Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Steve Miller" <smille10 AT sbcglobal.net>]

> From: Bryant J. Williams III
> Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 12:36 AM
> To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: [b-hebrew] BAR Article on Bible errors using DSS
> 
> Sometimes variations in the Septuagint indicate a misunderstanding of
> Hebrew poetic technique. The Masoretic version of Zechariah 9:9 reads
> “Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; shout, daughter of Jerusalem.
> Behold, your king is coming to you; he is just and triumphant, humble
> and riding on an ass, upon the foal of an ass.” In this passage, each
> key word is reinforced by a synonym or a parallel:
> rejoice//shout, Zion//Jerusalem, just and triumphant//humble and
> riding. But the translators of the Septuagint apparently missed the
> parallelism between ass//foal of an ass and instead pictured two
> animals—an ass and a foal. This misunderstanding becomes significant
> because the verse is used as a prooftext in Matthew 21:2–7, which
> describes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Jesus sends two disciples to
> fetch an ass and a foal “to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet”
> ; Matthew then quotes the passage in Zechariah and adds that the
> disciples did indeed bring Jesus an ass and a foal. The textual
> misunderstanding carried over into Christian art; some scenes of Jesus’
> entry into Jerusalem show him straddling two animals!
> 
[SteveMiller:] 
I am not impressed with the author because he presents opinion as though it 
was fact. Throughout the article he overemphasizes the importance of getting 
a superficial parallelism as the determining factor for getting the correct 
translation and the correct Hebrew text. 

Sincerely,
-Steve Miller
Detroit
www.voiceInWilderness.info
He shall lift up the LORD's blessing 
   and also righteousness
from the God of His salvation
   that others He may bless.
This One the generation seeks,
   inquiring after Him,
Who seeks your face, house of Jacob,
   to be in His kingdom. (Ps 24:5-6)