Mitchell s sensitivity to the original hebrew language and the history of biblical scholarship is evident in his carefully written work. Stephen mitchells superb translation of the book of job is moral in just this wayit puts us on the closest terms with the old testament book that many commentators regard as the crucial postholocaust parable. Hes blameless and upright, and he has kids, a wife, land, and a bunch of sheep. This book gets you closer to the ineffable nature of the tao. Set in uz, an obscure land far from israel, during an unknown time period, the book of job focuses on questions about gods justice and why good people suffer. And mitchell delivers a fascinating meditation on that great book of pain, suffering, and questioning. It will, as william arrowsmith said of mitchells translation of the sonnets to orpheus, instantly make every other rendering obsolete.
And there is a reality called satan who challenges god that his man is not as good as he thinks he is. Read the book of job by stephen mitchell for free with a 30 day free trial. An ancient collection of the buddhas discourses together with its commentaries. There is humor and stories that illustrate what the tao may be or.
The book of job provides insight into this god of light and darkness and why it is proper to give thanks no matter what. Stephen mitchell books list of books by author stephen. The complex and delicate nature of the subject matter. The heart cannot help but be moved and healed by the treasure to be. Up in the heavens, god brags to the divine assembly about job. The book of job also benefits from a fine contemporarylanguage translation. His many books include the bestselling tao te ching, the gospel according to jesus, bhagavad gita, the book of job, meetings with the archangel, gilgamesh, the second book of the tao, and the iliad. His more than thirty books for adults and children include the nightingale a retelling of hans christian andersens classic story. Anderson is a renowned scholar, and the commentary reflects his learning without becoming overly technical. The book of job by anonymous meet your next favorite book.
The book of job, by stephen mitchell the jewish eye. Yet, if job turns to god god will bless job tremendously. Job explores the difficult question of gods relationship to human suffering, and invites us to trust gods wisdom and character. A study, modern translation and commentary 1954 robert gordis the song of songs and lamentations. It challenges ones faith in the essential goodness of god and humanity. Top 5 commentaries on the book of job ligonier ministries. In this volume, rabbis kravitz and olitzky provide an original, modern translation and commentary while also inviting classic rabbinic commentators of the past to provide insight to the text. You can find the best commentary on job for you using the tools on the right side. Suffering, thanksgiving and the book of job huffpost. While mitchells own translation of the book of job is the central text of this book, i find the authors commentary to be of greatest value. Stephen mitchells many books also include gilgamesh, the gospel according to jesus, bhagavad gita, the book of job, and meetings with the archangel.
The author of the popular new english version of tao te ching brings his gift for bringing new life into ancient sacred texts to one of the worlds greatest and most widely read scriptures. Translated and with an introduction by stephen mitchell. A major difficulty in understanding the meaning of the book is, what insight leads job to submit so humbly to god at the end. Stephen mitchell, author of the gospel according to jesus and a participant in bill moyers pbs television series on genesis, has produced a new translation of the bibles first book. The book of job, translated into english, and rendered in verse.
Stephen mitchell was born in brooklyn in 1943, educated at amherst, the sorbonne, and yale, and deeducated through intensive zen practice. The book of job stephen mitchell the book of job raymond p. Stephen mitchell was educated at amherst college, the university of paris, and yale university career. Stephen mitchells superb translation of the book of job is moral in just this. Also, in the comments sections, quotations from the biblical text are in hebrew not transliterated. The book of job is the most challengingand most engagingof all the books in the hebrew scriptures. Mitchell last updated 20 july 1995 1 the tao that can be told is not the eternal tao the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Its incredibly complex and obscure hebrew allowing for multiple translations and meanings. However what eliphaz is ignorant of is that if god worked this way, a big question posed in this book would go unanswered.
