Originally published in two volumes, this edition of the Arabic translation of the Pentateuch stands as one of Lagarde’s lasting contributions to biblical scholarship. Critical editions make frequent reference to this work. This Gorgias Press edition includes both volumes in one. Included are two translations of Genesis into Arabic, along with a single version of the remaining pentateuchal books, also in Arabic. The first translation of Genesis represents the tradition of the Paris Polyglot, translated directly from the Hebrew, while the second is a cantena text from the Syriac tradition including material from St. Ephrem, Chrysostum, Jacob of Sarug, and Jacob of Edessa. It represents about two-thirds of the text of Genesis. The other pentateuchal books are similarly treated in Lagarde’s study, providing a valuable text-critical tool and easy access to the Arabic versions of the material. Part of Lagarde’s immense output on the textual issues of the Bible, this study will prove its worth with continued usage.

Paul Anton de Lagarde (1827-1891) was a biblical scholar and student of ancient languages. Having studied at Berlin, Halle, London, and Paris, he had a wide exposure to international thought. He eventually taught at Göttingen. Despite his participation in the anti-Semitism of his day, he was a gifted student of Semitic languages. His voluminous linguistic works are still recognized for their insights into oriental languages. He made important contributions to the study of Syriac, Aramaic, Arabic, Hebrew, and Coptic, as well as Greek and Latin.