Ancient Versions of The Bible

Ancient Versions of the Bible

Draft January 9, 2009
By 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
com'o!e#, for t%e mo!t 'art, in ,ebrew between t%e time of
-o!e! an# t%e "a!t eneration of t%e 'ro'%et!. Durin t%e time of
.e%emia%, t%e ma/ority of 0!rae"ite!, a! t%e Bib"e te""! u!, cou"# no
"oner com're%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 new
e#ition of t%e Bib"e wa! tran!"ate# into more #eve"o'e# ,ebrew
"anuae of t%at time. $%e Aramaic ver!ion! were tran!"ate# by a
rou' of -a!orete! *nown a! 1-e#in*%a'e2 )-a!orete! of t%e
3a!t+ an# wa! fina"i4e# in t%e fir!t century 53. $%e new ,ebrew
Bib"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% century
536
Bot% of t%e!e Aramaic an# ,ebrew e#ition! are witne!!e! to t%e
now "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 a
tran!"ation )t%e ancient ver!ion u!e# by Aramaic !'ea*in 'eo'"e!
8
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 were
carefu", or meticu"ou!, it i! evi#ent t%at error!, corru'tion! an#
even remova" of certain wor#! an# '%ra!e! were remove# from t%e
we!tern ver!ion an# !ome ma/or #ifference! a''ear between t%e
3a!tern an# (e!tern !ource!.
&rofe!!or 3manue" $ov, in %i! boo* Textual Criticism of the
ebrew Bible
8
, !ay!9 13ven t%ou% t%e !cribe! of -$
meticu"ou!"y 're!erve# a uniform te7t, breac%e! in t%i! unity are
nevert%e"e!! vi!ib"e. Between t%e ear"y !ource! of -$ t%ere
e7i!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'e
an# -a'arba'e.2
8
&ub"i!%e# by <iteveri/ =an >orcum, 2008
How old are our Bibles?
A! mentione# above, t%e ancient ,ebrew te7t, w%ic% no "oner
e7i!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!cri't!+
were foun# at @irbat Aumran )t%e Aumran 5ave!+ an# are
enera""y referre# to a! t%e 1Dea# :ea :cro""!.2 $%e Dea# :ea
:cro""! are a co""ection of Bib"ica" an# non-bib"ica" te7t! in
,ebrew, Aramaic an# >ree*.
$%e #ate of t%e!e manu!cri't! #iffer an# !c%o"ar! arue a! to t%e
e7act #ate! of eac% !cro"" or frament. $%ere i! !ome enera"
areement to many of t%e manu!cri't! #atin bac* to t%e B00'!
B53 an# t%e fir!t century 53. 0n many ca!e! t%e Aramaic an#
,ebrew te7t! of t%e Dea# :ea :cro""! aree wit% t%e Aramaic
ver!ion of t%e oriina" ,ebrew te7t an# aain!t t%at of t%e u'#ate#
2
-a!oretic ,ebrew te7t.
0 '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'. 0t! actua" oriin
%owever i! con!i#ere# to be a 1my!tery2 by mo!t !c%o"ar! w%o
ta*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 in
e7i!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%e
Leninra# 5o#e7+ wa!n't com'o!e# unti" more t%an one t%ou!an#
year! after -e!!ia%
8
wa"*e# t%e eart%. Yet, t%e ear"ie!t *nown
com'"ete Aramaic ver!ion of t%e :cri'ture! #ate bac* to t%e fift%
or !i7t% century, w%ic% wa! co'ie# 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#a'te# t%e Aramaic &e!%itta 1.ew
$e!tament2 from 3a!tern Aramaic to Ju#eo-Aramaic ).eo-
Aramaic+
2
, '"aye# wit% t%e i#ea t%at t%e Aramaic $ana*% an# t%e
ear"ie!t manu!cri't! of t%e we!tern -$ bean to be com'o!e#
aroun# t%e !ame time. Cn t%e ot%er %an#, my fat%er be"ieve# t%at
t%e Aramaic cou"# %ave been t%e main !ource te7t for -$. Dor
eit%er ca!e, 0 am not yet rea#y, or comfortab"e to ma*e an o'inion
on t%e matter.
8
Ye!%ua ewsy
2
,e bean wor*in on %i! co#e7 in 8E9F an# t%e wor* on t%e oriina"
conc"u#e# by 8982 or a year before. ,e wa! unab"e to com'"ete t%e wor* before
%i! #eat%. Younan a#a'te# t%e 5%urc% of t%e 3a!t &e!%itta te7t to Jewi!% .eo-
Aramaic w%ic% i! ty'ica""y written '%onetica""y an# re'"ace! certain c%aracter!
wit% ot%er! an# written wit% t%e !tan#ar# ,ebrew a"'%abet - at "ea!t accor#in
to t%e !'e""in an# rammatica" ru"e! in w%ic% %e wa! u!in.
B
Why choose the Aramaic version over that of the Hebrew?
0 %ave a"way! !ai# t%at 1o"#e!t i! not a"way! better.2 ,owever, if
t%ere i! evi#ence of more t%an one te7tua" witne!!, an# t%e!e
witne!!e! are o"#er t%an any ?u'#ate#? ver!ion )i.e., t%e ,ebrew
-$+ an# t%ey #o not aree wit% a "atter ver!ion, t%en we mu!t in
oo# con!ciou! c%oo!e t%e ma/ority te7t. $%ere %ave been !evera"
e7am'"e! #emon!tratin %ow t%e ancient Aramaic $ana*%
)A.?@+ an# t%e Dea# :ea :cro""! often time! #i!aree wit% t%at of
t%e "ater ,ebrew -$.
0n my o'inion, 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%e
,ebrew -$. $%e rea!on 0 !ay t%i! i! becau!e of !o many
#i!areement! between t%e ancient witne!!e! an# t%e more
1mo#ern2 ,ebrew -$. 0t i! we"" *nown t%at t%e ,ebrew -$
contain! error! an# corru'tion! a! note# above, even t%ou% t%e
-a!orete! were meticu"ou! in writin t%e te7t.
$ov !ay!, 1Yet, in !'ite of t%eir 'reci!ion, even t%e manu!cri't!
w%ic% were written an# voca"i4e# by t%e -a!orete! contain
corru'tion!, c%ane!, an# era!ure!. -ore im'ortant"y, t%e
-a!orete!, an# before t%em t%e !oferim, acte# in a re"ative"y "ate
!tae of t%e #eve"o'ment of t%e bib"ica" te7t, an# before t%ey %a#
'ut t%eir meticu"ou! 'rinci'"e! into 'ractice, t%e te7t a"rea#y
containe# corru'tion! an# %a# been tam'ere# wit% #urin t%at
ear"ier 'erio# w%en !cribe! #i# not a! yet treat t%e te7t wit% !uc%
reverence...corru'te# in t%e cour!e of t%e !criba"
tran!mi!!ion...:uc% corru'tion! are reconi4e# in t%e Aumran
!cro""! )e.., 8A0!aa in 0!a 8B989G 2H9B-IG B09B0G I09F-E+ on t%e
ba!i! of t%eir com'ari!on wit% -$ an# ot%er te7t!, an#, by t%e
!ame to*en, in -$ it!e"f, w%en com'are# wit% ot%er te7t!....8 :am
892IG I9B8-22G 2 :am 2B9B8G 2 @! 8898BG Jer 2B9BBG 2992HG I899...
0n many #etai"! -$ #oe! not ref"ect t%e 'Criina" $e7t' of t%e
I
bib"ica" boo*!...#ifference! between t%e -a!oretic $e7t an# ear"ier
or #ifferent !tae! of t%e bib"ica" te7t wi"" continue to be
reconi4e#.2
But weren't the Jewish scribes faithful in preserving the original
text?
A! %a! a"rea#y been note# t%e !cribe! )!oferim+ were from two
!et! of 1-a!orete2 fami"ie! - ea!t an# we!t. -any, but not a"", of
t%e error! an# corru'tion! foun# wit%in t%e we!tern te7t )-$+
%ave been cata"oe# by variou! !c%o"ar!.
5%ri!tian Davi# >in!bur note# %ow t%e !cribe! re!'on!ib"e for
're!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 $ana*% in at
"ea!t 8BI 'a!!ae!
8
, re'"acin t%e 'ro'er .ame wit% t%e tit"e
1A#onai2 )Lor#+. 0f t%e!e 'articu"ar !cribe! were !o bo"# a! to
ma*e !uc% a b"a!'%emou! act, w%at ot%er atrocitie! mu!t t%ey
%ave committe# in t%e name of 1fait%fu" 're!ervation2J
-any a re"iiou! in#ivi#ua", e!'ecia""y un#er t%e inf"uence of
&rote!tanti!m, %ave a fancifu" an# near i#o"atrou! view of t%e
,ebrew -$ 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#.2 -any quote t%e 'a!!ae in t%e >o!'e" of -att%ew to ba!e
t%eir 're'o!terou! i#eo"oy9 1,eaven an# eart% !%a"" 'a!! away,
but my wor#! !%a"" not 'a!! away.2 )-att%ew 2I9B;, @in Jame!
=er!ion+.
,owever, a! %a! a"rea#y been #emon!trate# above, t%i! wa! never
t%e ca!e wit% t%e we!tern te7t t%at %a! been tran!mitte# by t%e
-a!orete!. -any of t%e !ame corru'tion! foun# in t%e -$ %ave
been carrie# over in mo!t of t%e 5%ri!tian Bib"e tran!"ation! of t%e
,ebrew 1C"# $e!tament2.
