Ancient Versions of the Bible

7/26/2019 Ancient Versions of the Bible

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Ancient Versions of the Bible


Draft January 9, 2009By Ya'aqub Younan-Levine

Bibliotheca Aramaica

www.Aramaica.or

This is not the final version of this paper, and therefore may

contain typos and areas where clarification is necessary.

Please feel free to send feedback and notification of typos.

manu!crito!arameo! at mai" #ot com

Introduction

$%e ancient $ora%, &ro%et! an# (ritin! )$ana*%+ wa! oriina""y

como!e#, for t%e mo!t art, in ebrew between t%e time ofo!e! an# t%e "a!t eneration of t%e ro%et!. Durin t%e time ofe%emia%, t%e ma/ority of !rae"ite!, a! t%e Bib"e te""! u!, cou"# no"oner comre%en# t%e rea#in of t%e oriina" ebrew, t%u!tran!"ation! were nece!!ary. $%e oriina" ebrew $ana*% wa!tran!"ate# into t%e Aramaic "anuae of t%e time an# "ater a newe#ition of t%e Bib"e wa! tran!"ate# into more #eve"oe# ebrew"anuae of t%at time. $%e Aramaic ver!ion! were tran!"ate# by a

rou of a!orete! *nown a! 1e#in*%a'e )a!orete! of t%e3a!t+ an# wa! fina"i4e# in t%e fir!t century 53. $%e new ebrewBib"e, tran!"ate# an# e#ite# by t%e a'arba'e )a!orete! of t%e(e!t+ too muc% "oner to com"ete - u to t%e e"event% century536

Bot% of t%e!e Aramaic an# ebrew e#ition! are witne!!e! to t%enow "o!t oriina" ebrew te7t. Bot% rou! of tran!"ator! an#

e#itor! were very carefu" to re!erve t%e oriina", at "ea!t in atran!"ation )t%e ancient ver!ion u!e# by Aramaic !ea*in eo"e!

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of t%e 3a!t+ or a! a mo#ern u#ate )t%e u#ate# te7t u!e# to#ay by

Jewi!% !cribe! in writin $ora% !cro""!+. An# w%i"e t%ey werecarefu", or meticu"ou!, it i! evi#ent t%at error!, corrution! an#even remova" of certain wor#! an# %ra!e! were remove# from t%ewe!tern ver!ion an# !ome ma/or #ifference! aear between t%e3a!tern an# (e!tern !ource!.

&rofe!!or 3manue" $ov, in %i! boo* Textual Criticism of theebrew Bible8, !ay! 13ven t%ou% t%e !cribe! of $

meticu"ou!"y re!erve# a uniform te7t, breac%e! in t%i! unity arenevert%e"e!! vi!ib"e. Between t%e ear"y !ource! of $ t%eree7i!te# #ifference! in con!onant! between te7t! form t%e (e!t)&a"e!tine+ an# t%e te7t! from t%e 3a!t )Baby"on+. :ome 2;0 !uc%#ifference! are mentione# in t%e a!oretic note! a! e#in*%a'ean# a'arba'e.

8&ub"i!%e# by orcum, 2008

How old are our Bibles?

A! mentione# above, t%e ancient ebrew te7t, w%ic% no "onere7i!t! )at "ea!t in w%o"e+, #ate! bac* to t%e time of o!e!.=ariou! ?ver!ion!? of t%i! !ame te7t )or rou of manu!crit!+were foun# at @irbat umran )t%e umran 5ave!+ an# areenera""y referre# to a! t%e 1Dea# :ea :cro""!. $%e Dea# :ea:cro""! are a co""ection of Bib"ica" an# non-bib"ica" te7t! inebrew, Aramaic an# >ree*.

$%e #ate of t%e!e manu!crit! #iffer an# !c%o"ar! arue a! to t%ee7act #ate! of eac% !cro"" or frament. $%ere i! !ome enera"areement to many of t%e manu!crit! #atin bac* to t%e 00'!B53 an# t%e fir!t century 53. n many ca!e! t%e Aramaic an#

ebrew te7t! of t%e Dea# :ea :cro""! aree wit% t%e Aramaicver!ion of t%e oriina" ebrew te7t an# aain!t t%at of t%e u#ate#

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a!oretic ebrew te7t.

o!tu"ate t%at t%e oriina" Aramaic ver!ion! robab"y #ate bac*a! far a! e%emia%'! time wit% t%e nece!!ary u#ate! a! t%e"anuae of t%e eo"e continue# to #eve"o. t! actua" oriin%owever i! con!i#ere# to be a 1my!tery by mo!t !c%o"ar! w%ota*e even t%e !"i%te!t intere!t in t%e ancient Aramaic "anuae.Cn t%e ot%er %an#, t%e a!oretic ebrew te7t! are quite "ate ine7i!tence. $%e e#itin roce!! for t%e ebrew $ wa! com"ete#

in t%e e"event% century.

$%e mo!t com"ete *nown ebrew Bib"e in e7i!tence )t%eLeninra# 5o#e7+ wa!n't como!e# unti" more t%an one t%ou!an#year! aftere!!ia%8 wa"*e# t%e eart%. Yet, t%e ear"ie!t *nowncom"ete Aramaic ver!ion of t%e :criture! #ate bac* to t%e fift%or !i7t% century, w%ic% wa! coie# from a muc% ear"ier te7t w%ic%i! roof i! iven in t%e Dea# :ea :cro""!. y reat ran#fat%er,

Aran Ya'aqub Younan, w%o a#ate# t%e Aramaic &e!%itta 1ew$e!tament from 3a!tern Aramaic to Ju#eo-Aramaic )eo-Aramaic+2, "aye# wit% t%e i#ea t%at t%e Aramaic $ana*% an# t%eear"ie!t manu!crit! of t%e we!tern $ bean to be como!e#aroun# t%e !ame time. Cn t%e ot%er %an#, my fat%er be"ieve# t%att%e Aramaic cou"# %ave been t%e main !ource te7t for $. oreit%er ca!e, am not yet rea#y, or comfortab"e to ma*e an oinionon t%e matter.

8 Ye!%ua ewsy2e bean wor*in on %i! co#e7 in 8E9F an# t%e wor* on t%e oriina"conc"u#e# by 8982 or a year before. e wa! unab"e to com"ete t%e wor* before%i! #eat%. Younan a#ate# t%e 5%urc% of t%e 3a!t &e!%itta te7t to Jewi!% eo-Aramaic w%ic% i! tyica""y written %onetica""y an# re"ace! certain c%aracter!wit% ot%er! an# written wit% t%e !tan#ar# ebrew a"%abet - at "ea!t accor#into t%e !e""in an# rammatica" ru"e! in w%ic% %e wa! u!in.


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Why choose the Aramaic version over that of the Hebrew?

%ave a"way! !ai# t%at 1o"#e!t i! not a"way! better. owever, ift%ere i! evi#ence of more t%an one te7tua" witne!!, an# t%e!ewitne!!e! are o"#er t%an any ?u#ate#? ver!ion )i.e., t%e ebrew$+ an# t%ey #o not aree wit% a "atter ver!ion, t%en we mu!t inoo# con!ciou! c%oo!e t%e ma/ority te7t. $%ere %ave been !evera"e7am"e! #emon!tratin %ow t%e ancient Aramaic $ana*%)A?@+ an# t%e Dea# :ea :cro""! often time! #i!aree wit% t%at of

t%e "ater ebrew $.

n my oinion, in many ca!e! even !ome of t%e tarumic te7t!)Cnqe"o!, Jonat%an, Yeru!%a"mi+ are better t%an t%at of t%eebrew $. $%e rea!on !ay t%i! i! becau!e of !o many#i!areement! between t%e ancient witne!!e! an# t%e more1mo#ern ebrew $. t i! we"" *nown t%at t%e ebrew $contain! error! an# corrution! a! note# above, even t%ou% t%e

a!orete! were meticu"ou! in writin t%e te7t.

$ov !ay!, 1Yet, in !ite of t%eir reci!ion, even t%e manu!crit!w%ic% were written an# voca"i4e# by t%e a!orete! containcorrution!, c%ane!, an# era!ure!. ore imortant"y, t%ea!orete!, an# before t%em t%e !oferim, acte# in a re"ative"y "ate!tae of t%e #eve"oment of t%e bib"ica" te7t, an# before t%ey %a#

ut t%eir meticu"ou! rinci"e! into ractice, t%e te7t a"rea#ycontaine# corrution! an# %a# been tamere# wit% #urin t%atear"ier erio# w%en !cribe! #i# not a! yet treat t%e te7t wit% !uc%reverence...corrute# in t%e cour!e of t%e !criba"tran!mi!!ion...:uc% corrution! are reconi4e# in t%e umran!cro""! )e.., 8!aa in !a 889G 2H-IG 00G I0F-E+ on t%e

ba!i! of t%eir comari!on wit% $ an# ot%er te7t!, an#, by t%e!ame to*en, in $ it!e"f, w%en comare# wit% ot%er te7t!....8 :am

82IG I8-22G 2 :am 28G 2 @! 888G Jer 2G 292HG I89...n many #etai"! $ #oe! not ref"ect t%e 'Criina" $e7t' of t%e

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bib"ica" boo*!...#ifference! between t%e a!oretic $e7t an# ear"ier

or #ifferent !tae! of t%e bib"ica" te7t wi"" continue to bereconi4e#.

But weren't the Jewish scribes faithful in preserving the original

text?

A! %a! a"rea#y been note# t%e !cribe! )!oferim+ were from two!et! of 1a!orete fami"ie! - ea!t an# we!t. any, but not a"", of

t%e error! an# corrution! foun# wit%in t%e we!tern te7t )$+%ave been cata"oe# by variou! !c%o"ar!.

5%ri!tian Davi# >in!bur note# %ow t%e !cribe! re!on!ib"e forre!ervin an# tran!mittin $ went !o far a! to even remove t%e%o"y ame of >o# )Y( hwhy+ t%rou%out t%e $ana*% in at"ea!t 8I a!!ae!8, re"acin t%e roer ame wit% t%e tit"e1A#onai )Lor#+. f t%e!e articu"ar !cribe! were !o bo"# a! to

ma*e !uc% a b"a!%emou! act, w%at ot%er atrocitie! mu!t t%ey%ave committe# in t%e name of 1fait%fu" re!ervation

any a re"iiou! in#ivi#ua", e!ecia""y un#er t%e inf"uence of&rote!tanti!m, %ave a fancifu" an# near i#o"atrou! view of t%eebrew $ in t%at t%ey imaine t%e re#actor! )a!orete!+ were#ivine"y in!ire# to carefu""y an# erfect"y re!erve t%e 1(or# of>o#. any quote t%e a!!ae in t%e >o!e" of att%ew to ba!et%eir reo!terou! i#eo"oy 1eaven an# eart% !%a"" a!! away,

but my wor#! !%a"" not a!! away. )att%ew 2I;, @in Jame!=er!ion+.

owever, a! %a! a"rea#y been #emon!trate# above, t%i! wa! nevert%e ca!e wit% t%e we!tern te7t t%at %a! been tran!mitte# by t%ea!orete!. any of t%e !ame corrution! foun# in t%e $ %ave

been carrie# over in mo!t of t%e 5%ri!tian Bib"e tran!"ation! of t%eebrew 1C"# $e!tament.

