Were the LXX Versions of Proverbs and Job Translated by the Same Person?

Abstract

This article addresses the question whether Septuagint Proverbs and Job could have had the same translator. Gerleman opted for an affirmative answer, whereas Gammie disagrees. Applicable criteria are formulated—linguistic ones and aspects of the contents of these units. This article focuses on the latter—the way two prominent wisdom passages, Old Greek Job 28 and LXX Prov 8:22–31, are rendered. It deals with the translation technique. Both units are deemed freely translated. They correspond largely, however, they also differ. Whereas LXX Proverbs is an expansive text, Old Greek Job is an abridged text. Old Greek Job 28 has a unique profile with a number of minuses. The following aspects are omitted: earth and bread; stones (sapphires and gold); birds of prey (the falcon); the proud wild animals (the lion); the deep and the sea; wisdom not for gold and silver; nor from gold of Ophir, onyx, or sapphire; gold and glass or jewels of fine gold; coral or crystal; the chrysolite of Ethiopia, pure gold; Abaddon and Death; and a way for the thunderbolt. This composition represents an abridged text, the work of the translator. There is no evidence of differing Vorlagen. The translator of Prov 8:22–31 stresses the fact that God/the Lord was solely responsible for the creation and that wisdom had no independent role to play. In verses 23, 24, 25, and 31, the person or aspect of the verb was changed in order to avoid misunderstanding. The translator places wisdom in perspective. Reduction of the text as is the case with Old Greek Job did not take place in LXX Proverbs 8. This could lead to one conclusion only; two translators, with such divergent attitudes to their parent texts, could not have belonged to the same circle of translators nor be deemed as one and the same translator.

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