;
5oncernin t%e reverence by ea!tern -a!orete! for t%e %o"y te7t of
t%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 of
t%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!. 0t! im'ortance for t%e te7tua" inve!tiation
an# ear"y Bib"ica" inter'retation cannot be overe!timate#. (%i"e
t%e tarumi!t ma*e! "itt"e #i!'"ay of critica" !tu#y in ren#erin
intricate '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 for
t%e "etter an# tran!mitte# rea#in of t%e te7t mu!t by far %ave
e7cee#e# t%at of t%e >ree* an# :yriac tran!"ator!. At t%e !ame
time %i! tran!"ation i! #oubt"e!!"y ba!e# on a !oun#er an# e7acter
un#er!tan#in of bot% t%e etymo"oy an# u!ae! of t%e ,ebrew
"anuae.2
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"y
invente# 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# of
meanin, w%ic% in t%eir !im'"e !tate, mu"titu#e! of t%em can by no
mean! 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! !u''o!e# to %ave
commence# about I;0 year! before our Lor#, an# to %ave
e7ten#e# #own to AD 80B0. :ome t%in* it #i# not commence
before t%e ;t% century A.D.2
B
8
:ee A&&3.D0L 0, ?3men#ation! of t%e :oferim?
2
Ya"e <niver!ity &re!!, 890F
H
B
$%e ,o"y Bib"e, 15ontainin t%e C"# an# .ew $e!tament!. $%e te7t carefu""y
'rinte# from t%e mo!t correct co'ie! of t%e 're!ent aut%ori4e# tran!"ation,
inc"u#in t%e marina" rea#in! an# 'ara""e" te7t!9 wit% a commentary an#
critica" note!G #e!ine# a! a %e"' to a better un#er!tan#in of t%e !acre#
writin!.2 &ub"i!%e# by $. $e an# :on, 8EBF
Is there anything better than the !" available?
(e %ave t%e ancient te7tua" witne!!e! to t%e oriina" ,ebrew
foun# wit%in t%e Dea# :ea :cro""!, t%e Aramaic )-e#in*%aye+
=er!ion an# in frament!. A! mentione# above, t%e!e ancient
ver!ion! often aree wit% eac% ot%er an# not wit% t%e e"event%
century -$.
(%en 'ointin out !ome #ifference! between t%e u!e of a
'articu"ar wor# in t%e Dea# :ea :cro""! )'articu"ar"y in t%e >reat
0!aia% :cro""+ an# t%e Aramaic an# -$, #emon!tratin t%at t%e
D:: an# Aramaic were not in areement wit% -$
8
, &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"# $e!tamentO an# LLL N:e'tuaintO. (%at ma*e! it
irrefutab"e i! t%e #i!covery of t%e D:: 0!aia% manu!cri't, c"ear"y
!%owin t%at t%e -a!orete! %a# a !criba" error %ere in rea#in
Pe!% for Da"et% )a mo!t common error w%i"e rea#in @tav
A!%uri+. Before t%e #i!covery of t%e D::, a"" we wou"# %ave i! t%e
&C$ an# LLL areein wit% eac% ot%er w%i"e #i!areein wit%
t%e -a!oretic ver!ion. $%i! e7am'"e convincin"y #emon!trate!
t%at t%e LLL an# &C$ can be, at time!, muc% more va"uab"e in
a!certainin t%e oriina" rea#in t%an t%e -a!oretic ver!ion.2
2
8
:ee A&&3.D0L 00, 1:%a*%a# in D::, &!%itta $ana*% an# -a!oretic $e7t2
2
&e!%itta.or
F
!odern day Jews accept the !" # why shouldn't we?
:im'"y becau!e a 'articu"ar ver!ion %a! become t%e main!tream
te7t of Ju#ai!m )from -e#ieva" time! to t%e 're!ent+ #oe! not
in#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" !tream
in Ju#ai!m #oe! not nece!!ari"y im'"y t%at it contain! t%e be!t te7t
of t%e Bib"e. Bot% t%e ,ebrew 'arent te7t of Nt%e :e'tuaintO an#
certain of t%e Aumran 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! com'are# 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 3uro'ean 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 to
corru't variou! 'a!!ae! of t%e $ana*% an# t%i! wa! 'a!!e# #own
to 5%ri!tian! a! can be !een in t%eir mo#ern #ay tran!"ation!. $%e
,ebrew manu!cri't! 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. $%e!e !ame e#itor!
were a"!o re!'on!ib"e for 'rovi#in Jerome wit% manu!cri't!
w%ic% %a# a"rea#y been e#ite# for u!e in %i! own tran!"ation of t%e
=u"ate a! %a! been #ocumente# by ot%er!.
Anot%er im'ortant factor to remember i! %ow certain tran!"ation!
of t%e ,ebrew -$ were tran!mitte# to 5%ri!tian an# Jewi!%
communitie! t%rou%out 3uro'e in ot%er "anuae!. >e##e!
-ac>reor, in %i! boo*, The Bible in the #akin!, !ay!9
1$ran!"ation! of t%e ,ebrew Bib"e into variou! "anuae!, bean
to a''ear about t%at time. 0n 8I22 Pabbi -o!e! Arrae" tran!"ate#
t%e :cri'ture! from t%e ,ebrew into :'ani!%, for t%e 5%ri!tian
5%urc% an# wit% t%e a!!i!tance of Dranci!can !c%o"ar!, an# it i!
E
u'on t%at ver!ion t%at t%e Derrara Bib"e, 'rinte# in 8;;B, 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%e
co'ie! inten#e# for 5%ri!tian rea#er!. Dor e7am'"e, w%ere t%e
co'ie! inten#e# for Jew! rea# 'youn woman,' t%e co'ie! !et a!i#e
for 5%ri!tian u!e 'ut 'virin.'2
&er!ona" re"iiou! !entiment for a 'articu"ar te7t w%i"e b"atant"y
inorin 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%ey
c%oo!e to continue u!in a corru'te# te7t t%at #i# not even e7i!t in
t%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%e
37o#u! from 3y't to :inai. Becau!e of t%e very nature of t%e
Aramaic 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%e
'ro'%et!.
$%e ear"ie!t Aramaic tran!criber! %a# a reat reverence for t%e
te7t, 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 ,ebrew
te7t current"y in u!e in t%e !ynaoue! an# tran!"ate# in &rote!tant
Bib"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!t
century #urin t%e time of t%e A'o!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
9
A'o!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&&3.D0L 000, 1Yemenite 3!t%er2 to com'are 'ortion! of t%e we!tern
Pabbinica" ver!ion an# t%at u!e# by Yemenite !ynaoue! )Jew! from ancient
Yemen+.
2
$%i! i! a"!o t%e era of t%e oriin of t%e Aramaic 1.ew $e!tament2 *nown a!
t%e &e!%itta, w%ic% 0 #on't yet cover in #etai" wit%in t%e #raft of t%i! 'a'er.
,owever, for a "i!t of !ome #ifference! between t%e Aramaic, ,ebrew an#
>ree*, !ee A&&3.D0L 0=, 15ata"o of Difference! &e!%itta, -$ an# >ree*2
$riginal Aramaic "ext
1$%e Jewi!% Aramaic Bib"e ver!ion! are *nown to u!, fir!t an#
foremo!t, a! ma/or "iterary cry!ta""i4ation!.2 )$heki%im mi&tar!ume
ha&#ikra ha&Aramiyim, by -o!%e ,enry >o!%en->ott!tein,
Pimon @a!%er, 89EB, Bar-0"an <niver!ity+. 1Before t%e 5%ri!tian
era Aramaic %a# in oo# 'art re'"ace# ,ebrew in &a"e!tine a! t%e
vernacu"ar of t%e Jew!. 0t continue# a! t%eir vernacu"ar for
centurie! "ater... $ran!"ation! of boo*! of t%e ,ebrew Bib"e into
Aramaic for "iturica" 'ur'o!e! mu!t %ave beun before t%e
5%ri!tian era... 0n recent #eca#e! t%ere %a! been increa!in intere!t
amon !c%o"ar! an# a "arer 'ub"ic in t%e!e $arum!. A noticeab"e
"acuna, %owever, %a! been t%e ab!ence of a mo#ern 3n"i!%
tran!"ation of t%i! bo#y of writin.2 )The Aramaic Bible, by &%i"i'
:. A"e7an#er, 200B+
1$%e Jewi!% Aramaic Bib"e tran!"ation! came into e7i!tence w%en,
an# w%ere, ,ebrew wa! no "oner fu""y un#er!too#. A! !uc% t%e
ear"ie!t Aramaic inter'retative "iterature, foun# in Aumran, i! to
be un#er!too#... 0n t%e #ia!'ora un#er ,e""eni!tic inf"uence, t%e
>ree* tran!"ation of t%e :e'tuaint re'"ace# t%e oriin" ,ebrew
te7t. $%i! !ituation #i# not '"ea!e t%e Pabbi!, w%o... *een"y
a''reciate# t%at muc% wa! "o!t in tran!"ation... an Aramaic
80
tran!"ation un#er rabbinic !u'ervi!ion of $ora% an# &ro'%et!
a''eare# 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...2 )37tracte# from Playin! $econd
'iddle( ow the )abbis Tamed the "ewish Aramaic Bible
Translations by (i""em :me"i*, <niver!ity 5o""ee Lon#on, an#
A"e7 :ame"y, $%e <niver!ity of -anc%e!ter+.
