English Translations of the Aramaic Targums

Compiled by Michael Marlowe

NOTE: In the bibliography below, reference is made to volume numbers of the "Aramaic Bible series." This series, which began in 1987 and is currently (2004) incomplete, is being published in the U.K. by T & T Clark in Edinburgh, Scotland. In the U.S. it is published by Liturgical Press in Collegeville, Minnesota. The general editor of the series is Martin McNamara, assisted by Kevin Cathcart and Michael Maher. The publisher's description of the series is as follows: "The first translation into English of all the extant Targums, together with introductions and annotations. Each volume examines the place of a particular Targum or group of Targums in Jewish life, liturgy and biblical interpretation. Each Targum is evaluated in the light of Jewish tradition and of modern linguistic and biblical research. The notes point to parallel passages in other Jewish and Christian biblical and liturgical texts. Each translated Targum has its own apparatus indicating the relationship between the English translation and the Aramaic original and every volume has a useful bibliography." For an introduction to the Targums in general I recommend John W. Bowker's introduction described at the bottom of this page. --M.D.M.


Genesis

Michael Maher, ed., Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Genesis, translated, with introduction and notes by Michael Maher. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1992. (Vol. 1b of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654924.

Martin McNamara, ed., Targum Neofiti 1, Genesis, translated, with apparatus and notes by Martin McNamara. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1992. (Vol. 1a of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654762.

Bernard Grossfeld, ed., The Targum Onqelos to Genesis: translated with a critical introduction, apparatus and notes. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1988. (Vol. 6 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094634.

John W. Etheridge, ed., The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel on the Pentateuch, with the fragments of the Jerusalem Targum. 2 vols. London: Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, 1862-1865. Vol. 1 has Genesis and Exodus, vol. 2 has Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Reprinted in one volume by KTAV Publishing House in New York, 1968.

Moses Aberbach and Bernard Grossfeld, eds., Targum Onkelos to Genesis: a critical analysis together with an English translation of the text (based on A. Sperber's edition). New York: KTAV Publishing House, 1982. Reprinted 1995. Note: Parallel English and Aramaic text. ISBN: 087068339X.

Exodus

Martin McNamara, ed., Targum Neofiti 1, Exodus, translated with introduction and apparatus by Martin McNamara; and notes by Robert Hayward. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Exodus, translated with notes by Michael Maher. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1994. (Vol. 2 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654770.

Bernard Grossfeld, ed., The Targum Onqelos to Exodus; translated, with apparatus and notes by Bernard Grossfeld. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1988. (Vol. 7 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094642. US: 081465486X.

John W. Etheridge, ed., The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel on the Pentateuch, with the fragments of the Jerusalem Targum. 2 vols. London: Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, 1862-1865. Vol. 1 has Genesis and Exodus, vol. 2 has Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Reprinted in one volume by KTAV Publishing House in New York, 1968.

Israel Drazin, ed., Targum Onkelos to Exodus: An English Translation of the Text With Analysis and Commentary. New York: KTAV Publishing House, 1990. Note: Parallel English and Aramaic text. ISBN: 0881253421.

Leviticus

Martin McNamara, ed., Targum Neofiti 1, Leviticus, translated with apparatus by Martin McNamara; introduction and notes by Robert Hayward. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Leviticus, translated with notes by Michael Maher. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1994. (Vol. 3 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654789.

Bernard Grossfeld, ed., The Targum Onqelos to Leviticus and The Targum Onqelos to Numbers; translated, with apparatus, and notes by Bernard Grossfeld. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1988. (Vol. 8 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094650. US: 0814654878.

John W. Etheridge, ed., The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel on the Pentateuch, with the fragments of the Jerusalem Targum. 2 vols. London: Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, 1862-1865. Vol. 1 has Genesis and Exodus, vol. 2 has Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Reprinted in one volume by KTAV Publishing House in New York, 1968.

Israel Drazin, ed., Targum Onkelos to Leviticus: An English Translation of the Text With Analysis and Commentary. New York: KTAV Publishing House; 1993. Note: Parallel English and Aramaic text. ISBN: 0881254703.

Numbers

Martin McNamara, ed., Targum Neofiti 1, Numbers, translated, with apparatus and notes by Martin McNamara. Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Numbers, translated, with notes by Ernest G. Clarke. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1995. (Vol. 4 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654835.

