I've been trying to compile a list of resources that I think my seminary students--but it would apply to anyone serious about Bible study--need most if they want to study the Bible using the original languages but whose native language is English.
My assumptions here are that people need a variety of resources to conduct Bible study for preaching, teaching, self-edification, reflection, and devotion. At the seminary where I teach (LTSG), about a year's worth of Greek is required. Hebrew is not required but is encouraged as an elective. I am assuming some facility with Greek, therefore, but I am not assuming that people will be 'fluent' in Hebrew or even Greek. I do assume that with the proper resources they will be able to make use of both. I am also assuming here that English is the primary, native language, and so the secondary resources and translations I highlight are English ones.
Interested in seeing my list? Well, I'm interested in hearing what you think of it. Please note that I am not angling for a theological fight here. You can probably guess from my list that I am some flavor of moderate Protestant (ELCA Lutheran to be precise with a Missouri Synod Lutheran background). That is, I don't think that any of the primary resources I list have any theological bias, but my inclinations are probably indicated by my preference for the NRSV as the 'neutral' English translation with which I make comparisons. Okay, so I am open to suggestions, and I am also hoping for a show of charitableness. (BTW, anyone is welcome to take my list and adapt it to their particular interests. Just give some acknowledgement.)
Here it is: Best Resources for Original Language Bible Study
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Best Resources for Original Language Bible Study
Posted by
MGVHoffman
at
6:14 PM
7
comments
Labels: biblical studies, greek, greek new testament, hebrew, josephus, lexicon, online bible, online resources, Peshitta, philo, pseudepigrapha, Syriac, text criticism, versions
Thursday, September 13, 2007
OCP = Online Critical Pseudepigrapha update
Excellent work continues to be done at the Online Critical Pseudepigrapha project. They just reported today a new critical edition of 2 (Syriac Apocalypse of) Baruch. The full Syriac text along with the Greek and Latin fragments is presented with textual notes. (Get to the text via the home page link so that you retain the frames.) They also posted the first eclectic text of the Visions of Amram, an Aramaic work found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. They also report that their site is now fully Mac-friendly. To whet your interest, here is a list of texts posted on their site:
Texts with critical apparatus
- 2 (Syriac Apocalypse of) Baruch (NEW edition)
- The Testament of Job
- 1 Enoch (In progress)
- Testament of Adam (In progress)
- Psalms of Solomon
- 4 Ezra
- Testament of Abraham
- The Life of Adam and Eve
- Visions of Amram (NEW)
- The Letter of Aristeas
- Aristeas the Exegete
- Aristobulus
- Artapanus
- 3 (Greek Apocalypse of) Baruch
- 4 Baruch (Paraleipomena Ieremiou)
- Cleodemus Malchus
- Eldad and Modad
- Eupolemus
- The Apocryphon of Ezekiel
- Ezekiel the Tragedian
- Vision of Ezra (NEW)
- The History of the Rechabites (NEW edition)
- Jubilees
- The Lives of the Prophets
- Assumption of Moses (Testament of Moses) (NEW)
- 3 Maccabees
- 4 Maccabees
- Philo the Epic Poet
- Pseudo-Eupolemus
- Testament of Solomon
- Theodotus
Posted by
MGVHoffman
at
8:21 PM
0
comments
Labels: biblical resources, pseudepigrapha, Syriac