ARTB New Testament Book Review, April 2012
I love reading my Bible and have an entire bookshelf filled with different ones. To me it is interesting to see how each translation brings forth a particular Scripture. It can be very eye opening, to say the least. I have the Ancient Roots Old Testament and I have loved using it for several years now. I was excited when I heard the news that the New Testament was available, I bought it as soon as I could.
How do I feel about it? I love it. First it is in paperback which makes it easier to tote around, which I often do. The print is of good size and I don't have to squint, even with my glasses on to read it, so that is a plus. The cover is bold, yet very tasteful. I like it. Now onto the Word. The very first page gives you information that I'm sure most of us do not know. Did you know that Jesus (Yeshua) is a repairman, not a carpenter? Wow! There are several things to learn just in the Preface. After this, we have the Introduction, which is several pages explaining what you are about to read. All of that content was interesting and helpful.
Now onto the meat. Let me say right off that I love this book. I have to say I was somewhat shocked because I definitely did not recognize some of the Scriptures that I thought I knew so well. I keep my old Bible with me when I am reading Ancient Roots because at times I have to go back and forth so I know where I am in the text. This is not a bad thing, actually I'm excited to see exactly what should have been written in the first place . It is often surprising, and I find, I have finally come to understand so much more than I did before. Certain Scripture take on total different meanings than I had come to know. I can't believe all that I have been missing, this book is definitely enriching my walk with the Lord ! Let me say for all of you that love the Word of God, this is a must have. If you want to know what was really spoken you have to get this translation. I have already purchased copies for my family and I intend to get as many as possible to give to friends. Exceptional work and a must have for all those who love the Word of God. Very highly recommended.
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/mbw/apr_12.htm#shirley
ARTB Bible Blog: Bible Words for Ancient Roots now at Amazon for 99 cents
I bring you tidings of great joy! I am delighted to share Bible Words with you as a fabulous tool for bible study and even for homeschooling. It may be the one of the very best gifts I can ever give to you.
When my original publishers saw an early copy of Bible Words, it convinced them that the Ancient Roots (ARTB) project was a winner. Seeing the words of the Bible—simply the complete listing of the words in the original manuscripts in one place—affirmed the project.
The first time the Bible Words concept emerged from the piles of words spread out in my bedroom, on the bed and overflowing to the floor, it brought me to my knees in thanksgiving. Why? Because the words themselves display the fullness of the Word of God. This collection has been a key resource for me during the completion of the ARTB. It helped me identify missing words and learn more about specific aspects of life in Bible times to understand the Holy Word today.
Bible Words is now available as a Kindle e-book at Amazon for only $.99. You can buy it one time and use it on your phone, computer and tablet for easy reference at this one low price.
My initial greeting sounded more like Christmas. Personally, I'd like to give Bible Words away free to all of the ARTB friends, but 99 cents is the closest to gift pricing I can get. Would you do me a favor? When you take a look at Bible Words at Amazon--if you are blessed--would you click the LIKE button? And would you consider sending out a note to your family and friends via Twitter, Facebook, or forwarding this note (click at the bottom of the page) to get the word out?
Thanks!
A. Frances Werner
Although Bible Words is useful for any Bible version, it is the collection of the vocabulary of the original manuscripts which matches the Ancient Roots Translinear Bible. Because it contains direct links to Wikipedia, it is specifically designed for readers with internet access. There are no plans to print Bible Words in hardcopy.
TO PREVIEW Bible Words: Click this Bible Words link to get you to the site at Amazon, and click the "LOOK INSIDE" mark on the book cover. The site also offers you a sample to download in the second box down on the right side which works if you have a Kindle Reader installed. (You will not be able to pull ALL the references with the sample copy, because it only includes the first portion of the book. But it does give you a feel for the capability.)
DON'T HAVE A KINDLE READER? If you can read this e-mail, you can get Kindle for FREE. Click a link to get the Kindle for PC download for computers, Android tablet app for tablets, or the iPhone, iPad app.
ARTB Bible Blog 2.8.2012, JORDAN RIVER or JORDAN-FORD?
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the JORDAN seven times, and your flesh will return to you cleansed." But Naaman enraged and went saying, ". . . Are not the Barada and El-Awaj rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel? Can I not wash in them to cleanse?" (2 Kings 5:12-14, ARTB)
A note from A. Frances Werner:
Naaman was the leader of the host of the king of Syria, probably the number two man in Syria. He had leprosy, and the king of Syria offered gold, silver and clothing to the king of Israel in exchange for his healing. Elisha the prophet sent him to the JORDAN to wash for his cleansing.
Naaman responded in fury, and his remarks are far more cynical than I first realized. Let me explain.
By far, the major river in Syria is the Euphrates. In fact, if you look on Google Earth, you can see the Euphrates from space. It is THE RIVER in Syria. Naaman is quoting two minor bodies of water, the Barada and El-Awaj, essentially saying that even these small rivers are better than the Jordan. Why?
In the Ancient Roots New Testament, you will see the Jordan referred to as the JORDAN-FORD, which is unusual. In Aramaic, JORDAN is not the name of a river. The body of water is so small it doesn't merit being named anything! Rather, the word means FORD, a small rivulet (from their perspective) that can be crossed on foot most times of the year, except rainy season.
I opted to hyphenate the words in the New Testament text to help the reader gain the Hebrew/Aramaic perspective. The word JORDAN occurs 182 times in the Old Testament, and as in the quote above, is NEVER used in conjunction with the word RIVER. Likewise, occurs 15 times in the New Testament, and is NEVER utilized with the word RIVER in the Aramaic text.
Where in the world do we get the English notion of the JORDAN RIVER? I reflect that some of it comes from worship songs and spirituals which tie the words together, sometimes as the RIVER JORDAN. My brain is hardwired that the name of the river is the JORDAN RIVER, which it indeed is called today. But that is a late development, probably brought by the Greeks. In Mark 1:5, the Greek texts insert the word RIVER after JORDAN, but even in Greek, the remainder of the occurances are simply "JORDAN".
The true Hebrew/Aramaic notion is in agreement with Naaman, that the body of water is less than a RIVER, closer to a FORD.
If you have never used Google Earth, take the time to download it free from the Internet. I highly recommend it. It is a fabulous tool for home schooling, homework, and bible study. Enter your street address and take a peek!
The Ancient Roots New Testament is available at Amazon for $12.95.