Stephen mitchell born 1943 in brooklyn, new york is a poet, translator, scholar, and anthologist. The loss of jobs property, and the death of his children. For those seeking a more introductory level commentary on the book of job, francis andersons commentary is the best place to start. With joseph and the way of forgiveness, mitchell has reached back in time to one of our oldest stories of grace and brought its lessons forward to us. Mitchell s translations and adaptions include the bestselling tao te ching, gilgamesh, the iliad, the odyssey, the gospel according to jesus, bhagavad gita, the book of job, the second book of the tao, and the selected poetry of rainer maria rilke. Mar 31, 2009 stephen mitchell s many books also include gilgamesh, the gospel according to jesus, bhagavad gita, the book of job, and meetings with the archangel.
The text is accompanied by an extensive introduction. This summary of the book of job provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of job. The most widely translated book in world literature after the bible, laotzus tao te ching, or book of the way, is the classic manual on the art of living. At the same time, it also asks the question we rarely. An evening of poetry in translation readings by herbert mason. The meaning of the work has been different to different readers through the ages, but thoughtful consideration of the i. Tao te ching lao tzu tao te ching written by laotzu translation by stephen. In its easy accessibility to modern listeners, its poetry and power, stephen mitchells translation is a remarkable achievement. He does everything he can to be good and avoid evil. This document is not ed and is in the public domain. After introductions by poet laureate consultant in poetry richard wilbur, poet and historian herbert mason reads from his translations of middle eastern poetry. Stephen mitchell is widely known for his ability to make ancient masterpieces thrillingly new, to step in where many have tried before and create versions that are definitive for our time. Robert gordis translated job twice in his lifetime, the first time in his book of god and man. Bibles deepest reflections on the meaning of suf fering.
A beautiful modern translation and eloquent reading, the book of job brings wonderful life and universality to the familiar story. Mitchell gives an eloquent account of the effects of jobs poetry in his introduction, in the. Commentary, new translation and special studies jewish theological seminary of america, 1978. He is widely known for his ability to make old classics thrillingly new, to step in where many have tried before and to create versions that are definitive for our time. The book is more about speaking truth to power than the problem of unjust suffering. In other words, trouble and affliction like job is experiencing dont just come from nowhere. An evening of poetry in translation readings by herbert. Though it is hard and rare, it is not impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. In this volume, the dual background of job, both in oriental wisdom and in biblical thought, is set forth. Mitchell offers interpretations that transcend the limited notions proposed by christianity. The big picture of job is that there was a man who was, in one sense, blameless in gods sight.
Stephen mitchell offers readers an almost musical, poetic, easy to read, vigorous translation of the biblical book job with an extensive introduction. Stephen mitchell s bhagavad gita sings with the clarity, the vigor, and the intensity of the original sanskrit. Stephen mitchell is a renowned writer, translator, and anthologist. Commentary on the book of job bible study notes and comments by david e. By gods grace the temptations of worldly wealth may be overcome. Richard wilbur reads some of his own verse translations as well. Jewish bible commentaries merrimack valley havurah.
Read the book of job online by stephen mitchell books free 30. To bring us up to speed, for the last few lessons weve seen job speak in response to his friends assertions concerning him. Eliphaz continues 6 although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground. Nov 15, 2015 enhanced by stephen mitchells illuminating commentary, the next volume of the classic manual on the art of living. University of chicago press, 1965 and the second time in his monumental the book of job. Enhanced by stephen mitchells illuminating commentary, the next volume of the classic manual on the art of living. Stephen mitchell books list of books by author stephen mitchell. He is followed by stephen mitchell, who reads from his translations of the work of rainer maria rilke and from the book of job and tao te ching.
