a division of the text, which is not in line with the grammatical or syntactical structure. It is argued that a musical (but not in the sense of melodic, but rhythmic) or recitative purpose is more appropriate. This final argument is illustrated in the second part of this paper with the discussion of ancient manuscripts, which seem to testify to this function, namely colometrically written texts in the Tiberian tradition (e. g. Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32); manuscripts with Babylonian accentuation (Psalm 34:1–10 and Isaiah 62:8–9), and pre-Masoretic manuscripts from the Judaean Desert, especially Isaiah 61:10–62:9 in 1QIsaa, showing strong affinity with the Babylonian as well as the Tiberian division. It is concluded that the obvious interest in the delimitation of smaller units in the biblical texts during the textual tradition (Qumran, Babylonian and Tiberian traditions) shows the importance of the Masoretic accentuation. The very large number of similarities between the different traditions demonstrates that there was a certain continuity. The (interpretative) differences between the different traditions simultaneously show that the tradition of the text of the Hebrew Bible is a living tradition in which the correct understanding of the text by reading pauses has always been a focus of interest.