Introduction to the Translation of the Aramaic Portions of ... · by Armstrong, Busby and Carr. When needed I consulted the Aramaic portion of the Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon by Holliday

Aramaic: Its History, Development and Relationship to Biblical Hebrew

January 2013 Appendix M

Appendix M1

Introduction to the Translation of the Aramaic Portions of the Old Testament

As part of my work on my treatise for my doctor of philosophy degree, I desired to translate through the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament. To that end, what follows is the outworking of my effort.

Notes regarding translation

As has been the goal with many translations, I desired to produce a literal translation, one that faithfully reproduced, as closely as possible, the meaning of the original. Thus, I desired to make a readable translation that was as near as possible a “word for word” translation” (not a “dynamic equivalence” translation, that has been increasingly more popular within the past several years). Further, I desired that this translation be not only an accurate representation of the words involved, but also of the grammar and/or syntax of the Aramaic original. Thus, this translation would be a “word for word as originally ordered” translation. It is hoped that such a translation would be beneficial to the student of Aramaic or to the student of the books of Daniel and/or Ezra in better understanding not only the meaning of the books involved, but also some of the emphasis and “flavor” of the language involved as well2.

At the outset, this was rather difficult, in that much of the Aramaic word order follows a middle-eastern (verb/noun/object, or verb/object/noun) rather than western word

1 This section is Appendix M of the PhD thesis of Lee Carl Finley which was submitted to the doctoral committee of Reformation International Theological Seminary (RITS), of Fellsmere, FL, for consideration. The thesis was entitled: Aramaic: Its History, Development and Relationship to Biblical Hebrew, from Antiquity to the time of the Israelite Monarchy. The thesis was submitted to RITS for approval in September 2012 and was approved by the doctoral committee in October 2012. 2 Subsequent to my translating these portions of scripture, I found the following quote that addresses the type of translation that I am attempted to make. J. A. Thompson, in his commentary, The Book Of Jeremiah, is commenting on the nature and the organization of Jeremiah 10.1-16. Thompson states:

“The text of the passage presents a number of problems. The Hebrew differs from LXX in a number of places. Verses 12-16 occur again in 51.15-19. Verse 11 is in Aramaic. As a result of textual problems commentators have been ready to rearrange the verses into what appears to them to be a more logical and consistent pattern. Such rearrangements are always open to question. Ancient Hebrew logic was not always the same as that of our time; and while there may be some virtue in rearranging the material for the purpose of explaining the passage to a modern audience, we are in danger of destroying an ancient pattern which has its own peculiar emphasis (emphasis mine--lcf). In view of the great variety of attempts to rearrange Jer. 10:1-16 it may be wise to ask whether such attempts are really the right procedure. It may be far better to attempt to make sense of what lies before us in the given text. Apart from the unusual Aramaic insertion in v. 11 it is possible to discern a reasonable pattern in which alternating assertions are made about idols and Yahweh. (J. A. Thompson. The Book Of Jeremiah. Wm B Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, MI. 1980. p. 325).”

What I have italicized above is what I have attempted to do in my translations of the following sections, to convey the “ancient pattern with its own emphasis”--lcf

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order/syntax (noun/verb/object). The resulting translation may, at first read, seem somewhat stilted or awkward. However, given that much of the language of the English-speaking church has as its foundation the Christian scriptures (with their literary and historical background), the seemingly “awkward” word order is still understandable with a modicum of effort on the part of the reader. It is hoped that, once one has become familiar with some of the Aramaic syntax, that the translation may not seem that awkward at all.3

One exception must be noted here. Many of the narrative passages involved here are passages that concern what could be called “running dialogue”, that is, passages that begin, “He said,…then she said…”, etc. Typically (but not exclusively), in Aramaic, the verb order is verb/noun/object. But following this word order in a “running dialogue” context tended to add some ambiguity (or on occasion some dissonance in understanding) to the translation. Thus, for the sake of clarity of the translation, I deviated from the Aramaic word order. Typically such instances are noted in the footnotes. Aside from this one major deviation, I have tried to follow as best I could general Aramaic word order of the text.

The text used for this project is the Masoritic Text found in the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS). I utilized the facile edition (vol 14) which contained Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah. The text of Daniel was the work of W. Baumgartner, and the text of Ezra and Nehemiah being the work of W. Rudolf. The copyright of this edition was 1976.

A note must also be said as to references used while making this translation. By and large, this translation is an original translation. For the most part, other translations were not consulted in the making of this translation--it was my desire to ensure that this translation was my own. However, three reliable translations were used sparingly, if a passage was found to be difficult: The King James Version (KJV), The New King James Version (NKJV) and the New American Standard Bible (NASB).

As to lexical work, my primary reference was the Reader’s Lexicon of the Old Testament, by Armstrong, Busby and Carr. When needed I consulted the Aramaic portion of the Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon by Holliday. I also consulted the vocabulary lists of Larry Mitchel (A Student’s Vocabulary for Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, Zondervan/ Academie Books), and the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Moody Press). Although there have been great strides in the fields of comparative linguistics in recent years, I grant that more could be done in this area. However, I felt that detailed lexical and/or entomological study was beyond the scope of this work (and the skill of this translator).

It was not my desire nor intent to try to “re-invent” much of the lexical work that has gone before. Although there is still need for lexical study in various areas of Aramaic (e.g.--the legal/governmental terms used of various officials) it is beyond the scope of this work to pursue this avenue of study.

3 this translation, in turn, may be called a form of “metaphrase” translation. For a fuller explanation of metaphrase as explained by William H.C. Propp in his commentary on Exodus, see Appendix N.

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Notes regarding the manuscript

As to the manuscript itself, a few comments are in order. First, the manuscript was translated in paragraph form, basically following the divisions within the Aramaic text. The verse numbering itself is found to the left of the text, with bold text indicating a paragraph division. Further, the verse numbering follows the Aramaic versification. When there is a discrepancy between the Aramaic and the English numbering, the Aramaic numbering is followed with the English numbering being found in parentheses. For example:

Daniel 4.2-4 Aramaic (Daniel 4.5-7 English)2(5) A dream I saw and I was made afraid, and the fantasies while on my bed and the

visions of my head, they were alarming me. 3(6) And from me a command was given to bring before me all the wise (men) of

Babylon, that the interpretation of the dream they might make known to me. 4(7) Then they came, the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans and astrologers, and

the dream I was saying before them, but the interpretation they were not making known to me.

Poetic sections within the Aramaic text, as identified by the BHS, have been indented for ease of identification. See below:

Daniel 7.23-2623 Then he said regarding the fourth beast:

‘The fourth kingdom will be in the earth, (one) that will be different from all the kingdoms.

And it will consume all the earth and it will trample it down and it will Shatter it in pieces

24 And the ten hornsFrom this kingdom ten kingdoms will arise and another will arise after

them. And it will be different from the ones before, and three kings it will

Bring low. 25 And words against the Most High he will speak, and the holy ones of the

Most High he will wear down. And he will strive to change times and law, And they will be given into his hand unto time, times and half a time

26 And the court will sit, and its dominion will be taken away, to exterminate and to destroy unto the end.

Further, every effort has been made to represent the Aramaic text, and that text alone, in the translation. However, at times, it was needful to insert a word or phrase for clarity. In such an instance, the non-textual inserted word is included in the text via parentheses, as follows:

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Daniel 2.12-1312 Therefore the king became angry and was wroth exceedingly, and he

commanded to destroy all the wise (men) of Babylon. 13 And the law went out and the wise (men) were being killed, and they sought

Daniel and his companions to kill (them).

