Best Available Tanakh?

[garrett]

Hi All,

Would any of you know of the best available copies/editions of the Tanakh that are available today? I guess something I can find on Amazon...?

I'm looking for one that has both Hebrew and English in it. And also the best translation, etc.

Any suggestions would be great!

[alon]

What you are looking for is an interlinear TNK. Do a search for Interlinear Bibles and you should find a few to chose from. The one by J P Green Sr seems to be the most popular. However if your eyes are failing you'll either end up with a Bible you can't read, or a larger print version the size of those dictionaries that used to be on a pedestal in every library ... in other words, too big to carry arround.

I can tell you what I have, but none of them are exactly what you describe:

Hebrew English Transliterated Bible- PDF, from El Shaddai Ministries/ Hebrew World. Not one you can carry unless you are of the electron generation who likes to just bring a library in a laptop with them everywhere you go. However as a study tool it would serve your purposes a lot cheaper than a book or set of books.

The Stone Edition Tanach- has Hebrew on one page and English on the facing page, with a few notes at the bottom of the pages. It does not have the English phonetical transliteration though. So you are on your own to read the Hebrew side.

The Jewish Study Bible- from the Jewish Publication Society. This is in English, with no Hebrew. However the study notes are phenomenal! This is where I always start my studies for Par'shot and haftarot. I also go here when researching or studying most anything in the TNK. The depth of thought and knowledge that goes into their study notes is amazing. It is from a Jewish perspective, so obviously there are things we would disagree on. However they sometimes give the Christian perspective as well; and I have to say they are surprisingly fair and usually accurate in this. I highly recommend it.

Dan C

[garrett]

Alon,

Thanks for the input. I'll look into the Jewish Study Bible you mentioned, as well as the Stone Edition. The more study notes (Study Bible) the better!

I don't mind having the large books either...I have a big enough table, so I can manage that too. These are books I would likely keep in my house the majority of the time since I don't want them to get any unnecessary damage. Good books are becoming a bit rare these days.

Thanks again - garrett

[lou]

David Stern’s “Complete Jewish Bible”.

[alon]

Dec 25, 2015 22:31:52 GMT -8 garrett said:

Alon,

Thanks for the input. I'll look into the Jewish Study Bible you mentioned, as well as the Stone Edition. The more study notes (Study Bible) the better!

I don't mind having the large books either...I have a big enough table, so I can manage that too. These are books I would likely keep in my house the majority of the time since I don't want them to get any unnecessary damage. Good books are becoming a bit rare these days.

Thanks again - garrett

Since more than you will read this, I think I should put in a precautionary note: when you first start to read the study notes you may be surprised at some of their conclusions. Many times they come at these scriptures from a scholarly, almost secular bent. They tend to see Biblical history as more didactic, or instructional, than as truth (they plainly state this in various places, so not just my opinion here). I see it as truth, and the more archaeological digs there are in that region the more we find it is truth. The excavation at Jericho for example found those massive walls DID fall down- all but one section and its rooms. At other times they seem to forget what they are studying. They break Isaiah down into two major parts- Isaiah and Deutero-Isaiah. Their reasoning- some things Isaiah spoke of happened after his death, so he couldn't have known about it! Makes you want to grab someone and shake his Doctorate loose, screaming at him "ISAIAH WAS A PROPHET!" So while I do recommend this for someone strong in the faith such as yourself; for those newer or less grounded maybe you should wait a bit before tackling something that by its nature will require a LOT of discernment.

Dan C

[rroath]

I have multiple versions of the interlinear TNKH. For me, it depends on what I am doing as to which version I use. My favorite for personal study would be the Stone, as I have found that it is one of the closest translations from Hebrew to "readable" English. When I am reading to other people I use the JPS as it seems to read "easier" and is a bit more understandable without losing context. The notes that have been referenced above are great as long as you keep the perspective that, that is what they are - someone's notes. Great reference and thought provoking notes. The notes are not there to set you in concrete, they are there to help you study further or deeper and to help by giving to other peoples perspective. It is similar to reading the Talmud, Mishnah, Gemara and Midrash...great reference material from folks that have done this much longer than I. As with everything we read and study, it has to line up with the but, it is great material to help with understanding.