Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Peter Kirk" <peter.r.kirk AT ntlworld.com>]

My point was that there is evidence, albeit only modern, for translators of
this verse and an analogous ones replacing "kiss" by a euphemism. Actually
there is apparently ancient evidence as well: it seems that Jerome's
translation from the Hebrew was "do sincere homage" or "give pure worship" -
which certainly doesn't depend on emending the text. I found "adorate pure"
in the text at http://www.speedbible.com/vulgate/B19C002.htm which claims to
be the "Jerome's Latin Vulgate (405 A.D.)", whereas another Vulgate text I
have has "adprehendite disciplinam" as quoted in BDB - but this is obviously
derived from LXX, so the other one must be from the Hebrew.

So the principle of replacing "kiss" by a euphemism cannot be ruled out. But
in the light of the data you present I agree that it seems unlikely that
DRASSOMAI would be such a euphemism.

Peter Kirk
peter.r.kirk AT ntlworld.com
http://web.onetel.net.uk/~peterkirk/
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:b-hebrew-
> bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of c stirling bartholomew
> Sent: 28 May 2003 21:21
> To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] ur-textual possibilities between MT and LXX onPsa.
> 2:12
> 
> on 5/28/03 12:09 PM, Peter Kirk wrote:
> 
> > Apparently some modern translators consider commands to kiss
> inappropriate
> > for modern contexts and so censor them out of modern translations. Why
> > couldn't the LXX translators have done something similar ...
> 
> Peter,
> 
> "Why not" questions are not a form of evidence.
> 
> So do you think "grabbing someone by the nap of the neck" or "laying hands
> on someone" would be a good way to the potential embarrassing implications
> of kissing? But DRASSOMAI in relation to persons depicts an action which
> is
> more disturbing than kissing.
> 
> DRASSOMAI could possibly be used in the sense of grasping the knees in
> supplication but we have no instances of such use in the LXX. Might be
> able
> to dig up an example from the Classical authors, but it will not prove
> your
> case in Psalm 2:12.
> 
> Like I said, it won't fly.
> 
> cheers, Clay
> 
> --
> Clayton Stirling Bartholomew
> Three Tree Point
> P.O. Box 255 Seahurst WA 98062
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> b-hebrew mailing list
> b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew