In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asks God his name, the answer in Hebrew, ’Ehyeh-’Asher-’Ehyeh, has been commonly rendered I AM THAT I AM but could be, Alter reports, simply I AM, I AM. An impression grew upon me, as I made my way through these obdurate old texts, that to the ancient Hebrews God was simply a word for what was: a universe often beautiful and gracious but also implacable and unfathomable.
Reading classical works aloud in Sarasota, and talking about them.
Showing posts with label pentateuch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pentateuch. Show all posts
Monday, February 08, 2010
Updike on Alter
Shaw points us to this 2004 review of Alter's translation of the Pentateuch by John Updike. A snip:
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