MUST OWN: PENTATEUCH AND HAFTORAHS – Versions and Commentators Consulted

[It is not only fair but necessary to provide all the sources/resources cited in the Commentary that has been featured in the last three books of the Torah.  For readers who have consistently followed chapter after chapter of Waiqrah, Bemidbar and Dabariym, you will have noticed names of Jewish sages, scholars and commentators, many Europeans though probably European-based Jews, some Christian scholars as well.  You are probably wondering who were all those names—Onkelos, Friedlander, Nachmanides, etc.  

 

This post provides you with information regarding them and their writings as well as the times during which they lived.  It is an eyeopener, undoubtedly a great introduction to past scholarship that has already been done on the Hebrew Scriptures, particular the Torah. The editor of PENTATEUCH AND HAFTORAHS,  Rabbi/Dr. J.H.Hertz accomplished a Herculean task in putting together the best of Jewish and and non-Jewish minds in his resource book; we have benefitted immensely from it and have shared as much as we could with serious students of the Hebrew Bible who have no access to some of the resources on our MUST BUY/MUST READ.  

 

With deep admiration and appreciation of all the great minds of the past and present who have served to make the Torah of YHWH understandable to us and to all who would venture into its pages; admittedly it is not an easy read, but it is not beyond understanding. Thanks to these scholars who have trailblazed for the rest of us, what a treasure of a legacy they have left behind, and how convenient that their studies have all been collected in one book!—Admin1.]

VERSIONS AND COMMENTATORS CONSULTED

Image from www.themonastery.org

A.  ANCIENT VERSIONS AND AUTHORITIES

Jerusalem Targum, see Targum.

Jonathan Targum, see Targum.

Josephus, Flavius (37-95 A.C.E.)  Jewish historian and apologist.  ‘Antiquities of the Jews.’

Massorah. lit. ‘The Tradition”. The original Bible text was unvowelled.

The Massoretes fixed the Traditional reading of the Sacred Text and its exact pronunciation, largely by means of vowel-points.  Their activity began after the Talmudic period, and extended to the tenth century.

Mechilta. Oldest Rabbinic Commentary on Exodus.

Midrash. The ancient homiletical expositions of the Torah, the Five Scrolls (i.e. Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther), and other portions of Scripture.

Onkelos, see Targum.

Philo Judaeus (20 B.C.E.-40 A.C.E.).  Renowned Jewish philosopher in Alexandria. Author of allegorical commentaries on the Pentateuch.

Rabbis, the.  The religious authorities in the Talmudim and Midrashim.

Samaritan Pentateuch.  The Samaritan adaptation of the Hebrew Text; see also Targum.

Septuagint.  The Greek translation of the Bible made by the Jews in Egypt in the third century B.C.E.  The word Septuagint means seventy, because it was believed to be the work of seventy-two scholars selected for that purpose by one of the Ptolemy rulers.

Sifra.  Oldest Rabbinic Commentary on Leviticus.

Symmachus. A literal Greek version of the Pentateuch by a Hellenistic

Jew of the second century.

Targum. Ancient translations or paraphrases of the Bible into the Aramaic vernacular then spoken by the Jews.  The most important of these is the translation of the Pentateuch, that is ascribed to Onkelos, the Proselte, a Mishnah teacher of the first century. The Jonathan Targum is a freer paraphrase of the Bible, ascribed to Jonathan ben Uzziel, a pupil of Hillel.  An earlier and fragmentary version of this paraphrase is known as the Jerusalem Targum.  The Samaritans also have an Aramaic Targum, embodying their traditional interpretation of the Torah.

Talmud.  Body of Jewish law and legend comprising the Mishnah and Gemara, and containing the authoritative explanation of the Torah by the Rabbis of Palestine and Babylon, from the years 100 B.C.E. to 500 A.C.E.

 

B.  MEDIEVAL JEWISH AUTHORITIES AND COMMENTATORS

Abarbanel (or, Abrabanel), Don Isaac (1437-1509).  Spanish exegete and statesman.

Bechor Shor, Joseph.  French exegete of the 12th century.

Chizkuni. 13th century French commentator.

Gersonides, see Ralbag.

Hallevi, Yehudah (1085-1140).  Religious philosopher and greatest medieval Hebrew poet.  ‘The Cuzari.’

Ibn Ezra, Abraham (1092-1167).  Famous Spanish-Jewish grammarian, Bible exegete, philosopher, traveller, and poet.

Kimchi, David (1160-1235).  Franco-Spanish exegete and grammarian.  His commentary profoundly influenced the Authorized Version of 1611.

Maimonides, Moses (1135-1204). Foremost medieval Jewish philosopher. In his ‘Guide for the Perplexed’, he deals with difficult Bible terms and conceptions.

Nachmanides, Moses (1194-1268). Great Spanish Talmudist, Bible commentator, and mystic.

