In the context of biblical studies, a Targum (plural: Targumin) is an early Jewish translation of the Bible into Aramaic.
The name derives from root trgm meaning to "translate." The noun is not found in the Bible, though the verb is used in Ezr 4:7.
Targumin became a necessity when Aramaic replaced Hebrew as the vernacular of the Jews upon their return from the exile. Targumim of all books of the Old Testament except Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel are extant. Most of them, however, are not strict translations but also serve as commentaries along the way. Rabbinic practices, however, make a clear distinction between Targumim and Scriptures; in practice, this meant that the person reading the Scripture—in Hebrew and from the scroll—during the service in the synagogue could not also read the Targumic portion for the day.
Some of the most important collections of targumim include: Neofiti, Targum Onqelos on the Pentateuch, and Targum Jonathan on the Prophets.
©ALBERITH