1Jewi!% Aramaic Bib"e tran!"ation! %ave an uncommon !tructure
in 'erformance an# content!... $%ey are #e"iberate"y mo#e""e# a! a
counter'oint to t%e oriina" te7t... $%ey are 'ain!ta*in"y "itera" in
a one-to-one fa!%ion w%erever 'o!!ib"e, u' to t%e 'oint of co'yin
,ebrew !ynta7, w%i"e free"y a##in inter'retative !u''"ement!, or
!ub!titutin !ome "emmata )wit%in t%e one-to-one mo#e+, for
e7eetica" an# t%eo"oica" rea!on!. (%i"e t%e!e remar*! a''"y to
a"" of t%e Jewi!% Aramaic tran!"ation!, t%ey are quite #i!tinct from
one anot%er in !evera" way!. (%i"e !ome tran!"ation! bear t%e
im'rint of rabbinic aut%ority, ot%er! ref"ect t%e concern!, intere!t!
an# o'inion! of e#ucate# "aymen.2 )The Antiphony of the ebrew
Bible and *ts "ewish Aramaic Translations( The +eed to )ead a
Translation in Concert with the ,ri!inal, Dr. (i""em :me"i*,
<niver!ity 5o""ee Lon#on+.
(%i"e t%e Aramaic tran!"ation of t%e &e!%itta $ana*% ref"ect! t%e
oriina" ,ebrew t%at wa! u!e# by t%e -a!orete! in 'ro#ucin a
revi!e#, !tan#ar# ver!ion of t%e ,ebrew te7t, t%ere are boo*!
wit%in t%e $ana*% t%at were written oriina""y in Aramaic, an# not
in ,ebrew. Dor e7am'"e, t%e boo*! of 34ra an# .e%emia%, once a
!in"e 1boo*2, were oriina""y written in Aramaic an# tran!"ate#
to ,ebrew. ):ee Boundaries of the Ancient +ear -astern .orld(
A Tribute to Cyrus . /ordon, by 5yru! ,er4"G Biblical Books
Translated from the Aramaic, by Dran* QimmermannG The
ebrew Bible Today( An *ntroduction to Critical *ssues, by
:teven L. -c@en4ie, -att &atric* >ra%amG The Colle!eville Bible
88
Commentary( Based on the +ew American Bible, by Pobert J.
@arri!+. 0t 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"!o
oriina""y written in Aramaic an# "ater tran!"ate# into ,ebrew.
$%e!e te7t!, inc"u#in 34ra an# .e%emia%, were written between
;B0 an# IB0 B53.
$%e ear"ier -a!oretic te7t wa! 'ro#uce# out of nece!!ity #ue to
t%e ancient ,ebrew !cri't 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! 1-a!ora%2, a! mentione# ear"ier in t%i! 'a'er.
$%e current"y u!e# ,ebrew Bib"e amon Jew! an# 5%ri!tian!, wa!
e#ite# muc% "ater by Jacob ben ,ayim 0bn A#onya%u aroun# 8;2I
53 an# ba!e# on manu!cri't! t%at %e %a# avai"ab"e to %im at t%e
time, an# a! wi"" be !%own be"ow, t%o!e manu!cri't! %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"ae2+ te7t of t%e
,ebrew. $%i! i! one rea!on t%ere are #i!cre'ancie! between t%e
Aramaic an# t%e "ater revi!e#, !tan#ar#i4e# ,ebrew e#ition.
>i""ian >reenber ive! !ome intere!tin information on %i!
com'ari!on! of t%e -a!oretic an# t%e :yriacRAramaic &e!%itta
$ana*% in %i! boo* Translation Techni0ue in the Peshitta to
"eremiah9
10n t%e ear"ier "iterature, $a"mon a!!emb"e! evi#ence in t%e
rabbinic 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 century
53...Aain!t t%e bac*roun# of t%e evi#ence for t%e #ate of t%e
82
!tan#ar#i4ation of t%e 'roto--a!oretic $e7t, it i! %i!torica""y
'o!!ib"e t%at a -: w%ic% wa! c"o!e to even if not i#entica" wit%
t%e "atter wou"# %ave been in e7i!tence at t%e time of writin of
t%e &e!%itta, an# cou"# %ave forme# t%e =or"ae....t%at t%e
tran!"ator! wou"# %ave !ou%t out a 'mo#e"' te7t, one iven %i%
!tatu! by t%o!e invo"ve# in &a"e!tine, a! t%e ba!i! of t%e wor* of
!uc% im'ortance, an# t%at t%e mo#e" t%ey wou"# %ave wante# to
wor* from wou"# t%erefore %ave been in t%e "ine of tran!mi!!ion
of t%e -$....
Jut!c%er #e!cribe! !ome of t%e bib"ica" !cro""! foun# at Aumran a!
'vernacu"ar' co'ie!, #e"iberate"y !im'"ifie# an# ot%erwi!e a#a'te#
for ,ebrew-!'ea*in rea#er!, an# circu"atin in t%e ,o"y Lan# u'
to t%e !econ# century 53. $%e nature of t%e!e -::, an# t%e
que!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 'ro'ortion of t%e tota", may %ave been
of reat im'ortance #urin t%e ear"ier "ife of t%e Aumran
community9 but t%eir number may ive a mi!"ea#in i#ea of t%eir
im'ortance #urin t%e "ater !tae!, t%e time at w%ic% t%e &e!%itta
wa! written, w%en a! $ov !ue!t! a centra" !tream in Ju#ai!m
may %ave been re!'on!ib"e for t%e co'yin an# circu"ation of
t%e!e te7t!...$%i! evi#ence of t%e te7t of t%e &e!%itta before t%e
fift% century i! foun# "are"y in t%e writin! of A'%ra%at an# a"!o
in t%o!e of 3'%rem...
'$%e Ju#ai!m of t%e &e!%itta &entateuc% ... i! 're#ominant"y
rabbinic but embo#ie! !ome non-rabbinic e"ement!. $%e re"iion
of t%e &e!%itta &!a"ter i! em'%atica""y #ifferent from rabbinic
Ju#ai!m ... $%e %y'ot%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.' NAuotin (eit4manO...
8B
(eit4man 'oint! out t%at t%e 're!ence of !ome Jewi!% e7ee!i! in
t%e &e!%itta i! com'atib"e wit% an oriin in a 5%ri!tian community
if 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-rabbinic
Jew!, con!ciou!, at "ea!t #urin t%e time of tran!"ation of a"" but
t%e "a!t boo*!, of i!o"ation from Jew! e"!ew%ere in t%e wor"#... Dor
!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 of
,ebrew wa! #ecrea!in may %ave been more im'ortant t%an
"itera"ne!!.2 )37tracte# from Translation Techni0ue in the
Peshitta to "eremiah by >i""ian >reenber, co'yri%t 2002,
BP0LL+.
A Word about the Aleppo %odex
:ome w%o %o"# to t%e 'urity of t%e A"e''o 5o#e7 )anot%er
,ebrew -a!oretic te7t+ c"aim t%at t%ere are t%ou!an#! of error! in
t%e common"y acce'te# ,ebrew Bib"e. 10n =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"e
commentator! !uc% a! Pa!%i an# 0bn 34ra, t%e -i*raot >e#o"ot
3#ition, a! it became to be *nown, wa! acce'te# a! t%e #efinitive
an# aut%oritative $ora% te7t. After anot%er 'rintin in (ar!aw, it
became t%e !tan#ar# for Crt%o#o7 communitie!. $%ere i! /u!t one
'rob"em9 t%e -i*raot >e#o"ot i! %i%"y inaccurate. Cf t%at e#ition,
t%e Dive Boo*! of -o!e!, t%e &ro'%et! an# t%e (ritin! toet%er
contain !evera" t%ou!an#! of error!. .ot /u!t of mu!ica"
canti""ation! an# vowe"!, but "etter! a! we"". Ya'acov Ben-,%aim
NJacob ben 5%aimO carrie# out %i! manu!cri't com'ari!on! on
te7t! t%at were wit%in %i! eora'%ica" reac%, but t%ey were not
accurate t%em!e"ve!. )0t i! intere!tin to note t%at t%e 'rintin of
t%e -i*raot >e#o"ot wa! e7ecute# un#er t%e aei! of a 5%ri!tian
'rinter, Danie" Bomber, an# Ben-,%aim, w%o converte# to
8I
5%ri!tianity. 0t i! not c"ear, %owever, w%et%er Ben-,%aim'!
conver!ion wa! before or after 8;2I.+2 )"erusalem Post, ?$%e
$rue $ora%J?, by Pobby Berman+
$%e A"e''o 5o#e7 i! attribute# to t%e wor* of Aaron ben -o!e!
ben A!%er )!ometime! ca""e# 1Bar A!%er2+ w%o 1"ive# in $iberiu!
#urin t%e fir!t %a"f of t%e 80t% century. ,i! fami"y %a# been
invo"ve# in creatin an# maintainin t%e -a!ora% for eit%er five
or !i7 eneration!. Ben-A!%er ra'i#"y aine# fame a! t%e mo!t
aut%oritative of t%e $iberia! ma!orete!, an#, even after %i! #eat%,
%i! name continue# to %o"# re!'ect.2 )Jewi!% =irtua" Library, from
/ates to "ewish erita!e+
1$%e !c%o"ar w%o a##e# t%e vowe"! an# accent! wa! Pabbi Aaron
Bar A!%er, one of t%e mo!t i""u!triou! e7'ert! in t%e !'ecia"i4e#
!cience of t%e Bib"ica" te7t t%at oe! by t%e name ?-a!ora%.? $%e
-a!orete! #eve"o'e# 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%e
one from $iberia! ac%ieve# #ominanceG an# Aaron Bar A!%er wa!
