The JPS Hebrew-English TANAKH features the oldest-known complete Hebrew version of the Holy Scriptures, side by side with JPS's renowned English translation. Its well-designed format allows for ease of reading and features clear type, an engaging and efficient two-column format that enables readers to move quickly from one language to another, and an organization that contemporary readers will find familiar.

The Hebrew text of this TANAKH is based on the famed Leningrad Codex, the Masoretic text traceable to Aaron Ben Moses ben-Asher, c.930 c.e. Ben-Asher researched all available texts to compile an authoritative Bible manuscript. In 1010 c.e. his work was revised by Samuel ben Jacob, a scribe in Egypt. Lost for centuries, the manuscript was eventually discovered in the mid-nineteenth century and became known as the Leningrad Codex. This edition adapts the latest BHS edition of the Leningrad text by correcting errors and providng modern paragraphing.

The English text in this TANAKH is a slightly updated version of the acclaimed 1985 JPS translation. Wherever possible, the results of modern study of the languages and culture of the ancient Near East have been brought to bear on the biblical text, which allows for an English style reflective of the biblical spirit and language rather than of the era of the translation.

This edition also includes an informative preface that discusses the history of Bible translation, focusing on the latest JPS English translation of the Holy Scriptures. It is the result of a 30-year interdenominational collaboration of eminent Jewish Bible scholars. Readers are sure to appreciate one of the most intensive projects in the history of The Jewish Publication Society.

Featuring the oldest known complete version of the Holy Scriptures, placed next to JPS's renowned English translation, considered by both Jewish and Christian scholars to be the most authoritative translation of Hebrew scripture. Find the authoritative Hebrew text according to Masoretic tradition (accepted by scholars and rabbinic authorities), complete with cantillation marks, vocalization and verse numbers. The Hebrew text is conveniently formatted to match the English translation, and is slightly larger than the English for easy reading.

Star Tribune, 7/24/99
A gorgeous new Bible... real value comes from adding the Hebrew, paired with its translation in a dual column format on each page...a collaboration among eminent Bible scholars representing all perspectives within the Jewish community...following principles of contemporary critical scholarship and sensitivity to the cultural nuances of translation.

Rabbi Jack Riemer
But with the passing of the years we have come to appreciate this translation because it makes the Bible make sense and because it is a Bible that we can read and feel directly addressed by because it speaks in the language of our time.

Now the JPS has provided us with a new edition which provides the Hebrew text and the English translation side by side. It has an engaging format that enables readers to move easily from one language to the other.

Scholars will appreciate the hundreds of spelling variants, the modifications in the Hebrew text that take into account different manuscript readings, the six hundred some footnotes to the Hebrew side, and the one thousand three hundred and twenty two ketiv/qere instances (plus two more that have been added for clarity) that are preserved on the Hebrew side in this edition. But for the general reader, these matters are inconspicuous and do not interfere with the smooth flow of the reading.

It belongs on the shelf of every person who wants to study the Bible for the first time or who wants to come to it afresh.

FrKurt Messick from Bloomington, IN USA
The Tanakh, an edition of the Holy Scriptures of Judaism, put out by the Jewish Publication Society (JPS), now has a dual-language edition (Hebrew and English), which is incredibly useful for scripture study.

The word Tanakh consists of the first letters of the words denoting the three sections of the text: the Torah (the Law), consisting of the first five books; the Nevi'im (the Prophets), which includes major and minor prophets, as well as some of the history books; and the Kethuvim (the Writings), which consists of poetry, wisdom literature, stories and eschatological literature, and some further history books.

The Tanakh is not simply a new translation of the Christian Old Testament. Indeed, most Christian readers would be surprised at the differences inherent in the Tanakh. For one thing, the ordering of the books in the Tanakh is different from the order in the Christian Old Testament. The intent behind the differing order demonstrates one of the key differences in focus of Judaism and Christianity. The ordering of the Old Testament, with the minor prophets, and their call to repentance and future deliverance of the people of Israel by God, is anticipatory of the Messianic age, and hence provide a 'run-up' to the New Testament. Obviously, Judaism does not have the same focus toward Jesus. Thus, the conclusion of the Tanakh leads to the return from exile, the restoration of the people of Israel to the land of promise, and the return of the worship of God to the appointed place, the Temple.

