After a few more posts on Genesis and creation we’ll jump into the LXX, as the minority requested. I’ve decided to assign some reading for that, so everyone is somewhat on the same page by the time we get there. Here are 33 pages from Jennifer Dines’ excellent introduction to the Septuagint (Septuagint (Understanding the Bible and Its World)
A Head Start on the Septuagint Issue
So you will end the series on Genesis/creation after a few more posts and then you’ll discuss the NT usage of the OT LXX? Or the LXX of Genesis 1?
that’s what I’m guessing.
Other than the fact that all the translations in the LXX are moving targets, literal, free, allegory, authors with different styles, motives, etc….I did learn one thing that I can relate to in my life experience.
“Isa. 7:14. For texts crucial to Jewish-Christian controversy, Isa. 7:14 is one of the most obvious candidates. Here, the LXXs choice of parthenos, virgin, to render Hebrew ?almâ, young woman”…
Now I know why my bible of choice, RSV, used “young woman” instead of “virgin”. Too bad. I don’t view this verse as a big deal. But I guess many did, since the RSV was trashed shortly after release, and quickly replaced by NRSV and NIV. The only new RSV I can buy is an Oxford edition, which is rather big to carry around (I bought it and use it at home, but use an old 1953 edition RSV to carry to church). I don’t like NIV because I don’t like some of their translations (like Jer 7:22, Ex 20:13, Deut 5:17). Guess when my small RSV gives up the ghost, I’ll be buying a small KJV.
I’ve blogged on this before here at the Naked Bible: http://michaelsheiser.com/TheNakedBible/category/jesus/virgin-birth/
Interesting post and comments. Although the Bible Study Magazine didn’t have the article posted, and I don’t really want to subscribe to it. But I just use common sense, since Isa 7:14 doesn’t bother me either way, since being a “young woman” does not exclude being a “virgin”.
However, I was really impressed with your comment “This would suggest that the third category, the alamot, had no sexual relationship with the king. An almah in this text was, in essence, a candidate for become either a concubine or a wife”,
BINGO – as I remember, Mary was effectively “betrothed” to Joseph, which would fit this meaning quite well.
Oops – I looked for the article, but didn’t play the video on the preceding post – I’ll have to look at that when I get time, since it is 44 minutes long. Thanks for the info… makes me even more disappointed that people trashed the RSV.
Finally got a chance to watch the whole video. Pretty good. Confirms “An almah in this text was, in essence, a candidate for becoming either a concubine or a wife, i.e. a wife in waiting, betrothed, etc., and obviously a virgin based on their cultural norms.
KJV brother, is not any better (people are just used to its final translational form). For me, it’s time to move on with the ESV, the NET or the new upcoming ISV (International Standard Version) which is translating Isaiah from the Dead Sea Scrolls (Peter Flint).
I don’t like murder for kill, per ESV, but that’s another story… ISV sounds interesting. Will await its release. In the meantime, my RSV will last for a while. One advantage of the KJV, it’s cheap – since there is no copywrite.
Right, good move
Just for completeness, at least on my part, concerning prophecy by analogy. I have no problem with Isa 7:14 in that the prophecy did not occur in Ahaz’s time. 1) Ahaz does not want a sign. So obviously 2) the sign does not apply to his time, or his wife (she is not a virgin, young woman who is betrothed. The sign 3) Immanuel is an indication of the coming Messiah from the House of David. Per Mat 1:9, Ahaz is in the lineage. Thus, what is being told to Ahaz is effectively, “you and your family, and your lineage, will not be destroyed by the potential enemies, since your lineage will bear fruit with the coming Messiah”. From Ahaz’s perspective, this is a perfect view of what he would think. He wouldn’t expect to actually witness a virgin birth, only that he will be in the lineage of a virgin birth of the Messiah. Ego = consistency, which I love.