The Targums and Rabbinic Literature: An Introduction to Jewish Interpretations of Scripture

by John Bowker

Overview

The Targums are interpretative translations of the Hebrew text of the Bible which originated in Synagogue teaching, where an interpretation of the Hebrew text had to be given orally for the benefit of non-Hebrew speaking congregations. Over the centuries, a loose 'Targum Tradition' began to form and the written Aramaic Targums can best be understood as crystallisations of the Targum tradition at different points of time. In the first part of this book Professor Bowker examines the emergence and development of Jewish exegesis and the importance of the Targums. Bearing in mind that Jewish and rabbinic material is being increasingly applied to problems of Christian origins, he provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject (referring to the texts and translations most readily available) with emphasis on recent work and discoveries. The second part of the book gives actual material in translation, showing how Jewish exegesis arrived at its interpretations of Scripture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521097710
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/08/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; Note on the 1979 reprint; Note on transliteration; Note on bibliographical references; List of abbreviations; Introduction: The Background of the Targums; 1. Translation and Interpretation; 2. Pre-Rabbinic Literature; 3. Non-Rabbinic Literature; 4. Classical Rabbinic Literature; PS. Jonathon on Selected Chapters of Genesis; Appendices; Bibliography; Indexes.