Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Barry H." <nebarry AT verizon.net>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "fred burlingame" <tensorpath AT gmail.com>
To: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 16, 2010 11:46 AM
Subject: [b-hebrew] the hellenization of isaiah


> Isaiah 61:1 appears in classical hebrew format.
>
> A. An introductory clause: "spirit of Lord of me on me because:"
>
> B. followed by a couplet in parallel: (i) "He annoints me to bear tidings 
> to
> afflicted ones; and (ii) He sends me to bind up ones being broken of 
> heart;"
>
> C. followed by a couplet in parallel: (i) "to proclaim to ones being
> captive, liberty; and (ii) to ones being bound, opening."
>
> The subsequent, septuagint, greek, translation, in its wisdom, alters the
> original hebrew and changes clause "C(ii)" to: "to the blind, recovery of
> sight."
>
> The subsequent, greek, translation of the original hebrew new testament in
> luke 4:18 then proceeds to further change the hebrew by: (1.) retaining 
> the
> septuagint old testament, new clause "C(ii);" (2.) deleting clause 
> "B(ii);"
> and adding another new clause "C(iii):" "to send to ones being oppressed a
> release."
>
> With the symmetry, balance and substance lost in and by the hellenization 
> of
> the hebrew new testament, a question arises. Why is the hebrew new 
> testament
> discussed not here? Does the opinion continue to hold sway that the new
> testament orginally authored in greek?

Two observations, Fred:

1) I would be careful about drawing too many conclusion from LXX and the NT. 
We don't know, for instance, if the LXX translator was using the same 
Vorlage.  Another factor, of course, is theology -- are the translators, and 
especially the NT writers, bringing out what they think is the the 
theological meaning of the text for their own context?

2) What Hebrew NT?  What authority do you think a later translation has over 
an original text?

N.E. Barry Hofstetter, semper melius Latine sonat...
Classics and Bible Instructor, TAA
http://www.theamericanacademy.net
(2010 Salvatori Excellence in Education Winner)
V-P of Academic Affairs, TNARS
bhofstetter AT tnars.net
http://www.tnars.net

http://my.opera.com/barryhofstetter/blog
http://mysite.verizon.net/nebarry