I am not quoting any translation but simply paraphrasing the passage in my own words. The comples questions concerning the authenticity and integrity of each section of jobm the prose tale, the three cycles of the dialogue, the elihu chapters, and the speeches of the lord are discussed in detail, with special reference to their content and their contribution to the. The book of job by stephen mitchell, paperback barnes. Stephen mitchell is a tireless curator of wisdom whose lifes work is nothing less than the study of human transformation. Here are some tantalizing excerpts from the newest computerassisted translation of lao tzus famous tao te chip the way of the one and the zero written by jeffrey sorensen. The second book of the tao by stephen mitchell pdf free. A new english version ebook written by stephen mitchell. Tao te ching, english by stephen mitchell, terebess asia. His celebrated version of the tao te ching is the most popular edition in print, and his translations of jesus, rilke, genesis, and job have won the hearts of readers and critics alike. Job 1 niv bible in the land of uz there lived a man. Mitchell can take the most arcane and make it understandable, the most seemingly simple and make it fresh and sophisticated for even the most intellectuallychallenged among us. This is the first time ever that the hebrew verse of job has.
The theme of the book of job is nothing less than human suffering. The arrangement of the commentary is also very nice. Lets open our bibles to job chapter 15 for this job 15 commentary. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the book of job. Stephen mitchells bhagavad gita sings with the clarity, the vigor, and the intensity of the original sanskrit. Mar 17, 2009 now, the book of job has been rendered into english by the eminent translator and scholar stephen mitchell, whose versions of rilke, israeli poetry, and the tao te ching have been widely praised. Gilgamesh audiobook by stephen mitchell translator. Partially because it is so classic and i had not read it, but also, and perhaps mostly, it was a stephen mitchell translation. He was the greatest man among all the people of the east.
He is a man described as tam vyasher that is, wholesome and righteous. This is the first time ever that the hebrew verse of job has been translated into verse in any language, ancient or modern, and the result is a triumph. Stephen mitchells book of job is a very forceful and direct translation, and conveys very well the vigor of both language and thought in the original. Gordiss book is a full bilingual and demanding commentary, which analytically attempts to. In the land of uz there lived a man whose name was job. It will, as william arrowsmith said of mitchell s translation of the sonnets to orpheus, instantly make every other rendering obsolete. Lo and behold, satan comes out and challenges god on job s goodness. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read tao te ching. Andersen job tyndale old testament commentaries, 1976.
Stephen mitchell was educated at amherst college, the sorbonne, and yale university, and deeducated through intensive zen practice. Job is a book that ranks as one of the most difficult books in thetanach bible, for two reasons. Through his beautifully rendered translation and insightful introduction and commentary, greenstein presents a new perspective. The account of jobs piety and prosperity comes before the history of his great afflictions, showing that neither will secure from troubles. He states that the original hebrew of the book is difficult to read in some places due to scribal errors and the insertion of small and large segments of material that were not in the original. Mitchell s dropping ashes on the buddha is a modern zen classic, and his translations of rilke and of the book of job have already been called definitive for our time. A study of job university of chicago press, 1965 and the second time in his monumental the book of job. The commentary includes the hebrew text plus an english translation of the entire book of job. Stephen mitchell was educated at amherst college, the university of paris, and yale university, and deeducated by intensive zen training. With all due apology to stephen mitchell, whos translation was the basis for this, and, of course, lao tzu. It is an excellent book and i enjoy the commentary from stephen mitchell. Now the book of job has been translated by the eminent translator and scholar stephen mitchell. Job is a book from the bible i have always been oddly drawn to and stephen mitchell is an author i am even more strongly attached to, so the book of job by stephen mitchell is obviously too great a combination to pass up.
Mitchells sensitivity to the original hebrew language and the history of biblical scholarship is evident in his carefully written work. The theme of the book of job is nothing less than human suffering and the transcendence of it. Now, the book of job has been rendered into english by the eminent translator and scholar stephen mitchell, whose versions of rilke, israeli poetry, and the tao te ching have been widely praised. The unobtrusive but thorough and conscientious scholarship also makes the book extremely valuable. The loss of job s property, and the death of his children. While mitchell s own translation of the book of job is the central text of this book, i find the authors commentary to be of greatest value. Oct, 2009 now the tao te ching has been rendered into english by the eminent scholar and traslator stephen mitchell.
1039 705 1459 1289 601 191 300 1626 810 1331 451 102 484 1437 91 386 953 480 534 683 408 136 261 794 341 690 695 182 615 446 586 918 177 919