The Medieval Bible — Eastern Christian Bible

Arabic Bible Translations

Eighth century onward

Jewish and Christian translators rendered biblical books into Arabic for communities living under Islamic rule.

Full Account

Arabic gradually became the daily and literary language of many Middle Eastern Christians and Jews. Translations arose in different regions and traditions rather than from one original Arabic Bible.

Saadia Gaon's tenth-century Arabic translation and commentary on the Torah became especially influential among Jews. Christian Arabic manuscripts preserve diverse relationships with Greek, Syriac, Coptic, and Latin sources.

Historical Significance

Arabic versions sustained scriptural study across religious and linguistic communities and preserve valuable evidence of medieval interpretation.

People, Places and Sources

Key people: Saadia Gaon; Jewish and Christian translators
Key places: Egypt; Palestine; Syria; Mesopotamia; Arabia
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, Syriac, Coptic