Sunday, June 14, 2009

Isaiah LXI:10 in the Targum

Double translation in the Targum. Hebrew: Like a bridegroom acting as priest wearing a coronet (or turban; NOT garland). The verb is יכהן from kihen pi‘el of KHN. Targum (a)1ike a bridegroom happy in bridal chamber; (b) like the High Priest made ready [to officiate] in his garments.

The second rendering is not in all mss. It might be thought at first that it is later than the first rendering, but I think it might be the original. Notice what a difference the second rendering makes to the implications of the following phrase.

Greek Versions. LXX. Like a bridegroom he has put a turban on me; like a bride he has adorned me. The Greek is mitra. This is the technical term for the turban worn by the High Priest, corresponding to the Hebrew mitsnefet [mem-tsade-nun-pe-tav, root tsade-pe-tav]. See Exodus XXIX:6 Hebrew and Greek. Theodotion Symmachus Aquila translate with stephanos, a word of many meanings. It can mean a metal coronet, often gold, given for public service. It can also mean a turban. In Alexandria it meant a headband as an insignia of rank. It seems the LXX follows the same line of interpretation as the doublet in the Targum. The other Versions give an ambiguous translation. [Note the technical term doublet. It might be useful in your book. It can mean a double translation, or the second part of a double translation. This is not the same as the doublet worn by the Black Adder].


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