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5oncernin t%e reverence by ea!tern a!orete! for t%e %o"y te7t oft%e $ana*%, in re"ation to t%e $arum!, &in*%o! 5%urin !ay! in%i! Tar!um "onathan to the Prophets, 1$%e Aramaic ren#erin oft%e &ro%et! be"on! to t%e ear"ie!t tran!"ation! of t%e Bib"e w%ic%%ave come #own to u!. t! imortance for t%e te7tua" inve!tiationan# ear"y Bib"ica" interretation cannot be overe!timate#. (%i"et%e tarumi!t ma*e! "itt"e #i!"ay of critica" !tu#y in ren#erinintricate a!!ae!, an# w%i"e %e #oe! not reten# to re!ent a

minute"y "itera" tran!"ation of t%e ebrew te7t, %i! reverence fort%e "etter an# tran!mitte# rea#in of t%e te7t mu!t by far %avee7cee#e# t%at of t%e >ree* an# :yriac tran!"ator!. At t%e !ametime %i! tran!"ation i! #oubt"e!!"y ba!e# on a !oun#er an# e7acterun#er!tan#in of bot% t%e etymo"oy an# u!ae! of t%e ebrew"anuae.2

Bib"e commentator A#am 5"ar*e !ay! of t%e a!orete!, 1$%e

a!orete! were t%e mo!t e7ten!ive Jewi!% commentator! w%ic%t%at nation cou"# ever boa!t. $%e !y!tem of unctuation, robab"yinvente# by t%em, i! a continua" "o!! on t%e Law an# t%e&ro%et!G t%eir vowe" oint!, an# ro!aic an# metrica" accent!,Kc., ive every wor# to w%ic% t%ey are affi7e# a ecu"iar *in# ofmeanin, w%ic% in t%eir !im"e !tate, mu"titu#e! of t%em can by nomean! bear. $%e vowe" oint! a"one a## w%o"e con/uation! to t%e"anuae. $%i! !y!tem i! one of t%e mo!t artificia", articu"ar, an#e7ten!ive comment! ever written on t%e (or# of >o#G for t%ere i!not one wor# in t%e Bib"e t%at i! not t%e !ub/ect of a articu"ar"o!! t%rou% it! inf"uence. $%i! !c%oo" i! !uo!e# to %avecommence# about I;0 year! before our Lor#, an# to %avee7ten#e# #own to AD 800. :ome t%in* it #i# not commence

before t%e ;t% century A.D.

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:ee A&&3D , ?3men#ation! of t%e :oferim?

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$%e o"y Bib"e, 15ontainin t%e C"# an# ew $e!tament!. $%e te7t carefu""y

rinte# from t%e mo!t correct coie! of t%e re!ent aut%ori4e# tran!"ation,inc"u#in t%e marina" rea#in! an# ara""e" te7t! wit% a commentary an#critica" note!G #e!ine# a! a %e" to a better un#er!tan#in of t%e !acre#writin!. &ub"i!%e# by $. $e an# :on, 8EF

Is there anything better than the !" available?

(e %ave t%e ancient te7tua" witne!!e! to t%e oriina" ebrewfoun# wit%in t%e Dea# :ea :cro""!, t%e Aramaic )e#in*%aye+=er!ion an# in frament!. A! mentione# above, t%e!e ancientver!ion! often aree wit% eac% ot%er an# not wit% t%e e"event%century $.

(%en ointin out !ome #ifference! between t%e u!e of aarticu"ar wor# in t%e Dea# :ea :cro""! )articu"ar"y in t%e >reat!aia% :cro""+ an# t%e Aramaic an# $, #emon!tratin t%at t%e

D:: an# Aramaic were not in areement wit% $

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, &au" Younan!ai#, 1$%i! i! c"ear"y a ca!e w%ere t%e re-a!orete oriina"ebrew rea#in, M-7-# NdxsO, i! atte!te# to by bot% t%e &C$N&e!%itta C"# $e!tamentO an# L N:etuaintO. (%at ma*e! itirrefutab"e i! t%e #i!covery of t%e D:: !aia% manu!crit, c"ear"y!%owin t%at t%e a!orete! %a# a !criba" error %ere in rea#inPe!% for Da"et% )a mo!t common error w%i"e rea#in @tavA!%uri+. Before t%e #i!covery of t%e D::, a"" we wou"# %ave i! t%e

&C$ an# L areein wit% eac% ot%er w%i"e #i!areein wit%t%e a!oretic ver!ion. $%i! e7am"e convincin"y #emon!trate!t%at t%e L an# &C$ can be, at time!, muc% more va"uab"e ina!certainin t%e oriina" rea#in t%an t%e a!oretic ver!ion.2

8:ee A&&3D , 1:%a*%a# in D::, &!%itta $ana*% an# a!oretic $e7t

2&e!%itta.or

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!odern day Jews accept the !" # why shouldn't we?

:im"y becau!e a articu"ar ver!ion %a! become t%e main!treamte7t of Ju#ai!m )from e#ieva" time! to t%e re!ent+ #oe! notin#icate t%at !uc% a te7t i! t%e mo!t aut%entic or re"iab"e.&rofe!!or $ov !ay!, ?N$O%e reference of $ by a centra" !treamin Ju#ai!m #oe! not nece!!ari"y im"y t%at it contain! t%e be!t te7tof t%e Bib"e. Bot% t%e ebrew arent te7t of Nt%e :etuaintO an#certain of t%e umran te7t!... ref"ect e7ce""ent te7t!, often better

t%an t%at of $.?

$%ere are ma/or #ifference! between t%e ancient Yemenite an#Baby"onian te7t! a! comare# to t%o!e u!e# by Ju#ai!m in t%e(e!t. $%e Boo* of 3!t%er i! on"y one e7am"e. $%e #ifference!

between t%e o"#er Yemenite ver!ion an# t%at of 3uroean Ju#ai!m)A!*%ena4im an# :e%ar#im+ are wor"#! a art from eac% ot%er.8

$%e e#itor! of t%e ebrew te7t ma#e t%e con!cientiou! #eci!ion tocorrut variou! a!!ae! of t%e $ana*% an# t%i! wa! a!!e# #ownto 5%ri!tian! a! can be !een in t%eir mo#ern #ay tran!"ation!. $%eebrew manu!crit! bean to be revi!e# by t%e $a"mu#i!t! an#a!orete! a! ear"y a! t%e t%ir# century 53. $%e!e !ame e#itor!were a"!o re!on!ib"e for rovi#in Jerome wit% manu!crit!w%ic% %a# a"rea#y been e#ite# for u!e in %i! own tran!"ation of t%e=u"ate a! %a! been #ocumente# by ot%er!.

Anot%er imortant factor to remember i! %ow certain tran!"ation!of t%e ebrew $ were tran!mitte# to 5%ri!tian an# Jewi!%communitie! t%rou%out 3uroe in ot%er "anuae!. >e##e!ac>reor, in %i! boo*, The Bible in the #akin!, !ay!1$ran!"ation! of t%e ebrew Bib"e into variou! "anuae!, beanto aear about t%at time. n 8I22 Pabbi o!e! Arrae" tran!"ate#

t%e :criture! from t%e ebrew into :ani!%, for t%e 5%ri!tian5%urc% an# wit% t%e a!!i!tance of ranci!can !c%o"ar!, an# it i!

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uon t%at ver!ion t%at t%e errara Bib"e, rinte# in 8;;, wa!

ba!e#. $%i! famou! :ani!% Bib"e wa! inten#e# to !erve t%e nee#!of bot% Jew! an# 5%ri!tian!. 5ertain #eviation! were ma#e in t%ecoie! inten#e# for 5%ri!tian rea#er!. or e7am"e, w%ere t%ecoie! inten#e# for Jew! rea# 'youn woman,' t%e coie! !et a!i#efor 5%ri!tian u!e ut 'virin.'

&er!ona" re"iiou! !entiment for a articu"ar te7t w%i"e b"atant"yinorin t%e %i!torica" fact! of t%e more ancient ver!ion! can ut

one in a !eriou! !ituation #octrina""y - e!ecia""y w%en t%eyc%oo!e to continue u!in a corrute# te7t t%at #i# not even e7i!t int%e fir!t century a! it e7i!t! to#ay.

A! far a! t%e Aramaic ver!ion! are concerne#, t%ey are fait%fu"e#ition! of t%e oriina" ebrew te7t from /u!t after t%e time of t%e37o#u! from 3yt to :inai. Becau!e of t%e very nature of t%eAramaic ver!ion!, t%ey fait%fu""y retain t%e oriina" intent, or

meanin of w%at wa! written in t%e time of o!e! an# t%ero%et!.

$%e ear"ie!t Aramaic tran!criber! %a# a reat reverence for t%ete7t, w%ic% wa! not t%e ca!e, a! %a! a"rea#y been commente#above, wit% t%e "ater e#itor! u to t%e e"event% century.

:omeone w%o i! not fami"iar wit% te7tua" critici!m or even wit%t%e %i!tory of ancient ver!ion! an# t%e manner! in w%ic% !acre#te7t! were tran!mitte# may erroneou!"y conc"u#e t%at t%e ebrewte7t current"y in u!e in t%e !ynaoue! an# tran!"ate# in &rote!tantBib"e! i! t%e ori!inal. $%i! i! far from t%e trut%6 $%e ebrew $no "oner re!emb"e! t%e !ame te7t t%at wa! u!e# in t%e fir!tcentury #urin t%e time of t%e Ao!t"e!.

A"t%ou% an ancient ebrew te7t wa! u!e# in t%e !ynaoue!#urin t%e fir!t century, !ince t%e "anuae of e!!ia% an# t%e

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Ao!t"e! wa! Aramaic, t%ey wou"# %ave u!e# t%e Aramaic

ver!ion! avai"ab"e at t%e time a"on!i#e t%at of t%e ebrew.2

8:ee A&&3D , 1Yemenite 3!t%er to comare ortion! of t%e we!ternPabbinica" ver!ion an# t%at u!e# by Yemenite !ynaoue! )Jew! from ancientYemen+.

2$%i! i! a"!o t%e era of t%e oriin of t%e Aramaic 1ew $e!tament *nown a!t%e &e!%itta, w%ic% #on't yet cover in #etai" wit%in t%e #raft of t%i! aer.owever, for a "i!t of !ome #ifference! between t%e Aramaic, ebrew an#>ree*, !ee A&&3D =, 15ata"o of Difference! &e!%itta, $ an# >ree*

$riginal Aramaic "ext

1$%e Jewi!% Aramaic Bib"e ver!ion! are *nown to u!, fir!t an#foremo!t, a! ma/or "iterary cry!ta""i4ation!. )$heki%im mi&tar!umehaikra ha&Aramiyim, by o!%e enry >o!%en->ott!tein,Pimon @a!%er, 89E, Bar-"an ree* tran!"ation of t%e :etuaint re"ace# t%e oriin" ebrew

te7t. $%i! !ituation #i# not "ea!e t%e Pabbi!, w%o... *een"yareciate# t%at muc% wa! "o!t in tran!"ation... an Aramaic

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tran!"ation un#er rabbinic !uervi!ion of $ora% an# &ro%et!

aeare# a! we"". $%e!e tran!"ation! are re"ative"y unique in t%eir!tructure, an# !ecifica""y in t%eir ora"-erformative !ettin, w%ic%bin#! t%em to t%e oriina" te7t... )37tracte# fromPlayin! $econd'iddle( ow the )abbis Tamed the "ewish Aramaic Bible

Translationsby (i""em :me"i*, ra%amG The Colle!eville Bible

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Commentary( Based on the +ew American Bible, by Pobert J.

@arri!+. t i! "i*e"y t%at ot%er boo*! !uc% a! Danie", aai,Qec%aria%, 3!t%er, t%e 5%ronic"e! an# a"ac%i were a"!ooriina""y written in Aramaic an# "ater tran!"ate# into ebrew.$%e!e te7t!, inc"u#in 34ra an# e%emia%, were written between;0 an# I0 B53.

