After reading Iyov’s review of this bible last month I purchased a copy for myself. The first shipment was lost and so a second shipment was sent to me last week and arrived today. I’ve spent the last hour reading from it and I must say that I am very impressed with the quality of the book and the translation style. It reads very easily and has what I would call a very liberal view on translation. However, the choice of words is very fresh and really makes me think about the possibilities for translating these ancient languages. Perhaps my favorite feature is that it uses the tetragrammaton for the divine name in the Hebrew scriptures. However I also like some of the very artistic touches with the text, as well as the pains taken to use verse.
[update]
I forgot to mention you can view an excerpt of the Hebrew scriptures in this .pdf file:
The Twelve
May 12, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Glad your initial impression is favorable. I notice that the translation of the Hebrew Scriptures is more innovative (and better footnoted) than the translation of the New Testament.
I hope you post more reflections soon.
May 12, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I plan to Iyov, and thank you again for pointing me to this translation (& Hexapla).
I read The Song of Songs after making this post; it literally took my breath away. It is by far the most sensuous and authentic-reading translation that I have seen of this poem to date.
May 14, 2008 at 12:10 am
We ought to have a Song of Songs blogathon. I would be very curious to see what comes out of the woodwork. I for one would be pushing Calvin Seerveld’s work, but your descriptions of the Inclusive Bible are tempting as well.
May 14, 2008 at 1:55 am
I’m reading NT Wright’s “The Last Word,” and in his own translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, the good Bishop uses the tetragrammaton, YHWH.
May 14, 2008 at 2:17 pm
On an interesting inclusivity note, I’ve noticed that at one point, the NRSV’s effort to be inclusive actually excludes a woman: It talks about the “12 children” of Jacob, rather than the “12 sons” – but this effectively takes poor Dinah out of the picture altogether. I do think the effort to be inclusive is a good one, but I worry that sometimes it’s pursued without sensitivity…
May 14, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I agree Matt. My take on inclusive translations is that I don’t care for them so much. I’m one that believes gender language is still understandable, and it is my preference. That doesn’t prevent me from reading the TNIV more than any other translation, nor does it remove the joy I take in reading from the one posted about here.