The Israelite Samaritan Version of the Torah: First English Translation Compared with the Masoretic Version

by Sharon Sullivan (Editor), Emanuel Tov (Foreword), James H. Charlesworth (Introduction)

This landmark volume presents the first-ever English translation of the ancient Israelite Samaritan version of the Pentateuch, or Torah. A text of growing interest and importance in the field of biblical studies, the Samaritan Pentateuch preserves a version of the Hebrew text distinct from the traditional Masoretic Text that underlies modern Bible translations.Benyamim Tsedaka's expert English translation of the Samaritan Pentateuch is here laid out parallel to the more familiar Masoretic Text, highlighting the more than 6,000 differences between the two versions. In addition to extensive explanatory notes in the margins throughout, the book's detailed appendices show affinities between the Samaritan and Septuagint versions and between the Samaritan and Dead Sea Scroll texts. Concluding the volume is a categorical name index containing a wealth of comparative information.

Genres: Reference

522 pages, Hardcover

First published December 6, 2010

Reviews

[Charlene Mathe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine volume to add to my collection of chumashim or editions of the Pentateuch/Books of Moses/first 5 books of the Bible. It is well laid out, clear, carefully edited, snugly and attractively bound. I am disappointed that it contains no pages of the Samaritan Torah in Samaritan or paleo-Hebrew script. I would like to see at least an opening page for each of the five books presented in side-by-side view of the original scrolls/scripts; then transition to the English translations.
It could be asked whether the Samaritan and Masoretic texts can be compared and contrasted in English translation, since the translations require a selection from a number of possible renderings. But if the versions were presented in original script, I would not be able to read them; and if I had my ideal of four columns (Samaritan text with translation and Masoretic text with translation), I wouldn't have a shelf big enough for the book.
I have to admit that I was hoping for a greater contrast in the texts transmitted via two long-separated streams of Torah. Instead, the two texts are so alike in English translation that it hardly seems worth the trouble to present them side by side. (The few differences are discussed by editor/translator Benyamim Tsedaka in concise marginal commentary.) This consistency is a remarkable witness to the integrity of the Torah as we have it today.
Benyamin Tsedaka shares generations of Torah study and knowledge in this book. He provides insights into the adoption of versions such as the Samaritan, Masoretic, LXX; evidence from fragments found at Qumran and Cairo; and possible earlier layers of Torah suggested by all of these.
One of my major interests is the harmonization of texts concerning Passover observance and counting the omer. On this subject, I was rewarded with differences and commentary by Tsedaka's presentation of the Samaritan and Masoretic texts on this subject.

[Hamza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just as good as the regular Torah, and certainly has some added features that I liked. Try as I might, I just cannot give five stars to any version of the Bible. The repetition just kills me with boredom. That said, this is recommended for anyone who might want to see some slightly altered versions of classic stories. The differences are usually not too huge, but they're there.