'er%a'! t%e mo!t #i!tinui!%e# e7'onent of t%e $iberian !c%oo" of
-a!ora%.2 ):%e'%er#!town, (e!t =irinia December 8999,
January 2000. &rime -ini!ter Bara* of 0!rae" an# Dorein
-ini!ter Darou* a-:%ara of :yria enter into i""-fate# 'eace
neotiation! un#er American au!'ice!+
-aimoni#e! wrote, 1$%e co#e7 w%ic% we u!e# in t%e!e wor*! i!
t%e co#e7 *nown in 3y't, w%ic% inc"u#e! 2I boo*!, w%ic% wa! in
Jeru!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#
0 re"ie# on it in t%e $ora% :cro"" w%ic% 0 wrote accor#in to it.2
8;
1(%ic% i! t%e accurate ver!ionJ Becau!e t%e boo* i! !acre#, it!
te7t mu!t be aree# u'on an# acce'te# uncon#itiona""y, wit%out
any #i!cre'ancie! amon t%e variou! ver!ion!. Yet t%i! i! not t%e
ca!e. 0t i! true t%at t%ere are no #i!cre'ancie! t%at c%ane t%e ba!ic
meanin of t%e te7t... ,owever, t%ere are #ifference! between
ancient ,ebrew manu!cri't! of t%e Bib"e an#, t%erefore, t%e !ame
can be !ai# about t%e 'rinte# e#ition! ba!e# on t%e!e manu!cri't!.
$o en"i%tene# rea#er!, t%e recent attem't! by !ome !c%o"ar! to
'fin#' %i##en me!!ae! by combinin "etter! in t%e Bib"e !eem
'at%etic, at be!t.2 )ebrew Bibles, from 1233 to a new edition of
the 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%e
A"e''o 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 com'are t%e two in
or#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""y
com'are# to t%e 1Ben 5%aim2 3uro'ean e#ition of t%e $ana*%
w%ic% i! mo!t certain"y corru'te#. $%i! i! t%e !ame te7t t%at
a"mo!t a"" 3n"i!% tran!"ation! of t%e 1C"# $e!tament2 are
eventua""y ba!e# u'on. 5"ear"y more re!earc% in t%i! fie"# nee#! to
be covere#, an# on"y time wi"" te"". )Dor more information, !ee t%e
artic"e! 'o!te# at %tt'9RRwww.c%aya!.comRa""e'o.%tm+
8H
&eshitta "ranslated by Jews
13ven to t%e (e!t of t%e 3u'%rate! river, in t%e ,o"y Lan#, t%e
main vernacu"ar wa! Aramaic. $%e wee*"y !ynaoue "ection!,
ca""e# !i#ra or 'ara!%a%, wit% t%e %a'%tara%, were accom'anie# by
an ora" Aramaic tran!"ation, accor#in to fi7e# tra#ition!. A
number 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"y
BH of t%e -i!%na%'! HB tractate!, i! four time! a! "on a! t%e
Jeru!a"em $a"mu#. $%e!e >emarot% wit% muc% ot%er materia"
were at%ere# toet%er towar# t%e en# of t%e ;t% century, an# are
in Aramaic. :ince 89IF, a''ro7imate"y ;00 #ocument! were
#i!covere# in e"even cave! of (a#i Aumran near t%e nort%we!tern
!%ore of t%e Dea# :ea. 0n a##ition to t%e !cro""! an# frament! in
,ebrew, t%ere are 'ortion! an# frament! of !cro""! in Aramaic.
,ebrew an# Aramaic, w%ic% are !i!ter "anuae!, %ave a"way!
remaine# t%e mo!t #i!tinctive feature! mar*in Jewi!% an# 3a!tern
5%ri!tian re"iiou! an# cu"tura" "ife, even to our 're!ent time.2 --
&au" Younan )&e!%itta.or+.
1$%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% contem'orary Jewi!%
e7eetica" tra#ition, an# t%i! ma*e! it "i*e"y t%at t%e!e boo*! were
tran!"ate# by Jew! rat%er t%an by 5%ri!tian!.... t%e &e!%itta
tran!"ation of &roverb! i! a"!o "i*e"y to %ave been t%e wor* of
Jew! in nort%ern -e!o'otamiaG it !ub!equent"y came to be ta*en
over by :yriac-!'ea*in 5%ri!tian! an# by "ater Jew! )w%o "i%t"y
mo#ifie# t%e #ia"ect+.2 -- The Bible in the $yriac Tradition, by
:eba!tian Broc*.
8F
'ummary
$%e &e!%itta $ana*% )A?.@+ i! a ref"ection of t%e oriina" ,ebrew
autora'%. $%at oriina", or autora'% no "oner e7i!t! e7ce't in
t%e form of t%e Aramaic ver!ion. $%e current"y u!e# ,ebrew
-a!oretic $e7t i! .C$ t%e oriina" autora'%. 0 be"ieve carefu""y
e7aminin t%e $arum! a"!o ive t%e #i"ient !tu#ent a !%a#ow of
t%at oriina" autora'%.
A! a ru"e 0 #o not an# wi"" not u!e t%e -a!oretic $e7t a! a ui#e to
t%e oriina" !ince it %a! come #own to u! wit% it! many
corru'tion!. $%i! #oe! not mean t%at 0 %ave no re!'ect for t%e
we!tern bo#y of -a!oretic te7t!. 0 ta*e $%eo#ore of -o'!ue!tia'!
comment very !eriou!"y, 1it wou"# be non!en!e to #i!rear# t%e
voice of t%e ,ebrew,2 but w%en 0 !ee c"ear"y i#entifiab"e error!, 0
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 0 t%in* are more re"iab"eJ (it%out a #oubt -
t%e &e!%itta $ana*% an# it! re"ate# manu!cri't! !uc% a! t%e variou!
$arum!.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
8E
APPENDIX I.
-mendations of the $oferim
Concernin! the 6ivine +ame.
>ene!i! 8E9B,2F,B0,B8,B2G 8998EG 209I.
37o#u! I980,8BG ;922G 8;98FG BI99)27+.
.umber! 8I98F.
Jo!%ua F9E.
Ju#e! H98;G 8B9E.
@in! B980,8;G 229H.
2 @in! F9HG 8992B.
0!aia% B98F,8EG I9IG H98,E,88G F98I,20G E9FG 99F)E+,8H)8F+G 80982G
88988G 289H,E,8HG 2E92G 2998BG B0920G BF92IG BE98I,8HG I998I.
34e*ie" 8E92;,29G 2898I)9+G BB98F,20.
Amo! ;98HG F9F,EG 998.
-ica% 892.
Qec%aria% 99I.
-a"ac%i 8982,8I.
&!a"m! 29IG 8H92G 229B8)B0+G B099)E+G B;98F,22,2BG BF98BG
BE980)9+,8H)8;+,2B)22+G B99E)F+G I098E)8F+G II92I)2B+G ;898F)8;+G
89
;I9H)I+G ;;980)9+G ;F980)9+G ;9982)88+G H298B)82+G HH98EG
HE982)88+,8E)8F+,20)89+,2B)22+,2F)2H+,BB)B2+G FB920G
FF9B)2+,E)F+G FE9H;G F9982G EH9B,I,;,E,9,82,8;G E99;0)I9+,;8);0+G
9098,8FG 8809;G 8B092,B,HG
Job 2E92E.
Lamentation! 898I,8;)27+G 298,2,;,F,8E,89,20G B9B8,BH,BF,;E.
Danie" 892G 99B,I,F,9,8;,8H,8F,89)B7+.
34ra 809B.
.e%emia% 8988G I9E)8I+.
)=er!e! in 'arent%e!i! are t%o!e of t%e :e'tuaint ba!e# te7t a!
o''o!e# to t%o!e in t%e ,ebrew+
20
APPENDIX II
$hakhad in 6$$, Pshitta Tanakh and #asoretic Text.
:ummary9 5oncernin t%e u!e of t%e wor# 1!%ac%ar2 an#
1!%ac%a#2 in D:: 0!aia% )Dea# :ea :cro""!+, &!%itta $ana*% an#
t%e ,ebrew -$
<nti" recent"y 0 %a# not 'ai# muc% attention to t%e u!e of t%e wor#
1!%ac%a#2 an# 1!%ac%ar2 in t%e!e variou! ancient ver!ion! of t%e
Bib"e. 0 wa!n't aware t%at D:: 0!aia% u!e# 1!%ac%a#2 w%ic% 0 fin#
fa!cinatin !ince it !eem! to aree wit% t%e &e!%itta $ana*% a!
o''o!e# to t%e muc% "ater -$. $%i! 'ee*e# my intere!t after a
member of t%e &e!%itta.or forum 'o!te# a que!tion about it! u!e
in t%e >reat 0!aia% :cro"". 0 re'ro#uce my re!'on!e be"ow.
$%e wor# dxs )dx$+ %a! been tran!"ate# a! 1bribe2, 1ift2 an#
1rewar#2 by #ifferent tran!"ator!.
0!aia% E920 from &!%itta $ana*% u!e! t%e wor# 1bribe2 dxs
)!%'*%a#+ w%i"e t%e -a!oretic te7t u!e!9 rxs )!%ac%ar+ w%ic% i!
often tran!"ate# a! 1mornin2, 1"i%t2 or 1#awn2.
Translation of *saiah 3(78 from the Aramaic(
1$o t%e te!timony an# t%e "aw6 0f you #o not !'ea* accor#in to
t%i! wor#, becau!e t%ere i! none w%o bribe t%em.2
Ja!trow'! Dictionary of t%e $arumim !ay! of t%e wor# 1!%ac%a#29
to win t%e favor of, bribe an# quote! :an%e#rin IBb )see below+.
:tron'! ,ebrew Bib"e Dictionary ive! t%i! information for t%e
wor# 1!%ac%a#29 a 'rimitive rootG to #onate, i.e. bribe9--%ire, ive
a rewar#... from '!%ac%a#' )FE09+G a #onation )vena" or
28
re#em'tive+9--bribe)-ry+, ift, 're!ent, rewar#. ).umber FE09+.
