Jonathan ben Uzziel

Hebrew writer

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June 29, 2026

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Jonathan ben Uzziel was a significant figure in the development of the Targums, which are translations of the Hebrew Bible into the Aramaic language. These translations emerged after Hebrew ceased to be the common spoken language, becoming necessary for Jewish communities to understand scripture.12

While the Targum to the Prophets is popularly attributed to Jonathan ben Uzziel, it is actually a composite work with influences from various periods and is less literal than other Targums. The practice of oral translation in synagogues eventually led to written Targums, serving not just as translations but also as paraphrases and commentaries that explained and adapted biblical texts for contemporary audiences.21

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biblical literature
The Aramaic Targums
It is ascribed to Jonathan ben Uzziel, a pupil of Hillel, the famous rabbinic sage of the 1st century bce–1st century ce, though it is in fact a composite work of varying ages. In its present form, it discloses a dependence on Onkelos, though it is less literal.
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It is ascribed to Jonathan ben Uzziel, a pupil of Hillel, the famous rabbinic sage of the 1st century bce–1st century ce, though it is in fact a composite work of varying ages. In its present form, it discloses a dependence on Onkelos, though it is less literal.
Read More