Bernard Grossfeld, ed., The Targum Onqelos to Leviticus and The Targum Onqelos to Numbers; translated, with apparatus, and notes by Bernard Grossfeld. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1988. (Vol. 8 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094650. US: 0814654878.

John W. Etheridge, ed., The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel on the Pentateuch, with the fragments of the Jerusalem Targum. 2 vols. London: Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, 1862-1865. Vol. 1 has Genesis and Exodus, vol. 2 has Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Reprinted in one volume by KTAV Publishing House in New York, 1968.

Israel Drazin, ed., Targum Onkelos to Numbers: An English Translation of the Text With Analysis and Commentary (Based on the A. Sperber and A. Berliner Edition). New York: KTAV Publishing House, 1998. Note: Parallel English and Aramaic text. ISBN: 0881256218.

Deuteronomy

Martin McNamara, ed., Targum Neofiti 1, Deuteronomy, translated, with apparatus and notes by Martin McNamara. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1997. (Vol. 5a of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654843.

Ernest G. Clarke, ed., Targum Pseudo-Jonathan: Deuteronomy, translated, with notes by Ernest G. Clarke. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1998. (Vol. 5b of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814658636.

Bernard Grossfeld, ed., The Targum Onqelos to Deuteronomy; translated, with apparatus, and notes by Bernard Grossfeld. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1988. (Vol. 9 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094669. US: 0814654886.

John W. Etheridge, ed., The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel on the Pentateuch, with the fragments of the Jerusalem Targum. 2 vols. London: Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts, 1862-1865. Vol. 1 has Genesis and Exodus, vol. 2 has Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Reprinted in one volume by KTAV Publishing House in New York, 1968.

Israel Drazin, ed., Targum Onkelos to Deuteronomy: an English translation of the text with analysis and commentary (based on A. Sperber's edition). New York: KTAV Publishing House, 1982. Note: Parallel English and Aramaic text. ISBN: 0870687557.

Joshua

Daniel J. Harrington and Anthony J. Saldarini, Targum Jonathan of the Former Prophets: introduction, translation and notes. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1987. (Vol. 10 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0894534793. US: 0814654797.

Judges

Willem F. Smelik, The Targum of Judges. Series: Oudtestamentische studiën. Leiden: Brill, 1995. ISBN: 9004103651. Note: Includes text of the Targum of Judges in Aramaic and English with commentary.

Daniel J. Harrington and Anthony J. Saldarini, Targum Jonathan of the Former Prophets: introduction, translation and notes. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1987. (Vol. 10 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0894534793. US: 0814654797.

Ruth

D.R.G. Beattie and J. Stanley McIvor, eds., The Targum of Ruth, translated, with introduction, apparatus, and notes by D.R.G. Beattie; The Targum of Chronicles, translated, with introduction, apparatus, and notes by J. Stanley McIvor. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1993. (Vol. 19 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 081465455X.

1-2 Samuel

Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman, The Targum of Samuel. Series: Studies in the Aramaic interpretation of Scripture. Leiden: Brill, 2002. ISBN: 9004121641. Note: Aramaic text with English translation, commentary.

Daniel J. Harrington and Anthony J. Saldarini, Targum Jonathan of the Former Prophets: introduction, translation and notes. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1987. (Vol. 10 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0894534793. US: 0814654797.

1-2 Kings

Daniel J. Harrington and Anthony J. Saldarini, Targum Jonathan of the Former Prophets: introduction, translation and notes. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1987. (Vol. 10 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0894534793. US: 0814654797.

1-2 Chronicles

D.R.G. Beattie and J. Stanley McIvor, eds., The Targum of Ruth, translated, with introduction, apparatus, and notes by D.R.G. Beattie; The Targum of Chronicles, translated, with introduction, apparatus, and notes by J. Stanley McIvor. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1993. (Vol. 19 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 081465455X.

Ezra

There is no Targum on Ezra.

Nehemiah

There is no Targum on Nehemiah.

Esther

Bernard Grossfeld, ed., The two Targums of Esther, translated, with apparatus and notes by Bernard Grossfeld. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1991. (Vol. 18 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654541.

Job

Celine Mangan, John F. Healey, and Peter S. Knobel, eds., The Targum of Job, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Celine Mangan. The Targum of Proverbs, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by John F. Healey. The Targum of Qohelet, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Peter S. Knobel. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1991. (Vol. 15 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654908.

