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The Syriac Peshitta
- Thread starter rlvaughn
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English translation of the Syriac Peshitta
I have a reprint of a 1851 English translation of the Syriac Peshitta New Testament by James Murdock (1776-1856). It was entitled The New Testament of our Lord and our God, Jesus the Messiah. A Literal Translation from the Syriac Peshitto Version.
I have a reprint of a partial 1889 English translation by William Norton of four NT books. It was entitled A Translation in English Daily Used, of the Peshito-Syriac Text and of the Received Greek Text of Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, and 1 John.
I have a copy of George Lamsa's 1933 English translation of the Syriac Peshitta entitled Holy Bible from the Ancient Eastern Text. I have heard that George Lamsa sometimes followed the KJV in at least some of his translation decisions, and I have heard that some questions have been raised concerning whether his doctrinal views were sound.
As I understand it, the English translations were translated from printed editions of the Peshitta text that included some additions to the Peshitta text as found in manuscript copies by translating from the Greek.
The New Testament by Bauscher is online at Archive.org.
KJV-only authors include the Peshitta Syriac Bible on their good tree of Bibles or in their pure stream of Bibles.
Peter Ruckman's good tree included the Peshitta Syriac Bible, which did not include the book of Revelation, 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude, and John 7:53-8:11. Mickey Carter also placed the Peshitta translation in his pure stream of Bibles (Things That Are Different, pp. 110, 112). Carter wrote: "The New Testament pure stream or trail is the Greek text of the Authorized Version and has its beginning at the church of Antioch (Acts 11:26), the Syrian capital, and was already set down by 150 A.D. from the Greek Vulgate into Syrian and was known as the Peshitta Version" (p. 110). William Bradley wrote: "The Peshitta was the Bible of the early church translated from the original autographs into Syrian" (To All Generations, p. 5). Edward F. Hills placed the Peshitta Syriac on the line of manuscripts and translations leading up to the KJV (Believing Bible Study, p. 68). Donald Clarke contended that the Peshitta was "virtually the same Bible" as our English KJV (Bible Version Manual, pp. 19-20). Mickey Winter claimed that the KJV is "in harmony" with the Peshitta (KJV on Trial, p. 16). William Grady claimed: "The Peshitta set the standard because of its early composition and strong agreement with the Greek text underlying the King James Bible" (Final Authority, p. 34). Grady also claimed that “the Holy Spirit would also have breathed life into the many powerful ancient translations, such as the Peshitta” (Given By Inspiration, p. 103). Thomas Strouse asserted that “the TR is represented by the 2nd century Syriac Peshitta” (The Lord God, p. 18). D. A. Waite affirmed that the Peshitta Syriac Version “was based on the Received Text” (Defending the KJB, p. 46). Douglas Stauffer also maintained that the Peshitta "closely agrees with the Traditional Text of the King James Bible" (One Book Stands, p. 307). Jack Chick listed the Peshitta as one of the Bibles that were “exactly copied and correctly translated” (Next Step, p. 8).
Peter Ruckman's good tree included the Peshitta Syriac Bible, which did not include the book of Revelation, 2 Peter, 2 & 3 John, Jude, and John 7:53-8:11. Mickey Carter also placed the Peshitta translation in his pure stream of Bibles (Things That Are Different, pp. 110, 112). Carter wrote: "The New Testament pure stream or trail is the Greek text of the Authorized Version and has its beginning at the church of Antioch (Acts 11:26), the Syrian capital, and was already set down by 150 A.D. from the Greek Vulgate into Syrian and was known as the Peshitta Version" (p. 110). William Bradley wrote: "The Peshitta was the Bible of the early church translated from the original autographs into Syrian" (To All Generations, p. 5). Edward F. Hills placed the Peshitta Syriac on the line of manuscripts and translations leading up to the KJV (Believing Bible Study, p. 68). Donald Clarke contended that the Peshitta was "virtually the same Bible" as our English KJV (Bible Version Manual, pp. 19-20). Mickey Winter claimed that the KJV is "in harmony" with the Peshitta (KJV on Trial, p. 16). William Grady claimed: "The Peshitta set the standard because of its early composition and strong agreement with the Greek text underlying the King James Bible" (Final Authority, p. 34). Grady also claimed that “the Holy Spirit would also have breathed life into the many powerful ancient translations, such as the Peshitta” (Given By Inspiration, p. 103). Thomas Strouse asserted that “the TR is represented by the 2nd century Syriac Peshitta” (The Lord God, p. 18). D. A. Waite affirmed that the Peshitta Syriac Version “was based on the Received Text” (Defending the KJB, p. 46). Douglas Stauffer also maintained that the Peshitta "closely agrees with the Traditional Text of the King James Bible" (One Book Stands, p. 307). Jack Chick listed the Peshitta as one of the Bibles that were “exactly copied and correctly translated” (Next Step, p. 8).
