The Peshitta to Ezekiel, the Context  of its Translation, and the Identity of its Translators: General Article

Godwin Mushayabasa

doi:10.25159/2663-6573/12883

Authors

Godwin Mushayabasa North-West University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9449-1768

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6573/12883

Keywords:

Ezekiel, Peshitta, semantic frames, socio-political context, translators, translation technique

Abstract

The Peshitta to Ezekiel has recently been described as a translation that closely represents the frames in the Hebrew text with corresponding frames in the natural Syriac language of the time of its translation. Such an approach to translation entailed a novel translation technique, as far as the translations of the Scriptures in the period up to the first three centuries CE were concerned. Such a characteristic feature of the translation, together with other socio-political conditions leads us to reflect on the ongoing question about the identity of the translators as well as the motivations behind their translation. A close literary and historical analysis of these factors showed that the Peshitta to Ezekiel would have been produced for a Christian community, rather than for Jews.

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