$%e ear"ier a!oretic te7t wa! ro#uce# out of nece!!ity #ue tot%e ancient ebrew !crit no "oner bein u!e# a! we"" a! #ue to

t%e fact t%at a !tan#ar#i4e# e#ition wit% fu"" u!e of vowe" oint!an# rammatica" tra#ition wa! nee#e# for Jew! at t%e time - t%i! i!w%at we refer to a! 1a!ora%, a! mentione# ear"ier in t%i! aer.$%e current"y u!e# ebrew Bib"e amon Jew! an# 5%ri!tian!, wa!e#ite# muc% "ater by Jacob ben ayim bn A#onya%u aroun# 8;2I53 an# ba!e# on manu!crit! t%at %e %a# avai"ab"e to %im at t%etime, an# a! wi"" be !%own be"ow, t%o!e manu!crit! %a# rob"em!of t%eir own.

$%e Jewi!% tran!"ator! of t%e Aramaic e#ition of t%e $ana*% %a#acce!! to t%e oriina" )!ometime! ca""e# 1=or"ae+ te7t of t%eebrew. $%i! i! one rea!on t%ere are #i!creancie! between t%eAramaic an# t%e "ater revi!e#, !tan#ar#i4e# ebrew e#ition.

>i""ian >reenber ive! !ome intere!tin information on %i!comari!on! of t%e a!oretic an# t%e :yriacRAramaic &e!%itta$ana*% in %i! boo* Translation Techni0ue in the Peshitta to

"eremiah

1n t%e ear"ier "iterature, $a"mon a!!emb"e! evi#ence in t%erabbinic writin!, ebrew frament! from after F0 53 !uc% a!t%o!e from (a#i urabbaSat an# a!!a#a, an# !ome !ub!i#iary#etai"! from t%e ancient ver!ion, an# conc"u#e! t%at roto-

a!oretic $e7t! were in#ee# e!tab"i!%e# #urin t%e fir!t century53...Aain!t t%e bac*roun# of t%e evi#ence for t%e #ate of t%e

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!tan#ar#i4ation of t%e roto-a!oretic $e7t, it i! %i!torica""y

o!!ib"e t%at a : w%ic% wa! c"o!e to even if not i#entica" wit%t%e "atter wou"# %ave been in e7i!tence at t%e time of writin oft%e &e!%itta, an# cou"# %ave forme# t%e =or"ae....t%at t%etran!"ator! wou"# %ave !ou%t out a 'mo#e"' te7t, one iven %i%!tatu! by t%o!e invo"ve# in &a"e!tine, a! t%e ba!i! of t%e wor* of!uc% imortance, an# t%at t%e mo#e" t%ey wou"# %ave wante# towor* from wou"# t%erefore %ave been in t%e "ine of tran!mi!!ionof t%e $....

Jut!c%er #e!cribe! !ome of t%e bib"ica" !cro""! foun# at umran a!'vernacu"ar' coie!, #e"iberate"y !im"ifie# an# ot%erwi!e a#ate#for ebrew-!ea*in rea#er!, an# circu"atin in t%e o"y Lan# uto t%e !econ# century 53. $%e nature of t%e!e ::, an# t%eque!tion of t%eir !uitabi"ity for t%e =or"ae of t%e &e!%itta, i! a"!o#i!cu!!e# by (eit4man. $%e!e non-roto-a!oretic $e7t ::,w%ic% ma#e u !uc% a "are roortion of t%e tota", may %ave been

of reat imortance #urin t%e ear"ier "ife of t%e umrancommunity but t%eir number may ive a mi!"ea#in i#ea of t%eirimortance #urin t%e "ater !tae!, t%e time at w%ic% t%e &e!%ittawa! written, w%en a! $ov !ue!t! a centra" !tream in Ju#ai!mmay %ave been re!on!ib"e for t%e coyin an# circu"ation oft%e!e te7t!...$%i! evi#ence of t%e te7t of t%e &e!%itta before t%efift% century i! foun# "are"y in t%e writin! of A%ra%at an# a"!oin t%o!e of 3%rem...

'$%e Ju#ai!m of t%e &e!%itta &entateuc% ... i! re#ominant"yrabbinic but embo#ie! !ome non-rabbinic e"ement!. $%e re"iionof t%e &e!%itta &!a"ter i! em%atica""y #ifferent from rabbinicJu#ai!m ... $%e %yot%e!i! may be venture# t%at t%e &entateuc%wa! tran!"ate# w%i"e t%at community wa! yet Jewi!%, an# t%e&!a"ter w%en it! evane"i4ation wa! we"" un#er way if not

com"ete.' Nuotin (eit4manO...

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(eit4man oint! out t%at t%e re!ence of !ome Jewi!% e7ee!i! in

t%e &e!%itta i! comatib"e wit% an oriin in a 5%ri!tian communityif t%at community %a# Jewi!% root! or Jewi!% contact!, an#conc"u#e!, overa"", t%at t%e &e!%itta wa! t%e wor* of non-rabbinicJew!, con!ciou!, at "ea!t #urin t%e time of tran!"ation of a"" butt%e "a!t boo*!, of i!o"ation from Jew! e"!ew%ere in t%e wor"#... or!uc% a community, t%e ro#uction of a bib"ica" te7t w%ic% wa!rea#i"y acce!!ib"e in a community w%ere t%e *now"e#e ofebrew wa! #ecrea!in may %ave been more imortant t%an

"itera"ne!!. )37tracte# from Translation Techni0ue in thePeshitta to "eremiahby >i""ian >reenber, coyri%t 2002,BPLL+.

A Word about the Aleppo %odex

:ome w%o %o"# to t%e urity of t%e A"eo 5o#e7 )anot%erebrew a!oretic te7t+ c"aim t%at t%ere are t%ou!an#! of error! in

t%e common"y accete# ebrew Bib"e. 1n =enice, circa 8;2I, a$uni!ian !c%o"ar name# Ya'acov Ben-%aim u!e# t%e rintin

re!! to ro#uce an e#ition of a"" 2I boo*! of t%e canoni4e# Bib"e,t%e fir!t of it! *in#. (it% it! inc"u!ion of famou! Bib"ecommentator! !uc% a! Pa!%i an# bn 34ra, t%e i*raot >e#o"ot3#ition, a! it became to be *nown, wa! accete# a! t%e #efinitivean# aut%oritative $ora% te7t. After anot%er rintin in (ar!aw, it

became t%e !tan#ar# for Crt%o#o7 communitie!. $%ere i! /u!t onerob"em t%e i*raot >e#o"ot i! %i%"y inaccurate. Cf t%at e#ition,t%e ive Boo*! of o!e!, t%e &ro%et! an# t%e (ritin! toet%ercontain !evera" t%ou!an#! of error!. ot /u!t of mu!ica"canti""ation! an# vowe"!, but "etter! a! we"". Ya'acov Ben-%aimNJacob ben 5%aimO carrie# out %i! manu!crit comari!on! onte7t! t%at were wit%in %i! eora%ica" reac%, but t%ey were notaccurate t%em!e"ve!. )t i! intere!tin to note t%at t%e rintin of

t%e i*raot >e#o"ot wa! e7ecute# un#er t%e aei! of a 5%ri!tianrinter, Danie" Bomber, an# Ben-%aim, w%o converte# to

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5%ri!tianity. t i! not c"ear, %owever, w%et%er Ben-%aim'!

conver!ion wa! before or after 8;2I.+ )"erusalem Post, ?$%e$rue $ora%?, by Pobby Berman+

$%e A"eo 5o#e7 i! attribute# to t%e wor* of Aaron ben o!e!ben A!%er )!ometime! ca""e# 1Bar A!%er+ w%o 1"ive# in $iberiu!#urin t%e fir!t %a"f of t%e 80t% century. i! fami"y %a# beeninvo"ve# in creatin an# maintainin t%e a!ora% for eit%er fiveor !i7 eneration!. Ben-A!%er rai#"y aine# fame a! t%e mo!t

aut%oritative of t%e $iberia! ma!orete!, an#, even after %i! #eat%,%i! name continue# to %o"# re!ect. )Jewi!% =irtua" Library, from/ates to "ewish erita!e+

1$%e !c%o"ar w%o a##e# t%e vowe"! an# accent! wa! Pabbi AaronBar A!%er, one of t%e mo!t i""u!triou! e7ert! in t%e !ecia"i4e#!cience of t%e Bib"ica" te7t t%at oe! by t%e name ?a!ora%.? $%ea!orete! #eve"oe# e"aborate !y!tem! for maintainin t%e

accuracy of t%e written, con!onanta" te7t of t%e Bib"e, a! we"" a!for recor#in t%e vowe"! an# accent!, w%ic% %a# reviou!"y been%an#e# #own t%rou% ora" memori4ation. $%ou% !evera" !uc%!y!tem! were #evi!e# #urin t%e ear"y me#ieva" era, in t%e en# t%eone from $iberia! ac%ieve# #ominanceG an# Aaron Bar A!%er wa!

er%a! t%e mo!t #i!tinui!%e# e7onent of t%e $iberian !c%oo" ofa!ora%. ):%e%er#!town, (e!t =irinia December 8999,January 2000. &rime ini!ter Bara* of !rae" an# oreinini!ter arou* a-:%ara of :yria enter into i""-fate# eaceneotiation! un#er American au!ice!+

aimoni#e! wrote, 1$%e co#e7 w%ic% we u!e# in t%e!e wor*! i!t%e co#e7 *nown in 3yt, w%ic% inc"u#e! 2I boo*!, w%ic% wa! inJeru!a"em ... an# wa! u!e# for e#itin t%e boo*! )of t%e Bib"e+, an#everyone re"ie! on it, becau!e it wa! e#ite# by Ben-A!%er, w%o

!tu#ie# it carefu""y for many year! an# e#ite# it many time! ... an# re"ie# on it in t%e $ora% :cro"" w%ic% wrote accor#in to it.

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1(%ic% i! t%e accurate ver!ion Becau!e t%e boo* i! !acre#, it!te7t mu!t be aree# uon an# accete# uncon#itiona""y, wit%outany #i!creancie! amon t%e variou! ver!ion!. Yet t%i! i! not t%eca!e. t i! true t%at t%ere are no #i!creancie! t%at c%ane t%e ba!icmeanin of t%e te7t... owever, t%ere are #ifference! betweenancient ebrew manu!crit! of t%e Bib"e an#, t%erefore, t%e !amecan be !ai# about t%e rinte# e#ition! ba!e# on t%e!e manu!crit!.$o en"i%tene# rea#er!, t%e recent attemt! by !ome !c%o"ar! to

'fin#' %i##en me!!ae! by combinin "etter! in t%e Bib"e !eemat%etic, at be!t. )ebrew Bibles, from 1233 to a new edition ofthe 4eter Aram T5ova, by ac%uym Ben Qvi+

ot enou% re!earc% %a! been #one in rear#! to t%e Aramaic$ana*% in or#er to !%ow any ma/or #ifference! between it an# t%eA"eo 5o#e7. (it% t%i! 5o#e7 bein avai"ab"e at "ea!t in art,anyone wit% a oo# *now"e#e of t%e :yriacRAramaic tran!"ation

of t%e $ana*% !%ou"# be ab"e, wit% ea!e, to comare t%e two inor#er to rovi#e an ear"y ana"y!i!.

