The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) is an English translation of the Bible by Dr. David H. Stern. It was published in 1998 by Messianic Jewish Publishers. The CJB is a Messianic Jewish translation, meaning it is translated with a Messianic Jewish perspective.
Translation Philosophy of the CJB
The main goal of the CJB is to restore the Jewishness of the Bible. Dr. Stern sought to translate the Bible in a way that reflects the Jewish roots of Christianity and the Jewish identity of Yeshua (Jesus) and his earliest followers. Some key aspects of the translation philosophy include:
- Using Hebrew names and terms instead of Greek or Latin replacements (e.g. Yeshua instead of Jesus, Messiah instead of Christ).
- Translating the New Testament in a Jewish cultural and linguistic context.
- Restoring Jewish background and thought to help recover the unity of the whole Bible.
- Attempting to communicate to both Jewish and Gentile audiences.
Overall, the goal is to translate the biblical text in a way that is accessible and meaningful for all readers, while also emphasizing the Jewishness of the entire Bible.
Features of the Complete Jewish Bible
Some key features of the CJB include:
Use of Hebrew Names and Terms
The CJB uses Hebrew names and terms for people, places, and concepts throughout the Old and New Testaments. For example:
- Yeshua instead of Jesus
- Messiah instead of Christ/the Christ
- Tanakh instead of Old Testament
- Mashiach instead of Messiah/the Messiah
- Yochanan instead of John
- Shaul instead of Paul
This helps restore the Jewish context and emphasizes the Hebrew foundation of the whole Bible.
Translation of New Testament Jewishness
The CJB translates the New Testament in a way that aims to reflect the Jewish culture and thought patterns of the original context. For example:
- “Jewish leaders” or “Torah-teachers” rather than “Pharisees”
- Retaining Hebrew/Aramaic words like “rabbi” or “talmidim” (disciples)
- Using Jewish cultural references, like “immerse” rather than “baptize”
This aims to recover the Jewishness of Yeshua and his followers, often lost in other translations.
Extensive Footnotes and Transliterations
The CJB includes extensive footnotes providing explanations of Jewish concepts, terms, and background information to aid understanding. It also uses transliterations of many Hebrew names and terms.
Restoration of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton
The CJB restores the Hebrew name of God – represented by the four Hebrew letters Yod-Hei-Vav-Hei (YHVH) – in over 6,800 places in the Tanakh. Most English Bibles substitute “LORD” for the divine name YHVH, but the CJB seeks to honor the Hebrew text.
Inclusion of Traditional Hebrew Blessings and Prayers
The CJB incorporates traditional Hebrew blessings, prayers, and Jewish liturgy, such as the Shema and many of the Psalms. This links the text with its Jewish heritage.
Messianic Jewish Theological Perspective
As a Messianic Jewish translation, the doctrinal perspective of the CJB comes through at certain points. It affirms Yeshua as the divine Messiah and the New Testament as inspired Scripture, while emphasizing God’s ongoing work with the Jewish people.
Strengths of the Complete Jewish Bible
The CJB has a number of strengths that make it a valuable translation:
- It makes the Jewishness of the entire Bible clear and accessible.
- It helps readers understand important Hebrew and Jewish concepts.
- It highlights the Hebraic nature of the New Testament and teachings of Yeshua.
- It aims to speak to both Jewish and Gentile audiences.
- Its extensive footnotes are informative for Bible study.
- It translates the Hebrew names and characteristics of God.
For those interested in the Jewish context and roots of Scripture, the CJB can lend a great deal of perspective and insight. The restoration of the Jewish biblical culture and thought allows readers to understand the text in a deeper, more unified way.
Weaknesses and Criticisms of the CJB
There are some potential weaknesses and criticisms to consider regarding the Complete Jewish Bible:
- Some accuse it of being biased or recasting Christian Scriptures as Jewish in places they may not have been.
- The less familiar Hebrew names and terms take some getting used to.
- The footnotes present a lot of information, almost commentary at times.
- The theological perspective, while helpful in many ways, may feel one-sided in certain texts.
- It does not use the Masoretic Hebrew text of the Tanakh as its base, but rather the Greek Septuagint (LXX).
- Some of the language used is more interpretive paraphrase than formal equivalence.
These factors mean readers should be aware of the particular approach of the CJB. For in-depth Bible study, it is often helpful to consult multiple translations for balance.
Popularity and Influence of the CJB
The Complete Jewish Bible has become one of the most widely used Messianic Jewish translations. Some measures of its popularity and influence include:
- Over 420,000 copies in print as of 2022.
- Endorsements from prominent Christian and Messianic Jewish leaders.
- Publication of specialty versions, like the CJB Transliterated Edition.
- Usage in many Messianic Jewish congregations.
