Founder’s Blog
"A Brilliant Light"
A few days ago we were translating some of the Hebrew works of prominent nineteenth century Messianic Jews when we came across this review of the seventh edition of the Delitzsch Hebrew New Testament by Chaim Yedidah Theophilus, aka, "Lucky." Vine of David is translating the final edition, the eleventh edition, into English.
The year 2011 is going to be an exciting year. The publication of the Delitzsch Hebrew English Gospels is on the immediate horizon. This work will help restore the Jewish voice and context of the Gospels. It will be a beautiful, sacred text that brings honor to the teachings of our Rabbi Yeshua. It will open doors of dialog about the Jewish context of the Gospels and, most importantly, testify to Jewish people about our Jewish Messiah. Learn more about the project here: DHE
From Edut Leyisra'el Vol. 1 No. 1, Tishrei 5648 [Sept./Oct. 1887].
The books of the "New Testament" were translated from the Greek language into the Hebrew language by the scholar "Professor Franz Delitzsch," a seventh edition, corrected and cleaned up with excellent proofreading, in the year "and her people A JOY" (Isaiah 65:18) [i.e., 5646 (1886)].
The name of the scholar, this great teacher, and his deeds, are well known to those who read books and periodicals in the Hebrew language. For he has done greater things for the people of Israel than all other lovers of our people who have arisen to us from the nations from the days of Luther to this time. Like the love of Sha'ul HaKadosh for his people, which proceeded forth from him, so is the love of Delitzsch for the people of Israel, even though he is the progeny of another nation.
While he was yet eighteen or nineteen his heart was aroused with love for Israel, and from that point on he has never ceased from doing goodness and kindness for the Jewish people. For Zion's sake he will not keep silent by day, and for the sake of Jerusalem he will not remain quiet by night, and there is no silence for his heart until he has carried out his task and the salvation of Israel burns like a torch. And to the gladness of my heart and the heart of all those who love us, I can readily say that the destiny of Delitzsch is not like the destiny of all other lovers of Israel. For our people has returned love to his bosom and has honored him and elevated him and blessed his name. HaMelitz as well, which is published in Petersburg, the capital of Russia, recognized Delitzsch's goodness. Wherever they mention his name they bless him and recognize that Delitzsch is a "tzaddik" and a "chassid." This is the case even though it is typical of HaMelitz to disparage editors who are disciples of Yeshua the Messiah, the angel who redeems men from the yoke of sin, if these disciples resolve to disseminate the good news of redemption in the camp of the Hebrews.
I have seen Delitzsch's books in many Jewish homes while I was traveling through the lands of Romania and Galicia, and how much more so in the lands of Germany! This translation of the New Testament has found many admirers. The number of exemplars that were sold since the publication first met the eyes of readers to this day are beyond belief. Now we have the seventh edition in our hands, which is truly "a joy" to the heart, and through it its people, whose language it speaks, is a joy among the nations.
Delitzsch's translation is like a city that sits on the hill, which cannot be hidden. For it will bring brilliant light to those who read it. How pleasant I find the moments that I spend reading the books of the New Testament according to the translation of this great teacher, Professor Delitzsch. The moments and hours pass like a billowing cloud, and I do not rush to leave them, because I am drinking living water from the depth of this pool, and my soul is satisfied and quenched with delight.
Many have attempted to translate and interpret the New Testament into the Hebrew language, but until Delitzsch they never quite arrived. Even the translation of Isaac Salkinson is inferior to that of Delitzsch. Certainly Salkinson was a hero among those who wield the Hebrew scribe's stylus. But the spirit of our time was in Salkinson. He wrote in the spirit of Mapu, Lebensohn, et al., but not in the spirit of the time in which Yeshua's apostles lived.
When one reads the Delitzsch translation, the Pharisees and scholars arise from their dust and stand before the reader, just as during their lives. One hears their voices and sees the movement of their hands and bodies as they complain about the deeds of our master, our savior. They will see Sha'ul HaKadosh, as he was then, a Talmudic student who sat at the feet of Rabban Gamli'el, a true Pharisee, who was no stranger to Greek study, a man of deed, full of fire and zeal for HaShem of Legions and pure love. This is not the case in Salkinson's translation. In it the Pharisees are strange images, Sha'ul HaKadosh is like a sage schooled in philosophy, one of the men of our generation, and the appearance of everything is changed from what it was in the time of Yeshua and his apostles. Thus, anyone who wishes to understand the path of faith of Yeshua and his teaching as well as the history of the assembly of those who believe in Yeshua and his teaching should read the Delitzsch translation and then continue and read it a hundred and one times. Then your eyes will behold brilliant celestial light and your heart will rejoice over great goodness.
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