$%e Aramaic &e!%itta $ana*%, for t%e mo!t art, i! tran!"ate##irect"y from t%e oriina", re-a!oretic te7t of t%e ebrew Bib"e,t%u! rovi#in u! wit% a muc% more ure te7t - e!ecia""ycomare# to t%e 1Ben 5%aim 3uroean e#ition of t%e $ana*%w%ic% i! mo!t certain"y corrute#. $%i! i! t%e !ame te7t t%ata"mo!t a"" 3n"i!% tran!"ation! of t%e 1C"# $e!tament areeventua""y ba!e# uon. 5"ear"y more re!earc% in t%i! fie"# nee#! to

be covere#, an# on"y time wi"" te"". )or more information, !ee t%eartic"e! o!te# at %ttRRwww.c%aya!.comRa""eo.%tm+

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&eshitta "ranslated by Jews

13ven to t%e (e!t of t%e 3u%rate! river, in t%e o"y Lan#, t%emain vernacu"ar wa! Aramaic. $%e wee*"y !ynaoue "ection!,ca""e# !i#ra or ara!%a%, wit% t%e %a%tara%, were accomanie# byan ora" Aramaic tran!"ation, accor#in to fi7e# tra#ition!. Anumber of $arumim in Aramaic were t%u! eventua""y committe#to writin, !ome of w%ic% are of unofficia" c%aracter, an# of

con!i#erab"e antiquity. $%e >emara of t%e Jeru!a"em $a"mu# wa!written in Aramaic, an# receive# it! #efinitive form in t%e ;t%century. $%e Baby"onian $a"mu# wit% it! commentarie! on on"yH of t%e i!%na%'! H tractate!, i! four time! a! "on a! t%eJeru!a"em $a"mu#. $%e!e >emarot% wit% muc% ot%er materia"were at%ere# toet%er towar# t%e en# of t%e ;t% century, an# arein Aramaic. :ince 89IF, aro7imate"y ;00 #ocument! were#i!covere# in e"even cave! of (a#i umran near t%e nort%we!tern

!%ore of t%e Dea# :ea. n a##ition to t%e !cro""! an# frament! inebrew, t%ere are ortion! an# frament! of !cro""! in Aramaic.ebrew an# Aramaic, w%ic% are !i!ter "anuae!, %ave a"way!remaine# t%e mo!t #i!tinctive feature! mar*in Jewi!% an# 3a!tern5%ri!tian re"iiou! an# cu"tura" "ife, even to our re!ent time. --&au" Younan )&e!%itta.or+.

1$%e &e!%itta tran!"ation of >ene!i!, an# in#ee# of t%e &entateuc%a! a w%o"e, i! articu"ar"y ric% in "in*! wit% contemorary Jewi!%e7eetica" tra#ition, an# t%i! ma*e! it "i*e"y t%at t%e!e boo*! weretran!"ate# by Jew! rat%er t%an by 5%ri!tian!.... t%e &e!%ittatran!"ation of &roverb! i! a"!o "i*e"y to %ave been t%e wor* ofJew! in nort%ern e!ootamiaG it !ub!equent"y came to be ta*enover by :yriac-!ea*in 5%ri!tian! an# by "ater Jew! )w%o "i%t"ymo#ifie# t%e #ia"ect+. -- The Bible in the $yriac Tradition, by

:eba!tian Broc*.

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ummary

$%e &e!%itta $ana*% )A?@+ i! a ref"ection of t%e oriina" ebrewautora%. $%at oriina", or autora% no "oner e7i!t! e7cet int%e form of t%e Aramaic ver!ion. $%e current"y u!e# ebrewa!oretic $e7t i! C$ t%e oriina" autora%. be"ieve carefu""ye7aminin t%e $arum! a"!o ive t%e #i"ient !tu#ent a !%a#ow oft%at oriina" autora%.

A! a ru"e #o not an# wi"" not u!e t%e a!oretic $e7t a! a ui#e tot%e oriina" !ince it %a! come #own to u! wit% it! manycorrution!. $%i! #oe! not mean t%at %ave no re!ect for t%ewe!tern bo#y of a!oretic te7t!. ta*e $%eo#ore of o!ue!tia'!comment very !eriou!"y, 1it wou"# be non!en!e to #i!rear# t%evoice of t%e ebrew, but w%en !ee c"ear"y i#entifiab"e error!, mu!t #i!rear# t%e "ater for t%e ear"ier, e!ecia""y if t%ere are

te7tua" witne!!e! to ive evi#ence of a more ure te7t.

:o w%ic% !ource! #o t%in* are more re"iab"e (it%out a #oubt -t%e &e!%itta $ana*% an# it! re"ate# manu!crit! !uc% a! t%e variou!$arum!.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

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APPENDIX I.-mendations of the $oferim

Concernin! the 6ivine +ame.

>ene!i! 8E,2F,0,8,2G 898EG 20I.

37o#u! I80,8G ;22G 8;8FG I9)27+.

umber! 8I8F.

Jo!%ua FE.

Ju#e! H8;G 8E.

@in! 80,8;G 22H.

2 @in! FHG 892.

!aia% 8F,8EG IIG H8,E,88G F8I,20G EFG 9F)E+,8H)8F+G 8082G8888G 28H,E,8HG 2E2G 298G 020G F2IG E8I,8HG I98I.

34e*ie" 8E2;,29G 288I)9+G 8F,20.

Amo! ;8HG FF,EG 98.

ica% 82.

Qec%aria% 9I.

a"ac%i 882,8I.

&!a"m! 2IG 8H2G 228)0+G 09)E+G ;8F,22,2G F8GE80)9+,8H)8;+,2)22+G 9E)F+G I08E)8F+G II2I)2+G ;88F)8;+G

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;IH)I+G ;;80)9+G ;F80)9+G ;982)88+G H28)82+G HH8EG

HE82)88+,8E)8F+,20)89+,2)22+,2F)2H+,)2+G F20GFF)2+,E)F+G FEH;G F982G EH,I,;,E,9,82,8;G E9;0)I9+,;8);0+G908,8FG 880;G 802,,HG

Job 2E2E.

Lamentation! 88I,8;)27+G 28,2,;,F,8E,89,20G 8,H,F,;E.

Danie" 82G 9,I,F,9,8;,8H,8F,89)7+.

34ra 80.

e%emia% 888G IE)8I+.

)=er!e! in arent%e!i! are t%o!e of t%e :etuaint ba!e# te7t a!oo!e# to t%o!e in t%e ebrew+

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APPENDIX II$hakhad in 6$$, Pshitta Tanakh and #asoretic Text.

:ummary 5oncernin t%e u!e of t%e wor# 1!%ac%ar an#1!%ac%a# in D:: !aia% )Dea# :ea :cro""!+, &!%itta $ana*% an#

t%e ebrew $

reat !aia% :cro"". rero#uce my re!on!e be"ow.

$%e wor# dxs)dx$+ %a! been tran!"ate# a! 1bribe, 1ift an#

1rewar# by #ifferent tran!"ator!.

!aia% E20 from &!%itta $ana*% u!e! t%e wor# 1bribe dxs)!%'*%a#+ w%i"e t%e a!oretic te7t u!e! rxs)!%ac%ar+ w%ic% i!often tran!"ate# a! 1mornin, 1"i%t or 1#awn.

Translation of *saiah 3(78 from the Aramaic(

1$o t%e te!timony an# t%e "aw6 f you #o not !ea* accor#in tot%i! wor#, becau!e t%ere i! none w%o bribe t%em.

Ja!trow'! Dictionary of t%e $arumim !ay! of t%e wor# 1!%ac%a#to win t%e favor of, bribe an# quote! :an%e#rin Ib )see below+.

:tron'! ebrew Bib"e Dictionary ive! t%i! information for t%e

wor# 1!%ac%a# a rimitive rootG to #onate, i.e. bribe--%ire, ivea rewar#... from '!%ac%a#' )FE09+G a #onation )vena" or

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re#emtive+--bribe)-ry+, ift, re!ent, rewar#. )umber FE09+.

$%ere'! an intere!tin comment by A#am 5"ar*e w%ere %e !ay! of!aia% E20, 1f t%ere be any !en!e in t%e!e wor#!, it i! not t%e!en!e of t%e oriina"G w%ic% cannot /u!t"y be !o tran!"ate#...$%erea#in of t%e :etuaint an# :yriac dx$!%ac%a#, ift, affor#! no

a!!i!tance towar#! t%e c"earin u of any t%in in t%i! #ifficu"t"ace.

5"ar*e a##! 1@imc%i !ay! t%i! wa! t%e form of an oat% -'By t%e"aw an# by t%e te!timony !uc% an# !uc% t%in! are !o.' ow if t%ey%a# !worn t%i! fa"!e"y, it i! becau!e t%ere i! no "i%t, noi""umination...no !cru"e of con!cience in t%em. )A#am 5"ar*e'!

oly Bible ith a Commentary and Critical +otes, 8EHG ae;F0+.

$%e u!e of t%e wor# 1bribe i! a"!o foun# in &e!%itta 34e*ie"8H

1A"" t%e ro!titute! ay t%em, but you ave to ay a"" of your"over! an# t%ey ave bribe! for your ro!titution, to come to youfrom a"" of your !urroun#in!.

A! note# above by Pabbi Ja!trow Baby"onian $a"mu# mention!

!imi"ar u!e! of t%i! wor# in t%e $a"mu# 1e )Jo!%ua+ bribe# %im)Ac%an+ wit% wor#!G from w%ic% we a"!o fin# t%e %ra!e 1w%om can er!ua#e wit% wor#! an# bribe wit% money.

"ob 19(:2 from Various Translations

(e fin# a !imi"ar u!e of t%e wor# 1!%ac%a# in Job 8;I.

Peshitta(or t%e comany of t%e aan!Ro#"e!! wi"" be#eva!tation an# #e!o"ation, an# t%e fire wi"" con!ume t%e %ou!e of

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t%e wic*e#Rbribery. )from my own tran!"ation of t%e Aramaic+

Bishops Bible ;19


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APPENDIX III.?emenite -sther.

or a "i!t of #ifference! !ee www.c%aya!.comR#o#.%tm

n t%e fina" e#ition of t%i! aer "an to rovi#e a tran!crition oft%e Yemenite 3!t%er fo""owe# by t%e common"y u!e# ebrewa!oretic. $%e Yemenite wi"" be tran!cribe# from a !cro"" from

my rivate co""ection )Bib"iot%eca Aramaica+.

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APPENDIX IV.Catalo! of 6ifferences Between Peshitta, #T and /reek.

$%i! i! a re"iminary "i!t of ver!e! t%at %ave variance! between t%eAramaic, ebrew $ an# t%e >ree*. %ave not verifie# eac% oft%e!e. :ome of t%e reference! are from my own re!earc%, !omefrom t%at of my reat ran#fat%er an# ot%er! from variou! !ource!.n t%e fina" ub"ication of t%i! aer, eac% of t%e ver!e! wi"" be

tran!"ate# an# comare# wit% eac% ot%er in #etai". &a!!ae! fromt%e &e!%itta ew $e!tament wi"" a"!o be inc"u#e#.

