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I read of the upcoming publication of the Torah as translated by Robert Alter. The articles indicate he wishes to make a more literary and Hebrew centered translation, as opposed to previous translations which are more oriented toward a Christian translation of holy books. And so, his translation begins: When God began to create heaven and earth, and the earth then was welter and waste and darkness over the deep and God’s breath hovering over the waters, God said, "Let there be light." And there was light. It is certainly different, using neither Spirit nor wind to describe the movement over the waters. The basic premise seems wrong to me, looking at the God inspired writings as primarily literary works. The prophet Habbakkuk, for example, wrote his prophecies as poetry in a question and answer discussion with God, followed by a prayer or psalm to God. But saying that Habakkuk is primarily a poem is not correct; it is mainly a foretelling of the punishment which is coming and the reasons why. I'm sure Dr. Alter would not with my assessment of Habakkuk, and that he could turn out an exceptionally poetic translation of it, which would be interesting to read, and likely deficient in conveying God's message.
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