ABOUT

THE ARAMAIC ENGLISH NEW TESTAMENT

How is this translation different from all others?  It is different because of WHO translated it, WHAT the base Aramaic text is, WHERE it was translated, WHEN it was translated, WHY it was translated and HOW it was translated.  In other words, this Interlinear Bible is VERY DIFFERENT from all others; so much so that some are fearful that it may not be "the way it's supposed to be...".

The Aramaic text used in the AENT is the most original autograph that modern scholars know of at time of publication – and most scholars agree that it is always best to translate from the oldest, most original text.  When Greek New Testaments were going West, Aramaic texts were rapidly proliferating in the East; however, there is a marked contrast between the texts themselves.  The Aramaic texts were maintained by scribes who had great reverence for each word, indeed each letter; but the same cannot be said of many Greek translations.  No two Greek texts agree to the extent that over 360 Aramaic texts agree within the Peshitta family.  The reader will discover that although the Khabouris Codex contains some minor differences within the Peshitta family (these differences are well footnoted) its accuracy is breath-taking.  The base text is extremely trustworthy and has been reproduced with acute meticulousness for nearly two millennia.  Roth also discusses the chain of custody of these ancient Aramaic New Testament texts and the scholarship pertaining to these texts throughout history.

Where a translation is produced is of utmost importance!  The AENT was produced within a global community, not in a seminary or under the influence of big business that requires "substantive changes" to the text to win copyright awards.  The AENT was translated in a place of unbiased truth and, although the reader may find some verses awkward in flow, there is very good reason for this.  The AENT is a side-by-side Interlinear that places English against the Aramaic text line-by-line, where the reader can easily investigate each word and verse to personally judge the accuracy of the translation.

The timing of the AENT could not be more crucial.  The Khabouris Codex has been raising awareness of the Eastern Peshitta as the oldest and most original New Testament verses on Earth.  It wasn't until recently (late 1990's) that many scholars began to investigate the claims of the Aramaic Primacist community.  The AENT does not visit age old arguments of Aramaic primacy, as this has been amply addressed in a proliferation of other publications.  The AENT simply provides the reader with access to hundreds of ancient understandings that until now have been unavailable to most English speakers.

We must consider why the AENT has come forth now, for such a time as this.  For those who are actively monitoring world events and comparing them to prophetic demarcations there can be little doubt that humankind is traveling into the Acharit HaYamim or the Latter Days.  In addition to many prophetic insights that are revealed in the body of this translation, there are also very specific Appendixes that deal with the Prophetic calendar.  Roth has done a masterful job on "Wheel of Stars" which investigates the very Ancient Hebrew calendar and accurately brings it right into our modern day.  For those who are thinking about the implications of Mashiyach Ben David coming to Earth in the near future, the conclusions are sobering, to say the least.

The methodology of how a translator works is key to the end result.  Roth references every available Aramaic text known to the scholarly world and provides hundreds of detailed footnotes that discuss many variations.  Not only does Roth discuss the choice of words of various translators but also his decision-making process, which opens the door for the reader to understand the complexities of making a translation.

Finally, the serious Bible student has access to the original ancient writings as reference sources for further personal and group study!  And for those who are simply curious about how this New Testament Bible is different from all others, they will not be disappointed.  The AENT offers something for every believer who is preparing for the return of Mashiyach.

.