$%ere'! an intere!tin comment by A#am 5"ar*e w%ere %e !ay! of
0!aia% E920, 10f t%ere be any !en!e in t%e!e wor#!, it i! not t%e
!en!e of t%e oriina"G w%ic% cannot /u!t"y be !o tran!"ate#...$%e
rea#in of t%e :e'tuaint 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.2
5"ar*e a##!9 1@imc%i !ay! t%i! wa! t%e form of an oat%9 -'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, no
i""umination...no !cru'"e of con!cience in t%em.2 )A#am 5"ar*e'!
oly Bible .ith a Commentary and Critical +otes, 8EBHG 'ae
;F0+.
$%e u!e of t%e wor# 1bribe2 i! a"!o foun# in &e!%itta 34e*ie"
8H9BB
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 you
from a"" of your !urroun#in!.2
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#9 1,e )Jo!%ua+ bribe# %im
)Ac%an+ wit% wor#!2G from w%ic% we a"!o fin# t%e '%ra!e9 1w%om
0 can 'er!ua#e wit% wor#! an# bribe wit% money.2
"ob 19(:2 from Various Translations
(e fin# a !imi"ar u!e of t%e wor# 1!%ac%a#2 in Job 8;9BI.
Peshitta( Dor t%e com'any 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
22
t%e wic*e#Rbribery. )from my own tran!"ation of t%e Aramaic+
Bishops Bible ;19<3=( Dor t%e conreation of %y'ocrite! !%a"be
#e!o"ate, an# t%e fire !%a"" con!ume t%e %ou!e! of !uc% a! are
ree#ie to receaue ifte!.
"ewish Publication $ociety( Dor t%e com'any of t%e o#"e!! !%a""
be #e!o"ate, an# fire !%a"" con!ume t%e tent! of bribery.
+ew American $tandard Bible( Dor t%e com'any of t%e o#"e!! i!
barren, an# fire con!ume! t%e tent! of t%e corru't.
+ew "erusalem Bible( Ye!, !teri"e i! t%e !'awn of t%e !inner, an#
fire con!ume! t%e tent! of t%e vena".
/eneva Bible ;193>=( Dor t%e conreation of t%e %y'ocrite !%a"be
#e!o"ate, an# fire !%a"" #euoure t%e %ou!e! of bribe!.
Amplified Bible( Dor t%e com'any of t%e o#"e!! !%a"" be barren,
an# fire !%a"" con!ume t%e tent! of bribery )wron an# in/u!tice+.
Complete "ewish Bible( Dor t%e community of t%e uno#"y i!
!teri"eG fire con!ume! t%e tent! of bribery.
2B
APPENDIX III.
?emenite -sther.
Dor a "i!t of #ifference! !ee www.c%aya!.comR#o#.%tm
0n t%e fina" e#ition of t%i! 'a'er 0 '"an to 'rovi#e a tran!cri'tion of
t%e Yemenite 3!t%er fo""owe# by t%e common"y u!e# ,ebrew
-a!oretic. $%e Yemenite wi"" be tran!cribe# from a !cro"" from
my 'rivate co""ection )Bib"iot%eca Aramaica+.
2I
APPENDIX IV.
Catalo! of 6ifferences Between Peshitta, #T and /reek.
$%i! i! a 're"iminary "i!t of ver!e! t%at %ave variance! between t%e
Aramaic, ,ebrew -$ an# t%e >ree*. 0 %ave not verifie# eac% of
t%e!e. :ome of t%e reference! are from my own re!earc%, !ome
from t%at of my reat ran#fat%er an# ot%er! from variou! !ource!.
0n t%e fina" 'ub"ication of t%i! 'a'er, eac% of t%e ver!e! wi"" be
tran!"ate# an# com'are# wit% eac% ot%er in #etai". &a!!ae! from
t%e &e!%itta .ew $e!tament wi"" a"!o be inc"u#e#.
>ene!i! 892
>ene!i! 892H
>ene!i! 292
>ene!i! B9H
>ene!i! H9B
>ene!i! 829B
>ene!i! 8F98H
>ene!i! 2F9I0
>ene!i! B292E
>ene!i! B29B0
>ene!i! IF9B8
>ene!i! I998I
37o#u! H920
37o#u! 209F
37o#u! 20988
37o#u! BE9E
Leviticu! 8E928
.umber! 2;9I
Deuteronomy ;988
Deuteronomy 2B98
Ju#e! 8I98;
8 :amue" 892I
2;
8 :amue" 298B
8 :amue" 29B;
8 :amue" H989
8 :amue" 8B9;
8 :amue" 2I9B
2 :amue" 8;9F
2 :amue" 8I9I
2 :amue" 8E9I
8 5%ronic"e! 298;
8 5%ronic"e! ;92
8 5%ronic"e! 8298
8 5%ronic"e! 2B98B
8 5%ronic"e! 29989
2 5%ronic"e! B9I
2 5%ronic"e! 8H99
2 5%ronic"e! 2892
2 5%ronic"e! 2292
2 5%ronic"e! BH99
8 @in! ;988
.e%emia% 809B2
.e%emia% 8292I, BH
Job ;92I
Job H9H
Job H99, 80
Job H98I
Job 8B920, 28
Job 8992;
Job 2I989, 20
Job B8980
Job BH928
Job BE9F
&!a"m F988
&!a"m IE98I
&!a"m HE988
2H
&!a"m FI9;
&!a"m E99IF
&!a"m 8899IE
&!a"m 8B998B
&!a"m 8B998;
&!a"m 8I;98
&roverb! H9B
&roverb! H988
&roverb! 8892;
&roverb! 8E922
3cc"e!ia!te! 80989
5antic"e! ;9F
0!aia% ;98F
0!aia% H980
0!aia% 99H
0!aia% 8092F
0!aia% 8I982
0!aia% 89980
0!aia% 2E980
0!aia% 2E98B
0!aia% 2E920
0!aia% B09BB
0!aia% BB98
0!aia% BB92I
0!aia% IB92E
0!aia% IF9H
0!aia% I99I
0!aia% ;8920
0!aia% ;9989
0!aia% H892
0!aia% HI9;
Jeremia% I980
Jeremia% ;980
Jeremia% F9I, ;
2F
Jeremia% E9I
Jeremia% 2B92B
Jeremia% 2F98
Jeremia% IH98E
34e*ie" B29;
Danie" E92I
,o!ea 829B
Amo! H980
2E
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*%? )or
A.2@+ an# it i! a %o"y te7t to t%e ancient 0!rae"ite! an# it i! t%e
officia" 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""y
in it! four "etter form hwhy, Aramaic9 hy )Ya%+, or hyrm )-arYa%,
Lor# Y,(,+.
$%e &!%itta $ana*% i! t%e ancient :cri'ture! tran!"ate# into
Li!%ana Aramaya )Aramaic "anuae+ from t%e oriina" ,ebrew
te7t w%ic% 're-#ate# t%e >ree* :e'tuaint te7t )LLL+. $%e
Aramaic $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 LLL aree aain!t t%e
-a!oretic te7t. $%e -a!oretic te7t i! not t%e oriina" ,ebrew t%at
wa! u!e# by t%e tran!"ator! of t%e Aramaic &!%itta. 0n 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-two
boo*!, w%ic% are #ivi#e# into t%ree !ection!9 $%e Law
)AuraytaR$ora%, t%e Dive Boo*! of -o!e!+G $%e &ro'%et!G an# t%e
(ritin!. $%e boo*! of t%e &ro'%et! are tra#itiona""y #ivi#e# into
t%e ?Dormer &ro'%et!? an# t%e ?Latter &ro'%et!?, or !ometime! a!
29
?$%e &ro'%et!? an# ?-inor &ro'%et!?. $%e A"e''o 5o#e7
arrane! t%e 'ro'%et! in t%e fo""owin ?%i!torica" or#er?9 0!aia%,
Jeremia%, an# 34e*ie". 5ertain boo*! of t%e $ana*% are ?#oub"e
boo*!? !uc% a! @etava :%emue", :i'ra #'-a"*e, an# :i'ra
#'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 manner9 :ection )or ?Boo*?+ 89 &!a"m! 8-
I8G :ection 29 &!a"m! I2-F2G :ection B9 &!a"m! &!a"m! FB-E9G
:ection I9 &!a"m! 90-80HG :ection ;9 &!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 :e'tuaint.
5o#e7 Ambro!iano );t%-Ft% century co'y of t%e Aramaic &!%itta
$ana*%+ inc"u#e! t%e fo""owin boo*! wit%in it a"on!i#e t%e
tra#itiona""y acce'te# boo*!, an# are note# by Aran Younan a!
bein 1canonica"2 by A!!yrian Jew!9 (i!#om, 3'i!t"e of
Jeremia%, 3'i!t"e of Baruc%, Baruc%, Be", $%e Draon, :u!anna,
Ju#it%, Ben :irac%, A'oca"y'!e of Baruc%, I 34ra, 8 - I
-accabee!, 'ortion! of Jo!e'%u!' (ar! of t%e Jew!.
$%e tran!"ation from t%e Aramaic to 3n"i!% i! a ra#ua" 'roce!!.
<'#ate! can be foun# at %tt'9RRwww.'!%itta.orRen"i!%R
B0
APPENDIX VI.
-xodus 78(>,11 A Comparisons with Aramaic Tanakh
Peshitta & -xodus 78(>, 11( You !%a"" not !wear fa"!e"y in t%e
name of -arYa% your A"a%a, for -arYa% wi"" not con!i#er %im
innocent w%o !wear! fa"!e"y in %i! .ame... for -arYa% ma#e t%e
%eaven! an# t%e eart%, t%e !ea! an# a"" t%at i! wit% t%em in !i7
#ay!, an# re!te# on t%e !event% #ayG for t%at rea!on, A"a%a b"e!!e#
t%e !event% #ay an# ma#e it %o"y Uor, !anctifie# itV.
