The Chouraqui Bible translation

Chouraqui studied Hebrew from early childhood in Aïn Témouchent, and later Hebrew and Aramaic at the Rabbinical School of France, the Sorbonne and the École des Hautes Études. His first biblical translations were the Song of Songs (1951) and an annotated translation of the Psalms (1955).

He worked on the full translation for years, often at the Cistercian Abbey of Latroun. At the suggestion of Jacques Deschanel, Desclée de Brouwer published the first volume in January 1974; its first print run sold out within weeks, and ten volumes appeared that year. On 19 October 1977 he presented the 26 volumes to Pope Paul VI, who said: "It took a great deal of love to achieve such a work." That year the Académie française awarded him the Gold Medal of the French Language Prize for the translation of the Bible and his body of work.

In 1985 the translation appeared in a single volume, following the tenth and final volume of the encyclopedia L'Univers de la Bible, which carries his commentary on the books and chapters of the Bible. The first edition of 20,000 copies sold out within weeks. The definitive version was reissued by Cerf in 2019 as La Bible d'André Chouraqui.

The translation is known for reconnecting with the Semitic roots of the Bible and renewing its interpretation. It has also been presented as an important resource for Christians seeking to understand the Jewish foundations of the Old and New Testaments.