Complete Jewish Bible : An English Version of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and B'Rit Hadashah (New Testament) [Hardcover]

David H. Stern (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

Why is this Bible different from all other Bibles? Because it is the only English version fully Jewish in style and presentation. It includes Dr. Stern's new version of the "Tanakh" ("Old Testament") and his highly acclaimed "Jewish New Testament."

The Complete Jewish Bible:

- follows the Hebrew Bible order of the Tanakh's books, the order with which Yeshua (Jesus) was familiar
- makes no separation between "Old" and "New" Testaments
- corrects misinterpretations in the New Testament resulting from anti-Jewish theological bias
- offers the original Hebrew names for people, places, and concepts, using easy-to-read English transliterations
- focuses on Messianic prophecy
- gives the traditional weekly and holiday synagogue readings, plus relevant readings from the "B'rit Hadashah" (New Testament)

The Complete Jewish Bible:

- reconnects Christians with their Jewish roots and the Jewish people
- connects Jews with the Jewishness of Messiah Yeshua and Messianic faith

Other features of this Bible: a comprehensive introduction, a pronouncing explanatory glossary, a reverse glossary, and special maps to aid Bible understanding.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Complete Jewish Bible, challenges both Jews and Christians to see that the whole Bible is Jewish, the B'rit Hadashah as well as the Tanakh. Jews are challenged by the implication that without it the Tanakh is an incomplete Bible. Christians are challenged with the fact that they are joined to the Jewish people through faith in the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) -- so that because Christianity can be rightly understood only from a Jewish perspective, anti-Semitism is condemned absolutely and forever. In short, the Complete Jewish Bible restores the Jewish unity of the Bible. Also for the first time the information needed for the synagogue readings from the Torah and the Prophets is completely integrated with similar use of the B'rit Hadashah. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Publisher

The Complete Jewish Bible shows that the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, is a unified Jewish book, meant for everyone--Jew and non-Jew alike.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1697 pages
• Publisher: Jewish New Testament Pubns; 1st edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9653590154
• ISBN-13: 978-9653590151
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (254 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Messianic Judaism

More About the Author

David H. Stern, born in Los Angeles in 1935, is the great-grandson of two of the city's first twenty Jews. He earned a Ph.D. in economics at Princeton University and was a professor at UCLA. In 1972 he came to faith in Yeshua the Messiah. He then received a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary, did graduate work at the University of Judaism, and was active in the Messianic Jewish movement. In 1979 the Stern family made aliyah (immigrated to Israel); they now live in Jerusalem. Dr. Stern authored the "Messianic Jewish Manifesto." His highly acclaimed English translation, the "Jewish New Testament," restores the New Testament's Jewishness. His "Jewish New Testament Commentary" discusses the many Jewish issues found in the New Testament. His fresh translation, the "Complete Jewish Bible," expresses the unity of the Tanakh ("Old Testament") and the B'rit Hadashah ("New Testament").

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

263 of 282 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, May 21, 2000

By 

John Pittaway (Tustin, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Jewish Bible : An English Version of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and B'Rit Hadashah (New Testament) (Hardcover)

You ask, "What makes this translation Jewish?" Good question. If you can get past the knee-jerk reactions, I'll tell you. If you haven't noticed most modern English translators have only an accademic understanding of Judaism. This translator is a Jew from an observant, well educated family. Dr. Ben Horin, a Reconstructionis Jewish author wrote, "A Jewish heart can be had quickly. Jewish eyes are the product of 4,000 years of special evolution." Being steeped in the Jewish life gives Dr. Stern a unique view. His translation of the New Testament is idiomatic, similar to NIV. But Dr. Stern's translation starts from the premise that the authors were Jews primarily writing to audiance that was Jews and Righteous Gentiles. (Those were gentiles who attended synogogue and observed some of the commandments, but had not converted to Judaism.)

