The Dedication Pronouncement (1 Kgs. 8: 12–13—3 Reg. 8: 53A)

Abstract

The question of the purport and the provenance of the dedication pronouncement is beset by numerous difficulties. This chapter focuses on the question of the text-historical relationship between the versions of the LXX and MT. The Greek of 3 Reg. 8: 53a exhibits several difficulties. The Hebrew text of MT is not affected by problems of equal weight. The peculiarity of the Greek expressions and the word order of the first line rather imply that a Greek translator mechanically rendered a somewhat corrupt Hebrew text. Restoration of this Vorlage text faces several difficulties. This discussion bears also on the issue of the original form of the Greek text, so that an assessment of the most important textual differences is included. In view of the many uncertainties involved in retroverting the Greek of the dedication pronouncement, reconstruction of the Vorlage can only be tentative.Keywords: dedication pronouncement; Greek expressions; Hebrew text; LXX; MT; provenance; purport; text-historical relationship; Vorlage