Messianic or Jewish Translations of The New Covenant

[*Albion*]

I know that this list is devoted to Aramaic Primacy of the New Covenant, but I thought that it would be interesting to see a list of Messianic or Jewish translations of the New Covenant.

The earliest New Testament translation by a Jewish person that I know about is:

'The Good News According to Matthew', first translated by Henry Einspruch, in 1939, by Lederer Publications, in Baltimore, Maryland.

The next one was:

'The Authentic New Testament', translated by Hugh Schonfield, published by Duckworth Press in 1953, in London, England.

And again in 1955, by New American Library/Mentor Books.

'The Book of Life', published by Thomas Nelson in 1982.

I've looked extensively for a copy of this New Covenant all over the internet, and in many good used bookstores, and still NEVER found a copy.

Hugh Schonfield also translated 'The Original New Testament', in 1985, when he was no longer a believer in Yeshua.

'The Living Bible--Messianic Edition', translated by Sid Roth and David Bronstein, Jr., published by Tyndale House, in Wheaton, Illinois in 1984.

I've only seen ONE copy of this for sale from a European bookstore.

'The Jewish New Testament', translated by David Stern, published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Jerusalem, Israel, and Clarksville, Maryland.
First published in 1979.

I've always loved Stern's translation and it's eclectic mix of English, Hebrew, Yiddish, and a little Aramaic!

However, when Stern translated "faith" as "trust" (which he does many times) I think that he was/is in error.

I don't really see how 'faith' can translate as 'trust'. But in spite of this, I do still love Stern's 'The Jewish New Testament'.

David Stern followed up his 'Jewish New Testament', with 'The Complete Jewish Bible', I'm not sure when it was first published.

'God's New Covenant--A New Testament Translation', translated by Heinz W. Cassirer.

Published by Wm.B. Eerdman's Publishing Company in 1989.

Cassierer's story is interesting.

He was a Jew who had escaped Hitler's Germany, and later became a Greek scholar and a Kantian philosopher, who had never read a word of The New Testament before he was 49 years old.

He later became an Anglican, who referred to himself as "a Jewish Christian".

'The Besorat Ha Mashiach' (Good News of the Messiah), published by Rainbow Missions, Inc. It first appeared on the internet as 'The Hebrew Names New Testament', taken from 'The World English Bible', before one could buy a bound version of it, I believe in the year 2000.

'The Orthodox Jewish Brit Chadasha', translated by Phil Goble in 1996, and was followed later (in 2001, I believe) by 'The Orthodox Jewish Bible', published by 'Artists for Israel International'.

As far as I know, these are the non "Sacred Name" New Testament's, done by Jewish Believers.

This is the list from the very beginning when 'Hebrew Christianity' was what Messianic Judaism was first called, to the present day.

If YOU know of other translations that I might have missed, I wish that you would add them to this list.

I find this history fascinating and it needed to be written down, even if it was by a Gentile.

Shabbat Shalom, Albion

[Christina]

Shlama akhi Albion,

Hmm, interesting post indeed, you listed nearly all of them, there's only one you left out that I can think of:

The Messianic Prophecy Bible, apparently you can order a free copy here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://messianicbible.com/aboutbible2.asp">http://messianicbible.com/aboutbible2.asp</a><!-- m -->

They don't deliver to my country, so if you get hold of one tell what it's like, okay?

[*Albion*]

Dear Rafa,

'The Orthodox Jewish Brit Chadasha' is the ONLY one of these New Testaments that my giving had a direct influence on.

It's not really understandable unless you know at least a little Hebrew, and some Yiddish. Although it DOES have a complete Glossary in the back of 'The Orthodox Jewish Bible'.

But I wanted to give to what I thought was a good cause.

I like Phil Goble, I understand that the Orthodox Jewish Community makes fun of Goble, and makes fun of his translation.

But if you know Phil Goble, and the story behind this Bible, it's easier to understand them both.

As to Schonfield, and his 'Original New Testament' you see that I gave no publisher for it, and I might ask you: Have YOU actually READ this New Testament? Or, are you just talking about something that you've never even seen?

As to Dr. Cassirer, if you take a look at his wikipedia bio, it gives a few links to his history.

His translation is kind of similar to J.B. Phillips 'New Testament'.

It's a paraphrase, but I still like it a lot.

I literally wore my copy out! lol


<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Cassirer">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Cassirer</a><!-- m -->


To Christina,

I would have mentioned 'The Messianic Prophecy Bible', but it's STILL being put together, just like it was back in 2000,
when I first heard of it.

I'm suspicious of ANY translation that takes that long to translate. Please pardon my callous nature.

As to GREEK.

I'm on this List for a reason, and I don't believe that Greek is anything but a translation language of the New Testament.

I've made this abundantly clear numerous times on this List.

I still like David Stern's 'Jewish New Testament'.

Stern has done a paper on The Land of Israel belonging to the Jewish people, that I'd love to read.

He has a lot of "huevos", as they say in New Mexico!

Ryan, I've written you numerous times, and my e-mails are NOT getting through.

I'll keep trying.

Shlama to all, Albion

Here's my opinion:

'The Orthodox Jewish Brit Chadasha', translated by Phil Goble in 1996, and was followed later (in 2001, I believe) by 'The Orthodox Jewish Bible', published by 'Artists for Israel International'.

I heard this isn't a particularly good translation and that he got critical terms and Torah concepts wrong, but at least I can't question the man's enthusiasm and sincerity basing my opinion from what I read at his website (afi).

Hugh Schonfield also translated 'The Original New Testament', in 1985, when he was no longer a believer in Yeshua

Now my opinion on this one is much more clear cut: would you read a New Testament translated by a former believer who went to Islam? What does the scripture say about people who taste of the Kingdom but decide to become apostates? Read Hebrews 6:3. Then again if his "original NT" is a mutilated Matthew I can almost forgive him for this. Just look at that genealogy in the Hebrew Matthew where the forger just added a fake name in the middle of the text when he couldn't figure out what was wrong with the Greek.

