Substituting Anthropomorphisms?: God’s Mouth in Num 20:24 and the Possibility of a Different Vorlage

With the theological dimensions of the Septuagint (LXX) gaining interest, this paper focuses on anthropomorphisms—instances attributing human-like traits to God—as a noteworthy element of LXX-theology, where the avoidance of such attributions is considered indicative of a more transcendent conceptio...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: De Doncker, Ellen (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Interlibrary Loan:Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany)
Published: 2025
In: Vetus Testamentum
Year: 2025, Volume: 75, Issue: 1, Pages: 46-65
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Numeri 20,24 / Old Testament / Bible. Pentateuch, Bible. Pentateuch / Anthropomorphism / Mouth
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
Further subjects:B theology of the Septuagint
B translation technique
B Pentateuch
B Anthropomorphism
B LXX
B Septuagint
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:With the theological dimensions of the Septuagint (LXX) gaining interest, this paper focuses on anthropomorphisms—instances attributing human-like traits to God—as a noteworthy element of LXX-theology, where the avoidance of such attributions is considered indicative of a more transcendent conception of God. The article examines the anthropomorphism of God’s “mouth” in the Pentateuch, particularly the unique translation in Num 20:24. Doing so, the study reveals a discrepancy in translating the human and divine “mouth,” employing more literal equivalents for the former and less-literal equivalents for the latter, contributing to the characterization of LXX-Numbers as anti-anthropomorphic. The examination of Num 20:24, where a different Vorlage is posited, underscores the importance of meticulous analysis in understanding the Greek translation of anthropomorphisms, and suggests the need for nuanced assessments.
ISSN:1568-5330
Contains:Enthalten in: Vetus Testamentum
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15685330-bja10163
HDL: 2078.1/286683