Numerous footnotes have been inserted within the text. Typically, these footnotes denote either a literal reading (one that may sound “odd” to our western ear), or may denote an alternate reading. Other items, such as word order, or suggestions for further study may be found here as well. Note as follows:

Daniel 7.15-1615 Distraught was my spirit, I, Daniel, on account of this4 and the visions of my head

were alarming me. 16 I approached unto one from those standing (there) and the truth I was seeking

from him concerning all this, and he spoke5 to me, and the interpretation of the matter6 he made known unto me.

It is hoped that this translation will further one’s appreciation of the biblical books involved and further one’s desire to understand the Aramaic behind these passages, and ultimately be a cause of praise unto God for the matters there presented.

Lee Carl FinleyMarch 8, 2010June 19, 2010-revOctober 23, 2010--revise/combine

4 lit, “…in the midst of the sheath.” Possibly the text is corrupted at this point. Cf commentaries. 5 lit, “said”6 the term is plural in the original.

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Translation of the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel

2.1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams and his spirit was disturbed and his sleep fled from him.

2 And he said, the king, to call7 to the magicians and to the conjurers and to the sorcerers and to the Chaldeans, to declare to the king his dream. And they came and stood before the king.

3 And he said to them, the king, “A dream I have dreamed, and troubled was my spirit to know the dream.”

4 And they spoke, the Chaldeans, to the king in Aramaic8, “O king, Forever live! Tell the dream to your servants and the interpretation we will declare.”

5 The king answered and said9 to the Chaldeans, “The matter from me is firm. If you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be cut into pieces10 and your houses into a refuge heap will be turned.

6 And if the dream and its interpretation you will reveal (to me), a gift and a reward and honour great you will receive before me. Therefore the dream and its interpretation declare to me!”

7 They answered a second time and said, “O king, the dream may he tell to his servants and its interpretation we will declare”.

8 The king answered and said, “From a truth knowing am I that time you are buying because you see that firm from me is the word11.

9 For if the dream you do not make known to me, one verdict there is to you. A word, false and corrupt, you have agreed to say before me until the time is changed. Therefore, the dream tell me and I will know that its interpretation you have made known to me.”

10 And the Chaldeans answered before the king, and they said, “There is not a man upon the earth that the word12 of the king is able to make known, because every king, chief or lord a matter such as this has not asked to every magician, conjurer or Chaldean.

11 The word which the king is asking is difficult, and another there is none13 that will make it known before the king, except (the) gods, whose dwellings are not with flesh.”

12 Therefore the king became angry and was wroth exceedingly, and he commanded14 to destroy all the wise (men) of Babylon.

13 And the law went out and the wise (men) were being killed15, and they sought Daniel and his companions to kill (them).

7 or, summon8 beginning of Aramaic section of the book of Daniel9 Lit--“Answered the king (did) and said…”. The Aramaic here reflects the common construction of “he answered and said…” or, “answered he (did) and said…” and is a common narrative device in Aramaic utilized throughout the book of Daniel. 10 lit--”limbs you will be made (into)”11 or, decree12 or, matter13 lit-- “another there is not that will make known…”14 lit--said15 or, were to be killed

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14 Then Daniel returned (with) counsel and discretion to Arioch, captain of the guardsmen of the king, who had gone out to kill the wise (men) of Babylon.

15 And he answered and said to Arioch, the captain of the king, “Over what16 is the decree harsh from before the king?” Then the matter Arioch made known to Daniel.

16 Then Daniel went in and sought from the king that time would be given to him17

and18 the interpretation (he would) declare to the king.

17 Then Daniel went to his house and to Hananiah, Mishael and Ezeriah his companions the matter he made known

18 and to seek compassion19 from before the God of the heavens concerning this secret, that they would not be destroyed20, Daniel and his companions, with the remainder of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then, to Daniel, in a21 of the night the secret was revealed. Then Daniel blessed The God of the heavens.

20 And Daniel answered and said, May the name of God be blessed from eternity to eternity, for wisdom

and might are to Him. 21 He changes the times and the seasons22, removing kings and exalting

kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the ones knowing

understanding. 22 He reveals the deep things and the hidden things, He knows what is in

the dark, and the light with Him abides. 23 To you, God of my fathers, praising and lauding am I, for wisdom and

strength you have given to me. And now, You have made known to me that which I have sought from

You, for the matter of the king You have made known to us. 24 Then Daniel went into Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise

(men) of Babylon. And he went and thus he said to him, “The wise (men) of Babylon, do not destroy! Bring me before the king and the interpretation to the king I will declare.”

25 Then Arioch, in haste, brought Daniel before the king and thus he said unto him, “I have found a man from the sons of the exile of Judah that the interpretation to the king will make known.”

26 And the king answered and said to Daniel, whose name23 was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I saw and its interpretation?”

27 And Daniel answered before the king and he said, “The secret that the king is

16 or, why17 or, he would give to him18 or, that19 lit, “…and compassion to seek…”20 lit, “that they would not destroy Daniel and his companions”21 lit, “the vision”22 lit, “the times”23 lit, “the name of him was…”

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asking no wise (men), conjurers, magicians or astrologers are able to reveal to the king.

28 Nevertheless, there is a God in the heavens who reveals secrets and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. The dream and the visions of your head on your bed were this:

29 “You, O king, your thoughts on your bed were coming up, what would be after this, and the Revealer of Secrets made known to you what would be.

30 And as to me24, not in the wisdom that is in me (more) than all (men) living, was this secret revealed to me, but (rather) in order that the interpretation to the king will be made known and (that) the thoughts of your heart you may know.

31 You, O king, were seeing25, and behold, a great image--this image was great and the surpassing splendor was rising before you, and its appearance was terrible.

32 That image--its head of pure gold, its breast and its arms silver, its stomach and its thighs of bronze,

33 its legs of iron, its feet, part of them (were) of iron and part of them of clay. 34 You were looking until a stone was cut out, not with hands, and it smote the image

on its feet of iron and clay and it crushed them. 35 Then they broke, as one, into pieces--the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and

the gold and they became as chaff from the threshing floor of summer and the wind lifted them, and (in) every place they could not be found26. And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and it filled all the earth.

36 This (is) the dream, and the interpretation we will (now) say before the king.

37 You, O king, (are) the king of kings27, for the God of the heavens, kingdom, power and might and honor has given to you.

38 Wherever they are dwelling, the sons of men, beast of the field, or the bird of the heavens, He has given (all) into your hand, and He has made you a ruler over all of them. You are the head of gold.

39 After you a kingdom will arise inferior to you28, and a kingdom, a third, another, of bronze, that will rule in all the earth.

40 And a fourth kingdom (will arise and) be strong as iron, because iron crushes and shatters all these , and as iron that crushes, all these it will break in pieces and crush.

41 And that you saw the feet and the toes, part of them (were) clay of the potter and part of them iron, a divided kingdom it will be, and from the strength of iron will be in it, because you saw the iron mixed with clay29.

42 And the toes of the feet, part of them (were) iron and part of them clay, part of the kingdom will be strong and part of the kingdom will be fragile.

43 Then you saw the iron mixed with wet clay, (it) will be mixed in the seed of men, and they will not cling to one another30, as iron is not mixing with clay.

24 lit, “and I,…”25 or, looking26 lit, “one could not find them”27 lit, “king of the kings”28 lit, “to the earth from you”29 or, wet clay30 lit, “this to this”

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44 In the days of those kings the God of the heavens will raise up a kingdom that unto eternity will not be destroyed and (that) kingdom to another people will not be left. It will crush and it will put an end to all of these kingdoms and it will endure to eternity.

