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orion translation central?
OK- please contain your laughter at what I am about to suggest and recognize
that it is sometimes the most wild eyed theories which eventually win the
day. (but maybe not this time).
Here goes (and these are all assumptions without any basis in fact; what I
am interested in is your opinion as to the feasibility of the theory)
theory 1- the OT was originally composed in Greek during the Hasmonean
period by Hellenized folk seeking to legitimize their claim to the land
(land propoganda in the most positive sense of the term).
theory 2- the inhabitants of Qumran translated these documents from Greek
into Hebrew and Aramaic in order to make them more widely available to the
home audience (which explains (!) the presence of Greek manuscripts in the
caves nearby).
theory 3- in the process of translation these Greek manuscripts were adapted
both linguistically and theologically (which explains (!) the presence of
different Vorlagen) by the anti-hellenistic inhabitants of the community.
I.e., the Qumranites found these documents useful in a purged or lengthened
form. (for example, the LXX of Jeremiah is much shorter than the MT version
with its many expansions, etc).
Now, again, I realize that this is all a shooting in the dark- but I am
looking at the larger picture (which I think is sometimes ignored).
Have a nice evening (or day) and a nice smile! (though I am, of course,
serious).
Jim
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jim West
Adjunct Professor of Bible
Quartz Hill School of Theology
jwest@highland.net