When words become
too familiar they can lose their impact
The First Testament:
A New Translation
Translator: John
Goldingay
Publisher: IVP
Academic
Pages: 924
For some odd reason
I have always remembered a family member mockingly repeating my
mother’s pronunciation of the word Yisrael. My mom must have
learned this from someone like Zola Levitt, who being Jewish had
insight into the original languages of the Old Testament.
If my mom were to
read The First Testament by John Goldingay she might be
pleasantly reminded of what she learned long ago and feel a slight
sense of vindication. Yisrael is the translation throughout.
Jerusalem becomes Yerushalaim. Judah is Yehudah. If I understand the
author correctly, it is because he is translating from the original
languages rather than a subsequent rendering in Latin, Greek, or some
other language.
It makes some terms
quite unfamiliar: Egypt is Misrayim. Personal names become less
recognizable. Mosheh for Moses. Yaaqob for Jacob. Occasional brackets
contain clarification. Continued reading helps to form associations
between the new and familiar readings. When I come to come to
Pelishtites I know it is referring to the Philistines.
Some readers might
appreciate that instead of LORD for God’s personal name, Yahweh is
used. Instead of LORD of hosts, we get Yahweh of Armies.
I like how instead
of “fear,” which can represent more than one word in the original
language, Goldingay uses “for you who are in awe of my name ...”
(Malachi 4:2).
As with any new
translation there may be questionable choices. The “supernatural
man” for “man of God” is a curiosity. “Smart” instead of
“wise”? “Dimwits” instead of “fools”? Other questions may
arise but this leans more towards word for word instead of sentence
by sentence, and does not attempt to smooth over difficulties. Its
aim is to bring readers in closer proximity to the original
autographs.
I like the arresting
nature of it all! When the words become too familiar they can lose
their impact. It becomes too easy to gloss over something that we
have read many times before. This is a definite aid for study; for
contrast with other translations.
There is an
introduction to each Bible book providing insight into God’s
purposes in light of the texts. Though brilliant in its presentation,
the one in Genesis gives pause. Goldingay suggests the events should
be taken as more than “simply historical.” It’s important to
read the context of his comments but he casts doubt on some of the
literalness, “Noah putting specimens of every animal species into a
giant box in which they survive a worldwide flood? Lot’s wife
turned into a column of salt?” Whether right or wrong, hopefully
readers will not be dissuaded from giving this resource a try. No
translation is perfect. It’s probably indisputable to say the same
about one’s theology.
The First Testament!
Old has negative connotations. Goldingay writes, “The ‘New
Testament’ did not regard the ‘Old Testament’ as ‘old’ in
the sense of antiquated or out-of-date; hence my referring to it as
the First Testament rather than the Old Testament” (xi). I applaud
the name change. The author goes on to say that despite these texts
being a living resource for Jesus and the New Testament writers in
understanding God and all of his ways, “Christians don’t read
them very much.”
God forbid! They may
be eclipsed in glory but are still glorious. They look forward; the
other looks back. Both reveal Messiah, providing a complete picture.
The Church would be impoverished if we had one and not the other.
The First
Testament is never more beautiful than in the Psalms. It is
fitting that it shines brightest in these inspired expressions of
Hebrew poetry.
I use Logos Bible
Software and have access to many different versions of the Bible but
none quite like this. I submitted a suggestion that they consider
publishing this book in their format. Reading and consulting a
variety of translations is instructive and helpful. This is a worthy
addition to any library.