>ene!i! 82>ene!i! 82H>ene!i! 22>ene!i! H>ene!i! H

>ene!i! 82>ene!i! 8F8H>ene!i! 2FI0>ene!i! 22E>ene!i! 20>ene!i! IF8>ene!i! I98I37o#u! H2037o#u! 20F37o#u! 208837o#u! EELeviticu! 8E28

umber! 2;IDeuteronomy ;88Deuteronomy 28

Ju#e! 8I8;8 :amue" 82I

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8 :amue" 28

8 :amue" 2;8 :amue" H898 :amue" 8;8 :amue" 2I2 :amue" 8;F2 :amue" 8II2 :amue" 8EI8 5%ronic"e! 28;

8 5%ronic"e! ;28 5%ronic"e! 8288 5%ronic"e! 288 5%ronic"e! 29892 5%ronic"e! I2 5%ronic"e! 8H92 5%ronic"e! 2822 5%ronic"e! 222

2 5%ronic"e! H98 @in! ;88

e%emia% 802e%emia% 822I, HJob ;2IJob HHJob H9, 80Job H8IJob 820, 28Job 892;Job 2I89, 20Job 880Job H28Job EF&!a"m F88

&!a"m IE8I&!a"m HE88

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&!a"m FI;

&!a"m E9IF&!a"m 889IE&!a"m 898&!a"m 898;&!a"m 8I;8&roverb! H&roverb! H88&roverb! 882;

&roverb! 8E223cc"e!ia!te! 80895antic"e! ;F!aia% ;8F!aia% H80!aia% 9H!aia% 802F!aia% 8I82

!aia% 8980!aia% 2E80!aia% 2E8!aia% 2E20!aia% 0!aia% 8!aia% 2I!aia% I2E!aia% IFH!aia% I9I!aia% ;820!aia% ;989!aia% H82!aia% HI;Jeremia% I80

Jeremia% ;80Jeremia% FI, ;

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Jeremia% EI

Jeremia% 22Jeremia% 2F8Jeremia% IH8E34e*ie" 2;Danie" E2Io!ea 82Amo! H80

2E


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APPENDIX V.*ntroduction to the Aramaic "ewish Bible

A Translation from the Aramaic to -n!lish by

?a%a0ub ?ounan&@evine and Associates of Bibliotheca Aramaica

$%e Aramaic Jewi!% Bib"e i! ca""e# t%e ?&e!%itta $ana*%? )orA@+ an# it i! a %o"y te7t to t%e ancient !rae"ite! an# it i! t%eofficia" Bib"e of A!!yrian Ju#ai!m. $%e wor# ?$ana*%? i! an

acronym of t%e t%ree wor#! $ora% )@aw or Teachin!s+, evi'im)Prophets+, an# @etuvim )ritin!s+. $%e te7t of t%e $ana*% i!rear#e# a! bein %o"y, in articu"ar t%e ame of >o#, e!ecia""yin it! four "etter formhwhy, Aramaichy)Ya%+, orhyrm)arYa%,

Lor# Y(+.

$%e &!%itta $ana*% i! t%e ancient :criture! tran!"ate# intoLi!%ana Aramaya )Aramaic "anuae+ from t%e oriina" ebrewte7t w%ic% re-#ate# t%e >ree* :etuaint te7t )L+. $%eAramaic $ana*% u!e! many ebraic term!, many time!tran!"iteratin t%e wor#! an# %ra!e! rat%er t%an tran!"atin t%em.Cften time! t%e Aramaic &e!%itta an# t%e L aree aain!t t%ea!oretic te7t. $%e a!oretic te7t i! not t%e oriina" ebrew t%atwa! u!e# by t%e tran!"ator! of t%e Aramaic &!%itta. n ot%er wor#!,t%e te7t u!e# by t%o!e w%o tran!"ate# t%e Aramaic &!%itta i! muc%

o"#er t%an t%e a!oretic te7t. $%e Aramaic &!%itta $ana*% wa!com"ete# #urin t%e fir!t century 5.3., w%i"e t%e !tan#ar#i4e#a!oretic te7t wa! com"ete# between t%e !event% an# tent%centurie! 5.3.

Accor#in to t%e canon of t%i! Aramaic Bib"e, it contain! fifty-twoboo*!, w%ic% are #ivi#e# into t%ree !ection! $%e Law)AuraytaR$ora%, t%e ive Boo*! of o!e!+G $%e &ro%et!G an# t%e

(ritin!. $%e boo*! of t%e &ro%et! are tra#itiona""y #ivi#e# intot%e ?ormer &ro%et!? an# t%e ?Latter &ro%et!?, or !ometime! a!

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?$%e &ro%et!? an# ?inor &ro%et!?. $%e A"eo 5o#e7

arrane! t%e ro%et! in t%e fo""owin ?%i!torica" or#er? !aia%,Jeremia%, an# 34e*ie". 5ertain boo*! of t%e $ana*% are ?#oub"eboo*!? !uc% a! @etava :%emue", :ira #'a"*e, an# :ira#'Dabaryamin. $%e Boo* of &!a"m!, wit%in t%e (ritin!, are#ivi#e# into five ?boo*!? or !ection!. $%e !ection! of &!a"m! are#ivi#e# in t%e fo""owin manner :ection )or ?Boo*?+ 8 &!a"m! 8-I8G :ection 2 &!a"m! I2-F2G :ection &!a"m! &!a"m! F-E9G:ection I &!a"m! 90-80HG :ection ; &!a"m! 80F-8;0. $%ere i!

a"!o a 8;8'!t &!a"m in ebrew w%ic% i! foun# wit%in t%e ?&!a"m!:cro""? of t%e Dea# :ea :cro""! an# wit%in t%e :etuaint.

5o#e7 Ambro!iano );t%-Ft% century coy of t%e Aramaic &!%itta$ana*%+ inc"u#e! t%e fo""owin boo*! wit%in it a"on!i#e t%etra#itiona""y accete# boo*!, an# are note# by Aran Younan a!

bein 1canonica" by A!!yrian Jew! (i!#om, 3i!t"e ofJeremia%, 3i!t"e of Baruc%, Baruc%, Be", $%e Draon, :u!anna,

Ju#it%, Ben :irac%, Aoca"y!e of Baruc%, I 34ra, 8 - Iaccabee!, ortion! of Jo!e%u!' (ar! of t%e Jew!.

$%e tran!"ation from t%e Aramaic to 3n"i!% i! a ra#ua" roce!!.


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APPENDIX VI.-xodus 78(>,11 Comparisons with Aramaic Tanakh

Peshitta & -xodus 78(>, 11(You !%a"" not !wear fa"!e"y in t%ename of arYa% your A"a%a, for arYa% wi"" not con!i#er %iminnocent w%o !wear! fa"!e"y in %i! ame... for arYa% ma#e t%e%eaven! an# t%e eart%, t%e !ea! an# a"" t%at i! wit% t%em in !i7#ay!, an# re!te# on t%e !event% #ayG for t%at rea!on, A"a%a b"e!!e#

t%e !event% #ay an# ma#e it %o"y Uor, !anctifie# itV.

@(WX Z[\Z ]W W^W[_ `XWX ]WX dWX WX d [_]_g WX h_[Z `__Z `XW ]W^ _[j_^W^]_ ]W W^W[_ _X]WX d [_]_g... d^ h_ dk Z[d_ dWZd^ `XW ]W^ WX_^W^ `_ ]Z^ hZ^ `_]Z^ __!_^ `_ _^]_ ]_ d^ _X]W `_ `_]d_Xd^ ]Z Z[d_ ]ZdjlW[Z l_ ]WX]W dXWhZd^ `XW ]Z^ Z[d_^ ]Z^ djlW[Z^ `_Zh_d^ _X]Z^ )$%ou !%a"t not ta*e t%e name of t%e Lor# t%y >o#

in vainG for t%e Lor# t%y >o# wi"" not acquit %im t%at ta*e! %i!name in vain... or in !i7 #ay! t%e Lor# ma#e t%e %eaven an# t%eeart%, an# t%e !ea an# a"" t%in! in t%em, an# re!te# on t%e !event%#ayG t%erefore t%e Lor# b"e!!e# t%e !event% #ay, an# %a""owe# it. -Brenton+

#asoretic(You !%a"" not ta*e t%e name of Ya%we% your >o# invainG for Ya%we% wi"" not a""ow to o ununi!%e# %e w%o ta*e!%i! name in vain... or in !i7 #ay! Ya%we% ma#e t%e %eaven! an#t%e eart%, t%e !ea an# a"" w%ic% i! in t%em. An# %e re!te# on t%e!event% #ayG t%u!, Ya%we% b"e!!e# t%e !event% #ay an# !anctifie#it.

4in! "ames Version($%ou !%a"t not ta*e t%e name of t%e LCPDt%y >o# in vainG for t%e LCPD wi"" not %o"# %im ui"t"e!! t%at

ta*et% %i! name in vain... or in !i7 #ay! t%e LCPD ma#e %eavenan# eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at in t%em i!, an# re!te# t%e !event%

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#ay w%erefore t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat% #ay, an# %a""owe#

it.

Tar!um "onathan(y eo"e of t%e %ou!e of !rae", Let no one ofyou !wear by t%e name of t%e (or# of t%e Lor# your >o# in vainGfor in t%e #ay of t%e reat /u#ment t%e Lor# wi"" not %o"#ui"t"e!! any one w%o !wearet% by i! name in vain... or in !i7#ay! t%e Lor# create# t%e %eaven!, an# t%e eart%, an# t%e !ea, an#w%atever i! t%erein, an# re!te# on t%e !event% #ay t%erefore t%e

Lor# %at% b"e!!e# t%e #ay of :%abbat%a an# !anctifie# it.)3t%eri#e+

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APPENDIX VII.Canon of the Pshitta Tanakh.

$%e fo""owin "i!t of t%e Boo*! of t%e Aramaic &!%itta areaccor#in to note! by Aran Younan in 8908, an# corre!on# to t%e"i!t an# or#er of ancient Aramaic 5o#e7 Ambro!ianu!.

>ene!i! - :ira #'Berita

37o#u! - :ira #'a*anaLeviticu!- :ira #'@a*%ane

umber!- :ira #'inyaneDeuteronomy - :ire #'$inyan AuraytaJob - @etava #'YobJo!%ua - @etava #'!%u bar unJu#e! - :ira Dayane8 :amue" R 2 :amue" - @etava @a#maya #':%emue" R @etava

$rayana #':%emue"&!a"m! - @etava #'a4more )#'Davi#+8 @in! R 2 @in! - :ira @a#maya #'a"*e R :ira $rayana#'a"*e&roverb! - @etava #'at"e(i!#om3cc"e!ia!te! - @etava #'@u*%"at:on of :on! - $i!%be*%at $i!%be*%ata!aia% - @etava #'3!%aya ebyaJeremia% - @etava #'3ramya ebyaLamentation! - @etava #'C"yata3i!t"e of Jeremia%3i!t"e of Baruc%Baruc%34e*ie" - @etava #'@%a4quie"

o!ea - @etava #'@%o!%a ebyaJoe" - @etava #'Yoe" ebya


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Amo! - @etava #'Amo! ebya

Cba#ia% - @etava #'Cba#ya ebyaJona% - @etava #'Yonan ebyaica% - @etava #'i*%a ebya

a%um - @etava #'a*%om ebyaaba**u* - @etava #'@%abo* ebyaQe%ania% - @etava #'Qefanya ebyaaai - @etava #'@%aai ebyaQec%aria% - @etava #'Qe*arya ebya

a"ac%i - @etava #'a"a*%i ebyaDanie" )wit% ?&rayer of A4aria%? an# ?:on of $%ree?+ - @etava#'Danie" ebyaBe"$%e DraonPut% - @etava #'Pot:u!anna3!t%er - @etava #'!ter

Ju#it%Ben :irac%8 5%ronic"e! R 2 5%ronic"e! - :ira @a#maya #'Dabaryamin R :iraBet% #'DabaryaminAoca"y!e of Baruc%I 34ra34ra - @etava #'34ra

e%emia% - @etava #'e*%emya8 accabee!, 2 accabee!, accabee!, I accabee!Jo!e%u!, (ar! of t%e Jew!

