“This book opens up a new world. With consummate learning and characteristic intellectual courtesy, Sidney Griffith reveals an Arabic civilization of unexpected diversity, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians continued to debate, for a thousand years, the conflicting messages of their three, intricately intertwined scriptures. We emerge the richer for this generous vision of the religious texture of the medieval Middle East.”–Peter Brown, author ofThrough the Eye of a Needle
“The Bible in Arabic represents the work of a scholar at the height of his powers. Griffith demonstrates widespread mastery of his subject: his expertise spans not only Christian Arabic translation and interpretation of the Bible, but also Jewish and Islamic Arabic literature as well. The result is a book that fills a conspicuous gap in our knowledge: it will surely become a standard in the field.”–Stephen Davis, Yale University
“Sidney Griffith is the ideal scholar to take on this important topic. Starting in pre-Islamic Arabia, he traces the career of the Bible in the Arabic-speaking world. It is a fascinating tale, involving the early transformation of Biblical figures within the Qur’an, various Arabic translations of the Bible, and relations between Muslims, Jews, and Christians as reflected in what they had to say about each other’s scriptures. Anyone interested in the historical roots of Islam’s attitude to the West, as well as in this relatively neglected part of the Bible’s own career, will find this book essential reading.”–James Kugel, author ofHow to Read the Bible
“This outstanding book gives a detailed view of the critical role played by the first translations of the Bible into Arabic among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities in the Arabic-speaking world of premodern times. A tour de force.”–Meira Polliack, Tel Aviv University
From the Back Cover
“This book opens up a new world. With consummate learning and characteristic intellectual courtesy, Sidney Griffith reveals an Arabic civilization of unexpected diversity, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians continued to debate, for a thousand years, the conflicting messages of their three, intricately intertwined scriptures. We emerge the richer for this generous vision of the religious texture of the medieval Middle East.”–Peter Brown, author ofThrough the Eye of a Needle
“The Bible in Arabic represents the work of a scholar at the height of his powers. Griffith demonstrates widespread mastery of his subject: his expertise spans not only Christian Arabic translation and interpretation of the Bible, but also Jewish and Islamic Arabic literature as well. The result is a book that fills a conspicuous gap in our knowledge: it will surely become a standard in the field.”–Stephen Davis, Yale University
“Sidney Griffith is the ideal scholar to take on this important topic. Starting in pre-Islamic Arabia, he traces the career of the Bible in the Arabic-speaking world. It is a fascinating tale, involving the early transformation of Biblical figures within the Qur’an, various Arabic translations of the Bible, and relations between Muslims, Jews, and Christians as reflected in what they had to say about each other’s scriptures. Anyone interested in the historical roots of Islam’s attitude to the West, as well as in this relatively neglected part of the Bible’s own career, will find this book essential reading.”–James Kugel, author ofHow to Read the Bible
“This outstanding book gives a detailed view of the critical role played by the first translations of the Bible into Arabic among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities in the Arabic-speaking world of premodern times. A tour de force.”–Meira Polliack, Tel Aviv University
About the Author
Sidney H. Griffith is Ordinary Professor in the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures at the Catholic University of America. His books include The Beginnings of Christian Theology in Arabic and The Church in the Shadow of the Mosque (Princeton).
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