The morning call., 1892-07-25
A BIBLE FOR HEBREWS.
Some Startling Changes in n New
Translation.
Professor Paul Haupt Supervising the Work
Of Revision-E Eminent Scholars
Engaged
New York Press.

At meeting of Hebrews recently held in
New York, the fact was deplored that not
a single translation Of the Bible existed
which was satisfactory TO the Hebrews and
which could be accepted by them as accu-
rate and devoid Of gross pathological errors
and mistakes, most OF them prompted by
the seetarian narrow views of the transIa-
tors. They will. however, in a short time
see their wishes realized. There is now in
preparation aEslation of Scripture, upon
which are engaged number of men noted
for their eruditiOn and pathological research,
a translation which is intended to be as ac-
curate as it can possibly be made without
regard to any denominational and sectariau
considerations. 1t will not be n translation
to meet the views of believers in orthodox,
but will rather meet the ideas of the stu
dents and those who have had the benefit of
"the higher criticism" and will repre- sent
the result Of the best light obtainable on the
Interpretation of disputed passages. Ii is
expected TO create a sensation among the
laity and Will be known as tho American
Bible.
Al the head of the work is Professor Paul
Haupi, he noted professor of Semitic Ian
gu8ges at the Johns HOPKINS University.
He will edit the work, and has assigned TO
himself the book of Ecclesiastes, aud TO
those who are familiar with this, one of the
changes made Will be nothing less than
startling. Each book has been assigned to
some distinguished scholar, so the Old Tes-
lament, for instance, has been entrusted to
twenty-four of the most competent special
lists in this branch of research in America,
England aud Germany. A number of dis
tinguished scholars have undertaken 10
translate the German eOntribu tions into
English. 1t was first intended to publish
the Old Testament, but it was afterward
decided TO issue the work in twenty parts,
and a it is con sidered unnecessary TO page
the Bible from beginning TO end the indi-
vIdual books, with the exception of the
short ones, will be issued separately as soon
as they are ready. None but full page Illus
trations will be given.
or the eminent men who services have
been secured for the undertaking, Professor
c. j. Ball of London will take up Genesis,
Prof. Ii. i. Ryie of Cambridge will trans
late Exodus, Leyiticus will be the JOINT labor
Of Professors >. K Driver and ii. A. White
Of Oxford, Numbers Will be the special " ork
OF Professor j. A. Patterson Of Edinburgh,
Deuteronomy that Of Professor Ii. w. Ben
nett of Aberdeen, etc. The American
HebTaistS who have consented to take part
in the work are Professor q. (. Moore, the
learned AndOver exegate, who Will render
judges; HabaEkuk viii be translated by
Professor w. II. Ward, editor of the New
York Independent; Professor Il. Ii. Harper
of the Chicago University, who Will share
the burden Of editorial responsibility
and translate Zachariah: Professor C.
III. JOY, who enjoys the reputation
of being one of the most erudi:e of
Harvard faculty will contribute transla-
tion of Ezekiel; Professor Harper's sue
ceSsor at Yale, Professor L. l.. Curtis, will
take up Zephaniah; the famous DR.. Briggs
OF New York will handle Ruth: Francis
Brown, editor of the great lew Hebrew
dictionary, is preparing translation of
Joel; a translation Of Micah Will be contrib
uted by Or. j, f. McCurdy Of Toronto Uni-
verSity. English scholars will have entire
charge OF the HeXateuch. and Isaiah Will be
rendered ln;O English by the distinguished
canon OF Rochester, Professor L. X. Cheyne
Professor Andrew Harper Of Australia viii
translate Obadiah. The work is progress
ing rapidly, and the Psalms, jeremiah and
the Proverbs will probably be published be-
fore Christmas Of this year. The New Tes-
lament will not he begun until the Old
Testament is completed.
To give an idea of the vast changes which
will be made IN the new translation it will
suffice TO refer To the Book of Ecclesiastes.
All the strength ana beauty of The wise
kings sayings viii be brought out as they
never were before, but the religious senti-
ment will be looked for In vain. One of the
earliest precepts OF pi0us teachers, sacred
among the memories of childhood, is Re
mems Der now thy Creator in the days Of thy
youth. This will be found altogether mis-
sing.
The six concluding verses Of the book. as
found in the authorized version, and which
contain, among other things, the injunction,
Fear God aud keep his commandments
for this is the sole duty of man." are omitted
entirely. Professor Haupt regards as inter-
pOlations all the religious sentiments which
are interviewer In the King James version.
The song Of solomon, according 10 the
statement of DIR. Christopher Johnston,
Professor Haup's assistant, wili not be
given religious Interpretation. 1t will be
treated as a dramatic love poem, perhaps
the only specimen left of Hebrew dramatic
poetry. The authorized version, saws Dr..
Johnston, ia spite OF its matchiess beauty is
obscure and uninteligibe. Three centuries
Of study with vastly improved and more
scientific methods of research have greatly
advanced our knowledge OF tie original
tongues, according to DIR. Johnston, and
the new work viii be more accurate and
careful. The revised version is regarded
as an unsatisfactory compromise.