Book of Jubilees (Ethiopic)

Since [the readings] of the manuscript seemed suspect to me, I have interpreted the Ethiopic words in various places by conjecture instead ¹). Those who have considered for themselves the difficulties of translating a book from a single manuscript of inferior quality will easily excuse errors of this kind. I currently have no leisure to work out a new interpretation of Jubilees; whether I shall obtain such leisure hereafter, I truly do not know; God Best and Greatest original: "Deus O. M.", or Deus Optimus Maximus alone knows. Regarding the age, the author, the subject matter, and the purpose of Jubilees, I would wish to refer you to my commentary, printed together with the German version; you may also see the titles of all the commentaries written on this book up to this point, listed below in footnote ²). Farewell and be well!

1. For example, instead of sagamata (page 49 line 2) original: ስገመት፡ I had once conjectured rezmat original: ርዝመት፡, meaning "length", but sagamata has now been confirmed by manuscript A (it means: to be mute, to become silent). Likewise, on page 50 line 20, I had rashly read wadabē original: ወደቤ፡ instead of wa’abē original: ወአቤ፡.
2. The German version of Jubilees, along with a commentary on the age, author, subject matter, and purpose of the book, was published by me in the Yearbooks of Biblical Science by H. Ewald original: "Jahrbücher der biblischen Wissenschaft von H. Ewald", Yearbook II 1849, pages 230–256 and Yearbook III 1850–51, pages 1–96. Subsequently, the following have discussed this book: A. Jellinek in The House of Study original: "Bet ha-Midrasch" part III, Leipzig 1855, pages IX–XIV; Z. Frankel in the Monthly Journal for the History and Science of Judaism original: "Monatsschrift für Geschichte und Wissenschaft des Judenthums" 1856, pages 311–316 and 380–400; B. Beer in The Book of Jubilees and its Relationship to the Midrashim original: "das Buch der Jubiläen und sein Verhältniss zu den Midraschim", Leipzig 1856, and in Another Word on the Book of Jubilees original: "Noch ein Wort über das Buch der Jubiläen", Leipzig 1857; M. J. Krüger in the Journal of the German Oriental Society original: "Zeitschrift der deutschen morgenländischen Gesellschaft", Volume XII, 1858, pages 279–299. Furthermore, one may consult the Journal of the German Oriental Society, Volume XI, 1857, pages 161–163, and the Yearbook of Biblical Science by H. Ewald VIII, 1856, pages 184–185 and 291.

Written at Kiel. original: "Kiliae"

The Editor.