The Complete Jewish Study Bible review

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The Complete Jewish Study Bible by Hendrickson Publishers attempts to show the reader the Jewishness of the whole Bible. The Complete Jewish Bible(CJB) translation is paired with study notes, theme articles, topical articles, and book introductions written by both Christians and Messianic Jews(Jewish believers in the Messiah). 

The Translation 

The Complete Jewish Bible translation, translated by Messianic Jew David H. Stern, is more of a dynamic equivalent(thought for thought) translation than a formal equivalent(word for word) translation, although it is not quite a paraphrase like The Message. It is just slightly more “dynamic” than the NIV. The biggest difference between the CJB and other translations is the frequent use of Hebrew words. All books of the Bible and most names, place names, and Jewish concepts are in Hebrew. Some examples are Mattityahu(Matthew), Yeshua(Jesus), talmidim(disciples), and Yerushalayim(Jerusalem). Another major difference is that the Tanakh(Old Testament) is in the original Jewish order. Both of these differences are easy to get used to. Another feature is that anytime the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament, the quote is in bold print. Other features include: a glossary of Hebrew words into English, a glossary of English words into Hebrew, and an index of all Old Testament passages cited in the New Testament.

Study Notes, Theme And Topical Articles, And Book Introductions

Each book of the Bible is preceded by a short(one page) introduction from a Jewish perspective that offers some context for the book. Placed throughout the Bible are 117 articles that are based on twelve themes: anti-Jewish scriptural interpretations, covenants, Jewish customs, Jewish-Gentile relations, messianic prophecy, the names of God, The Sabbath(Shabbat), salvation and atonement, the holy days of Israel, the land of Israel, Torah, and the Tabernacle(Mishkan). There are an additional 34 articles on other random topics. An index for all these articles is included. Also throughout the Bible are extensive study notes that offer historical and cultural insight into the Scripture. At the end of the Bible are some short biographies of Jewish rabbis and sages, and a list of works cited and further reading.

Conclusion

I highly recommend this study Bible to anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, seeking insight into Jewish culture and how it relates to the Bible. Reading the New Testament through a Jewish lens provides a lot of much needed context.

I received a free copy of this Bible from Hendrickson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. 

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