45 Because you saw that, from a mountain, a stone was cut not with hands and it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will be after this, and certain is the dream, and trustworthy is its interpretation.”

46 Then king Nebuchadnezzar fell in his face, and to Daniel he gave homage and an offering and incense he declared to pour out for him.

47 The king answered and said, “Truly31 your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a Revealer of secrets, for you were able to reveal this secret.”

48 Then the king exalted Daniel, and many great gifts he gave to him, and he made him ruler over all the province of Babylon and captain of the prefects over the all the wise (men) of Babylon.

49 And Daniel sought from the king and he appointed over the administration of Babylon Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego. And Daniel was in the court of the king.

3.1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold; its height was 60 cubits, its breadth six cubits. He erected it in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

2 And Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, the governors, the counselors, the ministers, the judges, the officials and the rulers of the province to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had erected.

3 Then they assembled, the satraps, the prefects, the governors, the counselors, the ministers, the judges, the officials and the rulers of the province to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had erected.

4 And the herald called loudly32, “To you it is said33, o peoples, o nations, o (men of every) tongue34!

5 In the time that you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, (the) lyre, the trigon, (the) psaltery, (the) bagpipe and all kinds of music, you shall fall and you shall give homage to the image of gold that Nebuchadnezzar the king erected.

6 Whoever will not fall down and give homage, in that very moment35 he will be cast into the midst of the furnace of burning fire36”.

7 Thereupon, in that very moment, when they heard, all peoples, the sound of the horn, the flute, (the) lyre, the trigon, (the) psaltery and all kinds of music, they fell down, all peoples, all nations and (men of every) tongue, giving homage to the image of gold that Nebuchadnezzar the king had erected.

8 Then, in that time, (certain) men approached, Chaldeans, and they accused

31 lit, “of a truth (it is) that…”32 lit, “in strength”33 lit, “saying”34 lit, “o tongues” And thus throughout the chapter. 35 lit, “in it, the moment”36 lit, “in the midst of the furnace of fire, the burning (one)”. And thus throughout the chapter.

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maliciously37 the Jews. 9 And they answered and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, “O king, to eternity live!10 You, o king, have given38 a command that every man that hears the sound of the

horn, the flute, (the) lyre, the trigon, (the) psaltery, (the) bagpipe and all kinds of music, he shall fall down and he shall give homage to the image of gold.

11 Whoever does not fall down and give homage, he shall be cast into the midst of the furnace burning with fire.

12 There are men, Jews, whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon--Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego--these men do not give, concerning you, o king, a thought--your gods not serving and to the image of gold that you erected not giving homage.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in anger and rage, commanded to bring Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego. Then, these men they brought before the king.

14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego, (that) my gods you do not serve and to the image of gold that I erected you do not give homage?

15 Now, if you are ready, that in the time when you will hear the sound of the horn, the flute, (the) lyre, the trigon, (the) psaltery, (the) bagpipe and all kinds of music, you will fall down and you will give homage to the image that I made. And if you will not give homage in that moment, you will be cast into the midst of the furnace of burning fire. For what god39 (is there) that will deliver you from my hand?”

16 Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, no need have we of account of this a word to return to you.

17 If it is (so), our God that we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of burning fire and from your hand He will deliver.

18 And if not, may it be known to you, o king, that your gods we will not serve and to the image of gold that you erected we will not give homage.”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage and the image of his face was altered concerning Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego. He answered and said to heat the furnace seven times over that which it was customary to heat it.

20 And to men, mighty in strength that were in his army, he commanded to bind Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego (in order) to cast them (into) the burning fire.

21 Then these men were bound in their mantles, their coats, and their hats and their (other) garments, and they were cast into the midst of the furnace of burning fire.

22 Therefore, because the word of the king (was) severe, the furnace being heated extremely, these men, that took up Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego were killed, they (by) the flame of the fire.

23 And these three men, Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of burning fire, being bound.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was startled and he arose in haste. He answered and said to his royal officials, “Did we not cast three men into the midst of the fire,

37 lit, “ate the pieces of”38 lit, “placed”39 lit, “for who is a god who…”

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bound?” They answered and said to the king, “Certainly, o king!”25 He answered and said, “Behold, I am seeing four men, loosed, walking in the midst

of the fire, and there is no injury in them40, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar drew near to the door of the furnace of burning fire, he answered and said, “O Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego! Servants of the most high God! Come out and come (here)!” then they came out, Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego, from the midst of the fire.

27 and they assembled, the satraps, the prefects and the governors and the royal officials of the ling, examining41 these men whose bodies were not burnt by the fire42 and the hair of their heads was not singed and their mantels were not changed and the smell of fire did not touch43 them.

28 And Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed (be) the God of Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego, who sent His angel and delivered His servants who relied on Him and the word of the king violated and they gave their bodies that they would not serve and they would not give homage to any god except their God.

29 And from me a command is given that every people, nation, or (men of every) tongue that speaks negligence against the God of Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego, (into) pieces they will be made and their house (into) a pile will be made, because there is no other god that is able to deliver as this.”

30 Then the king made Shadrack, Meshack and Abed-Nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.

31(1)44 “Nebuchadnezzar the king: to all peoples, nations, and (men of every) language, who dwell in all the earth, may your peace grow great!45

32(2) The signs and the wonders which He has done46 with me, the highest God, it seemed proper to declare,

33(3) His signs how great and His wonders how mighty!His kingdom (is) an everlasting kingdom and His dominion (is) with

generation to generation47. 4.1(4) I, Nebuchadnezzar, at ease, was in my house, and flourishing in my palace. 2(5) A dream I saw and I was made afraid, and the fantasies while on my bed and the

visions of my head, they were alarming me. 3(6) And from me a command was given to bring before me all the wise (men) of

Babylon, that the interpretation of the dream they might make known to me. 4(7) Then they came, the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans and astrologers, and

the dream I was saying before them, but the interpretation they were not making known to me.

40 lit, “and injury there is not in them…”41 lit, “seeing”42 lit, “these men, that the fire had no power in (or, against) their bodies.”43 lit, “go on them’44 The Aramaic and the English verse numbering differ at this point. The Aramaic verse numbering is first, with the English verse numbering being found in parentheses. 45 lit, “your peace, may it grow great”46 lit, “did”47 that is, “in every generation”. (Cf Rosenthal. p. 36, sec. 83)

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5(8) And at last Daniel came up before me [whose name (was) Belteshazzar according to the name of my god, and in whom the spirit of the holy gods (was)], and the dream before him I said,

6(9) ‘O Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, concerning whom I know that the spirit of the holy gods (is) in you, and every secret does not distress you.

7(10) (These are) the visions of my head (while) on my bed. Looking I was: And behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.

8(11) The tree grew up and became strong and its height extended to the heavens,

and its sight to the ends of the earth. 9(12) Its leaves (were) fair and its fruit great and food for all (was) in it.

Under it the beasts of the field had shade48 and in its boughs were dwelling the birds of the heavens

And from it was fed all flesh10(13) And I kept looking49 in the visions of my head on my bed. And behold, an

(angelic) watcher, (even) an holy one, from the heavens, was coming down. 11(14) And he cried strongly and thus he said,

“Hew down the tree and cut off its boughs; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.

Flee shall the beast from under it and the birds from the boughs. 12(15) Nevertheless, the stock of its roots in the earth leave

even50 with a band of iron and bronze in the grass of the fieldand with the dew of the heavens it shall be wet, and with the beast (will

be) his portion, with the herbs of the earth. 13(16) And his heart, from a man, will be transformed, and the heart of a beast

will be given him. And seven times will pass over him.

