A Translation of the Old Testament Scriptures from the Original Hebrew

Published in 1885, this translation of the Old Testament was the life's work of Helen Spurrell, an Englishwoman who taught herself Hebrew specifically to undertake this project. Working from the unpointed Hebrew text, she aimed to provide a translation that was both literal and accessible, differing from the more formal church-sanctioned versions of the era. Her scholarly efforts were significant for a woman in the 19th century, as she operated largely outside the traditional academic and ecclesiastical institutions of her day.

The volumes were initially published by James Nisbet & Co. in London. The design and layout were intended to present the Hebrew text with a sense of clarity and historical accuracy, reflecting Spurrell's commitment to independent interpretation. While the work received some notice within theological circles for its unique approach to the Masoretic text, it remained a niche publication, largely recognized today as an early and notable example of an individual, non-clerical attempt at a complete Old Testament translation.