The Words of Gad the Seer: An Apparently Ancient Text With Intriguing Origins and Content

Title

The Words of Gad the Seer: An Apparently Ancient Text With Intriguing Origins and Content

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

2022

Authors

Lindsay, Jeff (Primary)

Journal

Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship

Pagination

147–176

Volume

54

Terms of use

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Bibliographic Citation

Abstract

A long-overlooked Hebrew document from an ancient Jewish colony in Cochin, India, purports to contain the words of Gad the Seer. Professor Meir Bar-Ilan has translated the text into English and has stirred interest in the fascinating document. At least two other English translations are also now available. Here we examine the story of the coming forth of the text and some issues of possible interest to Latter-day Saints, including some of Bar-Ilan’s insights in evaluating the antiquity of disputed texts. Bar-Ilan’s translation of this intriguing document and his related publications may be valuable for anyone with an interest in the Hebrew scriptures and ancient Judaism.
 
Review of Meir Bar-Ilan, Words of Gad the Seer (Scotts Valley, CA: CreateSpace Publishing, 2016); Christian Israel, The Words of Gad the Seer: Bible Cross-Reference Edition (self-published, 2020); and Ken Johnson, Ancient Book of Gad the Seer: Referenced in 1 Chronicles 29:29 and Alluded to in 1 Corinthians 12:12 and Galatians 4:26 (self-published, 2016).

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