Also, the chapter/verse division is somewhat different. This can be seen in side-by-side comparison with other English Bible translations, but also becomes apparent in comparison with other Jewish editions.

'English translations usually list thirty-nine books of the Bible. Meanwhile, Hebrew Bibles classically have presented twenty-four books -- counting the following groups as one book each: the two part of Samuel; the two parts of Kings; the Twelve ('Minor') Prophets; Ezra and Nehemiah; and the two parts of Chronicles. Some aspects of our book design presume the thirty-nine-book division: the tables, book openings, and chapter numbers. But we ended only the conventional twenty-four books with a closing prayer and with the sum total of verses.'

The Tanakh was originally translated and published in three sections, corresponding to the three divisions of the text. Begun in 1955, The Torah was completed in 1962; then there was a wait until The Nevi'im was released in 1978, and The Kethuvim in 1982. This edition of the Tanakh is the compilation of these efforts by JPS, with revisions, especially of the 1962 Torah translation.

This edition, while incorporating the Hebrew text, is not meant for ritual practice. The intended readership of this volume is the scholar or the general reader; it is not set up for liturgical use -- as the preface states:

'It meets only the traditional rabbinic standards (halakhah) for formatting a study Bible, which are less stringent than those for ritual texts.'

The introduction is quite frank about the difficulties that arise in working with ancient manuscripts. In a section entitled The Unbroken Chain of Uncertainty, the editors address the problem of which documentation and corrective (the masorah, which gives rise to the name masoretic text, meaning, authoritative and 'marked') is used, given the variances that arise in ancient manuscripts with fairly equal claim of authority. Drawing on the MCW (Michigan-Claremont-Westminster) electronic BHS (Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia), JPS has a text nearly identical with the Leningrad Codex (a 1000-year old volume of the text, the oldest nearly complete volume known). In using this documentation, JPS editors have also done the following in making the text accessible and authoritative:

- added chapter and verse numbers, all of which were added much later

- redivided the Psalms to 150 (the Codex hhas divisions into 149)

- inserted markings to show codex paragrapphing as well as possible scribal errors

- filling in cross-references

The editors point out some of the omissions:

'Like the medieval scribes, we culled most of our nearly six hundred notes from the larger body of masoretic lore (roughly two hundred thousand notes!); we do not pretend to have been exhaustive.'

These notes deal with textual anomalies, and are written in such a manner than a glossary helps decipher them.

This is a rewarding volume for anyone who seeks to tap into the power of the original language side-by-side with a unique and powerful translation of the Hebrew scriptures.

Robert Eric Frank from Boise, Idaho United States
This is by far one of the largest and most neatly bounded books I have ever owned. Simply stated, the page layout is very spacious with the Hebrew text on the right-hand side and the new JPS translation on the left. For those familar with Hebrew, this edition of the Tanakh also contains the vowel points which helps in the correct pronunciation of the Hebrew words. Also, each verse is indicated, not only in the English text, but also in the Hebrew as well, directly across the page! This makes it easier to pinpoint key words and phrases and to compare with other translations. It sure is nice to have an authoritative translation of the Jewish scriptures without any Christian influence (I have nothing against Christians, because I'm also a believer). For those of you who enjoyed this edition, I would also recomend another: THE STONE EDITION OF THE TANACH by Artscroll publications. The Stone Edition contains both the Hebrew text on the right-hand page and the English on the left all marked with Haftarahs, which also includes a brief commentary section by the Rabbi's of the middle ages!

ceruleana from New York, NY USA
JPS' "Hebrew-English Tanakh: The Traditional Hebrew Text And The New JPS Translation" is the best Bible I have seen for the purpose of study. The translation is superior and when in doubt, the Hebrew text is right there, alongside the English, to compare. This edition was recommended to me when I began a two year course on Judaism and Jewish Life sponsored by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

This JPS edition of the Tanakh, composed of the Pentateuch, the Nevi'im (Prophets), and the Kethuvim (Writings), was translated from the original authoritative Hebrew text into the modern idiom of English in three stages, representing the collaboration of academic scholars with rabbis from the three major branches of organized Jewish life in America. The Torah was published in 1962, The Prophets in 1978, and the Writings in 1982. The text preceding the Preface, and the Preface itself, include an excellent history of the Hebrew text.

