레위기 6:18하와 27상 번역에 대한 제언

Abstract

This article proposes a more adequate translation of Leviticus 6:18b (בּהם יקדּשׁכּל אשׁר־ינּע [Heb. v. 11]) and 27a (כּל אשׁר־ינּע בּבשׂרהּ יקרּשׁ [ׁHeb. v. 20]) in response to J. Milgrom. In order to understand these phrases, the usage of three terms (כּל ,נגע ,יקרּשׁ) should be studied in the context of priestly tradition. Milgrom insists that כּל is the subject of יקרּשׁ and cannot refer to a human because holiness does not transfer to humans as demonstrated in Leviticus 5:14-16, Haggai 2:12, Exodus 30:26-29, and Numbers 4:15. Accordingly, the phrase in Leviticus 6:11b has to be translated as ‘whatever touches them shall become holy.’ However, Leviticus 5:14-16, Exodus 30:26-29, and Numbers 4:15, which belong to priestly tradition, basically show that humans have to be qualified at the time of contact with sancta and are silent on whether or not holiness can be transferred to humans.BR Four cases (Lev 7:19, 21; 12:4; Num 4:15) in which נגע refers to contact with sancta also show that נגע is used in the context of qualification at the time of contact with sancta. The use of יקרּשׁ is limited to the transfer of holiness. Holiness is transferred to the high priest, who is prepared to enter the most holy when entering the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement. He, however, has to desanctify after he is finished with the purification offering. In addition, the things which are contagious by sancta have to undergo rites to remove the holiness, which has been transferred (Lev 6:27-28 [Heb. vv. 20-21]). This means that the contagion of holiness is very different from the contagion of impurity. If holiness is in contact with impurity, then holiness is polluted by impurity. These characteristics of holiness imply that יקרּשׁ can be translated as ‘to be in a holy state.’ Finally, Leviticus 22:1-16, which is auxiliary to Leviticus 6:14-30, regulates that the priests should be in a holy state when they come into contact with sancta.BR Through the discussion on these three terms, it can be proposed that the phrases in Leviticus 6:11b and 20a should be translated as ‘whoever touches these should be in a holy state’ and ‘whoever touches its flesh shall be in a holy state’ respectively. Holiness has to be separated from impurity (Lev 10:10). When society is polluted by impurity, it has to be restored to a holy state by sacrifices not by contagion. If anyone who is not qualified comes into contact with sancta, he/she is given the penalty of death or being cut off.