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JSmith: Hebrew Bible and Xtian OT

To: alt.magick.tyagi,alt.christnet,talk.religion.misc,alt.religion.christian
From: tyagi@houseofkaos.abyss.com (nagasiva)
Subject: JSmith: Hebrew Bible and Xtian OT
Date: 29 Aug 1996 08:38:29 -0700

[from email: Jeffrey Smith ]

I'm Jewish.  So for me the Bible means what is called in Xtian parlance, 
the Old Testament, or more euphemistically the Hebrew Bible, according to 
the Masoretic text.  The latter is an important point.  There are several 
dozen  places in which the Xtian version diverges seriously from the 
traditional Hebrew, or in which the Xtian translators have adopted 
language that is no borne out by the traditional Hebrew text. Psalm 22 is 
one place that comes to mind:  what the King James Version turns into a 
blow by blow account of a crucifixion (and thus by implication of the 
Nazarene's crucifixion), is in reality a much more poetic description of 
abandonment and despair.   The handiest way of looking at it would be the 
Jewish Publication Society translation, entitled Tanach:  The Holy 
Scriptures, although there are dozens of other sources that would repay 
study.  

I might also add that the Hebrew Bible orders the books differently from 
the Xtian version.  
Torah--Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy
Prophets--Joshua Judges Samuel Kings Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel The Twelve
Writings--Psalms Proverbs Job Song of Songs Ruth Lamentations 
Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra/Nehemiah Chronicles

This ordering gives a different dynamic, as well as subtle differences:  
you will note, for instance, that the Armageddon calculations of Daniel 
are in a different category from the oracles of Jeremiah, and that 
Lamentations is an independent work, not just an appendix to a prophet.
Etc.

I do draw attention like this as a way of poking holes in assumptions and 
cultural training.  Most Thelemites speak of the New Testament as part of 
the Bible, even if they have thrown Xtianity in the garbage; implying 
that 1) the Xtian version is the correct version of the Bible and 2) that 
"Old Testament" and "New Testament" form some sort of united work.   Of 
course, half of the time they don't even  know they are doing it, so used 
are they to the cultural baggage of Xtianity.

  Jeffrey Smith       f901030k@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us
 He must magnify sorrow in his heart, set a tempest whirling in his
 thoughts, and sigh in bitterness of heart.
   -----R. Yonah of Gerona, Gates of Repentance, Gate I, 12
-- 
see http://www.hollyfeld.org/~tyagi/nagasiva.html  and  call: 408/2-666-SLUG!!!
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