Targum facts for kids
A Targum is a special translation of the Hebrew Bible into a language called Aramaic. These translations were created a very long time ago, starting around the time of the Second Temple (which was built in ancient Jerusalem) and continuing into the early Middle Ages.
People in places like Palestine and Babylonia used Targumim (that's the plural of Targum) to understand the Bible better. The word "Targum" itself means "translation" or "interpretation." In Arabic, a similar word, "Targem," means to translate or interpret, and a "Mutargem" is a translator or interpreter.
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What is the Hebrew Bible?
The Hebrew Bible is a collection of holy books for Jewish people. It's also known as the Tanakh. Many of these books are also part of the Christian Old Testament. They tell stories about the history of the Jewish people, their laws, and their prophets.
Why were Targumim needed?
Originally, the Hebrew Bible was written in Hebrew. Over time, many Jewish people started speaking Aramaic instead of Hebrew. Aramaic was a common language in the Middle East for many centuries. Because people didn't understand Hebrew as well, they needed translations to understand their holy texts.
The Targumim helped people understand the Bible during religious services. A reader would read a part of the Hebrew Bible, and then someone else would translate or explain it in Aramaic. This made sure everyone could follow along and learn.
When were Targumim created?
The first Targumim were probably spoken translations, meaning people just said them out loud. Later, these spoken translations were written down. This happened during a period called the Second Temple period, which lasted from about 516 BCE to 70 CE. They continued to be written and used until the early Middle Ages, around the end of the first thousand years CE.
Different types of Targumim
There isn't just one Targum. Many different Targumim were created over time. Some of them are very close to the original Hebrew text, like a word-for-word translation. Others are more like an explanation or a story that helps people understand the meaning better.
Some of the most well-known Targumim include:
- Targum Onkelos: This is a very important Targum for the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). It's known for being very accurate and close to the original Hebrew.
- Targum Jonathan: This Targum covers the books of the Prophets. It sometimes adds more explanations and stories than Targum Onkelos.
These ancient translations are very important for understanding Jewish history and how the Bible was understood long ago. They show how people adapted their religious practices so that everyone could learn and participate.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Tárgum para niños
