Variatio Theologica in Libro Iob? An Analysis of the Translation of ’Ĕlōhîm by Kurios in LXX Job: LXXSA

Bryan Beeckman

doi:10.25159/2663-6573/13438

Authors

Bryan Beeckman KU Leuven/UCLouvain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3760-6538

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-6573/13438

Keywords:

divine name, job, LXX, translation technique

Abstract

The default Greek equivalents of yhwh and ’ĕlōhîm are respectively kurios and theos. However, throughout the LXX, yhwh is often rendered by theos and ’ĕlōhîm by kurios. In an article dealing with divine names in LXX Pentateuch published in 2007, Martin Rösel concluded that this variation can be explained on the basis of theological motivations. Nonetheless, my own study on the translation of yhwh/theos and ’ĕlōhîm/kurios in LXX Proverbs has indicated that this variation in Proverbs is not influenced by theological motivations but that both Greek divine names have been used interchangeably by the LXX translator. In order to see whether this is also the case in other LXX books, this paper will examine the rendering of ’ĕlōhîm by kurios in LXX Job. By doing so, this paper aims to obtain a better characterisation of the translation technique and theology of LXX Job.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Cox, Claude E. Forthcoming. Iob. SBL Commentary on the Septuagint.

Beeckman, Bryan. 2020. “De Nomine Dei: Theological Exegesis in Verses of the Septuagint Version of Proverbs Containing ὁ θεός Without Any Counterpart in the Masoretic Text?” Louvain Studies 43 (4): 372–87.

Beeckman, Bryan. 2021. “De Nominibus Sacris: Theological Exegesis in Verses of LXX-Proverbs Containing ὁ κύριος Without Any Counterpart in MT?” Revue Biblique 128 (4): 501–24.

Beeckman, Bryan. 2022a. “Theologica Variatio? An Examination of the Variation in the Greek Rendering of אֱלהִים and יהוה in LXX Proverbs.” HTS 78 (1): 1–6. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i1.7448 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v78i1.7448

Beeckman, Bryan. 2022b. “Absentia Nominum Sacrorum in Libro Iob: The Examination of אֱלוֹהַּ in Job Without Counterpart in the LXX.” Biblische Zeitschrift 66 (1): 16–30. https://doi.org/10.30965/25890468-06601002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30965/25890468-06601002

Beeckman, Bryan. 2022c. “Absentia Nominum Sacrorum in Libro Iob (Part II): The Examination of אֱלֹהִים ,יהוה ,אֵל and שַׁדַּי in Job Without Counterpart in the LXX.” Biblica: Commentarii ad rem Biblicam Scientifice Investigandam 103 (4): 481–98.

Beeckman, Bryan. 2023. “Nomina Sacra in Libro Iob: Theological Exegesis in Verses of LXX Job Containing ὁ θεός and ὁ κύριος Without Any Counterpart in MT?” Vetus Testamentum 73 (1): 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685330-bja10089 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15685330-bja10089

Beeckman, Bryan. Forthcoming. One or Two Translators? Translation Technique and Theology of LXX Proverbs and its Relation to LXX Job. BZAW 549. Berlin: De Gruyter.

Elliger, Karl et al., eds. 51977. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelstiftung.

Field, Frederick, ed. 1875. Origenis Hexaplorum quae supersunt sive veterum interpretum Graecorum in totum vetus testamentum fragmenta. Tomus 2 Jobus – Malachias. Oxonii: Typographeo Clarendoniano.

Garcia Martínez, Florentino, Eibert Tigchelaar, and Adam Simon van der Woude, eds. 1998. Qumran Cave 11 II. 11Q2–18, 11Q20–31. DJD XXIII. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Gard, Donald H. (1952) 1967. The Exegetical Method of the Greek Translator of the Book of Job. JBLMS VIII. Philadelphia, PA: SBL.

Gerleman, Gillis. 1946. Studies in the Septuagint. I. The Book of Job. LUA 43/2. Lund: Gleerup.

Mangin, Dominique. 2005. “Le texte court de la version grecque du livre de Job et la double interprétation du personnage jusqu'au IIe siècle. Tome I.” PhD. diss., Aix-en-Provence: Université d’Aix-Marseille I.

Meade, John D. 2020. A Critical Edition of the Hexaplaric Fragments of Job 22–42. Origen’s Hexapla: A Critical Edition of the Extant Fragments. Leuven: Peeters. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1q26x9r DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv1q26x9r

Orlinsky, Harry M. 1959. “Studies in the Septuagint of the Book of Job: Chapter III: On the Matter of Anthropomorphisms, Anthropopathisms, and Euphemisms.” HUCA 30: 153–67.

Pietersma, Albert 1985. “Review: Iob. Septuaginta: Vetus Testamentum Graecum, 11/4, ed. by Joseph Ziegler. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1982.” Journal of Biblical Literature 104 (2): 305–11.

Pietersma, Albert. 2007. “Psalms (and the Prayer of Manasses).” In A New English Translation of the Septuagint. And the Other Greek Translations Traditionally Included under That Title, edited by Albert Pietersma and Benjamin Wright, 542–620. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/3260976 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3260976

Rahlfs, Alfred. 1931. Psalmi cum Odis. Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum. Auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum, X. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.

Rösel, Martin. 2007. “The Reading and Translation of the Divine Name in the Masoretic Tradition and the Greek Pentateuch.” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 31 (4): 411–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309089207080558 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309089207080558

Ziegler, Jospeh. 1982. Job. Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum. Auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum, XI/4. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.