Jewish Publication Society of America Version facts for kids

The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic Text, the 1917 Jewish Publication Society translation

The Jewish Publication Society of America Version (often called JPS 1917) is a special translation of the Tanakh. The Tanakh is another name for the Hebrew Bible, which is a very important collection of books for Jewish people. This translation was the first Bible translation published by the Jewish Publication Society of America. It was also the first time a group of Jewish scholars worked together to translate the Tanakh into English. Before this, some Jewish people had tried to translate it on their own, like Isaac Leeser. The full name of this important book is The Holy Scriptures According to the Masoretic Text: A New Translation with the Aid of Previous Versions and with Constant Consultation of Jewish Authorities.

What is the JPS 1917?

The JPS 1917 is an English translation of the Hebrew Bible. It was a big step for Jewish communities. This version was created by a group of Jewish scholars. They wanted to make a clear and accurate English Bible. It was based on the Masoretic Text. This is the traditional Hebrew text of the Bible.

Why Was This Translation Important?

Before the JPS 1917, most English Bibles were translated by Christian scholars. The JPS 1917 was different. It was the first time a group of Jewish experts worked together. They made sure the translation reflected Jewish understanding. This made it very special for Jewish people. It gave them an English Bible that truly matched their traditions.

Who Created the JPS 1917?

The Jewish Publication Society of America led this project. This society helps publish books for Jewish readers. They brought together many wise Jewish scholars. These scholars studied the ancient Hebrew texts very carefully. They worked hard to make the English translation just right. Their goal was to create a Bible that was both true to the original and easy to read.

The Masoretic Text Connection

The JPS 1917 translation used the Masoretic Text. This is the most trusted Hebrew version of the Bible. Jewish scholars called Masoretes worked on this text for hundreds of years. They made sure every word and letter was correct. By using this text, the JPS 1917 aimed for high accuracy. It wanted to be a faithful translation of the original Hebrew.

How Was It Translated?

The scholars didn't just translate word-for-word. They also looked at older translations. This helped them understand difficult parts. They also talked with other Jewish experts. This made sure their choices were correct. They wanted the translation to be clear and meaningful. It was a careful and thoughtful process.

Legacy of the JPS 1917

The JPS 1917 became very popular. Many Jewish homes and synagogues used it. It helped English-speaking Jewish people connect with their sacred texts. It was a standard translation for many years. Later, the Jewish Publication Society made a newer translation. This was called the JPS Tanakh (or NJPS). But the JPS 1917 remains an important part of history. It showed the world the rich tradition of Jewish scholarship.