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Robert Alter on a New Bible Translation

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There are few books that can stir up as much passion as the Bible. When Professor of Hebrew Robert Alter set out to create a new translation he knew he was on sensitive ground. But Alter says the translations that Christians, Jews, and secularists have been relying on for years are fraught with what he calls "embarrassing inaccuracies." So far, the Bible's latest translator has made it through the first five books of the Old Testament, and the result is his new offering "The Five Books of Moses."

In this radio diary, Robert Alter explains why he felt compelled to make a new translation of the Bible.

Guests:

Robert Alter, professor of Hebrew and comparative literature at the University of California at Berkeley, author of The Five Books of Moses, a new translation of the first five books of the Old Testament.

This program aired on November 29, 2004.

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