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From: ellis@spar.UUCP (Michael Ellis)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian
Subject: Bible NON-Translations (NT)
Message-ID: <177@spar.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 11-Apr-85 10:38:29 EST
Article-I.D.: spar.177
Posted: Thu Apr 11 10:38:29 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Apr-85 04:58:33 EST
References: <875@uwmacc.UUCP>
Reply-To: ellis@spar.UUCP (Michael Ellis)
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Organization: Schlumberger Palo Alto Research, CA
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I'm looking for versions of the Bible that are as close as possible to
the original texts, whatever that means.

From what I can gather, the New Testament was compiled from various Greek,
Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic texts that appeared during the first two
centuries AD.

Since I've been led to believe that Aramaic was the language spoken by
Christ, it would seem that versions in this dialect ought to be as
close to authentic as one could get, at least in the 4 Gospels, where
his words are often directly quoted, yes?

On the other hand, I do not know what languages Matthew, Mark, Luke and
John actually spoke and wrote in. Perhaps they used a more standard
dialect of ancient Hebrew.

Below are the Hebrew/Aramaic versions of the New Testament that I am aware of.
Can anybody enlighten me as to how they differ, or which, if any, is more
authentic than the other?

	Peshitta Version (Aramaic)
	Ginsberg & Salkinson Version (Hebrew) (with Snaith Old Testament)
	F. Delitzsch Version (Hebrew)

If there are any major versions I've overlooked, please let me know! Please
note, I am NOT looking for translations into Modern Hebrew.

Information about the various Latin Versions would be appropriate as well.

Xristos Anesti

-michael