Greetings, dear readers!
Today, I’m thrilled to present a captivating book, The Hebrew Yeshua vs. The Greek Jesus: New Light on the Seat of Moses From Shem Tov’s Hebrew Matthew by Dr. Nehemia Gordon. This compelling exploration delves into a Hebrew version of Matthew’s Gospel to cast new light on a passage that has been the subject of extensive debate among New Testament scholars.
Dr. Nehemia Gordon, a distinguished Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and Semitic language expert, embarks on an enlightening journey that contrasts the familiar representation of Yeshua from the Greek text of Matthew with fresh insights gleaned from a Hebrew text of this gospel preserved in a fourteenth-century Jewish polemical treatise Evan Bohan, by a Spanish-Jewish apologist Shem-Tob ben-Shaprut.
Central to this exploration is a unique reading from Shem Tov’s Hebrew Gospel of Matthew that I encountered back in 1995. A notable discrepancy exists in Matthew 23:2-3. Dr. George Howard’s English translation reads, “Upon the seat of Moses, the Pharisees and the sages sit. Now all which (they) say to you keep and do,” but a more accurate translation from the original Hebrew is “Now all which (he) will say to you,” shifting the focus from the Pharisees to Moses.
Upon this discovery, Dr. Howard encouraged me to publish my findings. While initially challenged by publishing constraints, I was able to post my article online. (Read a revised version of the article here). In a fascinating turn of events, Dr. Gordon came across this translation independently and, upon discovering my article, graciously acknowledged my prior discovery in his book, crediting me on pages 49 and 53.
Dr. Gordon’s book presents a balanced, respectful analysis of the dynamics between Yeshua and the Pharisees that takes into account both Jewish and Christian perspectives. It’s about more than differing interpretations—it’s about understanding the context, culture, and language of Yeshua.
Recently, I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with Dr. Gordon, including this unique reading from the Hebrew Gospel of Matthew. I look forward to sharing this enlightening conversation with you once it becomes available.
To dive into these compelling Biblical interpretations, you can purchase The Hebrew Yeshua vs. The Greek Jesus here. This journey offers fresh insights into familiar narratives, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
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