I’m not sure if I understand your comment about “idolizing” bibles, or translations (?) but I’m sure you’re clued in to things many aren’t regarding this issue.

I’m also confused about your remark regarding the original languages being Hebrew (actually, some Aramaic too) and Greek for NT. I understand the oldest NT manuscripts are in Greek, but as you pointed out, the teachings would have been in Hebrew (or Aramaic I guess some would say). Isn’t that the premis of your books, that if we are to understand the NT we not only need to to understand its foundation (Tanakh) but also the thoughts being communicated by Jesus and his followers, which of course isn’t Greek thought but Hebrew i.e., there is not always Greek equivalent words for the Hebrew teachings, like the word “Torah” for instance.

So, although the NT is in Greek, it’s already a “translation” of what’s being communicated. Can you shed some light here?

Thanks!

Hebrew and Aramaic are very close languages, so the Lamsa Bible might have a few insights from how Syriac readers understood the Greek texts of the NT. I wouldn’t see these insights as the FINAL word on what the text is actually saying, although they might corroborate ideas from elsewhere.

I’m actually not keen on the whole premise of writing a new translation of the Bible in order to FINALLY GET IT ALL RIGHT. The REAL text of the Bible is in Hebrew and Greek, and the best way to understand it is to go back all the way to the original words. All translations are approximations. We should quit idolizing them the way we do.

Just had to get on my soapbox here.

It’s over 400 pages though – I’m not sure it would be the first thing I’d give a layperson who just wanted to know more. Maybe a pastor. But it’s well researched and a good reference text.

Lois (and anyone else),
Are you familiar with “Holy Bible: From the Ancient Eastern Text” By: George Lamsa. I was browsing online and saw it in a Bible search. “. . . is translated directly from the Aramaic (Syriac) text – the language of Jesus – by renowed scholar George M. Lamsa. The translator grew up in the Middle East speaking Aramaic, steeped in a culture with customs, manners, and language almost identical to those in the time of Jesus. These resources are all brought to bear on his life’s work of translating the Aramaic Scriptures – called the Peshitta – into English,” according to the description.
Lois, I have “Our Father Abraham,” and had gotten bogged down, but will take your advice and read backwards. I know there’s a wealth of info in it.
Thank you again for your dedication.

And Helen, good question about having a section in a bookstore. The bookstore in my town used to have a whole endcap dedicated to the context and culture of the Bible, which included nearly all of the books above. It included other books on biblical and Jewish history, geography and archaeology too.

David Stern’s Jewish New Testament Commentary is very good, and more helpful for beginners. There is no comprehensive guide to the NT, but this has a lot in it. I’d worry if someone claimed that they could write one, because there is so much that is up for scholarly debate.

Although not a study bible per se and only the Gospels thus far, it does have a section on the Hebrew idioms that are all through the NT writings (and markings in the text where they show up) which is an amazing tool to understand the context of so many of Yeshua’s sayings. It’s also a BEAUTIFUL book, both inside and out.

You can read about it here: http://vineofdavid.org/resources/dhe/