Robert Alter is an emeritus professor of Hebrew, Literature, and Jewish Studies at UC-Berkeley. He recently completed his entire translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament, in traditional Christian terms). It’s a lovely 3-volume hardcover set retailing for $125. However, [ad link] Amazon frequently sells it for about $65, sometimes with a checkbox coupon for another $20 off. That’s is a screaming deal on the magnum opus of a wonderful scholar, whom I have recommended often before, particularly his [ad link] Art of Biblical Narrative. His new book on [ad link] Bible translation is very accessible.
Pic from linked Berkely website
Note that Alter is Jewish (and like many Jews, leans agnostic) and so we should not expect his translation/commentary to see prophecies or allusions to Jesus in Isaiah.
Alter was invited to speak at BYU recently, and gave two presentations.
The first was on the challenge of translating the Bible (and I can tell you, it IS a challenge.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_yjdGU9ijE
The second was on “Writing The Art of Biblical Narrative”
As always, you can help me pay my tuition here via GoFundMe. *I am an Amazon Affiliate, and may receive a small percentage of purchases made through Amazon links on this page. You can get updates by email whenever a post goes up (subscription box below) andcan also follow Benjamin the Scribe on Facebook.
February 15, 2020 at 10:04 am
$44 for this entire set is a steal. Thanks for sharing the news.
February 16, 2020 at 8:01 pm
There are so many Biblical translations available, what is the advantage of Alter’s translation for a Latter-day Saint.
February 17, 2020 at 7:28 am
Alter’s focus on literary connections within the text, and the literariness of the text is unique.