The Targums & Rabbinic Literature: An Introduction to Jewish Interpretations of Scripture

Cambridge, England, UK, et al. : Cambridge University Press, 1969. © Cambridge University Press 1969 . Decorative Hardcover Canvas. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo or 8° (Medium Octavo): 7¾" x 9¾" tall. 379 + xxi pp. An excellent study or work or reading or research copy! A great, almost spotlessly clean copy and dust jacket! Solidly and tightly bound, essentially and nearly flawless copy and dust jacket with minimal internal and external wear and use. Copy with crisp pages, spotlessly clean text, and light shelf wear. Smooth covers. Dust jacket shows minimal, minor or light wear around edges. Synopsis: The Targums are interpretative translations of the Hebrew text of the Bible which originated in Synagogue teaching, where an interpretation of the Hebrew text had to be given orally for the benefit of non-Hebrew speaking congregations. Over the centuries, a loose 'Targum Tradition' began to form and the written Aramaic Targums can best be understood as crystallisations of the Targum tradition at different points of time. In the first part of this book Professor Bowker examines the emergence and development of Jewish exegesis and the importance of the Targums. Bearing in mind that Jewish and rabbinic material is being increasingly applied to problems of Christian origins, he provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject (referring to the texts and translations most readily available) with emphasis on recent work and discoveries. The second part of the book gives actual material in translation, showing how Jewish exegesis arrived at its interpretations of Scripture.