SEEKING BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

[CarlO]

I'm very new to learning about the Peshitta and related materials. I'm seeking recommendations for possible good books in the following categories. Examples are given, and someone may have better recommendations?

1. The complete Peshitta [old and new testaments ?] in English. The only source I have found [Amazon] lists "Holy Bible: From the Ancient Eastern Text; George M. Lamsa's translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta. But - - I have no way to determine whether this is a good choice or not - - whether there are better choices available ?

2. And - - I would like to find a well done book [for the layman, not for scholars] with the history of the Peshitta [the Syriac Bible ?], and those church denominations of the east who have embraced the Peshitta as their recognized version of the Bible - both Old and New Testaments.

I will be very grateful for any assistance and recommendations that anyone can provide. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

[Aaron S]

As far as a translation of the Peshitta Tanakh goes, Lamsa is the only choice as of yet. His translation only includes the Hebrew canon, leaving out the Peshitta text's additions to Daniel (namely the Prayer of Azariah and narrative of Bel and the Serpent; I don't think the Peshitta has the narrative of Susanna). If you would like to see translations of these two texts, view my translations thereof here:

• The Prayer of Azariah - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2621
• Bel and the Serpent - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2665

For the extant text of Lamsa's translation of the Peshitta Tanakh, you may find it on AramaicPeshitta.com or on my Interlinear project in progress.

I hope this helps address your inquiry about the Peshitta Tanakh. And trust that another is able to address your other questions. Also see this post for info about translations of the Apostolic Writ: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2572

[aranbaryaaqub]

Shlama lukh,

My father (Yaaqub Younan-Levine) has been working on a translation of the Peshitta Tanakh/AN"K to English for a few years now. Only small portions are currently available online but I'm working on adding the work he has completed within a week or so.

The text of Susanna is in the Peshitta Tanakh, but as far as I know, only in Codex Ambrosianus which is the main source text of my father's translation at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://pshitta.org/english/">http://pshitta.org/english/</a><!-- m -->

Codex Ambrosianus also contains other "Apocryphal" books including Josephus' "War of the Jews."

Aran bar Yaaqub