Why should a Christian read this book? Because Jesus spoke to Jewish groups, not gentiles, when He preached. He assumed a familiarity with the Torah that came from a specific set of teachings set in a specific culture. That culture is not always reflected in other translations. Just read Dr. Stern's treatment of Hebrews and compare it to any other English translation. It makes more sense then any I have read.

Why should a Jew read this book? Not to better understand Christians. For that I recommend the New King James and the New International Version. If you want to understand the teachings of the Jew whose life has impacted more Jews then any other Jew since Moses, this is the translation for you. You may not agree with Dr. Stern about whether Yeshua is the Meshiach, but at least you will understand what His followers had to say.

I should add that this translation was vetted by a number of scholars, including Dr. John Fischer, dean of St. Petersburg Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg, Florida.

133 of 148 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides Fresh, Accurate Insight, January 13, 2003

By 

Kathy Davies "kdavies" (Barnesville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Complete Jewish Bible : An English Version of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and B'Rit Hadashah (New Testament) (Hardcover)

Those reviewers who think that this translation is called the Complete Jewish Bible in order to 'trap' unsuspecting Jews into reading the New Testament have not read the authors information available on the first pages of the book. While writing this book to show the Jewishness of the New Testament to Jew and Gentile, the book can hardly be concidered deceptive...a glance at the back of the book or the table of contents will remind the reader that 'Bible' does not refer only to the Tanakh, so any Jew should realize that there is something else here.

For followers of Yeshua, however, this is a good translation that deserves it's spot on your study shelf along with your NIV, NASB, or NASB.

I have been using this translation for several years now and find it to be very accurate. I have compared it to several other standard versions and to several interlineary bibles and have been very happy with it.

As an example of the accuracy of the text, take, for example, the Greek word pisteo. The Greek word has several trasnlations: belief, faith, trust. In John 11:25, Yeshua mentions that "eveyone who (believes in, has faith in, trusts in) Me shall live even if he dies." If this is translated as believe, as it is in many translations, even the demons will live. But seeing that this word has several meanings, Dr. Stern uses other scriptures to decide that he will use the word faith. To put your faith in Yeshua is not the same as simply believing in Him.

I find that reading the names of people and places in Hewbrew rather than in English reminds me that the culture was different and I have to keep that in mind in understanding how it applies to me. Having read scripture for years, I was beginning to find my eyes scanning pages I've read over and over again without taking in the information. This translation stopped that completely.

I feel it is important for every Christian to understand the roots of his/her religion to fully understand the New Covnenant. The CJB has been a wonderful translation for me.

135 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Excellant Greek Translation" - Rev. George Cunningham, June 12, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Henderson, Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Jewish Bible : An English Version of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and B'Rit Hadashah (New Testament) (Hardcover)

As a student (and erstwhile scholar) of Biblical languages I found this author's New Testament Greek translation by far the trueist to the published United Bible Society 4th eddition text than any English translation I have explored to date. The use of transliteration of Hebrew names and key theological terms, while challanging to the Christian Gentile mind, is extremely enlightening. This author, unlike the committes of translators who produced the other English edditions of the Biblical text, does not shy away from translating the Greek correctly when it challanges specific Christian denominational practice. Just one example is the correct translation "immerse" instead of the transliteration "baptize" used since the original KJV. Such transliteration to preserve denominational practice is "dishonest" at best. The negative reviews written by those of more orthodox Jewish faith than the author are completely understandable. To assert approval would demand they approach the person Jesus in a totaly fresh way, ie. as the Messiah that was rejected and crucified 2,000 years ago. The translation of the Hebrew Old Testament (as much as I can check at the level of my present capabilities) is as true to the language and even truer to professed intent as the most recent English translation of the accepted Hebrew text as that produced by the Jewish Publication Society. David Stern's translation is a monumental work that should be read by every person of the planet that is willing to let God's Holy written Word "mean what it says, and say what it means": atheist, agnostic, Christian and Jew alike.