$%e Jewi!% Aramaic &e!%itta mention! t%e!e boo*! a! bein canonica" an# inmo!t ca!e! are iven ebrew name! rat%er t%an Aramaic. $%e "i!t corre!on#!to 5o#e7 Ambro!ianu!. Younan'! manu!crit contain! t%e ebrew a!oreticte7t wit% e7ten!ive "i!t! of vocabu"ary, variant!, an# ot%er va"uab"e informationfor t%o!e re!earc%in Aramaic &e!%itta manu!crit!, an# in articu"ar Jewi!%

Aramaic #ia"ect!.

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APPENDIX VIII./enesis 1(7 in Comparison.

&e!%itta An# t%e 3art% wa! c%ao! an# !%a""ow, an# #ar*ne!!e!wa! on t%e !urface of t%e #ee aby!!. An# t%e :irit of >o#incubate#Rbroo#e#R%overe# on t%e !urface of water!.

o!t tran!"ation! of t%i! ver!e, w%ic% are from t%e a!oretic, u!e

t%e wor#! ?move#? or ?!wet?, P:= ?!wet over t%e face of t%ewater!?. $%e a!oretic te7t u!e! t%e %ra!e ?me'rac%e%et%?, from?rac%a%? ):ee FH in :tron'! ebrew 5oncor#ance, a

rimitve root meanin ?to broo#?+.

$arum Cn*e"o! )tran!"iterate#+ ren#ere# t%i! ver!e in t%efo""owin manner

v'are'a %avat% t4a#'ya v'reiqanya nac%!%o*%a a"-aei t'%omav'Pu*%a min qa#am YY )arYa%+ m'na!%'va a"-aei ma'ya. )ytran!"iteration may not fo""ow !tan#ar#!+

Cn*e"o! 1a win# from before t%e Lor# b"ew uon t%e face of t%ewater!

Jeru!a"em $arum 1t%e :irit of mercie! from before t%e Lor#breat%e# uon t%e face of t%e water!

Lam!a tran!"ate# >ene!i! 82 in t%e fo""owin manner An# t%eeart% wa! wit%out form, an# voi#G an# #ar*ne!! wa! uon t%e faceof t%e #ee. An# t%e :irit of >o# move# uon t%e face of t%ewater.

t aear! to me t%at t%e te7t of &e!%itta in#icate! Pu*%a#'@oo#!%a wa! 1incubatin "ife a! in 1rearin it an# 1rowin

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it into w%at it wa! to become. (%i"e t%e wor# 1move# robab"y

i!n't entire"y incorrect, fee" t%at it #oe!n't convey t%e fu""er !en!eof t%e "ain wor#! of &e!%itta.

$%e wor# 1incubatin i! #efine# a! 1%overin, enve"oin,%eatin to otima" temerature for rowt%, to rovi#e %eat, !o a!to romote embryonic #eve"omentG to maintain )a c%emica" or

bioc%emica" !y!tem+ un#er !ecific con#ition! in or#er to romotea articu"ar reactionG to form or con!i#er !"ow"y an# rotective"y,

a! if %atc%inG to maintain e!, orani!m!, or "ivin ti!!ue atotima" environmenta" con#ition! for rowt% an# #eve"oment.

foun# an intere!tin comment by Jo%n (ri%t o""ette )w%om be"ieve wa! a &rote!tant mini!ter w%o #ie# in 89HH+, w%ere %e!ai# 1(%en e brin! fort% creation, t%e (or# !ay! t%e 'o"y:irit move# uon t%e #ee'. $%e o"y :irit 'BPCCD3D' )inebrew+ over t%e #ee. t i! t%e !ame wor# t%at carrie! t%e t%ou%t

of incubation, an# brin! "ife. $%i! broo#in i! "i*e to a %en !ettinon %er e!. $%e o"y :irit 'BPCCD3D' over t%e #ee, an#>o#'! creative (or# brou%t fort% t%e "oriou! creation t%at we%ave t%rou% t%e ower of t%e :irit. )'m not en#or!in o""ette'!teac%in!, but on"y quotin w%at t%ou%t wa! an intere!tin noteon t%i! ver!e+.

H


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APPENDIX X.Comparin! 6euteronomy 7:(1 adulterereunuch

Peshitta Tanakh(o a#u"terer !%a"" enter t%e conreation ofarYa%.

#asoretic text )22 in ebrew+ A man wit% cru!%e# te!tic"e! or a!evere# oran !%a"" not enter t%e conreation of Y(. )from

t%e :tone 5%uma!%, 899E e!ora% &ub"ication!, Art!cro""+

Aleppo Codex()t%i! articu"ar ver!e in A"eo rea#! t%e !ame a!t%e ot%er ebrew a!oretic te7t!+,

Biblia Peshitta(inn a#"tero entrarp a "a coneacin #eYa%we%. )from t%e :ani!% &e!%itta, 200H+

ther Versions

+ew American $tandard Bible(?o one w%o i! ema!cu"ate# or%a! %i! ma"e oran cut off !%a"" enter t%e a!!emb"y of t%e LCPD.

4in! "ames Version(e t%at i! woun#e# in t%e !tone!, or %at% %i!rivy member cut off, !%a"" not enter into t%e conreation of t%eLCPD.

American $tandard Version(e t%at i! woun#e# in t%e !tone!, or%at% %i! rivy member cut off, !%a"" not enter into t%e a!!emb"y ofJe%ova%.

Bible in Basic -n!lish(o man w%o!e rivate art! %ave been

woun#e# or cut off may come into t%e meetin of t%e Lor#'!eo"e.

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6ouay&)heims Bible(An eunuc%, w%o!e te!tic"e! are bro*en orcut away, or yar# cut off, !%a"" not enter into t%e c%urc% of t%eLor#.

6arby Bible Translation(e t%at i! a eunuc%, w%et%er %e %avebeen cru!%e# or cut, !%a"" not come into t%e conreation ofJe%ova%.

-n!lish )evised Version(e t%at i! woun#e# in t%e !tone!, or %at%%i! rivy member cut off, !%a"" not enter into t%e a!!emb"y of t%eLCPD.

"ewish Publication $ociety Tanakh(e t%at i! cru!%e# or maime#in %i! rivy art! !%a"" not enter into t%e a!!emb"y of t%e LCPD.

ebster%s Bible Translation(e t%at i! woun#e# or muti"ate# in

%i! !ecret!, !%a"" not enter into t%e conreation of t%e LCPD.

orld -n!lish Bible(e w%o i! woun#e# in t%e !tone!, or %a! %i!rivy member cut off, !%a"" not enter into t%e a!!emb"y ofYa%we%.

?oun!%s @iteral Translation(Cne woun#e#, brui!e#, or cut in t%emember #ot% not enter into t%e a!!emb"y of Je%ova%.

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APPENDIX XI.*saiah o# in or#er to ma*e t%i! %aen to t%e eo"eRcity.

Biblia Peshitta ;$panish=(&orque e" cora4n #e e!te ueb"o "e %a!i#o en#ureci#o. " %a en!or#eci#o !u! os#o! y %a cerra#o !u!

o/o!, ara que no vea con !u! o/o!, ni oia con !u! os#o!, nientien#a con !u cora4n, ni !e arreienta ni "e !ea er#ona#o.

ebrew #asoretic text(

--

American $tandard Version(a*e t%e %eart of t%i! eo"e fat, an#ma*e t%eir ear! %eavy, an# !%ut t%eir eye!G "e!t t%ey !ee wit% t%eireye!, an# %ear wit% t%eir ear!, an# un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart, an#turn aain, an# be %ea"e#.

@amsa(or t%e %eart of t%i! eo"e i! #ar*ene# an# t%eir ear! are%eavy an# t%eir eye! c"o!e#, !o t%at t%ey may not !ee wit% t%eireye! an# %ear wit% t%eir ear! an# un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart an#

be converte# an# be foriven.

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4in! "ames Version(a*e t%e %eart of t%i! eo"e fat, an# ma*e

t%eir ear! %eavy, an# !%ut t%eir eye!G "e!t t%ey !ee wit% t%eir eye!,an# %ear wit% t%eir ear!, an# un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart, an#convert, an# be %ea"e#.

)evised $tandard Version(a*e t%e %eart of t%i! eo"e fat, an#t%eir ear! %eavy, an# !%ut t%eir eye!G "e!t t%ey !ee wit% t%eir eye!,an# %ear wit% t%eir ear!, an# un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart!, an# turnan# be %ea"e#.

+ew )evised $tandard Version(a*e t%e min# of t%i! eo"e#u"", an# !to t%eir ear!, an# !%ut t%eir eye!, !o t%at t%ey may not"oo* wit% t%eir eye!, an# "i!ten wit% t%eir ear!, an# comre%en#wit% t%eir min#!, an# turn an# be %ea"e#.

+ew American $tandard Bible(Pen#er t%e %eart! of t%i! eo"ein!en!itive, $%eir ear! #u"", An# t%eir eye! #im, Ct%erwi!e t%ey

mi%t !ee wit% t%eir eye!, ear wit% t%eir ear!,


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APPENDIX XII.abakkuk 7(11, Theodore of #opsuestia.

$%eo#ore of o!ue!tia i! quote# by J.&. ine a! writin,1:ome %ave !ai# t%at t%e :yrian ver!ion rea#! 'e'G but it wou"#

be non!en!e to #i!rear# t%e voice of t%e ebrew -- in w%ic% t%ero%et! !o*e an# w%ic% t%e :eventy wit% t%eir own tran!"ation%ave ma#e c"ear to u!, for t%ey were notab"e! an# erfect"y *new

t%at "anuae -- an# ay attention to t%e :yrian w%o %a! a"tere#t%e voice of t%e ebrew! into t%at of t%e :yrian!. Be!i#e! %e oftenwant! to rai!e %i! own mi!ta*e! to a "inui!tic "aw, wit%out*nowin w%at %e i! ta"*in about.

$%eo#ore'! reference to 1t%e :eventy i! t%e :etuaint. t aear!by t%i! comment t%at $%eo#ore i! re/ectin t%e &e!%itta te7t overt%at of t%e :etuaint )for t%i! articu"ar a!!ae at "ea!t+ w%ic%

!ay! 1beet"e w%i"e t%e &e!%itta !ay! 1e or 1nai".

'rom Aramaic(or t%e !tone !%a"" im"ore from t%e wa"", an# t%enai" from t%e woo# !%a"" re!on#. )or a #ifferent ten!e or t%e!tone %a! im"ore#Rca""e# out from t%e wa"", an# t%e nai" from t%ewoo# %a! re!on#e#.+

@amsa(or t%e !tone !%a"" cry out from t%e wa"", an# t%e nai" int%e woo# !%a"" an!wer it.

"ewish Publication $oc. ;1D1>=(or t%e !tone !%a"" cry out of t%ewa"", an# t%e beam out of t%e timber !%a"" an!wer it.

"ewish Publication $oc. ;modern edition=(or a !tone !%a"" cryout from t%e wa"", an# a rafter !%a"" an!wer it from t%e woo#wor*.

Brenton%s $eptua!int(or t%e !tone !%a"" cry out of t%e wa"", an#

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t%e beet"e out of t%e timber !%a"" !ea*.

Pear#in t%i! a!!ae, &au" Younan !ai#, 1 #on't *now %ow abeet"e ma*e! any conte7tua" !en!e %ere. t "oo*! "i*e t%e &e!%ittatran!"ate! c"o!er to t%e oriina" ebrew t%an t%e L #oe!. (eret%e :eventy immune from tran!"ation error $%e tran!"ator! of t%e&e!%itta were Jew!, too. Loo*! "i*e t%e "atter ot t%i! one ri%t.

