A complete English translation of the Gospels (Matthew-John) based the classic Hebrew Translation produced by Franz Delitzsch. Hebrew and English text will be displayed on facing pages, along with footnotes highlighting Semitisms, Hebraic undertones, and parallels in ancient Jewish literature. Handsomely designed, printed, and bound.

Franz Delitzsch lived in the nineteenth century and was an expert in post-biblical Hebrew and rabbinic literature. Among his many achievements is a translation of the New Testament into biblical and Mishnaic Hebrew from Greek. With his intimate knowledge of both the apostolic and rabbinic writings, he quickly spotted parallels, Hebraisms, and rabbinic proverbs in the text, translating into Hebrew accordingly. Delitzsch’s New Testament reconstructed and illuminated much of the Hebraic thought patterns that are intrinsic to the writings of the apostles and the teachings of Yeshua.

First Fruits of Zion has been hard at work producing an English translation of the Apostolic Writings based on the Delitzsch Hebrew New Testament. Our goal is to present a version that really captures the essence of the ancient Judaism that characterized the Master and his earliest followers. We will not only benefit from the naturally Hebraic language that will result, but also the immense scholarship of Delitzsch and his colleagues, whose work illuminates the true and original meaning of the text. Our goal will be to present an entire New Testament in time, but at first we hope to publish just the Gospels in 2009.

This project is already underway, with the four Gospels already translated in rough draft and under initial editing and review. We hope to complete this project by late 2009 early 2010.

Through the generosity of our donors, this project has been funded through its translation stage. Funding is needed for the printing and formal publication. Funding for this resource is accomplished through the contributions to the FFOZ Friends program. Once this project moves to a more formal state, we will have better estimates of remaining needs for printing and will communicate those specific needs at that time. For now there are ongoing expenses to develop this resource and you can be a part of this work by becoming a FFOZ Friend.

For more information on the FFOZ Friends program, go to "Partner with Us" in the sidebar on this page. For donations to this project please visit our secure donations page for ways to contribute online. If you would like to speak with someone on the teaching team regarding details of this project, updates, or the remaining financial needs for this resource please write us through our contact page and reference this project.