THE OLD TESTAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27197, 28 September 1949, Page 2

THE OLD TESTAMENT

Literature

A NEW VERSION The Holy Bible. Translated by Ronald A. Knox. Vol. 1. GenesisEsther. Burns Oates. 255. In another publication on Bible translations, Mgr. Knox wrote: “For centuries we have been lacking a literary translation . . . for the benefit of the person who wants to be able to read the word of God for 10 minutes on end without laying it aside in sheer boredom or bewilderment.’’ He has endeavoured himself to supply the want and, as in addition to what might be called “ technical ” qualifications, he is something of an artist in words, he has succeeded in producing a version which is not only readable, but also a pleasure to read. Here is the opening of the Book of Genesis:

God, at the beginning of time, created heaven and earth. Earth was still an empty waste, and darkness hung over the deep; but already, over its waters, brooded the spirit of God. Then God said, Let there be light; and the light began.

And here David’s song of thanksgiving in 11 Kings xxii: Shall I not love Thee, Lord, my rock-fastness, my bulwark, my rescuer? It is my God that brings me aid, and gives me confidence. . . . Death’s terrors were near at hand, deep flowed the tide of wickedness, to daunt me; the toils of the grave were all about me, deadly snares had trapped my feet. . . .

Mgr. Knox uses the Latin Vulgate as the basis for his translation. A difficulty arising out of this is the retention of the Latin forms of proper names which are confusing to those who are more acquainted with the Authorised Version, Lia for Leah, Josue for Joshua, Bersabee for Beersheba. The arrangement of the material is important. The volume is printed in large, clear type, and the books are set out in chapters and paragraphs. The numbers of the verses are printed alongside the lines in the margin, for reference purposes.

Not only is the text more readable, but is made more comprehensible by the avoidance of archaisms. A random example is the injunction, “Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk,” which becomes, “Thou shalt not use a kid afor cooking till it is weaned.” Inconsistencies m the narrative are noted and the narrative altered as seems to the translator most probable. It should be noted that the sub-title of the work explains that it was translated “at the request of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster,’’ but it is described “for private use only.” D. G. B.