What is the Complete Jewish Bible?

Overview

The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) is a modern English Bible translation that emphasizes the Jewish roots of both the Old and New Testaments. It was produced by David H. Stern, a Messianic Jewish scholar who sought to highlight the continuity from the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh) to the writings of the New Testament (B’rit Hadashah). The translation preserves numerous Hebraic expressions, names, and cultural nuances, aiming to bridge the gap between Jewish and Christian readers by showing how the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament connect directly to the life and ministry of the Messiah spoken of in the New Testament.

Historical Context

Translations that strive to retain the Jewish context have existed in various forms throughout history. However, most English versions were completed within predominantly Gentile Christian settings, often using familiar Greek-based or Latin-based transliterations (e.g., “Jesus” instead of “Yeshua”). Recognizing this gap, David H. Stern compiled his earlier “Jewish New Testament” in 1989, followed by his translation of the Old Testament to form what became the Complete Jewish Bible in 1998.

Stern’s background as a Jewish believer in Jesus (Yeshua) prompted him to create a resource that illustrates the inherent “Jewishness” of the Gospel message. Thus, the CJB can be viewed as an extension of broader efforts, especially in modern times, to reclaim the first-century Jewish context in which the message of redemption through the Messiah originated.

Purpose and Distinctives

1. Jewish Terminology: The CJB renders many names and places in transliterated Hebrew forms, such as “Moshe” for Moses, “Yeshua” for Jesus, and “Yerushalayim” for Jerusalem. Traditional Jewish titles and cultural expressions are also preserved.

2. Unity of Scripture: By using Hebrew names and referencing Jewish feasts and customs, the translation underscores the closeness between the Tanakh (Genesis to Malachi) and the B’rit Hadashah (Matthew to Revelation). This helps readers perceive the biblical narrative as a cohesive story of God’s redemptive plan.

3. Messianic Perspective: While many English translations are faithful to the original languages, they tend to interpret certain passages in light of church tradition. The Complete Jewish Bible, however, seeks to remind readers of the specifically messianic prophecies in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 53) and how they are fulfilled in Yeshua.

4. Reading Experience: The phrasing can feel more colloquial and less formal than certain translations. Stern’s aim was to let the text read “naturally” without losing the sense of its cultural origin.

Translation Approach

David H. Stern utilized both Jewish and Christian scholarly sources, leaning on the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament and the best available Greek manuscripts for the New Testament. When rendering Scripture, the goal was to provide clarity for modern readers yet preserve Hebrew idioms and cultural context.

One noteworthy element is how key Hebrew words are sometimes left untranslated if they carry layered connotations not fully captured by English. For instance, the Hebrew term “Torah” is often translated simply as “Law,” yet Stern retains “Torah” to convey its broader meaning of “teaching” or “instruction” (cf. Psalm 1:2: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.” The CJB typically retains the word “Torah” in such places to emphasize instruction and covenant identity).

Use of Hebrew Terminology

The CJB integrates Hebrew words in the text not as an academic exercise but as a window into the ancient Near Eastern context of Scripture. For example:

• Yeshua: The Hebrew name for Jesus, meaning “salvation.”

• Shabbat: The Sabbath, central to Jewish life and covenant identity.

• B’rit Hadashah: “New Covenant” or “New Testament,” emphasizing Jeremiah 31:31’s promise of a new covenant with the house of Israel.

By reading these terms in their Hebraic form, the aim is to appreciate their significance as originally given rather than through purely Hellenized or Western lenses.

Integration of the Testaments

Readers will notice textual notes and occasional commentary that relate Old Testament prophecies to their New Testament fulfillment. This approach resonates with passages such as John 5:39: “You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me.” In the Complete Jewish Bible, the connection between the “Scriptures” and the “Me” (i.e., Yeshua) is made even more explicit.

Additionally, the CJB emphasizes messianic motifs running from Genesis through Revelation. Many references to the Messiah in the Old Testament—like the prophecy in Isaiah 53 describing a “Servant” who bears sins—find purposeful commentary in the New Testament sections where the Messiah’s atoning sacrifice is portrayed as the fulfillment of God’s promise (cf. 1 Peter 2:24).