14(17) By the decree of the (angelic) watchers (is) the decree, and (by) theword of the holy ones (is) the matter,

That they may know, the living, that a ruler is the Most High in the kingdoms of men, and to whomever He wishes he gives it, and the lowly of men He raises over it.”

15(18)‘This (was) the dream I saw, I, king Nebuchadnezzar. And now, O Belteshazzar, its interpretation say (to me), because all the wise (men) of my kingdom are not able the interpretation to make known to me.’

16(19)“Then Daniel, whose name (was) Belteshazzar, was appalled that very moment51

and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, ‘O Belteshazzar, the dream and its interpretation, may they not alarm you!’ Belteshazzar answered and said, ‘My lord! The dream to those who hate you! And its interpretation to your enemies!

17(20)The tree that you saw, that grew and became strong, and its height was reaching towards the heavens, and its sight (was) to the whole earth,

18(21)and its leaves (were) fair and its fruit great and food for all (was) in it, and under it

48 lit, “under it, (they had shade), the beasts”49 lit, “and seeing was I”50 lit, “and”51 lit, “according to the one moment”

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was dwelling the beast of the field, and in its boughs were dwelling the birds of the heavens--

19(22)It is you, o king52, for you have grown and become strong, and your might has grown and reached to the heavens, and your dominion to the ends53 of the earth.

20(23)And that you saw, o king, a watcher, even54 a holy one, coming down from the heavens and saying, “Hew down the tree and destroy it. Nevertheless, the stock of its roots in the earth leave, even with a band of iron and bronze in the herbs of the field, and with the dew of the heavens it shall be wet, and with the beast of the field (is) his portion until seven times shall pass over him.”

21(24)This is the interpretation, o king, and the decree of the Most High is this, for it has reached to my lord the king.

22(25)And you will be driven away55 from mankind and with the beast of the field will be your dwelling place, and the herb as the bulls to you will be given56, and from the dew of the heavens you will be wetted57, and seven times will pass over you until you will know that a ruler (is) the Most High in the kingdoms of mankind, and to whomever he wishes he will give it.

23(26)And that they said to leave the stock of its root of the tree, your kingdom for you (is) enduring, from that58, you will know that powerful are the heavens.

24(27)Therefore, o king, my advice, may it be seemly before you; and your sins, in righteousness, break off; and your iniquities, in being merciful to (the) poor, if there may be a lengthening to your prosperity.’

25(28)All this came upon Nebuchadnezzar the king.”

26(29)“At the end of twelve months, on (the roof of) the royal palace59 that was in Babylon, walking was (the king)60.

27(30)The king answered and said, ‘is not this Babylon the great, that I have built, a royal house, by the might of my power and to the honor of my majesty?’

28(31)Still was the word in the mouth of the king, (when) a voice from the heavens fell, ‘To you it is said, O Nebuchadnezzar the king, your kingdom has passed from you.

29(32)From mankind you will be61 chased away62 and with the beast of the field (will be) your dwelling place; with the herb, as the bulls, you will be fed63, and seven times will pass over you until you will know that a ruler is the Most High in the kingdom of men, and to whomever he wishes he will give it.’

30(33)In that moment, the word was fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar and from mankind he was chased away, and the herb, like the bulls, he was eating, and from the dew of the heavens his body was wetted, until his hair, as the eagles (hair) grew and his

52 lit, “you are the king”, or possibly, “you are this king”53 lit, “end”54 lit, “and”55 lit, “and to you driving from man (will be)”56 lit, “they will give”57 lit, “from the dew of the heavens to you (will be) wetting”58 or, “after that,” or, “so that,” or, “because.”59 or possibly, “the palace of kingship”60 lit, “on the royal palace…walking was he”61 or, “are being”62 lit, “to you there will be chasing”63 lit, “they will feed to you”

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nails (became) as the birds.”

31(34)“At the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, my eyes to the heavens I lifted and my knowledge to me returned, and to the Most High I blessed and the One living forever I praised and I glorified:

For his dominion (is) a dominion eternal and His kingdom from generation to generation.

32(35) And all those dwelling on the earth as nothing are accounted, and according to His desire He does64 in the army of the heavens

And (in) those dwelling on earthAnd there is none that will smite His hand and will say to Him, ‘What have

You done?’33(36)In that time my knowledge was returning to me and the honor of my kingdom, my

majesty and my splendor was returning to me, and for me my royal officials and my nobles were seeking, and over my kingdom I was established and pre-eminent greatness was added to me.

34(37)Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, am praising and extolling and glorifying the King of the heavens, for all His works (are) truth and His ways justice, and that those walking in pride he is able to bring low.”

5.1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his nobles65 and before them wine he was drinking.

2 Belshazzar commanded , in consuming the wine, to bring the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had brought out66 from the temple that was in Jerusalem and they would drink from them, the king and his nobles, his consorts and his concubines.

3 Then they brought the vessels of gold that were brought out67from the temple that (was) the house of God that (was) in Jerusalem, and they drank from them, the king and his nobles, his consorts and his concubines.

4 they drank the wine, and they praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.

5 In that moment there came fingers of a hand of a man and they were writing before the candlestick on the plaster of the wall of the palace, and the king seeing the part68 of the hand that was writing.

6 Then the king his countenance changed with regard to him(self), and his thoughts were alarming him, and the joints of his loins were loosening and his knees, the one and the other, (were) knocking.

7 The king called loudly69 to bring the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the astrologers. The king answered and said to the wise (men) of Babylon, “Every man who will declare this writing and its interpretation will make known to me, purple they will

64 lit, “is doing”65 lit, “for his nobles, a thousand”66 lit, “that he brought out, Nebuchadnezzar his father, from the temple…” 67 lit, “the vessels of gold that they brought out…” 68 lit, “palm”, but see lexicons, commentaries, etc. 69 lit, “in strength”

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wear, and a70 necklace of gold (will be placed) on his neck, and the third71 of the kingdom he will rule.”

8 Then went in all the wise (men) of the king, and they were not able the writing to declare nor the interpretation to make known to the king.

9 Then the king, Belshazzar, (was) greatly alarmed and his countenance was changing over him and his nobles (were) perplexed.

10 The queen, because the word of the king and his nobles to the house of feasting went. The Queen answered and said, “O king, to eternity live! May your thoughts not trouble you, and your countenance, may it not change!

11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom (is) a spirit of the holy gods, and in the days of your father illumination and insight and wisdom, as the wisdom of gods, was found in him, and king Nebuchadnezzar, your father, the captain of the magicians, conjurers, Chaldeans (and) astrologers your father the king appointed him,

12 because a preeminent spirit and knowledge and insight to interpret dreams and to make known riddles, and to solve knots72 was found in him, in Daniel, to whom the king gave the name Belteshazzar. Now, may daniel be called and the interpretation he will make known!”

13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Are you Daniel, who (is) from the sons of the exile of Judah that the king, my father, brought from Judah?

14 And I have heard concerning you, that a spirit of the gods (is) in you, and illumination and insight and preeminent wisdom has been found in you.

15 And now, they were brought before me, the wise (men) and the conjurers, that this writing they might declare, and its interpretation to make known to me, and they were not able, the interpretation of the writing73, to make known.

16 and I have heard concerning you, that you are able interpretations to interpret and knots to loosen. Now, if you are able the writing to declare and its interpretation to make known to me, purple you will wear and a necklace of gold (will be placed) on your neck, and the third of the kingdom you will rule.”

17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “May your gifts be to you74, and your rewards to another give. Nevertheless, the writing I will declare to the king, and the interpretation I will make it known.

