Bible Version Detail — Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Abbreviation:
CJB
Name:
Complete Jewish Bible
Functional Translation (1-10):
6
Formal Translation (1-10):
8
Ease of Reading (1-10):
3
Public Reading (1-10):
3
Serious Study (1-10):
4
Gender Neutral Language (1-10):
1
Capitalization of pronouns referring to God (Yes/No):
No
Extensive Translation of cultural terms (Yes/No):
No
Translated by Committee (Yes/No):
No
Interdenominational Participation (Yes/No):
No
Interfaith Participation (Yes/No):
No
Committee Note:
Evangelical; Messianic
This is an individual translation by David H. Stern, and it is somewhat idiosyncratic in style. Stern aims to use Jewish terminology throughout both testaments in his translation, and thus you will find Hebrew terminology all through the text. In the Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures, this is not so bad. In the New, there can be some disagreement as to the precise application.
Users should not be deceived by the term "Jewish" in the title; this Bible is translated from a Christian and specifically Messianic Jewish perspective.
As the product of an individual translator, a certain amount of roughness is to be expected. Most of the roughness, however, comes from the style of translation and the goals of the translator.
The literary quality varies from extremely formal and literary when the translator is trying to convey Hebrew structure and thought to very functional and even paraphrastic when he is trying to translate a specific idea.
Included in the features of this translation are: 1) the use of Hebrew names throughout, even in the New Testament where the presumed equivalent of Greek names is used for those who are Jews. 2) Use of Adonai to indicate the divine name, which also is used for Greek kurios in the New Testament. 3) Coordination of New Testament and Old Testament terminology. Paul's use of the Greek nomos (law) is translated by Torah, for example. 4) Use of Hebrew book order.
Overall, I would not recommend this Bible as a reading Bible, for congregational use, or for a primary study Bible. Used in comparison to another version, however, it could be quite helpful.
Users should not be deceived by the term "Jewish" in the title; this Bible is translated from a Christian and specifically Messianic Jewish perspective.
As the product of an individual translator, a certain amount of roughness is to be expected. Most of the roughness, however, comes from the style of translation and the goals of the translator.
The literary quality varies from extremely formal and literary when the translator is trying to convey Hebrew structure and thought to very functional and even paraphrastic when he is trying to translate a specific idea.
Included in the features of this translation are: 1) the use of Hebrew names throughout, even in the New Testament where the presumed equivalent of Greek names is used for those who are Jews. 2) Use of Adonai to indicate the divine name, which also is used for Greek kurios in the New Testament. 3) Coordination of New Testament and Old Testament terminology. Paul's use of the Greek nomos (law) is translated by Torah, for example. 4) Use of Hebrew book order.
Overall, I would not recommend this Bible as a reading Bible, for congregational use, or for a primary study Bible. Used in comparison to another version, however, it could be quite helpful.