1 Enoch: A New Translation; Based on the Hermeneia Commentary [Paperback]

George W.E. Nickelsburg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0800636945 | ISBN-13: 978-0800636944

Created in conjunction with an exhaustive critical commentary, this is the only English translation of 1 Enoch that takes into consideration all of the textual data now available in the Ethiopic version, the Greek texts, and the Dead Sea Aramaic fragments. Since only the first of two Hermeneia commentary volumes is now available, this book provides an indispensable translation of the whole work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

--George W. E. Nickelsburg is Emeritus Professor of Religion at the University of Iowa, where he taught for more than three decades. He is the author of seventy articles and several hundred dictionary and encyclopedia entries. Among his many works are Faith and Piety in Early Judaism (co-editor; Fortress Press, 1983) and Early Judaism and Its Modern Interpreters (co-editor; 1986).

--James VanderKam is the John A. O'Brien Professor of Hebrew Scriptures at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. He is the author of numerous works, including The Dead Sea Scrolls Today (1994), An Introduction to Early Judaism (2001), The Book of Jubilees (2001), and The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls (with Peter Flint, 2002).

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800636945
• ISBN-13: 978-0800636944
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > History of Religion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable work and a welcome addition to Biblical Studies, August 14, 2005

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1 Enoch: A New Translation; Based on the Hermeneia Commentary (Paperback)

The collaborative effort of George W. E. Nickelsburg (Professor Emeritus, University of Iowa) and James C. VanderKam (John A. O'Brien Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, University of Notre Dame, Indiana), 1 Enoch: A New Translation is an invaluable work and a welcome addition to Biblical Studies. Based on the Hermeneia commentary, 1 Enoch is divided into five sections, followed by two brief appendices: The Book of the Watchers, The Book of Parables, The Book of the Luminaries, The Dream Visions, The Epistle of Enoch, The Birth of Noah, and Another Book by Enoch. Different sections portray the evolution of stages of Enochic tradition, which are linked by a common world view that considers the present world incurably corrupt and unjust, in need of divine judgment and renewal. Claiming to transmit divine revelation, as given to Enoch in primordial times and made public in the last days to perpetuate the community of the chosen, 1 Enoch is translated with every effort to present ancient writings as clearly and intelligibly to the reader as possible. Extensive footnotes, annotations and reference allow this complex script to be comprehensible to lay readers (with effort), and 1 Enoch: A New Translation is an enthusiastically recommended primary source for religious studies and reference shelves.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1 Enoch -- the authoritative translation, January 3, 2007

By 

Eibert Tigchelaar (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 1 Enoch: A New Translation; Based on the Hermeneia Commentary (Paperback)

There are several recent translations of 1 Enoch (or Ethiopic Enoch) in English, including those of Knibb (1978), Isaac (1983), Black (1985) and Olson (2004) [not to mention recent reprints of outdated nineteenth century translations by Dillmann, Laurence and Schodde, or that of Charles (1912, 2003)] but the present new translation by Nickelsburg and VanderKam is bound to be the authoritative one for decades to come. First, because they are the two major American specialists of 1 Enoch, both also involved in the Hermeneia commentary on 1 Enoch. Second, because their excellent translation with extensive footnotes is based upon textcritical analysis of the Ethiopic, as well as the Aramaic and Greek texts. Thirdly, because this edition is attractive, cheap and convenient. Whereas scholars may want to buy several translations, this is the best buy for students and all others interested in Early Judaism and New Testament backgrounds.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most convenient scholarly translation, July 16, 2007

By 

Jason M. Silverman (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: 1 Enoch: A New Translation; Based on the Hermeneia Commentary (Paperback)

The size of this translation makes it extremely handy for travel and quick reference. This is especially useful as it is the most up-to-date scholarly collation and translation of Enoch available in English. The only annoyance is the lack of reference available to the original languages which are translated; one is either refered to the first volume of the Hermeneia commentary, or has the wait on the forthcoming second volume. Overall, however, it is extremely useful for anyone working in Second Temple Judaism or Early Christianity.