Holy Bible, From the Ancient Eastern Text
Harper & Row
First published 1933
Holy Bible, From the Ancient Eastern Text
George Lamsa's translation from the Aramaic Peshitta (rather than Greek and Hebrew) offers a unique perspective on difficult passages, reflecting the Semitic background of Jesus and the early church. A fascinating window into the Eastern Christian tradition.
History & Background
George M. Lamsa (1892–1975), a native Aramaic speaker from Persia, translated the entire Bible from the Syriac Peshitta and published it in 1933. Lamsa believed the Peshitta was the original New Testament text rather than a translation from Greek. While most scholars disagree, his translation illuminates Semitic idioms that clarify many difficult passages.
Canon Proximity Rating
Based on the Syriac Peshitta rather than the standard Greek/Hebrew texts, with some differences in book order and textual tradition. Contains the 66 books but from a distinct textual family.