Jubilees: The Hermeneia Translation

by James C VanderKam

The book of Jubilees was written by a Jewish author in the second century BCE. Although no original copies of the manuscript remain, the fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls confirmed the general accuracy of later copies and suggested important amendments. The text retraces the book of Genesis and parts of Exodus and thus is one of the earliest sustained commentaries on the narratives presented in those texts. The translation in this volume is drawn from the author's monumental two-volume work in the Hermeneia commentary series and takes into account all of the textual data now available. The translation is accompanied by carefully selected notes that illuminate the text and is ideal for classroom use.

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Sinta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Genesis but a twisted, oversimplified rationalisation by a sanctimonious priest

Note: read excerpts only, chapters 1–2, 4–7, 10, 11–12, 15, 17–18, 22–23, 30–32, 49–50

Secondary commentary:
Written ~150BC

In ordinary biblical sequence, Torah is given to Israel through Moses at Sinai. But Jubilees wants to show that many Torah practices were already built into creation and observed by the patriarchs.

So in Jubilees:

* Sabbath is rooted in creation.
* Circumcision is eternal covenant law.
* Festivals have ancient patriarchal precedents.
* Purity laws are not arbitrary later rules.
* Angels themselves observe sacred order.
* The patriarchs behave like proto-Torah-observant Jews.

The big thesis is: Torah is not a late Israelite invention. It is cosmic, ancient, and woven into the structure of reality.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jubilees: The Hermeneia Translation provides readers with an accessible translation of an important Jewish text from the second century BCE.
James C. VanderKam incorporates the textual evidence available from later manuscripts and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Because Jubilees retells Genesis and portions of Exodus, the work offers an early sustained interpretation of foundational biblical narratives.
Carefully selected notes help illuminate the text while making the volume useful for classroom engagement.
At 177 pages, this edition offers a focused resource for students, scholars, and readers of ancient Jewish literature and biblical studies.

[Zack · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s a zillion versions of the Charles translation on the web. But I believe this is one of the few modern translations out there that can be bought as a standalone ebook or paperback. Worth looking at if you’re not into thee’s and thou’s, you don’t have a specialty scholarly text that goes for $100, and you don’t have access to the Pseudoepigrapha collection from the 80’s.

That said there’s no point to reading a text like this cover to cover. Strongly recommend you seek out the commentary version of this translation for the giant and informative introduction. Depending on your university’s library access you may be able to get it through JSTOR.