@BB( WX YZ[\Z ]W W^W[_ `XabWX ]WX cdWX eWX dfb [_]_bg WX h_a
[Z `_c_abeZ `XabWi ]W^ Y_[j_^W^]_ ]W W^W[_ _X]WX dfb [_]_bg
... d^ h_a dk Z[da_bi dfWbZed^ `XabWi ]W^ WXa_^W^ `_b ]Z^ hZ^ `_b
]Z^ c_Y_e!_^ `_b f_^]_ ]_ d^ _X]Wbi `_b `_]df_Xed^ ]Z Z[da_ ]Z
djlW[Z lb_ ]WX]W dXYWhZed^ `XabWi ]Z^ Z[da_^ ]Z^ djlW[Z^ `_b
Zhb_ed^ _X]Z^ )$%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... Dor in !i7 #ay! t%e Lor# ma#e t%e %eaven an# t%e
eart%, 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# in
vainG for Ya%we% wi"" not a""ow to o un'uni!%e# %e w%o ta*e!
%i! name in vain... Dor 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 LCPD
t%y >o# in vainG for t%e LCPD wi"" not %o"# %im ui"t"e!! t%at
ta*et% %i! name in vain... Dor 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%
B8
#ay9 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 0!rae", Let no one of
you !wear by t%e name of t%e (or# of t%e Lor# your >o# in vainG
for 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... Dor 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% #ay9 t%erefore t%e
Lor# %at% b"e!!e# t%e #ay of :%abbat%a an# !anctifie# it.
)3t%eri#e+
B2
APPENDIX VII.
Canon of the Pshitta Tanakh.
$%e fo""owin "i!t of t%e Boo*! of t%e Aramaic &!%itta are
accor#in to note! by Aran Younan in 8908, an# corre!'on# to t%e
"i!t an# or#er of ancient Aramaic 5o#e7 Ambro!ianu!.
>ene!i! - :i'ra #'Berita
37o#u! - :i'ra #'-a'*ana
Leviticu!- :i'ra #'@a*%ane
.umber!- :i'ra #'-inyane
Deuteronomy - :i're #'$inyan Aurayta
Job - @etava #'Yob
Jo!%ua - @etava #'0!%u bar .un
Ju#e! - :i'ra Dayane
8 :amue" R 2 :amue" - @etava @a#maya #':%emue" R @etava
$rayana #':%emue"
&!a"m! - @etava #'-a4more )#'Davi#+
8 @in! R 2 @in! - :i'ra @a#maya #'-a"*e R :i'ra $rayana
#'-a"*e
&roverb! - @etava #'-at"e
(i!#omm
3cc"e!ia!te! - @etava #'@u*%"at
:on of :on! - $i!%be*%at $i!%be*%ata
0!aia% - @etava #'3!%aya .ebya
Jeremia% - @etava #'3ramya .ebya
Lamentation! - @etava #'C"yata
3'i!t"e of Jeremia%m
3'i!t"e of Baruc%m
Baruc%m
34e*ie" - @etava #'@%a4quie"
,o!ea - @etava #'@%o!%a .ebya
Joe" - @etava #'Yoe" .ebya
BB
Amo! - @etava #'Amo! .ebya
Cba#ia% - @etava #'Cba#ya .ebya
Jona% - @etava #'Yonan .ebya
-ica% - @etava #'-i*%a .ebya
.a%um - @etava #'.a*%om .ebya
,aba**u* - @etava #'@%abo* .ebya
Qe'%ania% - @etava #'Qefanya .ebya
,aai - @etava #'@%aai .ebya
Qec%aria% - @etava #'Qe*arya .ebya
-a"ac%i - @etava #'-a"a*%i .ebya
Danie" )wit% ?&rayer of A4aria%? an# ?:on of $%ree?+ - @etava
#'Danie" .ebya
Be"m
$%e Draonm
Put% - @etava #'Pot
:u!annam
3!t%er - @etava #'0!ter
Ju#it%m
Ben :irac%m
8 5%ronic"e! R 2 5%ronic"e! - :i'ra @a#maya #'Dabaryamin R :i'ra
Bet% #'Dabaryamin
A'oca"y'!e of Baruc%m
I 34ram
34ra - @etava #'34ra
.e%emia% - @etava #'.e*%emya
8 -accabee!m, 2 -accabee!m, B -accabee!m, I -accabee!m
Jo!e'%u!, (ar! of t%e Jew!m
m $%e Jewi!% Aramaic &e!%itta mention! t%e!e boo*! a! bein canonica" an# in
mo!t ca!e! are iven ,ebrew name! rat%er t%an Aramaic. $%e "i!t corre!'on#!
to 5o#e7 Ambro!ianu!. Younan'! manu!cri't contain! t%e ,ebrew -a!oretic
te7t wit% e7ten!ive "i!t! of vocabu"ary, variant!, an# ot%er va"uab"e information
for t%o!e re!earc%in Aramaic &e!%itta manu!cri't!, an# in 'articu"ar Jewi!%
Aramaic #ia"ect!.
BI
APPENDIX VIII.
/enesis 1(7 in Comparison.
&e!%itta9 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 ?!we't?, .P:=9 ?!we't over t%e face of t%e
water!?. $%e -a!oretic te7t u!e! t%e '%ra!e ?me'rac%e'%et%?, from
?rac%a'%? ):ee nFBHB 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%e
fo""owin manner9
v'are'a %avat% t4a#'ya v'reiqanya nac%!%o*%a a"-a'ei t'%oma
v'Pu*%a min qa#am YY )-arYa%+ m'na!%'va a"-a'ei ma'ya. )-y
tran!"iteration may not fo""ow !tan#ar#!+
Cn*e"o!9 1a win# from before t%e Lor# b"ew u'on t%e face of t%e
water!2
Jeru!a"em $arum9 1t%e :'irit of mercie! from before t%e Lor#
breat%e# u'on t%e face of t%e water!2
Lam!a tran!"ate# >ene!i! 892 in t%e fo""owin manner9 An# t%e
eart% wa! wit%out form, an# voi#G an# #ar*ne!! wa! u'on t%e face
of t%e #ee'. An# t%e :'irit of >o# move# u'on t%e face of t%e
water.
0t a''ear! to me t%at t%e te7t of &e!%itta in#icate! Pu*%a
#'@oo#!%a wa! 1incubatin2 "ife a! in 1're'arin it2 an# 1rowin
B;
it2 into w%at it wa! to become. (%i"e t%e wor# 1move#2 'robab"y
i!n't entire"y incorrect, 0 fee" t%at it #oe!n't convey t%e fu""er !en!e
of t%e '"ain wor#! of &e!%itta.
$%e wor# 1incubatin2 i! #efine# a! 1%overin, enve"o'in,
%eatin to o'tima" tem'erature for rowt%, to 'rovi#e %eat, !o a!
to 'romote embryonic #eve"o'mentG to maintain )a c%emica" or
bioc%emica" !y!tem+ un#er !'ecific con#ition! in or#er to 'romote
a '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 at
o'tima" environmenta" con#ition! for rowt% an# #eve"o'ment.2
0 foun# an intere!tin comment by Jo%n (ri%t Do""ette )w%om 0
be"ieve wa! a &rote!tant mini!ter w%o #ie# in 89HH+, w%ere %e
!ai#9 1(%en ,e brin! fort% creation, t%e (or# !ay! t%e ',o"y
:'irit move# u'on t%e #ee''. $%e ,o"y :'irit 'BPCCD3D' )in
,ebrew+ over t%e #ee'. 0t 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 !ettin
on %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.2 )0'm not en#or!in Do""ette'!
teac%in!, but on"y quotin w%at 0 t%ou%t wa! an intere!tin note
on t%i! ver!e+.
BH
APPENDIX IX.
A Comparison of Proverbs 11(79 cursedCwatered
Peshitta( $%e b"e!!e# !ou" wi"" 'ro!'er, an# t%e cur!e# one wi"" be
#amne# more. )or ?cur!e# more?, ?more cur!e#?+
American $tandard Version( $%e "ibera" !ou" !%a"" be ma#e fatG
An# %e t%at wateret% !%a"" be watere# a"!o %im!e"f.
".P. /reen( $%e b"e!!e# !ou" wi"" be ma#e fatG %e w%o water! wi""
a"!o #rin* fu""y.
+ew *nternational Version( A enerou! man wi"" 'ro!'erG %e w%o
refre!%e! ot%er! wi"" %im!e"f be refre!%e#.
4in! "ames Version( $%e "ibera" !ou" !%a"" be ma#e fat9 an# %e
t%at wateret% !%a"" be watere# a"!o %im!e"f.
+ew )evised $tandard Version( A enerou! 'er!on wi"" be
enric%e#, an# one w%o ive! water wi"" et water.
6ouay&)heims Bible( $%e !ou" t%at b"e!!et%, !%a"" be ma#e fat9
an# %e t%at inebriatet%, !%a"" be inebriate# a"!o %im!e"f.
?oun!%s @iteral Translation( A "ibera" !ou" i! ma#e fat, An#
w%o!o i! waterin, %e a"!o i! watere#.
/eneva Bible 193>( $%e "ibera"" 'er!on !%a"" %aue '"entie9 an# %e
t%at wateret%, !%a"" a"!o %aue raine.
"ewish Publication $ociety 1D1>( $%e beneficent !ou" !%a"" be
ma#e ric%, an# %e t%at !ati!fiet% abun#ant"y !%a"" be !ati!fie# a"!o
%im!e"f.
BF
APPENDIX X.
Comparin! 6euteronomy 7:(1 adultererCeunuch
Peshitta Tanakh( .o a#u"terer !%a"" enter t%e conreation of
-arYa%.
