John Zhu-En Wee, «Hebrew Syntax in the Organization of Laws and its Adaptation in the Septuagint», Vol. 85 (2004) 523-544
The Hebrew of the Pentateuch exhibits a hierarchy of
discourse markers that indicate different organization levels in the legal
texts. This organization elucidates the relationship (whether coordination or
subordination) of legal stipulations with each other. The markers studied
include X+yk+Pred and X+r#)+Pred
constructions, yk and M)
clauses, as well as a specialized use of the particle
hnh. The Greek translators may have been sensitive to the use of these
markers and even modified them in order to express their particular
interpretation of the text.
524 John Zhu-En Wee
even in the same biblical book!) may have transmitted the same
Hebrew pattern in different ways. With these cautions in mind, it is
wise not to expect total conformity to any discourse rules formulated.
On the other hand, a discourse model does provide a suggestive
framework, which may highlight some examples where the translators
deviate from the expected structure to express their particular interpre-
tations.
Perhaps more than any other genre, the lists of Pentateuchal laws
readily commend themselves to the systematization and organization
of their contents by the reader. In particular, my study will focus on
laws intended to have an abiding significance for the Israelite
community, instead of laws merely for the peculiar circumstances of
the wilderness (5). In this paper, I will discuss the function of syntactic
markers in Hebrew legal discourse, the treatment of such markers in
the Septuagint translations, and possible reorganization of legal texts
by the translators through a modification of these markers.
1. Organizational levels in legal texts
The discourse analysis of legal texts often reveals several levels of
organization. Using the example of Num 27,8-11, I will illustrate the
meaning of various concepts used throughout the paper (6).
A If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to
his daughter (v. 8).
B .................... If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to
his brothers (v. 9).
B’.................... If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to
his father’s brothers (v. 10).
Bâ€................... If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his
inheritance to his nearest relative in his own family (v. 11).
——————
Each book betrays its own attitude towards the task of translating ... Each book
then must primarily be studied from within itself so as to determine the
translator’s attitude towards his task†(“The Göttingen Pentateuch: Some Post-
Partem Reflectionsâ€, VII Congress of the International Organization for
Septuagint and Cognate Studies [ed. C.E. COX] [Atlanta, GA 1989] 57-58).
(5) The parameters of my study include Exod 12,1-28.43-49; 13,1-16; 20,1-
17.22-26; 21,1–23,19; Lev 1,1–7,38; 11,1–27,34; Num 3,5-13; 4,1-33; 5,1–6,21;
9,9-14; 15,1-31.37-41; 18,1–19,22; 27,6-11; 28,1–30,17; 35,9-34; 36,8-9; Deut
5,1–26,19.
(6) All English Scripture in this paper is quoted from the New American
Standard Bible (NASB).