18 You, O king! God Most High, the kingdom and greatness and honor and majesty gave to Nebuchadnezzar your father.

19 From the greatness that He gave to him, all peoples, nations and (men of every) tongue were trembling and fearing before75 him, for whomever he was pleased he killed, and whomever he was pleased he spared76, and whom ever he was

70 lit, “the necklace” in Aramaic71 see textual critical notes, commentaries, etc. for exact meaning. And thus throughout the remainder of the chapter. 72 I.e.--difficult problems/issues73 lit, “word”74 lit, “your gifts, they will be to you”75 lit, “from before”76 lit, “was keeping alive”

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pleased he was exalting, and whomever he was pleased he was bringing low. 20 As soon as his heart was lifted up and his spirit grew arrogant to act haughtily, he

was disposed from the throne of his kingdom, and honor was taken77 from him. 21 And from the sons of me he was cased away, and his heart, like an animal was

made, and with the wild ass (was) his dwelling place, (with) the herb, as the bulls, he was fed78, and with the dew of the heavens his body was wetted, until he knew that mighty (was) the God Most High in the kingdom of the heavens, and to whomever He would please he would appoint over it.

22 And you, his son, O Belshazzar, you did not humble your heart, although all this you knew.

23 Against the Lord of the heavens you have risen and the vessels of His house were brought79 before you, and you and your nobles, your consorts and your concubines, this80 wine you were drinking in them, and the gods of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone, that are not seeing and not hearing and not knowing, you have praised, and the God in whose hand is your breath 81 and all your ways, Him you have not glorified.

24 Then, from before Him, He sent the palm of a hand and this writing was written. 25 This (is) the writing that was written: Mene, Mene, Teqel, and Pharsin. 26 This (is) the interpretation of the word: Mene--God has numbered your kingdom

and it is finished. 27 Teqel--you have been weighed in the balance and you have been found wanting. 28 Peres--your kingdom has been broken an it has been given to the Medes and

Persians.”

29 Then Belshazzar spoke and they clothed Daniel (with) purple and the necklace of gold (they placed) on his neck, and they made proclamation regarding him, that he was to be a ruler of the third of82 the kingdom.

30 In that very night, he was killed, Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans. 6.1(31)83 And Darius, the Mede received the kingdom, being sixty-two years old84.

2(1) Seemly (it was) before Darius that he appoint 120 satraps that would be over all the kingdom.

3(2) Over these (he appointed) three overseers, of which Daniel (was) one, that the satraps would be giving report to them the report, that the king would not be suffering loss.

4(3) Then this Daniel was distinguishing himself over the overseers and the satraps, because an extraordinary spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.

77 lit, “they took away the honor from him”78 lit, “they were feeding him”79 lit, “they brought”80 lit, “the wine”81 lit, “your breath (is) in His hand”82 lit, “in”83 The Aramaic and the English verse numbering differ at this point. The Aramaic verse numbering is first, with the English verse numbering being found in parentheses. 84 lit, “as the son (of) sixty-two years”

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5(4) Then the overseers and the satraps began85 seeking a matter to find against Daniel with regards to the kingdom86, and every matter and fault they were not able to find against87 him.

6(5) Then these men were saying, “We will not find, against this Daniel, any matter, except we find (it) against him in the law of his God.”

7(6) Then these overseers and the satraps stormed in before the king and thus they were saying to him,

8(7)“O Darius, to eternity live! All the overseers of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the royal officials and the governors have counseled together to establish a statute of the king, even88 to make a prohibition, that all who will seek a petition from every god or man, for 30 days, except from you, o king, he shall be cast to the pit of the lions.

9(8) Now, o king, may you establish the prohibition and inscribe the document that it may not be altered89, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, that it will not pass away.”

10(9) Thereupon, king Darius inscribed the writing and the prohibition.

11(10) And Daniel, when he knew that the writing was inscribed, went to his house, and (the) windows being upon it, in its upper room, facing Jerusalem, and three times that day (Daniel was) kneeling on his knees and praying and praising before his God, because he was doing, from former times, this.

12(11)Then these men stormed in and they found Daniel seeking and imploring favor from before his God.

13(12)Then they approached and said before the king, concerning the prohibition of the king, “Did not you inscribe a prohibition that every man that would seek, from every god or man, for 30 days, except from you, he shall be cast to the pit of the lions?” The king answered and said, “True (is) the word, according to the law of the Medes and Persians.”

14(13)Then, they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who (is) from the sons of the exile of Judah, has not considered you, o king, nor your prohibition that you inscribed, and three times this day (he was) seeking his petition.”

15(14)Then the king, when this word he heard, (it) was very displeasing90 to him, and concerning Daniel, he set (his) mind to rescue him, and unto the setting of the sun he was striving to deliver him.

16(15)Then these men stormed in to the and they said to the king, “Know o king, that (according to) the law of the Medes and Persians, that every prohibition and statute that the king will establish, none is to alter.”

17(16)Then the king commanded and they brought Daniel and they cast (him) into the pit of the lions. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you are serving, continually, He will deliver you.”

18(17)And a stone was brought and it was placed on the mouth of the pit, and the king

85 lit, “were seeking”86 lit, “from the side of the kingdom”87 or, “on him”, or, “in him”88 lit, “and”89 or, “that there may be none to alter”90 or, “was very evil to (or, on) him”

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sealed it with his signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, that not a thing would be changed regarding Daniel91.

19(18)Then went the king to his palace and he passed the night in hunger, and entertainment92 he brought not before him, and his sleep fled from him.

20(19)Then the king, in the dawn, he arose with93 the light, and in haste to the pit of the lions he went.

21(20)And when94 he approached the pit, to Daniel, in a pained voice he cried. The king answered and said, “Daniel, Daniel, servant of the living God! Your God, whom you are serving continually, was He able to rescue you from the lions?”

22(21)Then Daniel, with the king was speaking, “O king, to eternity live!”23(22)My God sent His angel and shut the mouth of the lions and they have not hurt me,

because before Him, innocence was found in me, and also before you, o king, a crime I have not committed.”

24(23)Then (to) the king, it was vey good to him, and regarding Daniel, he commanded to bring (him) up form the pit. And they brought Daniel up from the pit, and any 95

harm was not found in him for he believed96 in his God. 25(24)And the king commanded and they brought these men that maliciously accused 97

Daniel, and to the pit of the lions they cast them, their sons and their wives. And they did not reach the bottom of the pit until they, the lions, fell upon them. And all their bones they crushed.

26(25)Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and (men of every) tongue that dwell in every land,

27(26)”May your prosperity grow great! From before me (there) was appointed a command that in every dominion of my kingdom there will be trembling and fearing from before the God of Daniel,

For He (is) the God--living and enduring to eternityAnd His kingdom will not be destroyed and His dominion (is) unto the

end. 28(27) Who rescues and delivers and does signs and wonders in the heavens

and in the earth, Who delivered Daniel from the hand of the lions.”

29(28)And this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

91 lit, “that it would not be changed, a thing, regarding Daniel.”92 meaning uncertain. See lexicons, commentaries, etc.93 or, in the light94 or, as soon as95 lit, “all” or “every”96 or, “trusted in”97 lit, “ate the pieces of”

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7.1 In the first year of Belshazzar, King of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream98 even99 visions of his head on his bed. Then the dream he wrote, the summary of the words100

saying101, 2 “Daniel answered and said, ‘Looking was I, in visions in102 the night. And behold,

(the) four winds103 of the heavens (were) breaking forth to104 the great sea, 3 and four great beasts coming up from the sea, being different one from the

other105. 4 The first (was) as a lion, and wings of an eagle (were) on it. Seeing I was until they

were plucked, the wings, and it was lifted from the earth, and on its feet, as a man, it was set up, and the heart of a man was given to it.

