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The Bible in Arabic: The Scriptures of the "People of the Book" in the Language of Islam
From the first centuries of Islam to well into the Middle Ages, Jews and Christians produced hundreds of manuscripts containing portions of the Bible in Arabic. Until recently, however, these translations remained largely neglected by Biblical scholars and historians. In telling the story of the Bible in Arabic, this book casts light on a crucial transition in the cultural and religious life of Jews and Christians in Arabic-speaking lands.
In pre-Islamic times, Jewish and Christian scriptures circulated orally in the Arabic-speaking milieu. After the rise of Islam--and the Qur'an's appearance as a scripture in its own right--Jews and Christians translated the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament into Arabic for their own use and as a response to the Qur'an's retelling of Biblical narratives. From the ninth century onward, a steady stream of Jewish and Christian translations of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament crossed communal borders to influence the Islamic world.
The Bible in Arabic offers a new frame of reference for the pivotal place of Arabic Bible translations in the religious and cultural interactions between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
In pre-Islamic times, Jewish and Christian scriptures circulated orally in the Arabic-speaking milieu. After the rise of Islam--and the Qur'an's appearance as a scripture in its own right--Jews and Christians translated the Hebrew Bible and the Greek New Testament into Arabic for their own use and as a response to the Qur'an's retelling of Biblical narratives. From the ninth century onward, a steady stream of Jewish and Christian translations of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament crossed communal borders to influence the Islamic world.
The Bible in Arabic offers a new frame of reference for the pivotal place of Arabic Bible translations in the religious and cultural interactions between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
272 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 15, 2019
Another masterpiece by the scholar of Eastern Christianity in the Arabic world of Syria, Mesopotamia, Persia and Al-Hijaz.
When was the Bible (the Torah or the Gospel) translated in Arabic? Was there an Arabic version already at the time of the Prophet of Islam? What evidence do we have? Where did the first Arabic translation come into existence and many other very interesting topics were treated in this wonderful masterpiece.
What distinguishes the books of Sydney Griffith is that he makes them a reference to all the books, articles, studies and reports on the subject of his book. He makes sure to prepare an extensive table of all the material that treated the subject in question.
When was the Bible (the Torah or the Gospel) translated in Arabic? Was there an Arabic version already at the time of the Prophet of Islam? What evidence do we have? Where did the first Arabic translation come into existence and many other very interesting topics were treated in this wonderful masterpiece.
What distinguishes the books of Sydney Griffith is that he makes them a reference to all the books, articles, studies and reports on the subject of his book. He makes sure to prepare an extensive table of all the material that treated the subject in question.
April 2, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book I especially liked all the squiggles but next time please put it in English! Thank you!
August 30, 2024
Excellent summation of scholarship on an understudied subject
February 22, 2016
Contrary to the previous review I found this book both extremely readable and fascinating. As Griffith acknowledges this book is mostly the pulling together of previously obscure scholarship. It was fascinating to learn about the oral Bible thought to have been circulating the time of the revelation of the Quran- I had never heard of the apparently well known "cave of treasures" for example so this book was a springboard for future thought and growth on my part. I do feel though that the book just kind of ends in he could've done a much better job summing up.
March 2, 2022
- Book Review: "The Bible in Arabic" by Sidney Griffith - 📚✡️✝️☪️ [Repost with new photo]
A great book written by a brilliant scholar and historian - Sidney Griffith - who elucidates his work in an effective manner with all the proper references. Though written for a general audience, this book will be of just as much interest to academics and/or people who are extremely enthusiastic about the subject matter.
The subtitle of the book - The Scriptures of the 'People of the Book' in the language of Islam - is just as appropriate, because the book is as much about Islam and the Arabic Qur'an as it is about the history of the Arabic Bible; because the two simply cannot be divorced or talked about in isolation.
What works well for the book: the initial chapters which touch on 'The Bible in pre-Islamic Arabia' and 'The Bible in the Arabic Qur'an'.
What doesn't work as much: some of the latter chapters.
Even for a self-professed history tragic, I found myself waning in enthusiasm towards the latter half of the book because it was more about presenting FACTS rather than trying to use those facts to bond together an overarching STORY.
But overall, this book is still thoroughly enjoyable and I highly recommend it to all.
My rating: 4.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙
A great book written by a brilliant scholar and historian - Sidney Griffith - who elucidates his work in an effective manner with all the proper references. Though written for a general audience, this book will be of just as much interest to academics and/or people who are extremely enthusiastic about the subject matter.
The subtitle of the book - The Scriptures of the 'People of the Book' in the language of Islam - is just as appropriate, because the book is as much about Islam and the Arabic Qur'an as it is about the history of the Arabic Bible; because the two simply cannot be divorced or talked about in isolation.
What works well for the book: the initial chapters which touch on 'The Bible in pre-Islamic Arabia' and 'The Bible in the Arabic Qur'an'.
What doesn't work as much: some of the latter chapters.
Even for a self-professed history tragic, I found myself waning in enthusiasm towards the latter half of the book because it was more about presenting FACTS rather than trying to use those facts to bond together an overarching STORY.
But overall, this book is still thoroughly enjoyable and I highly recommend it to all.
My rating: 4.5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙
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November 11, 2023Review excellent
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2019
thank you Dr Griffiths for your scholarship and giving to us Arab Christians a history that we can be proud of
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews