What is TheBibleNet?

An interactive web-project, whose goal is to bring together 250 years of scholarship, which began with Thomas Hobbes' "The Leviathan" and the writings of Baruch Spinoza, and has progressed through archaeology, comparative mythology, philology, anthropology, and many different schools of Bible criticism and analysis, changing forever our view of the Bible.

Why is it needed, when there are already innumerable websites dedicated to the Bible?

For two reasons. 

First because, without exception, the websites dedicated to the full Bible are all of a religious commitment, and not surprisingly the scholarship that will be the core of TheBibleNet is scarcely to be found there. 

Secondly, because there are hundreds of websites dedicated to very specific areas of secular study of the Bible, including archaeology departments in universities, or philology departments, comparative mythology scholars focused exclusively on the Kena'ani (Canaanite) or the Bavli (Babylonian), experts in Aramaic or the botany of the Holy Land, specialists in the Yehudit (the correct name for what is called "Hebrew") of the era of the Prophets or geologists who have explored the primordial remains in the Negev desert - so many scholars, all undertaking significant work, but mostly unconnected with each other, unlinked, often not even aware of each other's work which could and should have an impact on their own. TheBibleNet will bring these scholars, and this scholarship, together, in one place, for the first time.

What can I expect to find at TheBibleNet?

Once complete, you will find the text of the Torah, the first 5 books of the Tanach (Bible), in Yehudit (Hebrew), and in translation; each verse is transliterated into English as well, using a simplified phonetic system developed in my classrooms over twenty-five years. You will also find the beginnings of an extensive secular commentary - not the traditional commentaries of Judaism and Christianity, but the gathering in of the work of the secular scholars, including literary criticism: the Tanach as a book written by men, and women, not by any god. When the work is finished, not only will you find full commentary, but links to the work of every scholar, every academic department, every cultural institute, which is undertaking work that impacts that word, that phrase, that verse, that place or person, that story.

The site also includes the text of the Books of Yehoshu'a (Joshua) and Shophtim (Judges), the Four Canonical Gospels of the New Testament, and such texts, with commentary, as are available of the other known Gospels. Commentary on these texts is in its very earliest stage and will be expanded later on.

The Dictionary of Names is based in that research, and you will find every person and place mentioned in Bere'shit (Genesis) listed in that area of the website. Some other names and places from elsewhere in the Tanach are also included, where they are relevant to the work on Bere'shit. In the years ahead, the names from the other books will be added as well.

The Tanach texts are presented verse by verse, in Yehudit (Hebrew), English transliteration (a new, simplified phonetic, created to make the Yehudit easy to read), and in translation; I have used the King James version, avoiding denominational politics, but also choosing a text that everyone knows is beautiful but full of errors, and therefore providing an excellent point of contrast for TheBibleNet commentaries and translation.

You will also find a section of Essays on specific subjects, which offer more detailed background to key themes that recur in the text. These will later be replaced by on-line discussion and debates, in comment and video form, among the world's contemporary scholars.

One key reason for undertaking this project online is the capacity to use hyperlinks; you will find these throughout the site, enabling you to move between the text, the essays, and the Dictionary of Names with great ease.

What will it cost me to take advantage of this amazing project?

TheBibleNet site is presented at no cost, and no one will make any money from it, now or in the future. Fund-raising is under way to cover the cost of establishing TheBibleNet as a not-for-profit organization, and for building the full website - both the design and creation of the site itself, and the setting of what will be many thousands of individual pages. 

If you would like to make a financial contribution, contact David Prashker directly at argaman@theargamanpress.com

Who owns and runs TheBibleNet and decides what it contains?

Once TheBibleNet is fully established, an Editorial Board of Scholars will determine what is included in the site. For the moment there is only David Prashker, the founder of TheBibleNet and the man who, for the moment single-handedly, is bringing it into being. 

How do I contribute my scholarship?

Every page on the blog includes a comment box, where you can state your opinion, or add a hyperlink to your own scholarly work. Please do make that contribution - and especially let David Prashker know who you are, what publications you already have, what scholarly base you are working from, and any other information relevant to the building of the network. Please be aware that an editorial process, and a verification process, will be undertaken, to ensure that the network is kept free of pranksters; responsibility for any matters pertaining to copyright remains with you. If accepted, your contribution will be fully acknowledged on the site.

Who on earth is David Prashker that he knows enough about the subject to undertake this project?

For thirty years a teacher of English and Religious Studies, for twenty-five of those the senior administrator of Jewish educational institutions including Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools, Religious Schools, Summer Camps and adult learning centres, he has also spent forty years reading, studying, teaching, translating and writing commentary on the Tanach. In addition to what appears on this website, two novels have been built using this research: "City of Peace", an auto-biography by King David which follows the Tanach version chronologically, but uses the secular material to reveal a very different history and mythology; and "The Land Beside The Sea", ostensibly a tale of love and terrorism set in Brittany, but at its heart the myth of King Arthur, which turns out to be a variation upon the myths of both King David and Jesus.

To find out more about David Prashker's novels, short stories, essays, poetry, paintings and songs, go to Davidprashker.com or TheArgamanPress.com

How can I make a financial contribution?

If you are interested in assisting in this project, including making a financial contribution, please contact David Prashker, with background information about yourself, via argaman@theargamanpress.com. All Bible scholars, regardless of their field, are encouraged and welcomed. A real computer wizard would especially be helpful.

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David Prashker
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The Argaman Press