Info
How to use this page
This page explains the historical sources behind the texts on Shafan and how to read them responsibly. In short: Hutter is historically important but linguistically uneven, Delitzsch is generally more accurate for study, and the Tanakh text follows the Masoretic tradition. If you are comparing passages, start with Delitzsch, then check Hutter to see historical wording choices.
Study approach and examples
Example workflow: read a chapter in Hebrew with Nikud enabled, compare key terms in Hutter and Delitzsch, and note where wording changes meaning or tone. For teaching, cite the chapter URL and mention which source was active. For research, keep chapter and verse boundaries intact and avoid mixing translations in a single quotation without labeling them.
Who was Elias Hutter?
Elias Hutter (c. 1553–1605) was a German Hebraist, linguist, and printer from Görlitz. His translation of the New Testament into Hebrew, published between 1599 and 1602 as part of the Nuremberg Polyglot, represents one of the first complete Hebrew New Testaments ever printed. Please note that Hutter's translation is not linguistically accurate and contains numerous errors. We are actively working to improve and correct these texts through ongoing research and community contributions.
Delitzsch Translation
Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890) was a renowned German Lutheran theologian and Hebraist. His Hebrew translation of the New Testament represents a scholarly approach drawing from deep knowledge of both biblical Hebrew and rabbinic literature. Completed in the 19th century, Delitzsch's translation is considered more linguistically accurate and serves as the default text in this application.
The Nuremberg Polyglot
The Nuremberg Polyglot New Testament, published between 1599 and 1602, is a monumental work presenting the New Testament in twelve languages arranged in parallel columns. Among these languages, Hutter included his own Hebrew translation, making it one of the first complete Hebrew New Testaments ever printed. This work represents a remarkable achievement in biblical scholarship and early modern printing.
What is Besorah?
Besorah (בְּשׂוֹרָה) means "Good News" or "Gospel" in Hebrew. This digital edition presents Hutter's Hebrew translation of the Greek New Testament. Unlike later translations, Hutter's work was created during a period of renewed interest in biblical languages, making it a unique historical document that bridges Greek Christian scripture with the Hebrew linguistic tradition.
Tanakh
This project also includes the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) from the Masoretic Text, the authoritative Hebrew text of the Bible that has been meticulously preserved through centuries of careful transmission by Israel's scribes.
Related questions
Which text should beginners use first? Usually Delitzsch. Why include Hutter if it has errors? Because it is a primary historical witness to early Hebrew New Testament printing. Does this replace critical editions? No. It is a reading and comparison tool designed for accessible Hebrew study.