Of Kings and Reigns: A Study of Translation Technique in the Gamma/Gamma Section of 3 Reigns (1 Kings) (Forschungen Zum Alten Testament 2.Reihe)

In this study, Andrzeij S. Turkanik examines the question of translation technique in the gamma/gamma-section (2.11-21.43) of 3 Reigns (1 Kings) in the Septuagint. There exists a number of differences between the main textual witnesses, that is the Masoretic Text on the one hand, and the Old Greek translation on the other. These include additions, omissions, reorganisation of the material, as well as grammatical and syntactical differences between the Old Greek translation and the Masoretic Text. These differences have an effect on how the Greek text should be understood and interpreted. Before studies on a literary level can be carried out on the text, the practice of textual criticism helps to determine the status of the material being dealt with. Since the section under consideration has been considered the work of one translator, it provides the possibility of investigating the translator's style of working. This study consists of a careful investigation of the text in both Greek and Hebrew in order to identify and categorise the differences between the Old Greek and the Masoretic Text. The author discusses and decides the evidence on a case-by-case basis. He proposes a profile of the translator's work and asks questions about the reliability of the Septuagint version of the text for the recovery of the original text of 1 Kings. Cover Preface Table of Contents Abbreviations Chapter One: Introduction I. Background of 3 Reigns II. The characteristics of the γγ-section of 3 Reigns III. State of research IV. The purpose of this study and the issues of methodology V. The sources VI. Arrangement of the material Chapter Two: The Translator’s quest for logical consistency in rendering the Hebrew text I. Redistribution of material according to G’s convictions as to the correct, i. e. chronological, sequence of events A. Transposition of larger parts of the text 1. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 4 2. Reorganisation of the material in the Temple building narrative. a. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 5 b. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 6.3–8 c. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 7 3. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 9 4. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 10 a. MT 9.15–23 is transposed to 10.23–25 5. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 11 6. Reorganisation of the material in 3 Reigns 20 and 21 B. Transposition of material within verse units C. Borrowing (repeating) of material from other verses II. Smoothing out the (perceived) difficulties in the text and/or difficult Hebrew III. Adherence to detail and precision of expression IV. Conclusions Chapter Three: Piety in the γγ-section I. Reordering of material for the sake of piety II. Choice of vocabulary, omissions and additions influenced by piety A. Piety in the Temple narrative 1. Materials used for the building of the Temple 2. Concern for the use of cultically appropriate materials in the furnishing of the Temple 3. The problem of foreigners working on the construction of the Temple 4. Solomon at the dedication of the Temple B. Piety in the presentation of G’s conception of God 1. Piety in the description of God’s sovereignty 2. Piety in the description of God’s dwelling place 3. Treatment of the Divine Name 4. Piety in relation to God’s judgement C. “Verspottung” in G’s treatment of foreign deities 1. Derogatory terms used for heathen deities 2. Inconsistencies in G’s use of denigratory terms for םיהלא when referring to idols 3. Avoidance of a polytheistic understanding of םיהלא D. Piety expressed in G’s concern for cultically proper conduct 1. The treatment of the המב 2. Concern for the cultic purity of Jerusalem’s environs 3. Piety in relation to vocabulary describing proper and improper sacrifice 4. Treatment of Elijah in his capacity as a prophet of the Lord a. Elijah is not residing outside Israelite territory b. G ensures that no magical actions are attributed to Elijah c. Concern for the complete removal of idolatry in Israel d. G defends Elijah’s actions as cultically appropriate E. The question of the anthropomorphisms in the γγ-section and their treatment 1. Instances of reverential distancing in G 2. Anthropomorphic features not amended III. Conclusions Chapter Four: Treatment of the main characters in 3 Reigns by the translator of the γγ-section I. G’s treatment of Solomon A. Whitewashing Solomon 1. Omissions of the text 2. Additions to the text a. Solomon is a truthful, just and powerful monarch b. God answers Solomon’s prayers 3. Reordering of the material a. Pharaoh’s daughter leaves the city of David and moves to Solomon’s palace 4. Theological amelioration of Solomonic actions evident in grammatical changes a. Avoiding the notion that Israelites were drawn into the levy and that there were overseers over the people. b. G reduces the amount of gold amassed by Solomon by conflating two events into one 5. Enhancing Solomon a. A higher number of compositions attributed to Solomon b. G mixes measures, which results in a larger amount of food c. G suggests that all the nations came to see Solomon’s wisdom d. Hiram acknowledges the young king as an established monarch e. G claims that the God of David is now the God of Solomon f. G attributes work entirely to Solomon g. Solomon’s wealth is great h. A toning down effect B. Judgement on Solomon Verses dealing with the greatness of the Solomonic kingdom are omitted II. Other Major Figures in 1 Kings/3 Reigns A. David B. Hiram C. Jeroboam C. Rehoboam D. Abijam E. Asa F. Nadab G. Baasha H. Jehoshaphat I. Ahab III. Conclusions Chapter Five: The Issues of Court Etiquette Conclusions Chapter Six: Summary and Conclusions Select Bibliography Primary sources Secondary literature Index of Scriptural References Septuagint Miscellanies Masoretic Text Index of Modern Authors Subject Index HauptbeschreibungIn this study, Andrzeij S. Turkanik examines the question of translation technique in the gamma/gamma-section (2.11-21.43) of 3 Reigns (1 Kings) in the Septuagint. There exists a number of differences between the main textual witnesses, that is the Masoretic Text on the one hand, and the Old Greek translation on the other. These include additions, omissions, reorganisation of the material, as well as grammatical and syntactical differences between the Old Greek translation and the Masoretic Text. These differences have an effect on how the Greek text should be understood and i Andrzej S. Turkanik. Revision Of The Author's Thesis (ph. D)--university Of Cambridge, 2002. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [211]-217) And Indexes.