5 And behold, a beast, another, a second, like a bear, and to one side it was raised up, and three ribs (were) in its mouth between its teeth, and thus it was said106 to it, ‘Arise! Eat much flesh!’

6 After this, seeing I was, and behold, another, as a leopard, and to it (were) four wings of a bird on its back, and four heads (were) to the beast, and dominion was given to it.

7 After this, seeing I was in the visions of the night. And behold, a beast, a fourth (one), dreadful and terrible and exceedingly strong, and great teeth of iron (were) to it, eating and destroying even107 the remainder with its feet it trampled, and it was different from all the beasts that (were) before it, and ten horns (were) to it.

8 Considering I was the horns, and behold, another horn, small, came up from between them, and three of the horns, the first (ones), were rooted up from before it. And behold, eyes as the eyes of a man (were) in this horn, and a mouth speaking great (things).

9 Looking was I: Until thrones were set up and the Ancient108 of Days sat. His garment (was) as snow, white, and the hair of His head as wool, pure. His throne (was as) flames of fire, its wheels fire burning.

10 A river of fire (was) flowing and going out from before Him. Thousands of thousands were attending Him, and myriad of myriads

before Him were standing. The council of judges sat, and the books were opened.

11 Looking was I, then, because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. Looking was I until it was killed, the beast, and its body was destroyed, and it was given to the burning of fire.

12 And the remainder of the beasts, their dominion was taken away109, and a

98 lit, “Daniel, a dream he saw”99 lit, “and”100 or possibly, “the beginning of the words”. Lit, “the head of the words”. See commentaries. 101 lit, “he said”102 or, “through”. Lit, “with”103 or, “spirits”104 or, “on”105 lit, “this from this”106 or, they were saying. Lit, saying”. 107 lit, “and”108 lit, “old”, “aged”; and so throughout the chapter109 lit, “…of the beasts, they took away their dominion…”

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lengthening of110 their lives was given to them until a time and season. 13 Looking was I in the visions of the night:

And behold! With the clouds of the heavens (One) as the Son of Man was coming.

And unto the Ancient of Days He approached, and before Him He was brought near111.

14 And to Him was given a dominion and honor and kingship. And all peoples, nations and (men of) every tongue were serving Him112. His dominion (is) a dominion eternal that will not pass away, And His kingship (is one) that will not be destroyed.

15 Distraught was my spirit, I, Daniel, on account of this113 and the visions of my head were alarming me.

16 I approached unto one from those standing (there) and the truth I was seeking from him concerning all this, and he spoke114 to me, and the interpretation of the matter115 he made known unto me.

17 ‘These great beasts, which are four, (are) four kingdoms (that) will arise from the earth.

18 But they will receive a kingdom, the saints of the Most High, and they will possess the kingdom unto eternity, even unto the eternity of eternities.’

19 then I desired to make certain regarding the fourth beast that was being different116 from all of them, exceedingly terrible, its teeth of iron and its nails of bronse, eating, crushing, and the remainder, with its feet, it trampled,

20 and regarding the ten horns that (were) on its head, and (of the) other 117 that came up and they fell from before it, three (of them), and this horn even118 having eyes, and a mouth speaking great things, and its appearance greater than its companions.

21 Looking was I, and this horn made war with the holy ones, and it overpowered them,

22 until He came, the ancient of Days, and judgment He gave for th eholy ones of the Most High, and the time arrived and the kingdom they possessed, the holy ones.

23 Then he said regarding the fourth beast: ‘The fourth kingdom will be in the earth, (one) that will be different from

all the kingdoms. And it will consume all the earth and it will trample it down and it will

Shatter it in pieces24 And the ten horns

From this kingdom ten kingdoms will arise and another will arise after them.

110 lit, “in”111 lit, “…they brought Him near.” 112 lit, “…every tongue Him were serving.” 113 lit, “…in the midst of the sheath.” Possibly the text is corrupted at this point. Cf commentaries. 114 lit, “said”115 the term is plural in the original. 116 or, “differing” 117 lit, “another”118 lit, “and”

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And it119 will be different from the ones before, and three kings it will Bring low.

25 And words against the Most High he will speak, and the holy ones of the Most High he will wear down.

And he will strive to change times and law, And they will be given into his hand unto time, times and half a time

26 And the court will sit, and its dominion will be taken away120, to exterminate and to destroy unto the end.

27 And the kingdom121 and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under all the heaven

Will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most HighHis kingdom (will be) a kingdom eternal, and all the dominions Him will

they serve and (Him) will they obey.’28 And here is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, my thoughts were very troubling to me

and my complexion, it changed on me, and the matter in my heart I kept.” 122

119 or, “he”120 lit, “they will take away”121 or, “kingship”122 The Aramaic section of Daniel concludes with verse 28 of chapter 7

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Translation of the Aramaic portions of the book of Ezra

4.7 And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam wrote, (along with) Mithredath, Tabheel and the remainder of their colleagues, unto Artaxerxes King of Persia, and the writing of their letter was written (in) Aramaic and was interpreted (from) Aramaic.

8123 Recham, commander, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote a124 letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king accordingly--

9 that is125, Rechum, commander126, and Shimshai the scribe and the remainder of their colleagues, judges, magistrates127, officials, secretaries, Arukites, Babylonians, Shushanikites, that is, Elamites,

10 and the remainder of the peoples that he took into exile, (that is) Osnappur, the great and the honorable, and he settled them in the city of Samaria and the remainder of the region of Trans-River--And now:

11 This (is) a copy of the letter that they sent unto him: Unto Artaxerxes the king.(from) Your servants, men of Trans-River, and now:

12 May it be known to the king, that the Jews, that have come up from you unto us, have come to Jerusalem, (that) city, rebellious and evil, re-building, and the walls they are completing and the foundations they are repairing.

13 Now, may it be known to the king that if that city be (re)built128 and the walls be completed129, tribute, tax and toll they will not give, and the treasuries of the kings it will injure130.

14 Now, because the salt of the palace we eat131,132 and the nakedness of the king (it is) not fitting for us to see, concerning this we have sent and we have made (this) known to the king,

15 that a search may be made133 in the book of the records of your fathers and you will find in the book of the records and you will know that that city (is) the city rebelling134, even135 harming kings and provinces, and revolt making (has been) in its midst of it from days of old136. Over this that city was laid waste.

16 Making known (all this) (are) we to the king, that, if that city be (re)built and its walls be completed, then in view of this, a portion in Trans-River you will

123 Verse 4.8 begins the first Aramaic section of the book of Ezra. 124 lit, “one letter”125 lit, “then”126 this title in Aramaic is literally, lord- or master-of-command. And so throughout the chapter. 127 or, “leading officials”128 or, “will be rebuilt”129 or, “will be completed”130 or, possibly--”and certainly, kings it will injure”131 a metaphor describing one’s position to the throne. See commentaries at this point. 132 lit, “have eaten”133 lit, “he may search”134 that is, “a rebellious city”. The terms are definite in the Aramaic135 lit, “even”136 lit, “days of eternity”. This phrase may have the sense of this city “has always been” rebellious. And so throughout the chapter.

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not have137.

17 This word sent the king to Rechum, commander, and Shimshai the scribe and the remainder of their colleagues that were dwelling in Samaria and the remainder of Trans-River:

18 Peace. And now, the letter that you sent to us, being translated, was read before me.

19 And from me was given138 a command, and they searched and they found that that city, from days of old against kings was rising up, and rebellion and revolt were made in it.

20 Strong kings were over Jerusalem, even powerful over139 all Trans-River, and tribute, tax and toll were being given to them.