#asoretic text )2B92 in ,ebrew+9 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"e''o rea#! t%e !ame a!
t%e ot%er ,ebrew -a!oretic te7t!+,

Biblia Peshitta( .inon a#o"tero entrarp a "a coneaciqn #e
Ya%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%e
LCPD.
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 of
Je%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.
BE
6ouay&)heims Bible( An eunuc%, w%o!e te!tic"e! are bro*en or
cut away, or yar# cut off, !%a"" not enter into t%e c%urc% of t%e
Lor#.
6arby Bible Translation( ,e t%at i! a eunuc%, w%et%er %e %ave
been cru!%e# or cut, !%a"" not come into t%e conreation of
Je%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%e
LCPD.
"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 of
Ya%we%.
?oun!%s @iteral Translation( Cne woun#e#, brui!e#, or cut in t%e
member #ot% not enter into t%e a!!emb"y of Je%ova%.
B9
APPENDIX XI.
*saiah <(18, pastCpresent tense.
Peshitta( 1Dor t%e %eart of t%i! cityR'eo'"e %a! been )%a! become+
%ar#ene#, t%ey %ave #eafene# t%eir ear! an# %ave c"o!e# t%eir
eye!, !o t%at t%ey #o not !ee wit% t%eir eye!, neit%er %ear wit% t%eir
ear!, nor un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart, nor )%ave any+ reret nor are
t%ey 'ar#one#.2
$%e ancient te7t of &e!%itta a''ear! to !%ow t%at t%i! i! !omet%in
t%at %a! already ta*en '"ace to t%e 'eo'"eRcity, w%erea! t%e
,ebrew of t%e -a!oretic te7t in#icate! t%i! i! a"mo!t "i*e a
'etition to >o# in or#er to ma*e t%i! %a''en to t%e 'eo'"eRcity.
Biblia Peshitta ;$panish=( &orque e" cora4qn #e e!te 'ueb"o "e %a
!i#o en#ureci#o. r" %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!, ni
entien#a con !u cora4qn, ni !e arre'ienta 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%eir
eye!, an# %ear wit% t%eir ear!, an# un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart, an#
turn aain, an# be %ea"e#.
@amsa( Dor 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%eir
eye! an# %ear wit% t%eir ear! an# un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart an#
be converte# an# be foriven.
I0
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# turn
an# 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# com're%en#
wit% t%eir min#!, an# turn an# be %ea"e#.
+ew American $tandard Bible( Pen#er t%e %eart! of t%i! 'eo'"e
in!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!, <n#er!tan# wit%
t%eir %eart!, An# return an# be %ea"e#.
6ouay&)heims( B"in# t%e %eart of t%i! 'eo'"e, an# ma*e t%eir ear!
%eavy, an# !%ut t%eir eye!9 "e!t t%ey !ee wit% t%eir eye!, an# %ear
wit% t%eir ear!, an# un#er!tan# wit% t%eir %eart, an# be converte#
an# 0 %ea" t%em.
Complete "ewish Bible( -a*e t%e %eart of t%i! 'eo'"e N!"ui!%
wit%O fat, !to' u' t%eir ear!, an# !%ut t%eir eye!. Ct%erwi!e, !eein
wit% t%eir eye!, an# %earin wit% t%eir ear!, t%en un#er!tan#in
wit% t%eir %eart!, t%ey mi%t re'ent an# be %ea"e#6
?oun!%s @iteral Translation( Dec"are fat t%e %eart of t%i! 'eo'"e,
An# it! ear! #ec"are %eavy, An# it! eye! #ec"are #a44"e#, Le!t it
!ee wit% it! eye!, An# wit% it! ear! %ear, an# it! %eart con!i#er,
An# it %at% turne# bac*, an# %at% %ea"t%.
I8
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%e
'ro'%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 often
want! to rai!e %i! own mi!ta*e! to a "inui!tic "aw, wit%out
*nowin w%at %e i! ta"*in about.2
$%eo#ore'! reference to 1t%e :eventy2 i! t%e :e'tuaint. 0t a''ear!
by t%i! comment t%at $%eo#ore i! re/ectin t%e &e!%itta te7t over
t%at of t%e :e'tuaint )for t%i! 'articu"ar 'a!!ae at "ea!t+ w%ic%
!ay! 1beet"e2 w%i"e t%e &e!%itta !ay! 1'e2 or 1nai"2.
'rom Aramaic( Dor t%e !tone !%a"" im'"ore from t%e wa"", an# t%e
nai" from t%e woo# !%a"" re!'on#. )or a #ifferent ten!e9 Dor t%e
!tone %a! im'"ore#Rca""e# out from t%e wa"", an# t%e nai" from t%e
woo# %a! re!'on#e#.+
@amsa( Dor t%e !tone !%a"" cry out from t%e wa"", an# t%e nai" in
t%e woo# !%a"" an!wer it.
"ewish Publication $oc. ;1D1>=( Dor t%e !tone !%a"" cry out of t%e
wa"", an# t%e beam out of t%e timber !%a"" an!wer it.
"ewish Publication $oc. ;modern edition=( Dor a !tone !%a"" cry
out from t%e wa"", an# a rafter !%a"" an!wer it from t%e woo#wor*.
Brenton%s $eptua!int( Dor t%e !tone !%a"" cry out of t%e wa"", an#
I2
t%e beet"e out of t%e timber !%a"" !'ea*.
Pear#in t%i! 'a!!ae, &au" Younan !ai#, 10 #on't *now %ow a
beet"e ma*e! any conte7tua" !en!e %ere. 0t "oo*! "i*e t%e &e!%itta
tran!"ate! c"o!er to t%e oriina" ,ebrew t%an t%e LLL #oe!. (ere
t%e :eventy immune from tran!"ation errorJ $%e tran!"ator! of t%e
&e!%itta were Jew!, too. Loo*! "i*e t%e "atter ot t%i! one ri%t.2
IB
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!%itta9 1-PY, !ai#
to -o!e!9 $a*e a"" t%e %ea#! Nor 1c%ief!2O of t%e town an# #rive
Nor 1#i!'er!e2, 1move2, 1"ea#2O 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
0!rae".2
"ewish Publication $ociety, 1D1>( ba!e# on t%e common ,ebrew
-a!oretic te7t, 1An# t%e LCPD !ai# unto -o!e!9 $a*e a"" t%e
c%ief! of t%e 'eo'"e, an# %an t%em u' unto t%e LCPD in face of
t%e !un, t%at t%e fierce aner of t%e LCPD may turn away from
0!rae".2
+ew )evised $tandard Version( 1im'a"e t%em2
@uther ;1929=( 1%an t%em2
$eptua!int ;Brenton, 1391=( 1An# t%e Lor# !ai# to -o!e!, $a*e
a"" 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%e
Lor# !%a"" be turne# away from 0!rae".2
@amsa( 1An# t%e LCPD !ai# to -o!e!, $a*e a"" t%e c%ief! of t%e
'eo'"e an# e7'o!e t%em before t%e LCPD in t%e #ay"i%t t%at t%e
fierce aner of t%e LCPD may be turne# away from t%e c%i"#ren
of 0!rae".2
Ct%er "anuae! u!e 1'ut to #eat%2, 1utter"y #e!troy2, 1!mite2,
1!"ay.2
II
APPENDIX XIV.
*saiah 29(1>, Peshitta, #ass, @BB, etc.
Peshitta( $%e !a"vation of 0!rae" i! in -arYa%, t%e :aviour of t%e
wor"#G you wi"" not be in!u"te# nor confu!e# forever.
Aleppo Codex(

$eptua!int(
bea_ZY egtd]_b XfW `XabWX eg]Zab_^ _bg^bW^ WX`
_beuX^cZeW^]_b WXld [Z d^]a_fgeb^ dgi ]WX _bg^Wi
+ew American $tandard Bible ;1DD9=( 0!rae" %a! been !ave# by
t%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=( 0!rae" %a! been !ave# by t%e
LCPD forever. You wi"" never aain be a!%ame# or #i!race#.
4in! "ames Version( But 0!rae" !%a"" be !ave# in t%e LCPD wit%
an ever"a!tin !a"vation9 ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# nor confoun#e#
wor"# wit%out en#.
American $tandard Version( But 0!rae" !%a"" be !ave# by Je%ova%
wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vation9 ye !%a"" not be 'ut to !%ame nor
confoun#e# wor"# wit%out en#.
Bible in Basic -n!lish( But t%e Lor# wi"" ma*e 0!rae" free wit% an
eterna" !a"vation9 you wi"" not be 'ut to !%ame or ma#e "ow for
ever an# ever.
I;
6ouay&)heims Bible( 0!rae" i! !ave# in t%e Lor# wit% a! eterna"
!a"vation9 you !%a"" not be confoun#e#, an# you !%a"" not be
a!%ame# for ever an# ever.
6arby Bible Translation( 0!rae" !%a"" be !ave# by Je%ova% wit% an
ever"a!tin !a"vation9 ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# nor confoun#e#,
unto t%e ae! of ae!.
-n!lish )evised Version( But 0!rae" !%a"" be !ave# by t%e LCPD
wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vation9 ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# nor
"ewish Publication $ociety Tanakh ;1D1>=( C 0!rae", t%at art !ave#
by t%e LCPD wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vationG ye !%a"" not be
a!%ame# nor confoun#e# wor"# wit%out en#.
.ebster%s Bible Translation( But 0!rae" !%a"" be !ave# in t%e
LCPD wit% an ever"a!tin !a"vation9 ye !%a"" not be a!%ame# nor
.orld -n!lish Bible( 0!rae" wi"" be !ave# by Ya%we% wit% an
ever"a!tin !a"vation. You wi"" not be #i!a''ointe# nor
confoun#e# to ae! ever"a!tin.
