A Literary Bible: An Original Translation

by David Rosenberg

A stunning new translation―“the best in a century, without a doubt”―of the Hebrew Bible that restores the creativity and poetry of the original text ( New Republic ). Whether rendering the Bible as wondrous or as strangely familiar, David Rosenberg’s “brilliant” and “truly fresh” translation forces us to ask again―and at last in literary terms―why the Bible remains a crucial foundation of our culture ( Booklist ). Until today, translators have presented a homogeneous Bible in uniform style―even as the various books within it were written by different authors, in diverse genres and periods, stretching over many centuries. Now, Rosenbergs artful translation restores what has been left the essence of imaginative creation in the Bible. In A Literary Bible , Rosenberg presents for the first time a synthesis of the literary aspects of the Hebrew Bible―restoring a sense of the original authors and providing a literary revelation for the contemporary reader. Rosenberg himself brings a finely tuned ear to the original text. His penetrating scholarship allows the reader to encounter inspired biblical prose and verse, and to experience each book as if it were written for our time.

Genres: Religion, Poetry, Jewish, History

698 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

David Rosenberg is an American poet, biblical translator, editor, and educator. He is best known for The Book of J (with Harold Bloom) and A Poet's Bible, which earned PEN Translation Prize in 1992. The Book of J stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for many weeks.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened up the text is very exciting ways. No matter how often I have read the Bible this was new and refreshing especially Rosenberg's take on Psalm 19.
I have recommended this book to many.

[Kajah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave me a different perspective on what the texts of the bible might have been intended to be. I can't judge how "accurate" it is but the author'a explanations of the Hebrew literary style of the time was pretty compelling. Now I only I could remember where I put it...

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been in a Bible reading rut when I found this book in a little free library. It was something that my late friend Rabbi Aimee had suggested I read a few years back, and I hadn't gotten around to it. This incredible translation of the Hebrew Bible that is gorgeous, thoroughly researched and translated, and alive with the Holy Spirit. I will be returning to this again and again.

[Steve Bolt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very poor translation

It is one man's ungodly translation. I find it interesting that a person with a Jewish heritage denies the very God that that created life.

[Aron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book from cover to cover! That is a sentence written in the imperative mood, present not past tense :)

[Meg]

One of my favorite Christmas presents! Going to start tonight :)