I have read this edition through, and find it to be a most rewarding experience. The English translation is the closest to the original Hebrew that I have seen. The print is clear and easy to read and the notes are superior. The Hebrew font is large enough to read without eye strain, and includes vowels - which is a plus for me. And the book is beautifully bound. I continue to refer to it almost daily for study purposes and for my own personal edification. I think this is one of the best book purchases I have ever made. JANA

chavah79 (see more about me) from Williamsburg, VA United States
After reading the JPS English Translation of the Tanakh alone, I was interested in reading the Tanakh in the Hebrew. I decided to get the Traditional Hebrew/JPS English Tanakh. I have some knowledge of Hebrew, but not enough to read it completely. Therefore, this Tanakh was a practical choice. Now I can read the Hebrew text and have the English translation close by when I need it. The set up of the book is well done, the book opens from left to right, Hebrew is in the right column/English is in the left, and the print is clear. The hardcover leatherette version is a deep navy with gold lettering on the cover. There are gold page edges and a navy place holder. It is a treasure!

Timothy Dougal from Madison, Wi United States
Among the Bibles that contain the Masoretic Text and a translation, the JPS version definitely holds first place. The Hebrew text is ultra-clear, the English type is very attractive, and both the English and Hebrew are well-spaced for ease of reading. Notes are good. The Hebrew text occupies the right column of every page and verse numbers are in standard Arabic numerals. The student edition, listed above as paperback, is actually the same as the leatherbound version, but with a plastic, leather-textured cover. The JPS translation is almost compulsively readable, with some reservations. It is generally faithful to the sense, if not always the words, of the Hebrew text. YHWH is rendered as LORD, the bull of Jacob is still denatured into the mighty one, but at least Shaddai is Shaddai! And when the reader feels the translation has moved too far into the abstract, the Hebrew is right there for comparison and study. There is, however, a very peculiar aspect to the JPS translation. While the introduction calls this an idiomatic translation for our time, the English is peppered with archaic terminology more appropriate to the Elizabethan stage and difficult crossword puzzles than to ANY spoken or literary English of our time. I have to wonder in what circles "hark", "lo", "hither", "sojourn", "adjuration", "levir" and other goofy, but poetic, words constitute idiomatic language. "Levir" doesn't even rate its own entry in my Webster's collegiate dictionary. It appears as the Latin root of "levirate", an 18th century term, not exactly common parlance!

D.B. Gibbons from Holladay, UT United States
Regarding the act of translation, the great Greek scholar and translator Robert Fagles has written: "It begins with attraction, then a kind of attack, and it ends, if you are lucky, with a strong impersonation of your author." (See Fagle's Foreward to his masterful translation of "The Oresteia" of Aeschylus). For those of us amateur and striving souls who yearn to read the Tanakh in the original tongue, a "strong impersonation" of the Word of God is never enough.

Having learned to savor Greek in Harvard's beautifully bound and highly servicable Loeb Classical Library editions, I am ecstatic to find a parallel Hebrew/English Tanakh to serve as my temporary crutch as I study the Hebrew. I say temporary, because I am anxious to pursue my lifetime studies of the Bible in the original Hebrew, as fast as I am able. (At that point I intend to abandon this lovely little crutch and rely solely thereafter on the definitive "Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia.")

This edition is not only well bound and a joy to hold, but the Hebrew font is large and easily read. I am also pleased to see the poetical lines formatted as such -- much of the Bible text is, after all, a glorious Song.

I say, do not be satisfied with a "strong impersonation", but let the Tanakh speak for itself.

A reviewer (PayOrPlay -- aol.com)
There are a number of excellent Hebrew-English editions of the Torah but until now I had been unable to find a suitable and concise Hebrew-English edition of the entire Tanakh. This new JPS edition is excellent. The others I have seen either use archaic translation (the old Jerusalem Bible) or are colored by the particular ideologies of their translators and sponsors (the Stone Edition Tanach, which is quite beautiful but whose value as a study bible is limited by its nonliteral translations -- see especially the Shir HaShirim --and because it includes only commentary from a traditional viewpoint). Unfortunately, there's no room for new commentary or annotations (other than technical translation notes, plus the traditional Masoretic notes), but you probably can't expect that in a single volume edition. At some point it would be nice to see, maybe, a 3-volume edition that leaves some room for commentaries from a variety of viewpoints, but for now the 1-volume edition is essential. It will make a good family bible or a convenient resource for study.