In this translation of Genesis, Dr. James Tabor navigates the difficulties of translation with skill and care to convey the original meaning of the text. One does not have to read very far into this work to see the accuracy of the translation and dedication of the translator. I have provided some outstanding examples below.
Genesis 1:14 - The Hebrew word mo’adim is translated as appointed times, which is much more consistent and true to the original language than the traditional translation (seasons).
Genesis 2:3 - “And Elohim blessed the seventh day, and he set it apart…” – The Hebrew word kadesh is typically translated as holy in this verse. However, holy can be problematic as it comes from the Old English root heilag or heil meaning wholeness or health. Thus, Dr. Tabor stays true to a more literal translation by rendering kadesh as ‘set apart.’ This emphasizes the point of the text that the seventh day is distinct from the other six days of the week.
Genesis 2:7 - “…and he blew into his two nostrils breath of life (P)…” Dr. Tabor’s translation may be the only (that I am aware of) to point out that the Hebrew word translated as life is plural (Hebrew: chayyim).
Genesis 2:9, Genesis 3:22, 3:24 - The tree of life is mentioned in these verses. Once again, the translator notes that it is plural, which is true to the original text (Hebrew: hachayyim).
For an example of excellence from a latter part of the work, consider Gen. 22:5, 24:26, 24:48, 24:52 – In other translations, the Hebrew word vayishtachu (and its variations) are normally translated as ‘worship.’ The word worship can carry with it connotations not always consistent with this Hebrew word, which is more properly translated as ‘bow down.’ Once again, the translator stays true to the original language; this illustrates consistency in translation.
Throughout this work, Dr. Tabor provides text notes and footnotes to explain his translation of certain words and phrases. He went above and beyond to help the reader connect to the text.
There are footnotes that provide deeper insight into alternative translations and the meaning of the underlying Hebrew words (see footnotes 391, 488, and 489 for great examples). Where appropriate, the footnotes also explain manuscript differences (see fn 155).
Last, but not least, the Hebrew names for God are used, which I think is important to learn more about how humanity historically relates to God.
I highly recommend it as a great study tool as well for those who want to dig deeper into the text of Genesis.
Kelly McDonald, Jr.
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Good, but it could be better.
There are several reason why I don’t give 5 stars for The Book of Genesis by James D. Tabor1. Footnote on the wrong word. In Genesis 2:2, the book located footnote on the wrong word. According to Septuagint and Samaritan Pentateuch, the verse is as follows: “And Elohim finished on the sixth day (MT: seventh day) His work that He did, and He ceased on the seventh day from all His work that He did”. However, the book has footnote #30 at the word “He ceased on the seventh day”, which implies that according to the book, LXX and SP state that the verse is as follows “And Elohim finished on the seventh day His work that He did, and He ceased on the sixth day from all his work that He did”. Even if you don’t read Septuagint and/or Samaritan Pentateuch, you will immediately realize that the footnote doesn’t make any sense.2. It is written in this book that “this translation allows readers to experience the original Hebrew and the rich resonance of alliteration, pun, word play, and idiom that are so essential to the meaning of the Bible itself” (p.1). I don’t speak Hebrew, and I only know one verse that fit in the criteria above (alliteration, pun, word play). I'm talking about Genesis 27:36 (“Is it because he called his name Jacob and he took me by the heel this two times? My firstborn right he took, and look! – now he has taken my blessing”). In Hebrew, the word “my firstborn right” (bekhorati) has the exact same letters as “my blessing” (birkhati), but the order of the letters is slightly different. I thought that this book conveys all alliteration, pun, word play, etc; but it turned out that the book fails to convey them in Gen 27:36.3. The book states that the name of Deity is written in all CAPS. However, the name of El Elyon in Genesis 14 is NOT written in CAPS.4. The book allows the reader to know whether a key word is singular or plural, which is excellent, by the way. For example, Gen 4:10 “The voice of the blood (plural) of your brother cries out (plural) toward Me from the soil “. However, I prefer that the blood in the verse above is stated in plural form, that is “the bloods”. I know, blood is always singular in English, but I think we need to emphasis that the bloods of Abel are really in plural form. I prefer the translation of Bereshit Midrash Rabbah as follows: “R. Judan said: It is not written, ‘Thy brother’s blood’ (dam – singular), but ‘Thy brother’s bloods’ (deme – plural): i.e. his blood and the blood of his descendants. CF the translation of Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5: “The bloods of your brother cry out”. In my opinion, the bloods should be written in plural form (i.e. with "s") to emphasis that this is not just the blood of one man, but the bloods of many men (Abel’s descendants).
