Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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74 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Of the utmost importance to all sincere Christians, 1 May 2005
The authors make a very convincing case that the Synoptic Gospels (Mathew, Mark and Luke) were based on a lost Hebrew text. The translation into Greek was not idiomatic but literal and that is why many of the words of Jesus do not seem to make sense. These Gospels are full of Hebrew idioms and expressions that were taken literally into the Greek and subsequent translations of other languages. Most of the idioms that Jesus used can be understood only in a Hebrew context. The assumption that the entire New Testament was originally communicated in Greek has led to significant misunderstandings on the part of both scholars and laypersons.
Firstly, the authors examine the Aramaic and Greek theories. Contrary to the consensus, it now appears that Hebrew was very much alive as a spoken language at the time of Jesus. The Dead Sea Scrolls also point in this direction. As proof, the authors cite scholars like M H Segal, Matthew Black and Max Wilcox. Many words in the Greek versions are not just poor Greek but actually meaningless Greek, because of the literal translation. The undertext reveals a Hebrew original.
Recent linguistic research confirms that Hebrew was the spoken language of Israel at the time of Christ. This knowledge is enabling scholars to correct the numerous mistranslations in the English text, which was translated from the Greek. Some of the scholars quoted are Jehoshua M Grintz, David Flusser, Moshe Bar-Asher, Pinhas Lapide, Harris Birkeland, William Sanford LaSor, Frank Cross and Abbe J T Milik.
Chapter 4 explores the extra-biblical evidence for Hebrew in the writings of Josephus and the Anti-Nicene Fathers, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, on coins and inscriptions and in Rabbinic literature. The case for Hebrew is overwhelming.
But the most convincing indication of the Hebrew origin of these three Gospels can be found in the text itself. The Hebrew undertext is revealed in the sentence structure and the many literalisms and idioms that are peculiar to Hebrew. The authors provide many examples in which confusing passages immediately become clear when translated back into Hebrew.
Chapter 6 considers the theological error due to mistranslation. Unfortunately there are passages of which the mistranslation has caused significant error and unnecessary theological confusion. Thus, the expression Kingdom of Heaven primarily means the community of believers, not the future kingdom. It also becomes clear that Jesus did indeed claim to be the Saviour, by inter alia referring to himself as the "Green Tree", a messianic title. The book also dispels other myths like the ones about pacifism, martyrdom and giving without discernment.
In the Appendix, David Bivin deals with many particular texts in detail, including Matt 5:3, Luke 23:31, Matt 11:12, Luke 12:49 - 50, Matt 16:19, Matt 5:20, Matt 5:17 & 18 (about the iota and tittle). It is quite disturbing to think that for almost two millennia, believers did not read the true meaning that Jesus intended. How strange that this should only have come to light in the last century, and that most modern translations of the Bible still contain the incorrect and confusing translations!
Black and white photographs and illustrations enhance the text throughout. The book concludes with a bibliography and biographical information on the authors. Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus is a compelling read, but too short. What it reveals has enormous implications for Christianity. Other books that shed light on this matter are Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church, by Dr Ron Moseley and The Authentic Gospel of Jesus by Geza Vermez.
Kabbalah of Yeshua by Zusha Kalet
Yeshua by Yaacov Rambsel
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36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jesus teachings placed in the context of his times., 12 Dec 1999
By A Customer
In 1991 this book started me on a quest to understand the roots of my Christian faith.It lead me to the conclusion it is impossible to fully appreciate all of Jesus message unless one knows the context and culture and mindset into which his words were originally addressed.An excellent intro to the general reader who is seeking to appreciate the completeness of our Lord's teaching.
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28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book can change how one studies the Bible completely!, 6 April 1999
By A Customer
After reading this book I have a different understanding of many of the scriptures that made no sense before. I now do more research into a passage when studying the Bible.
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