21 And now a command is given140 to stop these men, and that city shall not be built until, from me, a command is given.

22 And be warned141 to do neglect142 concerning this. Why should hurt grow great to the injury of the king?

23 Then after a copy of the letter that Artaxerxes the king was read before Rechum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in haste to Jerusalem toward the Jews and they stopped them in arm and strength143.

24 Then stopped the work of the house of God that was in Jerusalem, and was stopped144 until the second year to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

5.1 Then145 they146 prophesied, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, son of Iddo, the prophets, to the Judahites that were in Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel (who was) over them.

2 Then they arose, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadaq, and they began to build the house of God that (was) in Jerusalem, and with them (were) the prophets of God, supporting them.

3 In that time, he came against147 them, Tattenai, governor of Trans-River, as well as148

Shethar-Boznai and their colleagues, and thus they said to them, “Who has given149

to you a command this house to (re)build and this sanctuary150 to complete?

137 lit, “then the portion there will not be to you”138 or, “placed”. And so throughout the remainder of the chapter. 139 or, “in”140 lit, “they placed a command”141 lit, “warned be (ye)”142 lit, “neglect to do”143 or, “by a strong arm”144 in Aramaic this verb is in the participle form, possibly referring to or focusing upon the period of time that the work was stopped. 145 lit, “and”146 verb is singular in Aramaic147 or possibly, “unto”148 lit, “and”149 or, “placed”. And so throughout the remainder of the chapter. 150 uncertain term. Cf lexicon/commentaries. And so throughout the remainder of the chapter.

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4 Then we answered151 them, what were the names of the men that this house were building.

5 And the eye of their God was upon the elders of Judah and they did not make them stop until the report to Darius went, and then they returned a letter concerning this.

6 (This is) a copy of the letter that he sent, Tattenai, governor of Trans-river, as well as152 Shethar-Boznai and his colleagues, the rulers that (are) in Trans-River, unto Darius the king.

7 This report they sent unto him, an thus it was written in it:To Darius the king: All peace.

8 May it be known to the king that we have gone to Judah, the province, to the house of the great God, and it is being built, stone rolling, and wood being placed in the walls, and that work is thoroughly being done and is succeeding in their hands.

9 Then we questioned153 these elders; thus we said to them, “Who gave to you a command this house to build and this sanctuary to complete?”

10 And also their names we asked of them to make known to you154, that we might write the names of the men that were at their head.

11 And thus, (here is) the account they returned to us, saying, “We are His servants, the God of the heavens and the earth, and (we) are building the house that was built155 formerly156, many years (ago) and a king in Israel, a great (one), built it and completed it.

12 But when they angered, our fathers, the God of the heavens, he gave them in(to) the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, and that house he destroyed and the people he exiled to Babylon.

13 Yet in the first year of Cyrus, the king of Babylon, Cyrus the king gave the command to build157 this house of God,

14 and also, the vessels of the house of God, of gold and silver, that Nebuchadnezzar took out from the temple that (was) in Babylon, he brought them out, Cyrus the king, from the temple that was in Babylon and he gave (them) to one Sheshbazzar158 whom governor he appointed.

15 And he said, ‘These (are) the vessels. Take (them), go, deposit them in the temple that (is) in Jerusalem, for159 the house of God will be built in its place.’

16 Then that Sheshbazzar came; he laid the foundations of the house of God that (was) in Jerusalem, and from then even160 until now being built, and it is not complete.”

17 And now, if it before the king (is) good, may it be searched in the house of the

151 lit, “said to them”152 lit, and”153 lit, “asked”154 lit, “to make you know”155 or, “had been built”156 lit, “from this former time”157 lit, “…order, this house of God to build” 158 difficult to translate into English. Lit, “Shethbazzar, (was) his name”159 lit, “and”160 lit, “and until now”

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treasuries of the king there in Babylon, if it was, that Cyrus the king gave a command to (re)build that house of God (that is) in Jerusalem. And the good pleasure of the king concerning this, may it be sent unto us.

6.1 Then Darius the king gave a command and they searched in the house of the books of the treasures deposited there in Babylon.

2 And there was found in Echbatana, in the fortress that (was) in Media, the province, a scroll, and thus there was written in its midst this161 inscription:

3162 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king gave a command:The House of God in JerusalemThe house shall be built--a place of sacrificing sacrifices and its fire-offerings being

raised--its height--60 cubits--its breadth--60 cubits

4 --courses of stone--3--courses of wood--1--and the outlay--from the house of the king it will be given.

5 And also, the vessels of the house of God, of gold and silver, that Nebuchadnezzar took out from the temple that (was) in Jerusalem and (that) he brought to Babylon, they shall be returned, and (each) shall go to the temple that (is) in Jerusalem, to its place, and (each) shall be deposited in the house of God.

6 Now, Tattenai, governor of Trans-River, Shethar-Boznai and their colleagues, officials that (are) in Trans-River: Far be you163 from there!

7 Leave the work of this house of God (alone). The governor of the Jews and (men) of the elders of the Jews, this house of God will (re)build on its site.

8 And from me is given a command concerning what you will do for the elders of the Jews, to (re)build this house of God: from the treasuries of the king, of the tax of Trans-River, fully the cost will be given164 to these men that (the work is) not to stop.

9 What(ever are the) needs, whether165 bulls or rams or lambs for the burnt offerings for166 the God of the heavens, wheat, salt, wine and oil, according to the word of the priests who are in Jerusalem, it will be given167 to them day by day that (there be) no neglect,

10 that there168 will be offerings soothing to the God of the heavens and prayers169 for the lives of the king and his sons.

161 lit, “the”162 Verse 3 was exceedingly difficult to render into smooth English. The following commentaries were consulted: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah by F. Charles Fensham (pp. 85-86), Ezra Nehemiah, by H. G. M. Williamson (pp. 68, 71), and The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, by R.J. Coggins (pp36, 39)163 plural in Aramaic164 lit, “will be being given”. Emphasis appears to be on the continued provision for this work. 165 waw in Aramaic166 or, “to the God…”167 see note 41168 lit, “it” 169 lit, “prayings”

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11 And from me is given a command that every man that will violate170 this word171, it will be pulled, wood from his house, and being raised up he will be impaled on it, and his house a refuge heap will be made concerning172

this. 12 And the god who has caused His name to dwell there will overthrow173 every king

or people that will stretch his hand to violate to destroy this house of God that (is) in Jerusalem.

I Darius have issued (this) command; thoroughly it shall be done.

13 Then Tattenai, governor of Trans-River, Shethar-Boznai and their colleagues, just as he sent, Darius the king, thus thoroughly they did.

14 And the elders of the Jews (were) building and (were) having success through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, son of Iddo. And they built and they completed (the temple) according to the command of the God of Israel and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings174 of Persia.

15 And this house was finished on the third day to the month Adar175, which was the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

16 And they performed176, the priests and the Levites and the remainder of the sons of the exile, the dedication of this house of God in joy.

17 And they presented to the dedication of this house of God:--bulls, 100--rams, 200--lambs, 400--and male goats177, for a sin offering for all Israel, 12, for the number of the tribes

of Israel. 18 And they appointed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their classes over

the work of God that was in Jerusalem, according to the writing--the book of Moses.178

----------

7.11179 This is a copy of the letter that he gave, the king, Artaxerxes, to Ezra the priest, the scribe, who inscribed the words of the commands of the LORD and His statutes over Israel:

12180 Artaxerxes, king of the kings

170 or, “alter”171 or, “decree”172 or, “over this”173 or, “may He overthrow”174 sing. in Aramaic175 that is, the 12th month. 176 lit, “did”177 lit, “male goats of goats”178 text reverts back to Hebrew at this point. 179 This verse is in Hebrew180 The text from this point unto v 26 of this chapter are in Aramaic.