Ralbag.  i.e. Rabbi Levi ben Gerson (1288-1344).  Rashi’s grandson.  Stresses the ‘plain, natural sense’ in his commentaries.

Rashi. i.e. Rabbi Solomon Ben Isaac of Troyes (1040-1105).  French Bible exegete and greatest commentator on the Talmud.  No other commentary on the Pentateuch has had a more enduring popularity or exerted an equal influence in Jewry.

Saadyah, Gaon (882-942), born in Egypt.  Religious philosopher and exegete. Translator of Bible into Arabic.

Sforno, Obadiah.  (1475-1550).  Italian physician and exegete, Teacher of Reuchlin.

Shulchan Aruch.  Authoritative code of Rabbinic Judaism compiled by Joseph Karo, 1564, and enlarged by Moses Isserles, 1587.

Zohar. Mystical commentary on the Pentateuch.  Probably 13th century.

 

C. MODERN VERSIONS IN ENGLISH

Authorized Version.  Also known as the King James Version, 1611–Of unsurpassed literary beauty.

Benisch, Abraham. (1811-1878). ‘Jewish School and Family Bible,’ 4 vols. London, 1851-1861.

Leeser, Isaac (1805-1868).  The 24 Books of the Holy Scriptures, Philadelphia, 1853—This work and that of Benisch were the first Jewish versions in English of the entire Bible.

Revised Version, 1884.  Preserves the beauties of the Authorized Version, but corrects its mistakes in the light of modern scholarship.

M. Friedlander.  A Jewish Appendix to the Revised Version, 1896.

American Jewish Version.  ‘With the aid of previous versions and with constant consultation of Jewish Authorities.  Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, 1917.

Moffatt, James.  A New Translation of the Bible, 1925—in colloquial English.

 

D.  MODERN COMMENTATORS, TRANSLATORS, AND WRITERS ON BIBLE SUBJECTS—-JEWISH

Only the principal names referred to are given, and only works consulted in the preparation of this Volume

Abrahams, Israel (1858-1925). Anglo-Jewish scholar.

Adler, Hermann (1839-1911). Chief Rabbi.

Altschul, David.  17th century. ‘Metzudath David’ and ‘Metzudath Tziyon’, popular commentaries on the Prophetical books.

Blau, Ludwig (!861-1936).  Hungarian Bible Scholar. ‘Zur Einleitung in die Heilige Schrift.’ ‘Masoretische Studien.’

Bloch, J.S. (1850-1923). Austrian-Jewish apologist.

Buchler, A.  (1867-1939).  Principal of Jews’ College, London. ‘Studies in Sin and Atonement.’

Cassuto, Umberto (1883-1951). Italian Jewish scholar.

Cohen, Hermann ((1842-1918). Kantian philosopher of religion.  ‘Juedische Schriften.’ ‘Religion der Vernunfit aus den Quellen de Judentums.’

Daiches, Samuel (1878-1949).  Anglo-Jewish scholar.

Darmesteter, James (1849-1894). French Orientalist, ‘The Prophets of Israel.’

Erlich, A.B. (1848-1920). Russian-American exegete. ‘Mikra ki-Pheschuto.’ ‘Rnagdlossen.’

Frankel, Z (1801-1875).  First Principal of Breslau Seminary.  ‘Mosaisch-talmudisches Eherecht.’

Friedlander, Michael (1833-1910).  English scholar and commentator.  ‘The Jewish Religion.’

Geiger, Abraham (1810-1874).  Rector of Rabbinical Semianry, Budapest.  ‘Das Judentum und die Umwelt.’

Herxheimer, S. (1801-1884).  Author of complete commentary on the Holy Scriptures.

Hirsch, Samson R. (1808-1888).  German religious leader and commentator.

Hoffmann, David (1843-1921).  Bible and Talmud scholar.  ‘Leviticus.’ “Deuteronomium.’

Jacob, Benno (1862-1945). German Bible exegete.

Jacobs, Joseph (1854-1916).  Anglo-Jewish scholar. ‘Jewish Ideals.’

Jampel, S. (1874-1934).  German exegete and popular writer on Bible archeology.  ‘Die Hagada aus Aegypten.’

Jastrow, Marcus (1829-1903).  American Bible scholar and Talmudist.

Joseph, morris (1848-1930).  Anglo-Jewish Minister, ‘Judaism as Life and Creed.”

Kalisch, M.M. (1828-1885). English Bible commentator.

Kohler, Kaufmann (1843-1926).  German-american scholar. ‘Jewish Theology.’

Krauss, samuel (1866-1948).  Bible and Talmud scholar.

Leeser, Isaac (1806-1868).  American Bible translatpr and author of exegetical glosses.

Lencziz, Ephraim.  Early 17th century. Polish-Bohemian preacher and commentator.

Low, Leopold (1811-1875).  Theologian and Talmudist. ”Eherechtiche Studien.’