Found Norton online HERE (though not particularly user friendly).I have a reprint of a partial 1889 English translation by William Norton of four NT books. It was entitled A Translation in English Daily Used, of the Peshito-Syriac Text and of the Received Greek Text of Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, and 1 John.
Peter Ruckman contended that the Peshitta "contained the O. T. as it stands in the A.V. 1611, and the New Testament as it stands in the A. V. 1611" (Handbook of Manuscript Evidence, p. 79). William Bradley also claimed: "If you translate from the Peshitta into English, what you'll have in your hands is a King James Bible" (To All Generations, p. 52). Bradley also contended that the existing Peshitta manuscripts give “us a direct link from the King James Bible to the very handwritten documents of Paul, Peter, James, John and the rest” (p. 6). Ronnie Simpson claimed that “the Peshitto is still in use today in Syrian and is essentially word for word just like the KJV” (Twelve Lessons, p. 8 ).
Are KJV-only claims and assertions concerning the Peshitta Syriac Bible factual or true?
Are KJV-only claims and assertions concerning the Peshitta Syriac Bible factual or true?
Most typical interest in the Peshitta by English speakers has often been to try to find support for readings and renderings in the KJV.
As seen in their writings, KJV-only authors have claimed that when the Peshitta is translated into English that it would be the KJV or the same as the KJV.
Evidently KJV defenders would consider the English translation of the Syriac Peshitta that matches the KJV or agrees with the KJV to be the best one.
As seen in their writings, KJV-only authors have claimed that when the Peshitta is translated into English that it would be the KJV or the same as the KJV.
Evidently KJV defenders would consider the English translation of the Syriac Peshitta that matches the KJV or agrees with the KJV to be the best one.
Someone may need to study and learn how the Peshitta differs from the traditional Hebrew Massoretic text and Greek Textus Receptus to aid in considering whether the English translations of it are accurate or not.
The Peshitta has the different reading "Titus" at Acts 18:7. Because of a likeness of ending, a line of Greek was omitted from some manuscripts at John 6:11 and this mistake can be found in the Peshitta Syriac Version. Thus, at John 6:11 the Lamsa Bible has Jesus distributing the bread to the multitude rather than to the disciples who distribute it to the multitude. At Luke 8:12, the Lamsa Bible and Murdock's New Testament have "the enemy" where the KJV has "the devil."
At John 1:18. Murdock's translation of the Syriac has "the only begotten God." Murdock's and Lamsa have "Isaiah the prophet" at Mark 1:2. Murdock's and Lamsa have "eagle" at Revelation 8:13 instead of "angel." They have “tree of life” instead of “book of life” at Revelation 22:19. Instead of “bishops” at Philippians 1:1, Murdock’s and Lamsa have “elders.” These two translations end 1 Corinthians 11:20 with “the day of our Lord” instead of “the Lord’s supper.” Murdock’s and Lamsa have “Barnabas” at Acts 13:13 where the KJV has “his company.” At John 1:28, Murdock’s and Lamsa have “Bethany” instead of “Bethabara.” Lamsa has “a Jew” instead of “the Jews” at John 3:25. Murdock’s has “Joseph of Ramath” at John 19:38 instead of “Joseph of Arimathaea.” Murdock’s has “Cephas” instead of “Peter” at Galatians 1:18. At Matthew 11:19, Lamsa has “justified by its works” where the KJV has “justified of her children.”