Reception and Significance

The Complete Jewish Bible has been well-received by those seeking to understand the Scriptures in a specifically Jewish context, such as Messianic Jewish congregations, as well as Gentile believers intrigued by the rich heritage of the biblical narrative. It has also sparked conversation among Jewish communities, some of whom find value in its emphasis on Hebraic traditions, while others remain skeptical of any portrayal that recognizes Yeshua as Messiah.

Despite its particular angles, the CJB aligns with major translation principles used in modern scholarship—comparing textual variants, referring to the Dead Sea Scrolls for ancient Hebrew authenticity, and employing standard Greek text-critical methods for New Testament reliability. Within the broader scope of Bible translations, it stands out for its clear goal of revealing the Jewish background.

Archaeological and Textual Support

Though not primarily a study Bible, the Complete Jewish Bible echoes the broad textual supports for the Bible’s reliability. Archaeological discoveries—such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which contain portions of nearly every Old Testament book—lend historical credibility to the witness of the Hebrew Scriptures. These Scrolls, discovered in 1947, show that the Messianic prophecies cited in Christian writings long predate the first century.

For the New Testament, thousands of Greek manuscripts, along with early translations into Syriac, Latin, and Coptic, confirm the stability of the text. The CJB’s approach, which hinges on the trustworthiness of these documents, intersects with evidence frequently cited by manuscript experts and historians, illustrating that the New Testament claims remain consistent with early Christian testimony.

Comparison with Other Translations

1. Literal vs. Dynamic: Versions like the KJV or NASB strive for more literal word-for-word accuracy, whereas paraphrases (e.g., The Message) focus on readability. The Complete Jewish Bible stands somewhere in between, offering a freer expression than strictly formal translations, yet never straying far from the Hebrew or Greek meaning.

2. Jewish Vocabulary: Where many translations use generic English religious terms, the CJB prominently features terms like “Torah,” “tzitzit” (traditional fringes), or “Sukkot” (Feast of Tabernacles). This sets it apart for readers who desire to see these concepts in their original Jewish form.

3. Theological Emphasis: The CJB’s ultimate purpose is to showcase the continuity between God’s covenants with Israel and the work of the Messiah. While other translations may highlight these connections through footnotes or cross-references, the CJB weaves them more explicitly into the main text.

Practical Applications

• Personal Study: For believers who want to grasp the Jewish context of Scripture, the CJB offers a fresh perspective on familiar passages.

• Congregational Use: Messianic fellowships often employ the CJB in worship services, as the consistent use of Hebrew names and terms resonates with their cultural identity.

• Dialogue and Bridge-Building: The CJB can serve as a conversation starter among Jewish and Christian communities by addressing misconceptions and showing that the New Testament affirms and fulfills the themes of the Tanakh.

Key Scripture References

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”

– Emphasizes the value of approaching God’s Word in its fullness, including its original cultural expressions.

• Isaiah 53: Offers a messianic prophecy from the Old Testament that the Complete Jewish Bible highlights as pointing to Yeshua the Messiah.

• Luke 24:44–45: “Then He said to them, ‘These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.’ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

– Shows how the CJB connects the Law (Torah), Prophets (Nevi’im), and Writings (Ketuvim) to the New Testament message.

Conclusion

The Complete Jewish Bible exists as a unique undertaking that threads together the Old and New Testaments by consistently emphasizing the original Jewish context of Scripture. By restoring Hebrew names, cultural concepts, and deeply rooted covenant themes, the CJB allows readers to see the entire biblical narrative as an integrated revelation of God’s redemptive plan.

For those seeking to appreciate the Bible’s Jewish heritage, explore its messianic prophecies, or simply discover a fresh perspective on familiar texts, the Complete Jewish Bible provides a valuable and thought-provoking resource. Its place among English translations underscores the diverse ways faithful believers can examine and celebrate God’s Word from the earliest Hebrew writings to the final pages of the New Testament.