The Hebrew Bible

A Translation with Commentary

By: Robert Alter

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 64 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

A landmark event: the complete Hebrew Bible in the award-winning translation that delivers the stunning literary power of the original.

A masterpiece of deep learning and fine sensibility, Robert Alter's translation of the Hebrew Bible, now complete, reanimates one of the formative works of our culture. Capturing its brilliantly compact poetry and finely wrought, purposeful prose, Alter renews the Old Testament as a source of literary power and spiritual inspiration. From the family frictions of Genesis and King David's flawed humanity to the serene wisdom of Psalms and Job's incendiary questioning of God's ways, these magnificent works of world literature resonate with a startling immediacy. Featuring Alter's generous commentary, which quietly alerts listeners to the literary and historical dimensions of the text, this is the definitive edition of the Hebrew Bible

©2019 Robert Alter (P)2019 Recorded Books

Masterful Translation

Very exciting to have an audiobook version of this excellent work. Robert Alter brings a literary sensitivity to the text so that it is not only a translation but a literary accomplishment in its own right. There is a table of contents included now (in case there wasn't one before). So if a table of contents is important to you don't worry, it has one. Chapter by chapter.

A SUPERB READING OF THE ANCIENT BOOKS

A wonderful combination of the latest translations and a sonorous reading. i own the print version so I was delighted to just sit and listen to these pillars of our literature and religious tradition. I would have bought only the Ketuvim if it was offered on Audible,,. but I really enjoyed the Nevi'im as well, which Alter presents clearly and Ballerini reads as if it is all a song of praise. Torah is excellent, but I haven't heard it all yet, as I'm familiar with it from the print version. Enjoy!

Commentary Missing

As a huge biblical history buff I was extremely excited to have an audio version of this translation. I was even more excited to learn Edoardo Ballerini would be narrating. However the line by line/verse by verse commentary written in the physical book is not present in the audiobook. It’s a shame because I was really hoping to have the commentary as stated.

A bible without access to a table of contents with

A bible without a table of contents is really problematic since a bible is not used as a straight read through. It took me 5 minutes to find the Minor Prophets and Hosea, and jumping back and forth for weekly portions or simply different readings will be very difficult. I regret purchasing it and I'll probably just use it for a single read through. --------- Performance: Great enunciation. I believe the names should be pronounced as the Hebrew has them so that for those of us who understand Hebrew, puns come through.

LOVE!!!!!

I love everything about this version of the Old Testament. The commentaries at the beginning and then before each book are incredibly insightful for a more beautiful picture of the way the OT was written. Edoardo Ballerini, to me, is the perfect narrator for this. His voice is totally pleasant - almost soothing. This is my favorite version of Old Testament so far.

Great with some issues

Expertly read and written, although hard to navigate using Audible and the footnotes/verse by verse commentary has not been included.

Excellent - only one gripe

This is an excellent translation of the old Testament, awesome accomplishment for one man. The reading is likewise excellent, balanced style. Lively but not over the top. And no distracting music in the background like some of the others. Also a congenial Irish accent. My only single gripe with the translation is the decision to render YHWH as LORD rather than using the name that God gave himself. Disappointing sop to ‘tradition’. If you’re going to do a literal translation why compromise on this key issue? I’d love another edition avoiding this key compromise that changes the meaning so much. Other than that, excellent.

Horrible reading

This is an excellent book. But it is not an excellent audiobook. For Edoardo Ballerini seems to read very superficially. I believe that Edoardo Ballerini gives a lot of attention to his voice as he reads and little attention to the voice of the text. His tone while reading this book is almost never appropriate. He pauses when he should not pause. His general intonation is appalling and often nonsensical. He has clumsy feet in the poetry. I can feel him pursing his brow and lips with the beauty of the book which he ruins.