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APPENDIX XIII.6ifferences between the Aramaic of +umbers 79(2

with other versions or translations.

3n"i!% tran!"ation of t%e ancient Aramaic &e!%itta 1PY !ai#to o!e! $a*e a"" t%e %ea#! Nor 1c%ief!O of t%e town an# #riveNor 1#i!er!e, 1move, 1"ea#O t%em before PY, towar# t%e"i%t of t%e !un an# my wrat% wi"" turn away from t%e c%i"#ren of

!rae".

"ewish Publication $ociety, 1D1>(ba!e# on t%e common ebrewa!oretic te7t, 1An# t%e LCPD !ai# unto o!e! $a*e a"" t%ec%ief! of t%e eo"e, an# %an t%em u unto t%e LCPD in face oft%e !un, t%at t%e fierce aner of t%e LCPD may turn away from!rae".

+ew )evised $tandard Version(1ima"e t%em

@uther ;1929=(1%an t%em

$eptua!int ;Brenton, 1391=(1An# t%e Lor# !ai# to o!e!, $a*ea"" t%e rince! of t%e eo"e, an# ma*e t%em e7am"e! of

/u#ment for t%e Lor# in t%e face of t%e !un, an# t%e aner of t%eLor# !%a"" be turne# away from !rae".

@amsa(1An# t%e LCPD !ai# to o!e!, $a*e a"" t%e c%ief! of t%eeo"e an# e7o!e t%em before t%e LCPD in t%e #ay"i%t t%at t%efierce aner of t%e LCPD may be turne# away from t%e c%i"#renof !rae".

Ct%er "anuae! u!e 1ut to #eat%, 1utter"y #e!troy, 1!mite,

1!"ay.

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APPENDIX XIV.*saiah 29(1>, Peshitta, #ass, @, etc.

Peshitta( $%e !a"vation of !rae" i! in arYa%, t%e :aviour of t%ewor"#G you wi"" not be in!u"te# nor confu!e# forever.

Aleppo Codex(

$eptua!int(

_Z gd]_ XW `XWX g]Z_^ _g^W^ WX`_X^ZW^]_ WXld [Z d^]_g^ dg ]WX _g^W

+ew American $tandard Bible ;1DD9=(!rae" %a! been !ave# byt%e LCPD (it% an ever"a!tin !a"vationG You wi"" not be ut to!%ame or %umi"iate# $o a"" eternity.

/6%$ )6 Translation ;1DD9=(!rae" %a! been !ave# by t%eLCPD forever. You wi"" never aain be a!%ame# or #i!race#.

4in! "ames Version(But !rae" !%a"" be !ave# in t%e LCPD wit%an ever"a!tin !a"vation ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# nor confoun#e#wor"# wit%out en#.

American $tandard Version(But !rae" !%a"" be !ave# by Je%ova%wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vation ye !%a"" not be ut to !%ame norconfoun#e# wor"# wit%out en#.

Bible in Basic -n!lish(But t%e Lor# wi"" ma*e !rae" free wit% aneterna" !a"vation you wi"" not be ut to !%ame or ma#e "ow for

ever an# ever.

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6ouay&)heims Bible(!rae" i! !ave# in t%e Lor# wit% a! eterna"

!a"vation you !%a"" not be confoun#e#, an# you !%a"" not bea!%ame# for ever an# ever.

6arby Bible Translation(!rae" !%a"" be !ave# by Je%ova% wit% anever"a!tin !a"vation ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# nor confoun#e#,unto t%e ae! of ae!.

-n!lish )evised Version(But !rae" !%a"" be !ave# by t%e LCPD

wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vation ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# norconfoun#e# wor"# wit%out en#.

"ewish Publication $ociety Tanakh ;1D1>=(C !rae", t%at art !ave#by t%e LCPD wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vationG ye !%a"" not bea!%ame# nor confoun#e# wor"# wit%out en#.

ebster%s Bible Translation(But !rae" !%a"" be !ave# in t%e

LCPD wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vation ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# norconfoun#e# wor"# wit%out en#.

orld -n!lish Bible( !rae" wi"" be !ave# by Ya%we% wit% anever"a!tin !a"vation. You wi"" not be #i!aointe# norconfoun#e# to ae! ever"a!tin.

?oun!%s @iteral Translation(!rae" %at% been !ave# in Je%ova%, A!a"vation ae-#urin6 Ye are not a!%ame# nor confoun#e#


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APPENDIX XV.Comparin! /enesis 7(7.

>ene!i! 22, w%ere it !ay! 1!event% #ay in t%e fo""owintran!"ation!, i! in contra#iction to 37o#u! 2088.

+ew American $tandard Bible(By t%e !event% #ay >o#com"ete# i! wor* w%ic% e %a# #one, an# e re!te# on t%e

!event% #ay from a"" i! wor* w%ic% e %a# #one.

4in! "ames Version(An# on t%e !event% #ay >o# en#e# %i! wor*w%ic% %e %a# ma#eG an# %e re!te# on t%e !event% #ay from a"" %i!wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#e.

American $tandard Version(An# on t%e !event% #ay >o# fini!%e#%i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#eG an# %e re!te# on t%e !event% #ay

from a"" %i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#e.

Bible in Basic -n!lish(An# on t%e !event% #ay >o# came to t%een# of a"" %i! wor*G an# on t%e !event% #ay %e too* %i! re!t froma"" t%e wor* w%ic% %e %a# #one.

6ouay&)heims Bible(An# on t%e !event% #ay >o# en#e# %i! wor*w%ic% %e %a# ma#e an# %e re!te# on t%e !event% #ay from a"" %i!wor* w%ic% %e %a# #one.

6arby Bible Translation(An# >o# %a# fini!%e# on t%e !event%#ay %i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#eG an# %e re!te# on t%e !event% #ayfrom a"" %i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#e.

-n!lish )evised Version(An# on t%e !event% #ay >o# fini!%e# %i!

wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#eG an# %e re!te# on t%e !event% #ay froma"" %i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#e.

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"ewish Publication $ociety Tanakh(An# on t%e !event% #ay >o#fini!%e# i! wor* w%ic% e %a# ma#eG an# e re!te# on t%e!event% #ay from a"" i! wor* w%ic% e %a# ma#e.

ebster%s Bible Translation(An# on t%e !event% #ay >o# en#e#%i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#eG an# %e re!te# on t%e !event% #ayfrom a"" %i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#e.

orld -n!lish Bible(Cn t%e !event% #ay >o# fini!%e# %i! wor*w%ic% %e %a# ma#eG an# %e re!te# on t%e !event% #ay from a"" %i!wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#e.

?oun!%s @iteral Translation(an# >o# com"etet% by t%e !event%#ay i! wor* w%ic% e %at% ma#e, an# cea!et% by t%e !event% #ayfrom a"" i! wor* w%ic% e %at% ma#e.

-xodus 78(11

+ew American $tandard Bible(or in !i7 #ay! t%e LCPD ma#et%e %eaven! an# t%e eart%, t%e !ea an# a"" t%at i! in t%em, an#re!te# on t%e !event% #ayG t%erefore t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat%#ay an# ma#e it %o"y.

4in! "ames Version(or in !i7 #ay! t%e LCPD ma#e %eaven an#eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at in t%em i!, an# re!te# t%e !event% #ayw%erefore t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat% #ay, an# %a""owe# it.

Bible in Basic -n!lish( or in !i7 #ay! t%e Lor# ma#e %eaven an#eart%, an# t%e !ea, an# everyt%in in t%em, an# %e too* %i! re!t ont%e !event% #ay for t%i! rea!on t%e Lor# %a! iven %i! b"e!!in tot%e !event% #ay an# ma#e it %o"y.

6ouay&)heims Bible(or in !i7 #ay! t%e Lor# ma#e %eaven an#

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eart%, an# t%e !ea, an# a"" t%in! t%at are in t%em, an# re!te# on t%e

!event% #ay t%erefore t%e Lor# b"e!!e# t%e !event% #ay, an#!anctifie# it.

6arby Bible Translation(or in !i7 #ay! Je%ova% ma#e t%e%eaven! an# t%e eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at i! in t%em, an# re!te#on t%e !event% #ayG t%erefore Je%ova% b"e!!e# t%e !abbat% #ay, an#%a""owe# it.

-n!lish )evised Version(for in !i7 #ay! t%e LCPD ma#e %eavenan# eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at in t%em i!, an# re!te# t%e !event%#ay w%erefore t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat% #ay, an# %a""owe#it.

"ewish Publication $ociety Tanakh(for in !i7 #ay! t%e LCPDma#e %eaven an# eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at in t%em i!, an# re!te#on t%e !event% #ayG w%erefore t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat% #ay,

an# %a""owe# it.

ebster%s Bible Translation(or in !i7 #ay! t%e LCPD ma#e%eaven an# eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at i! in t%em, an# re!te# t%e!event% #ay w%erefore t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat%-#ay, an#%a""owe# it.

orld -n!lish Bible(for in !i7 #ay! Ya%we% ma#e %eaven an#eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at i! in t%em, an# re!te# t%e !event% #ayGt%erefore Ya%we% b"e!!e# t%e :abbat% #ay, an# ma#e it %o"y.

?oun!%s @iteral Translation(for !i7 #ay! %at% Je%ova% ma#e t%e%eaven! an# t%e eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at i! in t%em, an# re!tet%in t%e !event% #ayG t%erefore %at% Je%ova% b"e!!e# t%e :abbat%-#ay, an# #ot% !anctify it.

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APPENDIX XVI.Tar!um literature.

$%e $arum "iterature inc"u#e!

)a+ $%e two $arum! to t%e &entateuc% an# to t%e &ro%et!re!ective"y, w%ic% receive# t%e officia" !anction of t%eBaby"onian aca#emic aut%oritie!. Bot% oriinate# in &a"e!tine, an#

receive# t%eir fina" form in t%e Baby"onian co""ee! of t%e t%ir#an# fourt% centurie!. $%at to t%e &entateuc%, owin to t%emi!un#er!tan#in of a !tatement concernin t%e Bib"e tran!"ationma#e by A*y"a! )Aqui"a+, wa! #enominate# t%e $arum ofCn*e"o! )'A*y"a!+. $%at to t%e &ro%et! i! a!cribe# by ancienttra#ition to a #i!ci"e of i""e", Jonat%an b. .O

)c+ $%e $arum! to t%e aiora%a vary reat"y in c%aracter. A!ecia" rou i! forme# by t%o!e of t%e &!a"m! an# Job. Accor#into we""-foun#e# tra#ition t%ere wa! a! ear"y a! t%e fir!t %a"f of t%e

fir!t century of t%e common era a $arum to Job. $%e $arum to&roverb! be"on!, a! a"rea#y mentione#, to t%e :yrian ver!ion of

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t%e Bib"e. $%e ive Po""! %a# t%eir own $arum!G t%e Boo* of

3!t%er !evera" of t%em. $%e $arum to 5%ronic"e! wa! #i!covere#"ate!t of a"".