- Enhanced understanding of the Jewish context of Scripture.
While not as widely used in mainstream Christianity, the CJB has made significant inroads, especially among those interested in the Hebraic background of the Bible. It brings valuable perspective and insight to Bible reading.
Comparison to Other Major Translations
When compared to other major English Bible translations, the Complete Jewish Bible stands out for its Jewish-sensitive translation style:
More Jewishly-Oriented Than Traditional Translations
The traditional translations most Christians use (KJV, NASB, NIV, ESV, etc.) do not attempt to recover the Jewish context as thoroughly. Names, idioms, and cultural references tend to be Greek or Latin-based rather than Hebrew.
More Jewish Background Than Jewish Translations
Jewish translations like the JPS Tanakh are helpful for their handling of the Hebrew, but do not incorporate as many insights into the Second Temple Judaism context of the New Testament.
Less Biased Than Other Messianic Versions
Where other Messianic versions like the Tree of Life Version have faced criticism for reading Yeshua/Christian theology into the Tanakh, the CJB aims to be more neutral in its handling of the Hebrew Bible text.
More Mainstream Than Strict Messianic Versions
Very sectarian Messianic versions like the Hebraic Roots Bible include fringe doctrinal perspectives less accepted in mainstream Messianic Judaism. The CJB offers a helpful middle perspective.
Overall, the CJB finds a unique niche among translations – restoring Jewishness in a way no other major version does. It combines mainstream scholarship with Messianic insights in a balanced way.
Use of the CJB in Bible Study
The Complete Jewish Bible can be useful in personal and group Bible study in several ways:
Enhanced Understanding of God’s Identity
The CJB’s restoration of God’s Hebrew name and attributes provides a direct connection to God’s self-revelation in the Tanakh. It aids study of his identity.
Appreciation of the Torah
Seeing verses like Matthew 5:17-19 in light of Yeshua’s high view of Torah allows greater insight into topics like God’s law, sin, and righteousness.
Grasping the Jewish World of Jesus
From festival references to phrases like “son of man,” the CJB fleshes out the Hebraic worldview and culture Yeshua operated in as a Jewish teacher.
Insights into “Jewishness” Passages
Passages about Jewish customs, feasts, purification, and controversies with Pharisees come alive when read through a Jewish lens as provided in the CJB.
Understanding Paul the Pharisee
Saul’s Pharisaic pedigree and education help explain many of his teachings and disputes with other Jewish believers wanting Gentiles to convert.
For group study, the CJB can provide an illuminating supplementary perspective to balance against other translations – helping recover a lost dimension of the biblical writings.
Complete Jewish Bible Translation Sample – Romans 3:21-31
But now, quite apart from Torah, God’s way of making people righteous in his sight has been made clear – although the Torah and the Prophets give their witness to it as well – and it is a righteousness that comes from God, through the faithfulness of Yeshua the Messiah, to all who continue trusting. For it makes no difference whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, since all have sinned and come short of earning God’s praise. By God’s grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him, through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua. God put Yeshua forward as the kapparah for sin through his faithfulness in respect to his bloody sacrificial death. This vindicated God’s righteousness; because, in his forbearance, he had passed over [with neither punishment nor remission] the sins people had committed in the past; and it vindicates his righteousness in the present age by showing that he is righteous himself and is also the one who makes people righteous on the ground of Yeshua’s faithfulness. So what room is left for boasting? None at all! What kind of Torah excludes it? One that has to do with legalistic observance of rules? No, rather, a Torah that has to do with trusting. Therefore, we hold the view that a person comes to be considered righteous by God on the ground of trusting, which has nothing to do with legalistic observance of Torah commands. Or is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, he is indeed the God of the Gentiles; because, as you will admit, God is one. Therefore, he will consider righteous the circumcised on the ground of trusting and the uncircumcised through that same trusting.
This sample from Romans demonstrates many of the translation features of the CJB discussed above:
- Use of Hebrew names like Yeshua and Messiah
- Retention of some Hebrew/Aramaic words like kapparah and Torah
- Focus on Jewish concerns, like circumcision and Gentile inclusion
- Emphasis on trusting faith rather than legalism/law
- Attention to Jewish sensitivities
The Jewish thought patterns and backgrounds really come through, giving the reader insight into the partnerships and controversies of the early Messianic community.
Conclusion
The Complete Jewish Bible is a unique translation that helps recover the Jewish voice and context of Scripture from its Hebraic roots. By emphasizing the Jewish dimension of both testaments, it brings out invaluable cultural and linguistic insights that enhance biblical understanding. The CJB speaks to growing numbers of readers who wish to connect with the Jewish foundations of their Christian faith. While any single translation has limitations, the Complete Jewish Bible opens up the understanding of God’s word in a valuable way that merits recommendation and ongoing use.