If compared to the KJV, the Peshitta has several omissions and additions. At Matthew 27:9, Murdock’s and Lamsa omit “Jeremy.” The Peshitta does not have "God" at Mark 12:32, and it does not have the last half of Matthew 27:35. Two phrases [“by them of old time”] are omitted at Matthew 5:27. At Matthew 25:13, a clause [“wherein the Son of man cometh”] is omitted. Another clause [“as they went to tell his disciples”] is missing at Matthew 28:9. Several words [“into the fire that never shall be quenched”] are omitted at Mark 9:45. At Mark 11:20, they omitted two phrases [“in the name of the Lord“]. The first half of Acts 9:6 is omitted. At Acts 28:16, several words [“delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard”] are omitted. One commandment [“thou shalt not bear false witness”] is omitted at Romans 13:9. At Colossians 1:14, a phrase “through his blood”] is not found. Several words [“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last”] are missing at Revelation 1:11. In some verses, these two English translations of the Peshitta have additional words such as “the river” at Matthew 3:6, “it is I; be not afraid“ or “do not be afraid“ at Luke 24:36, “in Hebrew“ at John 20:16, “over Egypt” at Acts 7:18, “surnamed Agrippa“ at Acts 12:1, “to Antioch“ at Acts 12:25, “of the Lord” at Acts 14:25, “of Jesus“ at Acts 16:7, “in him“ at Romans 3:22, “the son of Nun” at Hebrews 4:8, and “by Jesus“ at Revelation 14:4. At Matthew 28:18, the Peshitta Syriac added the following words as translated in the Lamsa Bible: "just as my Father has sent me I am also sending you." At Acts 14:10, the Lamsa Bible has the phrase "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" which is not found there in the KJV.
The Peshitta has the different reading "Titus" at Acts 18:7. Because of a likeness of ending, a line of Greek was omitted from some manuscripts at John 6:11 and this mistake can be found in the Peshitta Syriac Version. Thus, at John 6:11 the Lamsa Bible has Jesus distributing the bread to the multitude rather than to the disciples who distribute it to the multitude. At Luke 8:12, the Lamsa Bible and Murdock's New Testament have "the enemy" where the KJV has "the devil."
At John 1:18. Murdock's translation of the Syriac has "the only begotten God." Murdock's and Lamsa have "Isaiah the prophet" at Mark 1:2. Murdock's and Lamsa have "eagle" at Revelation 8:13 instead of "angel." They have “tree of life” instead of “book of life” at Revelation 22:19. Instead of “bishops” at Philippians 1:1, Murdock’s and Lamsa have “elders.” These two translations end 1 Corinthians 11:20 with “the day of our Lord” instead of “the Lord’s supper.” Murdock’s and Lamsa have “Barnabas” at Acts 13:13 where the KJV has “his company.” At John 1:28, Murdock’s and Lamsa have “Bethany” instead of “Bethabara.” Lamsa has “a Jew” instead of “the Jews” at John 3:25. Murdock’s has “Joseph of Ramath” at John 19:38 instead of “Joseph of Arimathaea.” Murdock’s has “Cephas” instead of “Peter” at Galatians 1:18. At Matthew 11:19, Lamsa has “justified by its works” where the KJV has “justified of her children.”
If compared to the KJV, the Peshitta has several omissions and additions. At Matthew 27:9, Murdock’s and Lamsa omit “Jeremy.” The Peshitta does not have "God" at Mark 12:32, and it does not have the last half of Matthew 27:35. Two phrases [“by them of old time”] are omitted at Matthew 5:27. At Matthew 25:13, a clause [“wherein the Son of man cometh”] is omitted. Another clause [“as they went to tell his disciples”] is missing at Matthew 28:9. Several words [“into the fire that never shall be quenched”] are omitted at Mark 9:45. At Mark 11:20, they omitted two phrases [“in the name of the Lord“]. The first half of Acts 9:6 is omitted. At Acts 28:16, several words [“delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard”] are omitted. One commandment [“thou shalt not bear false witness”] is omitted at Romans 13:9. At Colossians 1:14, a phrase “through his blood”] is not found. Several words [“I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last”] are missing at Revelation 1:11. In some verses, these two English translations of the Peshitta have additional words such as “the river” at Matthew 3:6, “it is I; be not afraid“ or “do not be afraid“ at Luke 24:36, “in Hebrew“ at John 20:16, “over Egypt” at Acts 7:18, “surnamed Agrippa“ at Acts 12:1, “to Antioch“ at Acts 12:25, “of the Lord” at Acts 14:25, “of Jesus“ at Acts 16:7, “in him“ at Romans 3:22, “the son of Nun” at Hebrews 4:8, and “by Jesus“ at Revelation 14:4. At Matthew 28:18, the Peshitta Syriac added the following words as translated in the Lamsa Bible: "just as my Father has sent me I am also sending you." At Acts 14:10, the Lamsa Bible has the phrase "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" which is not found there in the KJV.
Rick, if you want to drone on about the Peshitta and the KJV, instead of copying and pasting stuff from your book here why don't you start your own thread on it? It doesn't seem like anyone else has any recommendations on a particular translation that they think is a good or preferred one, so I'm going to ask the moderators to close this thread.
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