In this study, the plant metaphors of the Septuagint of Isaiah are analyzed in order to gain further insight into the translation technique of this unique book. This study suggests that the... Show moreIn this study, the plant metaphors of the Septuagint of Isaiah are analyzed in order to gain further insight into the translation technique of this unique book. This study suggests that the translator had some concern for Greek style in his use of metaphors, but interpreted primarily as a Jewish scribe.Chapter two examines metaphors with terminology from the various parts of plants, and LXX-Isa’s translations are compared with the Targum’s renderings. In general, this chapter demonstrates how the LXX-Isa translator did not follow the example of other LXX translators, yet carefully renders each verse in its context. Chapter three examines metaphors using terms for different kinds of plants, and LXX-Isa’s translations are compared with the Targum’s renderings. In this chapter, while many metaphors are rendered literally, in many cases the translator adjusts the language of metaphors to communicate clearly what he believes the image means.The concluding chapter categorizes all the metaphors examined in this study by their translation strategy. LXX-Isa’s rendering of metaphors is next compared to the Targum of Isaiah. Finally, evidence is given for the translator using some of his Hellenistic rhetorical training concerning metaphors to improve the style of his translation Show less
This study seeks to provide more insight into the Septuagint of Isaiah (LXX Isaiah) by analysing all the cases of pluses and minuses in that translation. In this way it sets out to contribute to... Show moreThis study seeks to provide more insight into the Septuagint of Isaiah (LXX Isaiah) by analysing all the cases of pluses and minuses in that translation. In this way it sets out to contribute to and to complement the discussion of pluses and minuses in LXX Isaiah which was presented by Joseph Ziegler in his work Untersuchungen zur Septuaginta des Buches Isaias (1934). All LXX Isaiah’s pluses and minuses have been collected and classified in this study, and then analysed to understand the motivation for them. Do they betray certain translation tendencies of the translator, or do they indicate that the Greek translator had a Vorlage in front of him which differed from the Masoretic text? One of the conclusions is that many pluses and minuses in the translation seem to be connected with certain literary, stylistic preferences of the translator. Hardly any previous investigations have been made into this stylistic or rhetorical aspect of the Greek translation of Isaiah. Show less