Psalms

David M. Stec, ed., The Targum of Psalms, introduction, translation, and notes by David M. Stec. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2004. (Vol. 16 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654916.

Proverbs

Celine Mangan, John F. Healey, and Peter S. Knobel, eds., The Targum of Job, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Celine Mangan. The Targum of Proverbs, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by John F. Healey. The Targum of Qohelet, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Peter S. Knobel. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1991. (Vol. 15 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654908.

Ecclesiastes

Celine Mangan, John F. Healey, and Peter S. Knobel, eds., The Targum of Job, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Celine Mangan. The Targum of Proverbs, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by John F. Healey. The Targum of Qohelet, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Peter S. Knobel. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 1991. (Vol. 15 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654908.

Song of Solomon

Philip S. Alexander, ed., The Targum of Canticles, translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Philip S. Alexander. Collegeville, Minn.: Liturgical Press, 2003. (Vol. 17a of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0814654533.

Isaiah

Bruce D. Chilton, ed., The Isaiah Targum: introduction, translation apparatus and notes. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1987. (Vol. 11 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094685. US: 0814654800.

Jeremiah

Robert Hayward, ed., The Targum of Jeremiah; translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Robert Hayward. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1987. (Vol. 12 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094693. US: 0814654819.

Lamentations

Albert W. Greenup, The Targum on the book of Lamentations, translated by the Rev. A. W. Greenup. Sheffield: W. J. Greenup, 1893.

Christian M. M. Brady, The Rabbinic Targum of Lamentations: Vindicating God. Leiden: Brill, 2003. (Vol. 3 in the series Studies in the Aramaic Interpretation of Scripture.) ISBN: 9004121633

[forthcoming] Philip S. Alexander and Christian M. M. Brady, Targum Lamentations. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 2005. (Vol. 17b of the Aramaic Bible series.) ISBN: 0567085775.

Ezekiel

Samson H. Levey, ed., The targum of Ezekiel: translated with a critical introduction, apparatus and notes. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1987. (Vol. 13 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094707. US: 0814654827.

Daniel

There is no Targum on Daniel.

The Minor Prophets

Kevin J. Cathcart and Robert P. Gordon, eds., The Targum of the Minor Prophets; translated, with a critical introduction, apparatus, and notes by Kevin J. Cathcart and Robert P. Gordon. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1989. (Vol. 14 of the Aramaic Bible series) ISBN: 0567094715. US: 0814654894.



Introduction to the Targums

John W. Bowker, The Targums and Rabbinic Literature. An Introduction to Jewish Interpretations of Scripture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1969. ISBN: 0521074150.

"In his book Mr. Bowker intends first to provide an introduction to the Aramaic Targums, interpretative translations of the Hebrew text of the Bible, and second to show how the Targums form a part of Jewish exegesis in general. In order to accomplish these objectives the author divides his book into two parts: in the first part he explains to his readers how Jewish biblical exegesis arose, and gives a brief description of the main works it produced. In the second part he presents his reader with substantial illustration of Targum-method by giving them a translation of selected passages of Pseudo-Jonathan followed, for the purpose of comparison, by translation of selections from other Targums on the same passages. The selections from other Targums are then followed by notes, in which the background of the Targum interpretation is explained. These notes consist largely of further translations of rabbinic or other work, and Mr. Bowker therefore gives his reader even greater illustration of the methods and techniques of Jewish and rabbinic exegesis. To complete his work he presents his reader with even more rabbinical material in seven appendices, an exhaustive bibliography and most helpful indices. The reviewer cannot exaggerate his appreciation for the work. By his clarity, his completeness, his mastery of the subject, and by his incorporating the most recent materials, Mr. Bowker has produced an introduction to the Targums and rabbinic literature which will replace H. L. Strack, Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash, which first appeared in 1887 and was last revised in 1924. Strack's work will continue to hold its place as a text for more advanced studies in the field. New Testament students, of course, will appreciate this book because, since some of the interpretations in the recently discovered Targum (Neofiti I) go back to an early date, 'the Targums have been startlingly relevant to the New Testament and to the study of Jewish thought at the time of Jesus.'" (p. xi). --B. K. Waltke, Bibliotheca Sacra 129 (Apr 72), p. 155.

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