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...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
2025
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| 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 Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| 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. |
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| ISSN: | 1568-5330 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Vetus Testamentum
|
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15685330-bja10163 HDL: 2078.1/286683 |