'God's New Covenant--A New Testament Translation', translated by Heinz W. Cassirer.

Published by Wm.B. Eerdman's Publishing Company in 1989.

Is this from the Greek or the Matthew? I never heard of this translation but if it's from the Greek it probably ranks as much more accurate than say the KJV or it's derivatives. You can't properly translate this text without using the right paradigm, and he certainly came from the proper background.

'The Jewish New Testament', translated by David Stern, published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Jerusalem, Israel, and Clarksville, Maryland.
First published in 1979.

Stern's seems rather popular. Thinking about getting a copy for myself.

'The Living Bible--Messianic Edition', translated by Sid Roth and David Bronstein, Jr., published by Tyndale House, in Wheaton, Illinois in 1984.

I like Sid Roth. I never read this translation though, more into his show.

I think the problem with all these Bibles though is the adherence on that corrupt Matthew, and them being also mostly Greek translations. Greek is the anti-thesis of Hebrew,you'll be translating something which is completely distinct into another language. Think about it- "Kurios" into YHWH, "Pneuma" into Ruach Hakkodesh,etc. This is not very credible for validating our claims and I would rather wait for a good Aramaic to English translation or recommend a Hebrew-Aramaic interlinear than say to someone that he read these specific texts. Then again you have to make do with what you have in this world, in 1979 Stern's was one of the few translations (albeit from the Greek) who gave the text the hebraicisms needed for comprehension of many core concepts.

[*Albion*]

Just as I suspected.

You've NOT read Schonfield yourself.

That quote from AGR was from my post about the Nazarenes.

Schonfield's two translations were pretty much very near to each other.

They were the whole New Testament, not just Matthew's Gospel.

Scholarship will not bite you, not even Hugh Schonfield's scholarship.

He was, for his time, literally, a genius.

Yes, he became a traitor, like Yhudah. I don't endorse his fall, but I don't intend to not mention his scholarship either.

I respect Andrew as you know, but history is history.

We can learn from it, without having to RELIVE it.

Albion

As to Schonfield, and his 'Original New Testament' you see that I gave no publisher for it, and I might ask you: Have YOU actually READ this New Testament? Or, are you just talking about something that you've never even seen?

Andrew in one of his posts said he doesn't like Schonfield's scholarship. To me personally that's enough to know he isn't on the right track (Schonfield that is). Second...why would you read a translation of that corrupt Matthew? Because that's what Schonfield translated. I'd personally have a copy of Lamsa's Aramaic with all his defects than something somebody forged purposely for a given purpose being given to me in a translation.

As I said I like Phil Goble the man. Don't know if his translation is good, but from the flac...

[Christina]

To Christina,

I would have mentioned 'The Messianic Prophecy Bible', but it's STILL being put together, just like it was back in 2000,
when I first heard of it.

I'm suspicious of ANY translation that takes that long to translate. Please pardon my callous nature.

Oh, I didn't know that, I first heard of the MPB only last year. Perhaps your suspicians have merit, either way I won't "hold my breath" since it's taking that long.

Rafa,

I understand your frustration where the Messianic/Netzari translations are concerned, too much dependancy on these phony "Hebrew Matthew" mss. I tossed out the RSTNE & ISR for the that reason. The OJB isn't bad, in fact it has received some positive reviews, eg:

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Orthodox Jew Defends the Orthodox Jewish Bible, June 23, 2006
By Yonah - See all my reviews

In response to T.R. Rich, I say that the Orthodox Jewish Bible is not a fraud, but that it brings out the truth of the Bible. The author does not live in a narrow world or consider those who disagree with him to be Satan. I think that T.R. should be willing to read the book.

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David Stern's CJB/JNT is hands down the most highly respected version, yet for me it's not literal enough. I think that AGR's Mari is gonna supercede all these previous releases. So Mari will give us a good Netzari study Brit Chadasha, now all we need is a good "Assembly/Shul" edition. Of all the English translations of the Peshitta there still isn't one that is suitable for use in congregations, something must be done about this.

[Christina]

Actually I think Andrew's translation will be great for use in Shuls. It's not just a translation- it's a complete work on Netzarim Halacha, a "Guide for the perplexed" for the 21st century written by someone who puts Maimonides to shame (in my honest opinion of course). I personally can't wait to read this masterpiece, I just hope Andrew doesn't let those tainted translations interfere with this life changing work. Also that he get's a little publicity for this. Think about it: "The original New Testament the apostles used"! "The secret teachings of Jesus and the apostles" (nothing secret about it lol!) No...here's the best one: "The New Testament which was hid from everybody" (instill a little curiosity).

<!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/laugh.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laugh" /><!-- s:lol: --> Well I'm certainly gonna make a big fuss about it! Mari/P.E.A.C.E. is the <!-- s:bomb: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/bomb.gif" alt=":bomb:" title="The Bomb" /><!-- s:bomb: -->

[yaaqubyl]

Shlama,

There is an edition of the New International Version (translated from Greek just as the "Jewish New Testament" of Stern is) which uses "Yeshua" and "Messiah" instead of "Jesus" and "Christ" which was produced, I think, for missionary work among Jews. This is published by the International Bible Society. I don't use it but I ended up with a copy somehow.

==> Link

I couldn't find this on the IBS site anymore so I don't know if they still publish it.

[Christina]

I have an e-sword module called the Messianic Renewed Covenant which I downloaded a few years ago. It's no longer available on the e-sword site & the missionary group that created it, Outreach Israel Ministries, no longer has it on their site. I reads similar to the NIV & HNV.