Luzzatto, S.D. (1800-1865).  Great Italian Hebraist and commentator.

Mahler, Eduard (1857-1945).  Hungarian Orientalist and authority on Jewish chronology.

Malbim, M.L. (1809-1879).  Russian Rabbi and exegete.

Margolis, Max L. (1866-1932).  American scholar and Bible translator.  ‘The Book of Micah.’

Mendelssohn, Moses (1729-1786).  German philosopher, Bible translator and commentator (Biur).

Montefiore, C.G.  (1858-1938). Hibbert Lecturer, 1892. ‘The Synoptic Gospels.’

Mueller, D.H. (1846-1912).  Austrian Assyriologist.

Philippson, Ludwig (1811-1889).  German preacher and commentator.

Reggio, Isaac Samuel (1784-1855).  Austro-Italian scholar.

Schechter, S. (1847-1915).  Theologian, Talmudist, and Essayist. ‘Aspects of Rabbinic Theology.’

Steinthal, H. (1823-1899).  German philosopher.  ‘Zu Bibel u. Religionphilosophie.’

Sulzberger, Mayer (1843-1923). American jurist.

Szold, Benjamin (182901902).  American Bible scholar.

Wesseley, N.H. (1725-1805). Hebraist.  ‘Leviticus’ in Mendelssohn’s edition of the Pentateuch.

Wiener, H.M. (1874-1929).  English Bible scholar. ‘Essays in Pentateuchal Criticism.’

Wogue, Lazare (1817-1897). French scholar and exegete.

Yahuda, A.S. (1877-1951).  English Egyptologist.  ‘The Language of the Pentateuch.’

Zanwill, Israel (1864-1926).  English man of letters.  ‘The Voice of Jerusalem,’ ‘Children of the Ghetto.

Zunz, Leopold (1794-1886).  Founder of the New Jewish Learning.  Edited the Bible translation that is most in use among German-speaking Jews.

 

E.  MODERN COMMENTATORS, TRANSLATORS, AND WRITERS ON BIBLE SUBJECTS—NON-JEWISH

Only the principal names referred to are given, and only works consulted in the preparation of this Volume

Baxter, W.L. (1841-1937).  Scottish Bible scholar. ‘Sanctuary and Sacrifice.’

Cheyne, T.K. (1841-1915).  English Bible critic, ‘Isaiah,’ ‘Hosea,’ ‘Micah.’

Cornill, C.H. (1854-19200.  German exegete.  ‘Jeremias.’ ‘The Prophets of Israel.

Delitzsch, Franz (1813-1890).  Rabbinic scholar and commentator. ‘Genesis.’ ‘Jesaia.’

Dillmann, A .  (1823-1894).  German philologist and exegete. ‘Pentateuch.’ ‘Jesaia.’

Driver, S.R. (1846-1914).  English Bible commentator.

Ewald, Heinrich (1803-1875). German historian and exegete.

Garstang, John (1876-1956).  British Archeologist. ‘The Foundations of Bible History: Joshua, Judges.’

Green, W.H. (1825-1900).  American Hebraist.

Hall, R.H. (1873-1930).  British archeologist.

Herford, R. Travers *1860-1950).  Rabbinic scholar. ‘The Pharisees.’

Hommel, Fritz (1854-1937).  German Orientalist. ‘Ancient Hebrew Tradition.’

Kittel, Gerhard (1888-1948).  German Rabbinic scholar.  ‘Die Probleme des pal. Spatjudentums.’

Kittel, Rudolf (1853-1933).  Bible historian.

Koenig, Eduard (1846-1936).  German Hebraist. ‘Genesis.’ ‘Das Deuteronomium.’

Milman, Dean (1791-1868). English historian. ‘The History of the Jews.’

Moore, G.F. (1851-1931).  American Bible scholar.

Naville, Edouard (1844-1930). Swiss Egyptologist.

Orr, James.  Scottish Bible schlar. ‘The Problem of the Old Testament.’

Otto, Rudolf (1869-1937).  German philosopher of religion.  ‘The idea of the Holy.’

Petrie, Flinders (1853-1942).  English Egyptologist.

Robinson, T.H.  (1881-    ).  English Bible scholar.

Sayce, A.H. (1845-1933).  British Orientalist.

Smith, G.A.  (1856-1942).  Scottish Bible scholar.

Stanley, Dean (1815-1881).  English Divine.  ‘History of the Jewish Church.’

Welch, Adam C. *1864-1943). Scottish Hebraist. ‘The Code of Deuteronomy.’

 

In addition to the works of the Jewish and non-Jewish authors mentioned above, the standard commentaries on the books of the Pentateuch and on the Prophets were consulted; also various volumes in the Cambridge Bible for Schools, the Temple, the Century, the Modern Reader’s, and Expositor’s Bible, as well as the One Volume (Dummelow), New (Guillaume), Pulpit, and Speaker’s Commentaries.

 

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