Biblical Hebrew Forum

["B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>]

Hi folks:

Rolf wrote:

>
> Liz is correct. The OT should not be "christinized"!

Let's be a little more discerning, and (tongue in cheek) allow me to take
the moral tone of pastor that I am.  Liz did not say that the OT should not
be "christianized."  I could agree with that, too.  She said, "Translators
should put in YHWH, IMO
because otherwise CHristian readers tend to think..."

I take that to mean she chooses a tranlsation that *blocks* a certain
interpretation.  (Actually, I suspect she is teasing, but now some are
treating the statement as if she was serious.)  I find making choices that
block certain views to be an alarming proposition (And I assume Liz really
does, too).  Translators should strive neither to favor nor avoid a certain
propagandistic framework.  A translator should love and value the text he is
translating enough to let it stand for itself.  I realize this is a
pratically impossible ideal because translators may love their own thoughts
even more than the text; however, it is the goal of good translators.
(Since translations are accused of working from a bias, we probably
shouldn't joke about it.)

I agree with transcribing the tetragrammaton rather than representing it
with LORD or GOD, but for different reason than Liz has proposed.

Shalom,
Bryan

B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13206

ph: 315.437.6744
fx: 315.437.6766