Holy Scriptures: Tree of Life Version is arguably the most significant translation ever released from a Messianic Jewish perspective. Sponsored by the Tree of Life Bible Society (formerly, the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society), the translation team consists of more than 70 individuals tasked with translation, editing, and style. We are pleased to announce the immediate release of the Tree of Life Version (TLV) for the Accordance Bible Software Library.
The TLV is based on the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament (usually referred to as the “TA-NA-KH” in the TLV) and the 27th edition of the Nestle-Aland Greek text for the New Testament (referred to as “The New Covenant” in the TLV). 16 key principles guided the translation of the TLV (see here for a complete list). Here are a few highlights of those principles:
- The Jewish order of the books of the Old Testament. Old Testament books follow the traditional order of Torah (Law), Neviim (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).
- The Jewish name of the Messiah, Yeshua. All references in the TLV to Jesus use the Hebrew name Yeshua. For example, Luke 1:30-31 reads, “The angel spoke to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you shall call His name Yeshua.”
- Reverence for the four-letter unspoken name of God. Most English translations of the Bible will substitute the word “LORD” (in all capital letters) for the name of God in Hebrew, יהוה/YHWH. This practice comes from the Jewish tradition of substituting the word אֲדֹנָי/Adonai (roughly translated into English as “lord”) for יהוה/YHWH in public reading, so as not to speak God’s holy name. Instead of using the traditional English, “LORD,” the TLV uses the English transliteration Adonai in these instances. Likewise, the Hebrew word for God, אֱלֹהִים/Elohim. Thus, the TLV translates Genesis 2:7 in this manner: “Then ADONAI Elohim formed the man out of the dust from the ground and He breathed into his nostrils a breath of life—so the man became a living being.”
- Hebrew transliterated terms, such as shalom, shofar, and Shabbat. Consider these examples:
“So when the shofarot blew, the people shouted. When the people heard the sound of the shofar, the people shouted a loud shout—and the wall fell down flat!” (Joshua 6:20)
“When Shabbat was over, Miriam of Magdala, Miriam the mother of Jacob, and Salome bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Yeshua’s body.” (Mark 16:1)
“They were all filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh and began to speak in other tongues as the Ruach enabled them to speak out.” (Acts 2:4)
If the reader does not recognize the italicized transliterated Hebrew words, the editors have supplied a Tree of Life Version glossary that offers definitions for each of these terms.
The Tree of Life Version was designed to be more than a Bible translation for adherents of Messianic Judaism. All Bible readers will find appreciation for the Jewishness of the biblical text (both testaments) that is often lost in translation.
Tree of Life Version
Regular Price $14.90
Watch this video on the TLV translation process, explained by Dr. Jeffrey Seif: