In between come many of the primal stories in western culture. In this post, i will briefly describe five of the most generally helpful commentaries available on the first book of the bible. Robert alter, who has come up with this remarkable translation of the five books after decades of writing some of the most convincing analyses ever produced of the hebrew bible, is a critic with. His insightful, fully informed commentary illuminates. Ill take alters translation and commentary of genesis over any other commentary yet produced. His commentary is short but to the point and makes for a good understanding of the text. He published his translation of the hebrew bible in 2018. Robert alter completes his monumental translation of the. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading genesis. Alters translation is enhanced by his insightful, fully informed commentary, which illuminates the book in its many dimensions. As a man who principally looks at genesis through literary eyes, one might think his commentary would be reduced to cold faithlessness. Translation and commentary by robert alter editor in chm, epub, rtf download ebook. Five stars superb, a musthave for your personal library.
Books by robert alter author of the art of biblical. But alter is deeply linked to the faith of the authors and what they were trying to tell. Sparknotes is here for you weve got everything you need to ace or teach. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Alters translation is thoughtful, readable, and faithful to the spirit and dignity of the great book of genesis. The commentary on genesis by robert alter titled genesis translation and commentary is one my favorite books on old testament. Literary critic robert alter here joins the ranks of contemporary authors who have tried to mimic, in english, the sonorous rhythms and parallel constructions of the original hebrew. Translation and commentary kindle edition by robert.
In 1996, alter published a translation of the book of genesis, with commentary. The story of cain and abel powerfully joins the first two. Robert alter sets a new standard in the translation of this formative book of the hebrew bible. In the early chapters of genesis, three such terms are soil, blood, and pain. The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. Adam and eves expulsion from the garden of eden, cains murder of abel, noah and the flood. Robert alter has proposed, has a particularly sharp characterizing effect in. He provides hundreds of pages of notes on his translation and cultural references.
The biblical book of genesis contains some of the most sublime poetry known to man as well as the powerful and bloody history of early israel. Chapters 1 11 cover the creation through the dawn of primordial humans. Now that he has completed the magisterial project, it is available in its entirety as a threevolume set. Genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends with the image of a mummy josephs in a coffin. Translation and commentary by robert alter about the book robert alter sets a new standard in the translation of this formative book of the hebrew bible. In the introduction to his extraordinary recent translation, the five books of moses, robert alter points out that modern translations operate under the perhaps unconscious. His insightful, fully informed commentary illuminates the book in all its dimensions. Why robert alters bible translation matters the forward. Robert fagles genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends with the image of a mummyjosephsin a coffin. He started his career as a writer at commentary magazine, where he was for many years a. We have enlisted hundreds of friends biblical scholars, theologians, homileticians and pastors dedicated to the craft of biblical preaching to provide you timely, compelling and trustworthy content. Prospect in each of the biblical books in this volume a balance of explanation, translation and commentary is offered. Although alters translations lack the sparkle and elegance of everett foxs translations of genesis in the five books of moses schocken 1995, his commentaries. Alters translation attends to the usages, rhythms, and narrative patterns of biblical hebrew and renders them with clarity and literary appeal.
Genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends w. I would recommend it highly to the general reader as well as to the more specialised student of bible texts. Genesis translation and commentary by robert alter. Working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary. Read online genesis translation and commentary robert alter genesis translation and commentary robert alter robert alter. Translation and commentary kindle edition by alter, robert. Genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends with. Robert alter earned his bachelors degree in english.
Robert alters translation of genesis is one of several to appear recentlyalong with versions by everett fox 1995 and stephen mitchell 1996that has attempted to restore accuracy and. A modern classicthrilling and constantly illuminating. Translation and commentary and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. I discovered the five books of moses, alters translation of the torah in 2004. Robert alter s translation of genesis is one of several to appear recentlyalong with versions by everett fox 1995 and stephen mitchell 1996that has attempted to restore accuracy and power to modern versions of the text, qualities that have been lost in theologically tendentious or verbally stilted renderings. Genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and ends with the image of a mummyjosephsin a coffin. After 24 years, scholar completes 3,000page translation. Alters translation honors the meanings and literary strategies of the ancient hebrew and conveys them in fluent english prose. Setting a new standard in the translation of this formative book of the hebrew bible, distinguished literary scholar robert alters translation honors the meanings and literary strategies of the ancient hebrew and conveys them in fluent english prose. Understanding this first book, the book of genesis, is crucial to understanding the old testament and the entire bible.
The bible through literary eyes biblical scholar robert alter argues that the distinctive organizing literary conventions and techniques of the bible have been lost. After 24 years, scholar completes 3,000page translation of the hebrew bible literary scholar robert alter says he didnt think the existing english translations of. Robert alters fidelity by alan jacobs articles first. The first book of the pentateuch is one of the most wellknown books of the bible.
The listed critical essays and books will be invaluable for writing essays and papers on bible. Robert alter on why modern bible translations should stay. Genesis professor of hebrew and comparative literature robert. Biblical storytelling, as the commentary repeatedly shows, often places great weight on the repetition of certain key words. Alters translation is easily the best out there and provides for the greatest insights into the narrative strategy of the authoreditor. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. His translation work culminated in 2018 with the publication of his threevolume, magnum opus. Creasys suggested reading for genesis click on the book cover to purchase through amazon. It recovers a genesis with the continuity of theme and motif of a wholly conceived and fully realized book.
Robert alters hebrew bible translation is thought to be the first singleauthor translation of the old testament. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Robert alter has accomplished the monumental feat, 22 years in the making, of singlehandedly translating the hebrew bible into english. Translation and commentary by robert alter editor pdf free download ebook. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Michael dirda, washington post book world through a distinguished career of critical scholarship and translation, robert alter has equipped us to read the hebrew bible as a powerful, cohesive work of literature. Literary scholar robert alters genesis, translation and commentary norton, 1996. This stands out for its technical accuracy and poetic sensibilities,publishers weekly.
Robert alter has 56 books on goodreads with 25773 ratings. Robert alter books list of books by author robert alter. A literary approach to the bible, with special attention to the story of judah and tamar in genesis 38. Robert alter translates the book of genesis without religious commentary. The distinguished literary critic and a close reader of ancient hebrew brings out subtle nuances frequently overlooked, and muses on the art of translation. Robert bernard alter born 1935 is an american professor of hebrew and comparative literature at the university of california, berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. Robert fagles, genesis, translation and commentary, robert alter. Robert alters most popular book is the art of biblical narrative.
The hebrew scholar and literary critic robert alter, in introducing his thousandpage version, with copious commentary, of the first five books of the biblecommonly called the pentateuch or. And then one day back in 1993 or so an editor at ww norton in new york proposed that i do a norton critical edition. Robert alters rare combination of fluent translation and insightful commentary makes this the perfect edition of genesis for anyone drawn to this formative work in our culture. Genesis begins with the making of heaven and earth and all life, and.
His most recent book is the art of bible translation, in which he reflects on the his understanding of how to do translation well. The literary guide to the bible robert alter and frank kermode. Translation and commentary by robert alter at indigo. Since he began, alters translation has been published in segments. In this landmark work, alters masterly translation and probing commentary combine. Alter cites genesis 24, which begins with abraham commissioning a servant. Translation and commentary new ed by robert alter isbn.
Adam gopnik the new yorker robert alters new translation of the hebrew bible draws out the literariness of the text. In the mid1970s, scholar and critic robert alter began writing about the literary techniques of the bible. This is a distinct 1996 translation and commentary on the biblical book of genesis by robert alter. See all books authored by robert alter, including the art of biblical narrative, and genesis.
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