?oun!%s @iteral Translation( 0!rae" %at% been !ave# in Je%ova%, A
!a"vation ae-#urin6 Ye are not a!%ame# nor confoun#e# <nto
t%e ae! of eternity6
IH
APPENDIX XV.
Comparin! /enesis 7(7.
>ene!i! 292, w%ere it !ay! 1!event% #ay2 in t%e fo""owin
tran!"ation!, i! in contra#iction to 37o#u! 20988.
+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%e
en# of a"" %i! wor*G an# on t%e !event% #ay %e too* %i! re!t from
a"" 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#e9 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% #ay
-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 from
a"" %i! wor* w%ic% %e %a# ma#e.
IF
"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% #ay
.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% #ay
from a"" ,i! wor* w%ic% ,e %at% ma#e.
-xodus 78(11
+ew American $tandard Bible( Dor in !i7 #ay! t%e LCPD 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 t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat%
#ay an# ma#e it %o"y.
4in! "ames Version( Dor 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% #ay9
w%erefore t%e LCPD b"e!!e# t%e !abbat% #ay, an# %a""owe# it.
Bible in Basic -n!lish( Dor 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 on
t%e !event% #ay9 for t%i! rea!on t%e Lor# %a! iven %i! b"e!!in to
t%e !event% #ay an# ma#e it %o"y.
6ouay&)heims Bible( Dor in !i7 #ay! t%e Lor# ma#e %eaven an#
IE
eart%, an# t%e !ea, an# a"" t%in! t%at are in t%em, an# re!te# on t%e
!event% #ay9 t%erefore t%e Lor# b"e!!e# t%e !event% #ay, an#
!anctifie# it.
6arby Bible Translation( Dor 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 %eaven
an# eart%, t%e !ea, an# a"" t%at in t%em i!, an# re!te# t%e !event%
#ay9 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 LCPD
ma#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( Dor 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% #ay9 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% #ayG
t%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.
I9
APPENDIX XVI.
Tar!um literature.
$%e $arum "iterature inc"u#e!9
)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%e
Baby"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%e
mi!un#er!tan#in of a !tatement concernin t%e Bib"e tran!"ation
ma#e by A*y"a! )Aqui"a+, wa! #enominate# t%e $arum of
Cn*e"o! )'A*y"a!+. $%at to t%e &ro'%et! i! a!cribe# by ancient
tra#ition to a #i!ci'"e of ,i""e", Jonat%an b. <44ie"9
)b+ $%e &a"e!tinian $arum to t%e &entateuc%, t%e fu"" te7t of
w%ic% %a! come #own to u! on"y in a "ate recen!ion, w%ere it %a!
been combine# wit% t%e $arum Cn*e"o!. 0n!tea# of bein ca""e#
by it! 'ro'er name, $arum Yeru!%a"mi, t%i! fu"" te7t %a#
erroneou!"y been ca""e# by t%e name of Jonat%an. A "e!!
inter'o"ate# form of t%e $arum Yeru!%a"mi to t%e &entateuc%
revea"e# numerou! frament! t%at mu!t %ave been co""ecte# at an
ear"y 'erio#. $%ere are a"!o &a"e!tinian frament! of t%e $arum
to t%e &ro'%et!.NCn a 'ecu"iar $arum to t%e ,af arot, !ee P.
>ott%e"", ?Journa" of Amer. Crient :oc. &rocee#in!,? 7iv. IBG
Abra%am!, ?Jew. Auart. Pev.? 7i. 29;G ?-onat!!c%rift,? 777i7.
B9I.v>.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#in
to 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
;0
t%e Bib"e. $%e Dive 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"".
)B+ Aramaic A'ocry'%a9 $%ere wa! at "ea!t a 'artia" Aramaic
tran!"ation of t%e boo* of :irac% a! ear"y a! t%e time of t%e
Amoraim. 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 "ater
revi!ion of t%e o"#er te7t. An Aramaic A'ocry'%a" a##ition to
3!t%er i! t%e ?Dream of -or#ecai,? of &a"e!tinian oriin.
)I+ -ei""at $a'anit, t%e Da!t Po"", i! a "i!t of t%e %i!torica""y
?memorab"e #ay!,? #rawn u' in a"manac form. 0t wa! com'i"e#
before t%e #e!truction of t%e :econ# $em'"e, e#ite# in t%e
,a#rianic 'erio#, an# "ater on aumente# by variou! ,ebrew
annotation! mo!t"y of t%e tannaitic ae.
);+ $%e &a"e!tinian $a"mu# )$a"mu# Yeru!%a"mi+, com'"ete# in
t%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%e
mo!t im'ortant an# a"!o t%e mo!t abun#ant remain! of t%e
Aramaic i#iom u!e# by t%e Jew! of &a"e!tine an# Baby"onia
re!'ective"y. $%e numerou! !torie!, "een#!, anec#ote!,
conver!ation!, an# 'roverb! revea" fait%fu""y t%e actua" "anuae
of t%e 'o'u"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
;8
tannaitic "iterature, bot% i#iom! were em'"oye# in t%e aca#emie!.
-oreover, a "are 'ro'ortion of t%e materia" containe# in t%e
$a"mu# i! com'o!e# of t%e utterance! of tannaitic tra#ition t%at
were couc%e# on"y in ,ebrew.
)F+ $%e -i#ra!% Literature9 Cf t%i! branc% t%e fo""owin are
e!'ecia""y ric% in Aramaic e"ement!9 >ene!i! Pabba%, Leviticu!
Pabba%, Lamentation! Pabbati, t%e -i#ra!% a4ita u'on 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!, contain
a"!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"y
to 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%e
o"#e!t -a!oretic annotation! an# !tatement!, are Aramaic.
)9+ $%e >aonic Literature9 $%e "ea" #eci!ion! of t%e >eonim
were 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!e
t%e "ivin "anuae of t%e 'eo'"e. $%e !ame i! true concernin
t%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%e
vocabu"ary of t%e $a"mu#.
)80+ Liturica" Literature9 0n a##ition to t%e @a##i!% a"rea#y
mentione#, !evera" "iturica" 'iece! oriinatin in Baby"on
receive# enera" acce'tance 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
;2
,aa#a%, an# certain o"#er 'ortion! of t%e "itury for 'enitentia"
#ay!.0t i! curiou! to note t%at t%e Yemen :i##ur contain! a "arer
quantity of Aramaic t%an t%e :i##urim of ot%er countrie!. A
unique $arum of t%e 'Ami#a% )$efi""a%+ i! to be foun# in a
Yemen -:. )>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.v>.$%e Aramaic 'oem! intro#ucin certain $arumic
!e"ection! from t%e &entateuc% %ave been mentione# above.
)88+ 5aba"i!tic Literature9 $%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" Literature9 $%e Aramaic co"orin of a "are
'ro'ortion of t%e wor*! commentin u'on t%e Baby"onian
$a"mu#, a! we"" a! of ot%er 'ro#uction! of %a"a*ic "ore continuin
t%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#o'te# at t%e !ame time a! t%e content!. )Auote# from t%e "ewish
-ncyclopedia+
;B
APPENDIX XVII.
"ewish -ncyclopedia on Tar!um ,nkelos.
0n 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 $arum terme# ?$arum
Yeru!%a"mi?G but of t%e!e frament!, com'ri!e# un#er t%e eneric
term ?Drament-$arum,? on"y t%o!e were unti" recent"y *nown
w%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!
Dramentent%arum? )Ber"in, 8E99+ a number of ot%er frament!
from manu!cri't !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 of
a##itiona" materia" avai"ab"e for t%e critici!m of t%e &a"e!tinian
$arum, even t%ou% a con!i#erab"e a#vance %a# a"rea#y been
ma#e by Ba!!freun# in %i! ?Dramenten-$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 to
Cn 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/a
N a#i/a%O+ an# Datima, t%e wife an# #au%ter of -o%amme#, a!
wive! of 0!%mae", w%o wa! rear#e# a! -o%amme#'! ance!tor.
0t 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%e
two tran!"ation! a! t%ey now e7i!t in t%e $arum Yeru!%a"mi an#
;I
t%e $arum. Cn e"o! )!ee ?Q. D. -. >.? 77viii. H9 et !eq.+, be!i#e!
revea"in %i! #e'en#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""
contem'oraneou!G an# many 'a!!ae! contain !evera" ver!ion! of
t%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%an
t%e '!eu#o-Jonat%anG an# t%e!e remnant!, w%ic% frequent"y con!i!t
of 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 co'yi!t
on 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#, be
o"#er t%an !ome of t%em. 0n "i*e manner, %aa#ic a##ition! were
ma#e in "ater centurie! to t%e te7t of t%e $arum, !o t%at an
African manu!cri't of t%e year 8IEF a""u#e! to t%e ca'ture of
5on!tantino'"e by t%e $ur*! in 8I;B. 3ar"y in t%e twe"ft% century
Ju#a% ben Bar4i""ai wrote a! fo""ow! wit% rear# to t%e!e
a##ition!9 ?$%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!
inter'retation! 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 fact
t%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.
;;
CODEX AMBROSIANUS
'rom a 9
th
Century Copy of the Aramaic Pshitta Tanakh
;H
GLOSSAR
A !im'"e "o!!ary wi"" be a##e# to t%e fina" e#ition of t%i! 'a'er.
AC!NO"LEDGMEN#S
Dor !ome of t%e te7t in Aramaic an# ,ebrew 0 %ave uti"i4e# t%e
font! 13!trane"o2, *in#"y 'rovi#e# by &au" Younan avai"ab"e
from &e!%itta.or, an# 1Levi!tam2, *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
;F
;E
;9

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