The Translation Style of Old Greek Habakkuk: Methodological Advancement in Interpretative Studies of the Septuagint

Description

In this volume, James A. E. Mulroney explains the Greek style of the Old Greek (Septuagint) book of Habakkuk. Where previous studies have focused on an interlinear model, aligning the Hebrew with the Greek text, this study looks at the Greek text in its own right. Of first importance is the notion of transformation in linguistic/translation studies: all translation involves interpretation. Therefore, the Old Greek is an interpretation of its Hebrew base text. The author offers an extended analysis of present methodological issues in the field of Septuagint studies. The study shows that the translator was not following literalism as commonly understood, but a reading tradition that is exemplified in subtle theological details of the book. The translator's personal style is seen in his use of Greek rhetoric, with most textual features representing his habit of reading in both Hebrew and Greek. Cover Preface Contents List of Abbreviations Chapter 1: Habakkuk Speaks Greek – Translation, Interpretation and Transformation 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Provenance of the Old Greek (OG) 1.3 Later Greek Revisions 1.3.1 Hexaplaric Versions 1.3.2 Lucianic Recension 1.3.3 Summary Conclusion 1.4 Translation Studies and the Septuagint 1.4.1 Linguistic Transformations 1.4.2 Relevance Theory 1.5 Recent Scholarship in Relation to Ambakoum Chapter 2: Methodology – The Current State of Affairs 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Statistical Literalism 2.3 Categories of Improvisation 2.3.1 Contextual Guesses 2.3.2 Contextual Changes 2.3.3 Double Translation 2.3.4 Untranslated Words 2.3.5 Reliance on Parallelism 2.3.6 Etymological Renderings 2.4 Paradigms, Evidence & Translational Tradition 2.4.1 Multiple-Causation & Literalism 2.4.2 Contextual Exegesis 2.4.3 Interlinear Paradigm or Solo Septuaginta 2.4.3.1 Text-Produced & Text-Received 2.4.3.2 Literary Composition, Translation & Interpretation 2.4.4 The Text as Read & Received 2.4.4.1 On Acceptability 2.4.4.2 On The Independence of the Septuagint 2.5 Summary Conclusion Chapter 3: Greek Rhetoric and Linguistic Transformations – The Translator and His Style 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Greek Rhetoric in Ambakoum 3.2.1 Greek Rhetoric via Literary Composition 3.2.1.1 Variation 3.2.1.2 Polyptoton (Variation of Forms) 3.2.1.3 Assonance, Consonance and Alliteration 3.2.1.4 Homeoteleuton (End-Rhyming) 3.2.2 Greek Rhetoric via Hebrew Interference 3.2.2.1 Assonance, Consonance and Alliteration 3.2.2.2 Homeoteleuton 3.2.3 Summary Conclusion 3.3 Linguistic Transformations 3.3.1 Neologisms and Inventive Phrases 3.3.2 Aramaic Interference 3.3.2.1 Behold! If He Draws Back 3.3.2.2 The Prayer of My Lips 3.3.2.3 Be Amazed at the LORD’s Deeds 3.3.3 Exegetical Disambiguation 3.3.3.1 The Chaldeans, The Warriors 3.3.3.2 Be Destroyed You Scoffers! 3.3.3.3 His Heart is Made Glad in These Things 3.3.3.4 A Mighty Love of His Strength 3.3.3.5 “Seven Sceptres,” Says the LORD 3.3.4 Semantic Shift: חמס to ΑΣΕΒΕΙΑ 3.3.5 Toponyms 3.3.5.1 Wolves of Arabia 3.3.5.2 A Place like Jerusalem 3.4 Conclusion Chapter 4: Theology and Exegesis – Theological Interpretation in Ambakoum 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Prophetic Characteristics of Ambakoum 4.2.1 The Suffering Prophet 4.2.2 The Disciplinary Teacher 4.2.3 Exile 4.3 Eschatology 4.3.1 The Day of the LORD 4.3.2 End-Time Destruction 4.4 His Faith and Messianic Faith 4.4.1 Eschatology in Ambakoum 2:4 4.4.2 The NT Eschatological Vision 4.5 The Idolatry Polemic 4.5.1 Φαντασία in Classical and Post-classical Thought 4.5.1.1 Plato on Phantasia 4.5.1.2 Aristotle on Phantasia 4.5.1.3 The Stoics on Phantasia 4.5.1.4 Summary 4.5.2 Φαντασία in the Twelve Conclusion Appendix A: Translation of Ambakoum and Habakkuk Amb/Hab 1:1 Amb/Hab 1:2–4 Amb/Hab 1:5–11 Amb/Hab 1:12–17 Amb/Hab 2:1–2 Amb/Hab 2:3–5 Amb/Hab 2:6–19 2:6–8 2:9–11 2:12–14 2:15–17 2:18–19 Amb/Hab 2:20 Amb/Hab 3:1 Amb/Hab 3:2–7 Amb/Hab 3:8–15 Amb/Hab 3:16–19 Bibliography Index of References Index of Authors Index of Subjects