What is the difference between the Old Testament the Tanakh and the Hebrew Bible?

The Hebrew Bible is organized into three main sections: the Torah, or “Teaching,” also called the Pentateuch or the “Five Books of Moses”; the Neviʾim, or Prophets; and the Ketuvim, or Writings. It is often referred to as the Tanakh, a word combining the first letter from the names of each of the three main divisions.

Who translated the Hebrew Bible?

The intention of St Jerome, translating into Latin the Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Greek of the New Testament, was that ordinary Christians of the Roman empire should be able to read the word of God. ‘Ignorance of the scriptures’, he wrote, ‘is ignorance of Christ’.

Did King James alter the Bible?

In 1604, England’s King James I authorized a new translation of the Bible aimed at settling some thorny religious differences in his kingdom—and solidifying his own power. But in seeking to prove his own supremacy, King James ended up democratizing the Bible instead.

Is alter’s commentary on the Old Testament Jewish?

There is no problem as to this as Alter’s commentary is based on a traditional Jewish understanding of the Hebrew Bible. Alter even cites Rashi so its a Jewish commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures so Alter’s commentary view is understandable.

What is the alter translation?

Alter’s English translation, with accompanying commentary, plums the very depths of the Hebrew Bible that bring out the true beauty, elegance and power of the Hebrew Scriptures. Old well-known stories come alive with new meaning and insights.

What do you like most about alter’s commentary?

Old well-known stories come alive with new meaning and insights. Also, a very welcomed addition to Alter’s commentary in his English translation is Alter’s acknowledgment of the Christian understanding and exegetical perspective of certain passaged in the Hebrew Bible even if he only dismisses them as invalid.

Precision and beauty have kissed. Robert Alter has accomplished the monumental feat, 22 years in the making, of single-handedly translating the Hebrew Bible into English. Since he began, Alter’s translation has been published in segments. Now that he has completed the magisterial project, it is available in its entirety as a three-volume set.