For centuries people have questioned the authenticity of the Bible. This happens more today than ever before. When the integrity of The Word is doubted one frequent question asked is how is it possible for ancient texts that have changed hands and been translated so many times to retain the original meaning and factual details? While Christians believe in the power of the Holy Spirit guiding men and women to the one Truth, this answer is simply not sufficient for non-believers. In fact, it should not be enough for Christians either. The Word tells us that we “know in part” and that until the “fullness of time” has come that we will never fully understand the power of God. As the famous hymn reminds us, indeed the “half has never yet been told.”
This reality however is no excuse for not pursuing the Truth intentionally and vigorously. We must join the passion of Paul in his letter to the church of Philippi when he wrote that his desire is “to know Him!” Learning the origins of Bible texts and understanding translation practices, as well as the custody, and accuracy of today’s Bible is an exciting journey and a critical part of sharing the gospel with others.
The Aramaic English New Testament (AENT) is the most definitive English New Testament translation in nearly two thousand years. However, with so many popular English Bible translations two questions arise: firstly, why do we need another New Testament version, and secondly, what can the AENT add to our understanding of scripture that hasn’t been elucidated by the myriad of existing renditions? The powerful answers surprise many and to fully understand them let’s consider how the AENT came into being.
The Aramaic text used in crafting the AENT is the most original autograph that modern scholars have encountered. This is important as most popular English New Testaments come from Greek translations originally converted from Hebrew and Aramaic texts. Simply put, most New Testaments are a translation of a translation. Conversely, the AENT comes directly from Aramaic, the very language spoken by Jesus and his disciples. Scholars naturally agree that it is best to translate from the oldest, most original text and this of course is critical for accuracy.
Greek translations of original Aramaic Bible texts were developed for Western countries but a different phenomenon was happening in the east where Aramaic texts were proliferating. Immediately we have a problematic situation where virtually all Western New Testament translations are based off of a language other than the original Aramaic, but this is not the only disappointing factor. For while learned scribes who held great reverence for every word, letter and punctuation mark, meticulously maintained the Aramaic texts in the east, the same cannot be said of the many Western Greek translations.
Fact: no two Greek texts agree to the extent that over 300 Aramaic texts agree within the Peshitta family. And although the Khabouris Codex contains minor differences within the Peshitta family its accuracy is simply breathtaking. You will be thrilled to discover that these distinctions are gorgeously presented in over 2,000 footnotes and fortified further by over 360 pages of appendixes in the AENT.
Over 1,000 leading language scholars and Bible students have rigorously dedicated their unrivaled expertise to the 5th edition of the AENT. A wonderfully diverse tapestry of Jewish and Christian religious ideologists has collectively provided thousands of hours of unbiased peer review. Publishers, translators, editors, and contributors have passionately woven hundreds of years of study and research of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into the AENT.
Rediscover the life-changing power of the Good News in the AENT. Delve into the unfathomable depths of the Kingdom of Heaven illuminated in the AENT. Explore colorful truths displayed through a glorious collection of footnotes and appendixes in the AENT.
Simply put, there is no other English New Testament Bible that is as authentic, authoritative, and awesome.
Discover the first New Testament, now available in English: The Aramaic English New Testament.
