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Restoring the Original Meaning: Jewish Translations of the New Testament

Publication date: 05.11.2013

Przekładaniec, Issues in English, Special Issue 2013 – Selection from the Archives, pp. 124 - 137

https://doi.org/10.4467/16891864ePC.13.041.1458

Authors

Piotr Blumczyński
Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland
University of Wrocław, plac Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
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Translators

Paulina Drewniak

Titles

Restoring the Original Meaning: Jewish Translations of the New Testament

Abstract

Among dozens of new translations of the New Testament published in the
last fi fty years, there are several versions by Jewish scholars which have yet to receive
enough attention. This article offers an analysis of the most characteristic features of
these translations, such as criticism of the existing versions outlined in the introductory
sections, as well as actual techniques by which the Jewish origin and character of the
text is emphasised in three spheres: superfi cial, cultural and religious, and theological.
Each of these is illustrated with numerous examples, juxtaposed with traditional
versions. It is argued that, regardless of the ideological motivation underlying the origin
of the Jewish translations of the New Testament, they offer valuable and otherwise
unavailable insights into the original message of the ancient Christian writings.

References

Blumczyński P. 2006a. Doctrine in Translation. The Doctrine of the Trinity and Modern English Versions of the New Testament. Łask: LEKSEM.

––– 2006b. “Przekład poprawny politycznie. Zarys wpływów ideologicznych w wybranych współczesnych przekładach Nowego Testamentu na język angielski” [A Politically Correct Translation. An Outline of Ideological Infl uences in Selected Modern Translations of the New Testament into English]. Theologica Wratislaviensia 1. 109–24.

Cassirer H.W. 1989. God’s New Covenant: A New Testament Translation [GNC]. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

Hagner D.A. 1993. Matthew 1–13 (Word Bible Commentary). Dallas: Word.

Harrington D.J. 1991. The Gospel of Matthew (Sacra Pagina). Collegeville: Liturgical Press.

Morris L. 1992. The Gospel According to Matthew (Pillar New Testament Commentary). Grand Rapids and Cambridge: Eerdmans.

New American Standard Bible. 1995 [NASB]. The Lockman Foundation. [online] http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-American-Standard-Bible-NASB/.

Schonfield H. 1955. The Authentic New Testament Edited and Translated from the Greek for the General Reader [ANT]. London: Dennis Dobson.

––– 1985. The Original New Testament Edited and Translated from the Greek by the Jewish Historian of Christian Beginnings [ONT]. London.

Stern D.H. 1989. Jewish New Testament: A Translation of the New Testament that Expresses its Jewishness [JNT]. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc.

––– 1992. Jewish New Testament Commentary [JNTC]. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.

––– 1998. Complete Jewish Bible. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications.

––– Komentarz żydowski do Nowego Testamentu [Jewish Commentary on the New Testament], second edition. Trans. A. Czwojdrak, Warsaw: Vocatio.

Szczepińska B. 2005. Ewangelie tylekroć tłumaczone… Studia o przekładach i przekładaniu [The Gospels Translated so Many a Time… Studies on Translations and Translating]. Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo UG.

The Holy Bible, New International Version. 2011 [NIV]. Biblica, Inc. [online] http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New-International-Version-NIV-Bible/.

The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church. 1994. Pontifi cal Biblical Commission, Presented on March 18, 1994. [online] http://www.ewtn.com/library/curia/pbcinter.htm.

The Scriptures. 2003. [SISR]. Northriding: Institute for Scripture Research.

Weitzman R. 1989. “Introducing the Translation and Its Translator.” In: H.G. Cassirer. God’s New Covenant: A New Testament Translation [GNC]. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, x–xvii.

Wojciechowski M. 1993. “Nowotestamentowe teksty o Żydach w nowszych polskich przekładach biblijnych” [The New Testament Passages Concerning Jews in Modern Polish Translations of the Bible]. Collectanea Theologica 35 (2), 79–88.

Information

Information: Przekładaniec, Issues in English, Special Issue 2013 – Selection from the Archives, pp. 124 - 137

Article type: Original article

Titles:

Polish:

Restoring the Original Meaning: Jewish Translations of the New Testament

English:

Restoring the Original Meaning: Jewish Translations of the New Testament

Authors

Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland

University of Wrocław, plac Uniwersytecki 1, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland

Published at: 05.11.2013

Article status: Open

Licence: None

Percentage share of authors:

Piotr Blumczyński (Author) - 100%
Paulina Drewniak (Translator) - 0%

Article corrections:

-

Publication languages:

English