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To Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of the heavensPerfect (peace)And now:

13 From me is issued a command that every (one) volunteering, in my kingdom, from the people of Israel and181 its priests and the Levites, to go to Jerusalem with you, he may go.

14 Whereas182 from before the king and his seven counselors it is sent to inquire regarding183

Judah and regarding184 Jerusalem in the law of your God that

(is) in your hand, 15 and to bear silver and gold that the king and his seven counselors have offered

freely to the God of Israel, who (has) in Jerusalem His abode, 16 and185 all (the) silver and gold that was found in all the province of Babylon, with

the gift the people and the priests have been offering for the house of their God that is in Jerusalem.

17 Thereupon, with zeal you shall buy with this silver, oxen, rams (and) lambs, and meal offerings and drink offerings, and you shall present them on the altar of the house of your God that (is) in Jerusalem.

18 Whatever, according to you and according to your brothers, is good, with the remainder of the silver and the gold to do, according to the good pleasure of your God you shall do.

19 And the vessels that (were) being given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver186 (them) before the God of Jerusalem.

20 And the remainder of the needs of the house of your God that may fall upon you to provide, you shall give (it) from the house of the treasures of the king.

21 And from me, I, Artaxerxes the king, is given a command to all the treasurers that (are) in Trans-River, that all that he may187 ask of you, Ezra, the priest, scribe of the law of the God of the heavens, zealously you shall do,

22 up to 100 talants of silver and up to 100 kors of wheat and up to 100 baths of wine an dup to 100 baths of oil, and salt without prescription.188

23 All that (is) from189 (the) command of the God of the heavens, it shall be done exactly, for the house of the God of the heavens. For why should there be wrath on the kingdom of the kings and his sons?

24 And to you may it be known190 that (concerning) all the priests and the Levites, the singers, the doorkeepers, the nethinim and the servants of this house of God, tribute, tax or toll is not authorized to be imposed on them.

25 And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that (is) in your hand,

181 or, “even”, or “as well as”182 The phrase here that is translated as “whereas” is difficult to translate. Please consult commentaries. 183 Aram.--l[184 Aram--l185 or, “as well as”186 lit, “complete.” Aram.--“~lvh”187 or, “will ask”188 Verse 22 is very difficult to translate in a literal, word-for-word order. Lit--”concerning silver, according to the talant, 100; concerning wheat, kors, 100; concerning wine, baths, 100; concerning oil, baths, 100; and salt, no prescription.” 189 or, “according to”190 lit, “knowing”

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appoint judges and magistrates, that they will be judging for all the people that (are) in Trans-River and for all (those) knowing the laws of your God, and that, he that knows not , you shall cause (him) to know (these laws).

26 And every (one) that will not do191 the law of your God and the law of the king with zeal, judgment will be made192 concerning193 him, whether death, whether banishment, whether confiscation of riches and fetters194

27 Blessed (be) the LORD, the God of our fathers, who as given (such) as this in the heart of the king to glorify the house of the LORD that (is) in Jerusalem.

28 and unto me has extended lovingkindness before195 the king and his counselors, and before196 all the rulers of the king, the mighty (ones). And I, I was made strong according to the hand of the my God upon me, and I gathered from Israel leaders to go up with me.

191 lit, “doing”192 lit, “being made”193 Aram.--!m194 The Aramaic section of Ezra is ended. 195 Heb.--ynpl196 Heb.--”l”

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Translation of the Aramaic portions of the book of Genesis

Genesis 37.44-54197

44 “And now, come, let us cut a covenant, you and I198, and it will be for a witness between me and between you.”

45 And he took, Jacob, a stone, and he raised it up (for) a pillar. 46 And he said, Jacob, to his brothers199, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and

they made a cairn. And they ate there, on the cairn. 47 And he called it, Laban, yegar-sahedutha200, but Jacob called it galeed201. 48 And he said, Laban, “This cairn (is) witness between me and between you this

day.” Therefore he called its name galeed, 49 and mitzpah, which he said, “He will watch202, the LORD, between me and between

you, when he is hidden, a man from his friend. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take (other) wives in place of203 my daughters

(and) there is not a man with us,… See! God (is) witness between me and between you!”

51 And he said, Laban, to Jacob, “Behold! This cairn. And behold! The pillar which I have raised204 between me and between you.

52 A witness (is) this cairn and a witness (this) pillar; whether (to) me, I will not pass205 by this cairn to you, or whether (to) you, you will not pass by this cairn to me, or this pillar, for evil.

53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, he will judge206 between us, the God of their father.” And he swore, Jacob, in the fear of his father, (of) Isaac.

54 And he sacrificed, Jacob, a sacrifice in the mountain. And he called to his brothers207 to eat bread. And they ate bread and they spent the night in the mountain.

197 In Genesis 31 only two words of v. 47 are in Aramaic. The remainder of the passage is given for context. 198 lit, “I and you”, or “me and you”199 or, “brethren”, or “kinsmen”200 Aram, “cairn of the testimony”201 Heb, “cairn of witness”202 or, “May he watch…”203 lit, “over”. Aram, “ l[”204 lit, “thrown”205 lit, “I will not pass to you this cairn by…”. And so throughout the verse. 206 plural in the Hebrew. Possibly, “The God of Abraham and the god(s) of Nahor, they will judge…”. Note the previous verses regarding the household idols belonging to Laban (cf. v. 31.30). 207 or, possibly, “his kinsmen”

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Translation of the Aramaic portions of the book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 10.6-16208

6 There is none209 like You, O LORD; great (are) You. Great (are) You, and great (is) Your name in strength.

7 Who will not fear You, O King of the nations, for to You it is fitting, for in all the wise of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like You.

8 For210 together211 they are stupid and foolish;a doctrine of vanities (the) wood is.

9 Silver, beaten, from Tarshish is brought, and gold from Uphaz, the work of an engraver and the hands of a refiner.

Violet and purple (are) their garments, the work of skilled men, all of them. 10 But the LORD is the true God, and the living God and the King eternal.

From His wrath shakes the earth, and they will not endure, the nations, His indignation--

11 according to this you shall speak to them, “The gods that the heavens and the earth did not make,

they shall perish212 from the earth and from under these heavens--12 making (the) earth in His strength, establishing the world in His wisdom;

in understanding He stretched out the heavens, 13 with His voice giving a tumult (in) the water of the heavens, and He causes clouds

to arise from the ends of the earth,with lightning for the rain He makes, even213 bringing out wind from His storehouses.

14 Stupid (is) every man, lacking knowledge; shameful (is) every refiner, from an idol, for a lie (is the) molten image, for (there is) no spirit in them.

15 Nothing are they; works of mockery. In the time of their visitation they will perish.

16 Not like these (is) the Portion of Jacob, for the Creator of all (is) He, and Israel, the tribe of His inheritance;

The LORD of hosts (is) His name.

208 In Jeremiah 10 only verse 11 is in Aramaic. The remainder of the passage is given for context. 209 lit, “from not”, or “from none”210 Heb, waw211 lit, “in one”212 May also be translated “let them perish. The form of the verb in Aramaic is jussive. However, the context seems to better indicate an indicative usage. This is also the witness of various translations. Note also v. 15--the same Hebrew cognate form of the verb is used. See commentaries. 213 Heb, waw

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Documents

Introduction to the Translation of the Aramaic Portions of ... · by Armstrong, Busby and Carr. When needed I consulted the Aramaic portion of the Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon by Holliday