Targum

A targum (plural: targumim) is an Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) written or compiled in the Land of Israel or in Babylonia from the Second Temple period until the early Middle Ages (late first millennium).

Related Topics:
Aramaic - Translation - Hebrew Bible - Tanakh - Land of Israel - Babylonia - Second Temple - Middle Ages

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As translations, the targumim largely reflect rabbinic (i.e. midrashic) interpretation of the Tanakh. This is true both for those targumim that are fairly literal, as well as for those which contain a great many midrashic expansions.

Related Topics:
Midrashic - Tanakh

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Aramaic was the lingua franca for hundreds of years in major Jewish communities in the Land of Israel and Babylonia. In order to facilitate the study of Tanakh and make its public reading understood, authoritative translations were required.

Related Topics:
Aramaic - Lingua franca - Land of Israel - Babylonia - Tanakh

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~