Currently Reading | Robert Alter's Hebrew Bible

Happy 2021, everyone! Starting the year by discussing Robert Alter's landmark 2019 full translation of the Hebrew Bible into English :)

You can find this full edition of the Hebrew Bible here:
The Art of Biblical Narrative:
Wisdom Books:
The Five Books of Moses:

[Note: These are affiliate links. No pressure at all to buy from these sources (or to buy books in the first place), but if you do choose to buy from these links, I'll receive a small portion of the sale with no extra cost to you.]

This is not a sponsored video, and unless otherwise stated, I bought these books myself.

[Bluebeast]

4 years later, I give thanks for this video.
Thank you for sharing.

[edwardgrabczewski]

I bought my copy today and I appreciate your comments before they arrive in the post! Thanks.

[ToadHallRecords]

I ordered this online yesterday. Read Alter's "The Art of Biblical Narrative" and was so impressed with his insight. I'm most surprised by the covers; the artwork is not what I'd expect for one of his publications. It's reminiscent of Salvador Dali's art work for the Jerusalem bible

[BrandonCSullivan]

I love Alter's translation of the Hebrew Bible. It opens such a world of meaning.

[AarmOZ]

I always loved the Harper Collins Study Bible for pointing out the play on words in the original Hebrew that we never catch (like man is called 'Adam and the feminine version 'adamah literally means dirt or earth). However, Robert Alter's commentary and translation puts the Harper Collins study notes to shame as to how much literary devices there can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures. So glad you got such a beautiful treasure and may you enjoy it for years to come.

[patrickkeyes]

A new subscriber, Ilook forward to your discussion of his translations. Thanks for taking this on.

[samantha.irenes]

This is a tempting way to spend my holiday gift cards....

[originoflogos]

I got Alter’s “Hebrew Bible” translation for Christmas back when it was published! It’s one of my absolute treasures! Alter’s translation and his commentary are sublime and superior to pretty much every preceding translation (even though the KJV is my second preferred translation which would not have existed without the other sublime original English translation of the Bible by William Tyndale!).

I’ve read Alter’s translation three times in chronological order (not joking!!) I hope you enjoy it! 😊

P.s. I understand your reasoning for referring the “Christian Old Testament” as the Hebrew Bible. I refer to it as the “Tanakh, ” in order to maintain a sense of respect and honesty to Judaic listeners and people in general.

P.p.s. My favorite books of the Tanakh—one from each section—are Genesis from the Torah (same reasons as you, because the stories are memorable and morally ambiguous) The Book of Samuel from the Former Prophets (the ascensions of Saul and David are some of the best narratives ever penned) Isaiah from the Major Prophets (some of the best poetry) Jonah from the Minor Prophets (easily the most powerful short narrative in the Tanakh) and Qohelet from the Writings (wisdom always comes with a juxtaposition.)

[abigailb]

I'm a pastoral major in college at the moment and I wish I had Bibles like this. I love these cool Bibles.

[irajones]

I received Robert Alter’s, “The Five Books of Moses” and, “The Wisdom Books”. The introduction to “The Five Books of Moses” was like an invitation to a new, fuller exposition of a familiar “friend”! Just began Genesis! Your presentation was excellent! Good job!

[DrHurd-bgkr]

I purchased this set based upon your video. :) I started reading it, and I am in LOVE with it. Thank you for the recommendation.

[johnwilliams]

Thanks Jennifer. I was pleasantly surprised to find this video albeit 3 years on.

I purchased this extraordinary set on release. What prompted me to do so was my interest in ancient texts and especially Christine Hayes' wonderful full course of Yale lectures, "Introduction to the Old Testament" - available on YouTube. I would highly recommend the lectures to anyone that appreciated the essays and commentary in the Alter volumes. Regardless of religious beliefs, the Hebrew Bible is of monumetal significance from a literary standpoint. Hayes covers the contradictory elements within the text and that what the Bible actually is compared to the less informed but commonly held perceptions.

[theliteraryexpat]

I first heard of Robert Alter when he did an interview on a podcast called The Bible for Normal People. My husband and I were so fascinated and knew we had to own this collection. So great to see someone talking about it on book tube.

[katherineburford]

Through the New York School of the Bible classes (available on zoom) I learned biblical Hebrew (I am rusty now). From there I went through the scriptures inspired by Robert Alters The Art of Biblical Narrative and put in the puns and figures of speech in my interlinear (English-Biblical Hebrew) bible. They also offer classes in biblical Greek. I added the Shakespeare verses that came from individual bible verses and the impact of particular verses on history. The result is a sense of the rhythm of the text an a sense of its storytelling quality. One can imagine sitting around the campfire with tribes listening for their tribal name as Numbers repeated verses. Modern editors often don't believe in showing the links between stories by allowing repetitions. Yet that rhythm gives us the heartbeat of the bible.

[forestofkelp]

So many nuggets of joy and knowledge to this video. I'd love to see more as you journey through these texts!

[TheREADhead]

Wow those are beautiful! I'd love to hear you review more of the texts in the future, I'm very intrigued!

[jkatew]

Yes please! I would love to hear a lot more. The word “sustainer” has greater depth to me. I look forward to learning more. Happy New Year ✨✨✨

[michaelcover]

My wife bought me these books for my birthday, wonderful.

[plumjam]

Fascinating video. Thank you. I'm going to buy this. The little bits of Hebrew I've learned have such power and richness to them.

[FlyingElectra]

What a beautiful gift ! I grew up in a non religious home. Both my parents went into Catholic schools and I also did (with Nuns) but I never felt religious. But I am very curious about it and had no idea that it was called the Hebrew Bible. I am looking forward to watching your reviews about them and to learn more about theses books ! Lila is such a cutie. And yes it’s her throne !