λέπρα의 우리말 번역에 대한 제언- ‘예수께서 λεπρός를 깨끗하게 하시다’(막 1:40-44; 마 8:1-4; 눅 5:12-14)를 중심으로 -

Abstract

In order to propose a new proper Korean translation of the Greek term λέπρα, this paper historically reviews the social meanings of its translations in the established Korean versions; critically examines the original root-meanings and changing connotations of both the Hebrew term צדעה and the Greek term λέπρα; and finally, exegetically analyzes ‘Jesus cleanses λεπρός’ (Mk 1:40-45, Mt 8:1-4, Lk 5:12-14).<BR> This paper discusses the fact that the specific disease known today as Hansen’s disease did not exist in the region of Palestine prior to Alexander’s conquest of India in 324 BC, which is supported by archaeological research and Greek literature in the biblical period. Moreover, the biblical descriptions of צדעה and λέπρα are pathologically different from the symptoms of modern Hansen’s disease. In the biblical period, the Greek term ἐλεφαντίασις referred to Hansen’s disease, and צדעה and λέπρα to a number of other undefined skin diseases. Until the 19<SUP>th</SUP> century, there had been a confusion between the Latin terms lepra and ĕlĕphantíăsis, and the former term was eventually used as leprosy in English.<BR> This paper therefore proposes that λέπρα in ‘Jesus cleanses λεπρός’ (Mk 1:40-45, Mt 8:1-4, Lk 5:12-14) should be translated into the technical term severe-skin-disease. This term properly reveals that the skin condition of a person suffering from λέπρα was visibly severe and recognizable by everyone including the priest in the gospels; he was ceremonially unclean, ritually defiled, and excluded from normal relations with other people according to Jewish law. The descriptive expression is also well-connected with the verb to be cleansed (καθαρίζω), and appropriately reveals Jesus’ complete healing ministry in the purification system of the biblical period.<BR> This proposed translation therefore is better to properly reveal Jesus’ transformational healing ministry without translating the term λέπρα as leprosy, a term that did not exist in the biblical era and was stained with discrimination and prejudice.