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Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020
Ross K Nichols
Bible Teacher
United Israel World Union
Tabor Presents a New Look at an OLD Book
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020
Dr. James Tabor recently published The Book of Genesis - A New Translation from the Transparent English Bible. This work allows the modern reader to experience the world's greatest stories, for the first time in English, as they were originally recorded by meticulously following the Hebrew text. His approach is captured in the name of his translation - The Transparent English Bible. What readers get with Tabor's, The Book of Genesis, is a faithful English translation of the underlying Hebrew texts. Familiar stories seem more authentic as the original alliterations, puns, and word plays appear on the pages of this unique translation. Tabor captures the essence of the Hebrew by a consistent and literal rendering of Hebrew words and idioms while avoiding theologically invented language. What you see in this translation is a rare and raw view of the Bible's first book. The rhythm and cadence of the English match what Hebrew readers have always experienced when reading these words. Tabor has given a wonderful gift to all of the non-specialists who are interested in getting as close as possible to the original. I highly recommend this book to all those who love the Bible. Tabor truly presents a new look at an old book.Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2020
Ross K Nichols
Bible Teacher
United Israel World Union
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2022
There are several reason why I don’t give 5 stars for The Book of Genesis by James D. Tabor
1. Footnote on the wrong word. In Genesis 2:2, the book located footnote on the wrong word. According to Septuagint and Samaritan Pentateuch, the verse is as follows: “And Elohim finished on the sixth day (MT: seventh day) His work that He did, and He ceased on the seventh day from all His work that He did”. However, the book has footnote #30 at the word “He ceased on the seventh day”, which implies that according to the book, LXX and SP state that the verse is as follows “And Elohim finished on the seventh day His work that He did, and He ceased on the sixth day from all his work that He did”. Even if you don’t read Septuagint and/or Samaritan Pentateuch, you will immediately realize that the footnote doesn’t make any sense.
2. It is written in this book that “this translation allows readers to experience the original Hebrew and the rich resonance of alliteration, pun, word play, and idiom that are so essential to the meaning of the Bible itself” (p.1). I don’t speak Hebrew, and I only know one verse that fit in the criteria above (alliteration, pun, word play). I'm talking about Genesis 27:36 (“Is it because he called his name Jacob and he took me by the heel this two times? My firstborn right he took, and look! – now he has taken my blessing”). In Hebrew, the word “my firstborn right” (bekhorati) has the exact same letters as “my blessing” (birkhati), but the order of the letters is slightly different. I thought that this book conveys all alliteration, pun, word play, etc; but it turned out that the book fails to convey them in Gen 27:36.
3. The book states that the name of Deity is written in all CAPS. However, the name of El Elyon in Genesis 14 is NOT written in CAPS.
4. The book allows the reader to know whether a key word is singular or plural, which is excellent, by the way. For example, Gen 4:10 “The voice of the blood (plural) of your brother cries out (plural) toward Me from the soil “. However, I prefer that the blood in the verse above is stated in plural form, that is “the bloods”. I know, blood is always singular in English, but I think we need to emphasis that the bloods of Abel are really in plural form. I prefer the translation of Bereshit Midrash Rabbah as follows: “R. Judan said: It is not written, ‘Thy brother’s blood’ (dam – singular), but ‘Thy brother’s bloods’ (deme – plural): i.e. his blood and the blood of his descendants. CF the translation of Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5: “The bloods of your brother cry out”. In my opinion, the bloods should be written in plural form (i.e. with "s") to emphasis that this is not just the blood of one man, but the bloods of many men (Abel’s descendants).
1. Footnote on the wrong word. In Genesis 2:2, the book located footnote on the wrong word. According to Septuagint and Samaritan Pentateuch, the verse is as follows: “And Elohim finished on the sixth day (MT: seventh day) His work that He did, and He ceased on the seventh day from all His work that He did”. However, the book has footnote #30 at the word “He ceased on the seventh day”, which implies that according to the book, LXX and SP state that the verse is as follows “And Elohim finished on the seventh day His work that He did, and He ceased on the sixth day from all his work that He did”. Even if you don’t read Septuagint and/or Samaritan Pentateuch, you will immediately realize that the footnote doesn’t make any sense.
2. It is written in this book that “this translation allows readers to experience the original Hebrew and the rich resonance of alliteration, pun, word play, and idiom that are so essential to the meaning of the Bible itself” (p.1). I don’t speak Hebrew, and I only know one verse that fit in the criteria above (alliteration, pun, word play). I'm talking about Genesis 27:36 (“Is it because he called his name Jacob and he took me by the heel this two times? My firstborn right he took, and look! – now he has taken my blessing”). In Hebrew, the word “my firstborn right” (bekhorati) has the exact same letters as “my blessing” (birkhati), but the order of the letters is slightly different. I thought that this book conveys all alliteration, pun, word play, etc; but it turned out that the book fails to convey them in Gen 27:36.
3. The book states that the name of Deity is written in all CAPS. However, the name of El Elyon in Genesis 14 is NOT written in CAPS.
4. The book allows the reader to know whether a key word is singular or plural, which is excellent, by the way. For example, Gen 4:10 “The voice of the blood (plural) of your brother cries out (plural) toward Me from the soil “. However, I prefer that the blood in the verse above is stated in plural form, that is “the bloods”. I know, blood is always singular in English, but I think we need to emphasis that the bloods of Abel are really in plural form. I prefer the translation of Bereshit Midrash Rabbah as follows: “R. Judan said: It is not written, ‘Thy brother’s blood’ (dam – singular), but ‘Thy brother’s bloods’ (deme – plural): i.e. his blood and the blood of his descendants. CF the translation of Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5: “The bloods of your brother cry out”. In my opinion, the bloods should be written in plural form (i.e. with "s") to emphasis that this is not just the blood of one man, but the bloods of many men (Abel’s descendants).
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Top reviews from other countries
Carter
Wow! This the finest translation of Genesis into English I have ever read.
Reviewed in Germany on June 17, 2023
anonHK
A Faithful, Challenging Translation. Don't Miss Out.
Reviewed in Canada on March 9, 2021Kindle Customer
Excellent Translation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2020
Jono Vandor
An enriching and eye-opening translation.
Reviewed in Australia on February 28, 2021