The CJB, or Complete Jewish Bible, is an English translation of the whole Bible prepared by David H. Stern and published in 1998. It renders the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures into English while keeping the Jewish setting of the text visible, using Hebrew names and terms and reading the New Testament against its Jewish background. It suits readers who want a clear modern English Bible that highlights Jewish context, including Messianic Jewish readers, Christians studying the Bible’s Jewish roots, and anyone who finds the traditional English names and idioms hard to connect with first-century Judaism. Readers who want the most familiar wording for public reading or memorization may prefer a more traditional translation alongside it.
Background
David Stern was a Messianic Jewish scholar who had earlier written the Jewish New Testament Commentary, and the CJB grew out of his conviction that the New Testament should be read as a Jewish book by Jewish writers. The translation was published by Jewish New Testament Publications, the organization he founded, and it presents the whole Bible in one volume. Its aim was to serve Jewish believers in Yeshua and the wider Christian public who want to understand the text within its Jewish world.
The translation was later revised in a second edition, and the wording you read may differ slightly depending on the printing you own. Readers comparing versions should check which edition they are holding, since small changes in phrasing appear between editions.
Translation Method
The CJB falls between a strict word-for-word approach and a thought-for-thought approach. Stern kept close to the sentence structure and key terms of the source languages in many places, so a careful reader can follow the Greek or Hebrew pattern. In other places, especially where a literal English rendering would be unclear, the translation restates the idea in fuller modern English.
The most distinctive choice is terminology. Where other English Bibles use inherited church vocabulary, the CJB often prefers Hebrew or Jewish words such as Messiah, Yeshua for Jesus, and Torah, along with transliterated terms and footnotes that explain Jewish practice. This gives the reader a sharper sense of the Jewish world behind the text, though it also means the language is sometimes less familiar to readers raised on other Bibles.
Reading Level and Style
The prose is plain, modern, and generally easy to follow, so it works well for personal study and group reading. Sentences are kept fairly direct, and the translators avoid archaic English. Because the translation carries many Hebrew and Jewish terms, readers new to them will find the notes and glossary useful for building understanding over time.
The style reads more like contemporary English prose than a formal liturgical text. That makes it approachable for new readers, though it can feel less solemn to those who prefer the cadence of older English Bibles when reading aloud in worship.
A Verse to Compare
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(WEB)
This familiar verse shows how the CJB handles a passage that many readers know by heart. The translation keeps the core statement about God’s love and the gift of his Son, but it uses wording closer to the Greek sentence and the Jewish idiom of its setting. Readers who know the traditional phrasing will notice the difference right away, which is part of the point. The rendering asks you to slow down and hear the sentence again, paying attention to its vocabulary rather than its memorized rhythm.
Who Should Use It
The CJB is strongest for readers who want the Jewish background of Scripture kept in view, especially Messianic Jewish readers and Christians studying Jewish roots. Its consistent use of Hebrew terms and its notes give real help for understanding feasts, customs, and first-century Jewish life. Its clear modern English makes it a practical companion for daily reading.
Its limits are equally clear. Some readers find the Hebrew vocabulary and distinctive renderings unfamiliar, and it is not the best choice for memorizing passages or reading aloud in a congregation accustomed to traditional English. Many readers find it most useful as a second Bible, read alongside a more widely used translation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CJB a complete Bible?
Yes. The Complete Jewish Bible includes both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament in one volume. It is presented as a full translation rather than a partial text.
Who published the CJB?
The CJB was published by Jewish New Testament Publications, the organization founded by David H. Stern. It was first released in 1998 and later revised in a second edition.
Is the CJB good for beginners?
It can be, since its language is modern and clear. Beginners may want to use the notes and glossary, because the Hebrew terms and Jewish background are central to how the translation reads.