)+ Aramaic Aocry%a $%ere wa! at "ea!t a artia" Aramaictran!"ation of t%e boo* of :irac% a! ear"y a! t%e time of t%eAmoraim. A ortion of t%e Aramaic !entence! of :irac%,intermin"e# wit% ot%ermatter, i! e7tant in t%e ?A"%abet of Ben:ira.? $%e Aramaic ?Boo* of t%e a!monean ou!e,? a"!o entit"e#

?Antioc%u!' Po"",? contain! a narrative of t%e accabean!'!tru"e!, an# wa! *nown in t%e ear"y aonic erio#. A ?5%a"#aic?Boo* of $obit wa! uti"i4e# by Jerome, but t%e Aramaic Boo* of$obit foun# by eubauer, an# ub"i!%e# in 8EFE, i! a "aterrevi!ion of t%e o"#er te7t. An Aramaic Aocry%a" a##ition to3!t%er i! t%e ?Dream of or#ecai,? of &a"e!tinian oriin.

)I+ ei""at $a'anit, t%e a!t Po"", i! a "i!t of t%e %i!torica""y

?memorab"e #ay!,? #rawn u in a"manac form. t wa! comi"e#before t%e #e!truction of t%e :econ# $em"e, e#ite# in t%ea#rianic erio#, an# "ater on aumente# by variou! ebrewannotation! mo!t"y of t%e tannaitic ae.

);+ $%e &a"e!tinian $a"mu# )$a"mu# Yeru!%a"mi+, com"ete# int%e beinnin of t%e fift% century.

)H+ $%e Baby"onian $a"mu# )$a"mu# Bab"i+, com"ete# at t%e en#of t%e fift% century. $%e Aramaic content! of bot% $a"mu#! are t%emo!t imortant an# a"!o t%e mo!t abun#ant remain! of t%eAramaic i#iom u!e# by t%e Jew! of &a"e!tine an# Baby"oniare!ective"y. $%e numerou! !torie!, "een#!, anec#ote!,conver!ation!, an# roverb! revea" fait%fu""y t%e actua" "anuaeof t%e ou"ar u!ae. eit%er $a"mu# i!, %owever, entire"y an

Aramaic wor*. A! t%e utterance! of t%e Amoraim an# t%eir %a"a*ic#i!cu!!ion! retain a reat #ea" of t%e ew ebrew i#iom of t%e

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tannaitic "iterature, bot% i#iom! were em"oye# in t%e aca#emie!.

oreover, a "are roortion of t%e materia" containe# in t%e$a"mu# i! como!e# of t%e utterance! of tannaitic tra#ition t%atwere couc%e# on"y in ebrew.

)F+ $%e i#ra!% Literature Cf t%i! branc% t%e fo""owin aree!ecia""y ric% in Aramaic e"ement! >ene!i! Pabba%, Leviticu!Pabba%, Lamentation! Pabbati, t%e i#ra!% a4ita uon t%e :on of :on!, an# t%e o"# &e!i ta. $%e Pabbot i#ra!%im on Put%,

3!t%er, an# 3cc"e!ia!te!, an# t%e i#ra!% on t%e &!a"m!, containa"!o muc% Aramaic. $%e youner i#ra!%im, e!ecia""y t%o!e

be"onin to t%e Ye"am#enu )or $an uma+ rou, are, in art, t%e ebrew revi!ion! of oriina""y Aramaic ortion!. $%e Aramaic

art! of t%e o"#er i#ra!%im are "inui!tica""y a""ie# mo!t c"o!e"yto t%e i#iom of t%e &a"e!tinian $a"mu#.

)E+ $%e a!ora%. $%e termino"oy of t%e a!ora%, w%ic%, in it!

beinnin!, be"on! to t%e amoraic erio#, an# t%e "anuae of t%eo"#e!t a!oretic annotation! an# !tatement!, are Aramaic.

)9+ $%e >aonic Literature $%e "ea" #eci!ion! of t%e >eonimwere for t%e reater art written in Aramaic, in %armony wit% t%e"anuae of t%e Baby"onian $a"mu#G but t%ey o!!e!!e# t%i!a#vantae, at "ea!t in t%e fir!t few centurie!, t%at t%i! wa! "i*ewi!et%e "ivin "anuae of t%e eo"e. $%e !ame i! true concernint%o!e two wor*! of t%e o"#er aonic erio#, t%e ?:%e'e"tot? an# t%e?a"a*ot >e#o"ot,? w%ic% contain !ome materia" not foun# in t%evocabu"ary of t%e $a"mu#.

)80+ Liturica" Literature n a##ition to t%e @a##i!% a"rea#ymentione#, !evera" "iturica" iece! oriinatin in Baby"onreceive# enera" accetance t%rou%out t%e #ia!ora. :uc% were

t%e two rayer! beinnin ?Ye um &ur an? in t%e :abbat%-

mornin !ervice, t%e intro#uctory !entence! of t%e &a!!over

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aa#a%, an# certain o"#er ortion! of t%e "itury for enitentia"

#ay!.t i! curiou! to note t%at t%e Yemen :i##ur contain! a "arerquantity of Aramaic t%an t%e :i##urim of ot%er countrie!. Aunique $arum of t%e 'Ami#a% )$efi""a%+ i! to be foun# in aYemen :. )>a!ter, o. H8+ of t%e !eventeent% or ei%teent%centuryG it %a! been rinte# in t%e ?onat!!c%rift,? 777i7. F9 et!eq.>.$%e Aramaic oem! intro#ucin certain $arumic!e"ection! from t%e &entateuc% %ave been mentione# above.

)88+ 5aba"i!tic Literature $%e reviva" of Aramaic a! t%e "iterary"anuae of t%e 5aba"a by t%e Qo%ar %a! a"rea#y been mentione#.

)82+ Pabbinica" Literature $%e Aramaic co"orin of a "areroortion of t%e wor*! commentin uon t%e Baby"onian$a"mu#, a! we"" a! of ot%er ro#uction! of %a"a*ic "ore continuint%e "iterature of t%e aonic ae, wa! #erive# from t%e Baby"onian$a"mu#, from w%ic% t%e termino"oy an# %ra!eo"oy were

a#ote# at t%e !ame time a! t%e content!. )uote# from t%e"ewish-ncyclopedia+

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APPENDIX XVII."ewish -ncyclopedia on Tar!um nkelos.

n a##ition to t%e com"ete &a"e!tinian $arum )!eu#o-Jonat%an+t%ere e7i!t frament! of t%e &a"e!tinian $arum terme# ?$arumYeru!%a"mi?G but of t%e!e frament!, comri!e# un#er t%e enericterm ?rament-$arum,? on"y t%o!e were unti" recent"y *nownw%ic% were fir!t ub"i!%e# in Bomber'! ?Bib"ia Pabbinica? in

8;8E on t%e ba!i! of 5o#e7 =aticanu! o. II0. A few year! ao,%owever, >in!burer e#ite# un#er t%e tit"e ?Da!ramentent%arum? )Ber"in, 8E99+ a number of ot%er frament!from manu!crit !ource!, e!ecia""y from 5o#e7 &ari!ien!i! o.880, a! we"" a! t%e quotation! from t%e $arum Yeru!%a"mi foun#in ancient aut%or!. $%i! wor* ren#ere# a "are amount ofa##itiona" materia" avai"ab"e for t%e critici!m of t%e &a"e!tinian$arum, even t%ou% a con!i#erab"e a#vance %a# a"rea#y been

ma#e by Ba!!freun# in %i! ?ramenten-$arum 4um &entateuc%?)!ee ?onat!!c%rift,? 8E9H, 7".+.

$%e enera" view! concernin t%e &a"e!tinian $arum an# it!re"ation to Cn e"o! %ave been mo#ifie# but !"i%t"y by t%e!e new

ub"ication!. A"t%ou% t%e re"ation of t%e $arum Yeru!%a"mi toCn e"o! %a! a"rea#y been #i!cu!!e#, it may be a##e# %ere t%at t%e com"ete &a"e!tinian $arum, a! it i! foun# in t%e !eu#o-Jonat%an, i! not ear"ier t%an t%e !event% centuryG for it mention!Aye!%a% )'A'i!%a%+ )or, accor#in to anot%er rea#in, @%a#i/aN a#i/a%O+ an# atima, t%e wife an# #au%ter of o%amme#, a! wive! of !%mae", w%o wa! rear#e# a! o%amme#'! ance!tor.

t oriinate#, moreover, at a erio# w%en t%e $arum Cn e"o! wa! e7erci!in it! inf"uence on t%e Ccci#entG for t%e re#actor of t%e

&a"e!tinian $arum in t%i! form combine# many a!!ae! of t%etwo tran!"ation! a! t%ey now e7i!t in t%e $arum Yeru!%a"mi an#

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t%e $arum. Cn e"o! )!ee ?Q. D. . >.? 77viii. H9 et !eq.+, be!i#e!

revea"in %i! #een#ence on t%e Cn e"o! in ot%er re!ect! a! we"". $%e frament! of t%e $arum Yeru!%a"mi are not a""contemoraneou!G an# many a!!ae! contain !evera" ver!ion! oft%e !ame ver!e!, w%i"e certain !ection! are #e!inate# a! a##ition!)?to!efta?+. $%e te7t of t%e ma/ority of t%e frament! i! o"#er t%ant%e !eu#o-Jonat%anG an# t%e!e remnant!, w%ic% frequent"y con!i!tof a !in"e wor# on"y or of a ortion of a ver!e, %ave been fu!e#accor#in to a rinci"e w%ic% can no "oner bereconi4e#G but

t%ey may %ave con!i!te# in art of "o!!e! written by !ome coyi!ton t%e marin of t%e Cn e"o!, a"t%ou% wit%out !y!tem an# t%u! wit%out com"etene!!.

any of t%e!e frament!, e!ecia""y t%e %aa#ic ara%ra!e!,aree wit% t%e !eu#o-Jonat%an, w%ic% may, on t%e ot%er %an#, beo"#er t%an !ome of t%em. n "i*e manner, %aa#ic a##ition! werema#e in "ater centurie! to t%e te7t of t%e $arum, !o t%at an

African manu!crit of t%e year 8IEF a""u#e! to t%e cature of5on!tantino"e by t%e $ur*! in 8I;. 3ar"y in t%e twe"ft% centuryJu#a% ben Bar4i""ai wrote a! fo""ow! wit% rear# to t%e!ea##ition! ?$%e &a"e!tinian $arum contain! %aa#ic !ayin!a##e# by t%o!e w%o "e# in rayer an# w%o a"!o rea# t%e $arum,in!i!tin t%at t%e!e !ayin! be recite# in t%e !ynaoue a!interretation! of t%e te7t of t%e Bib"e.? De!ite t%e numerou!a##ition! to t%e &a"e!tinian $arum, an# notwit%!tan#in t%e factt%at t%e ma/ority of t%e frament! are of "ater #ate t%an Cn e"o!,

bot% !eu#o-Jonat%an an# t%e frament! contain muc% t%at %a!!urvive# from a very ear"y erio#G in#ee#, t%e nuc"eu! of t%e&a"e!tinian $arum i! o"#er t%an t%e Baby"onian, w%ic% wa!re#acte# from it.

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CODEX AMBROSIANUS

'rom a 9thCentury Copy of the Aramaic Pshitta Tanakh

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GLOSSAR

A !im"e "o!!ary wi"" be a##e# to t%e fina" e#ition of t%i! aer.

AC!NO"LEDGMEN#S

or !ome of t%e te7t in Aramaic an# ebrew %ave uti"i4e# t%efont! 13!trane"o, *in#"y rovi#e# by &au" Younan avai"ab"e

from &e!%itta.or, an# 1Levi!tam, *in#"y rovi#e# by :te%en:i"ver from Du*%rana.com.

This is not the final version of this paper, and therefore may

contain typos and areas where clarification is necessary.

Please feel free to send feedback and notification of typos.

manu!crito!arameo! at mai" #ot com

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Ancient Versions of the Bible

Documents

Transcript of Ancient Versions of the Bible