Traductor Scriptor: The Old Greek Translation of Exodus 1–14 as Scribal Activity. By John Screnock

Abstract

This well-written revision of the author’s Toronto doctoral dissertation is challenging, while pleasingly non-confrontational. Despite the title’s reference to the Old Greek (OG) of Exodus 1–14, the main concern is with textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible (HB). Starting from the widely accepted recognition that HB tradents and OG translators exhibit similar scribal characteristics, Screnock explores the significance of this for textual criticism. He asks cogent questions: is the nature and scope of textual variation within OG and extant Hebrew witnesses (Qumran, Samaritan Pentateuch [SP], Masoretic Text [MT]) comparable? Can differences due to translation technique be separated from those due to a different Vorlage? Can—or should—this Vorlage be used for textual criticism? He aligns himself with those who find a source-oriented rather than a target-oriented character in OG translations, characterized by isomorphic (word for word) translation, as in Exodus 1–14. In such texts, it should be possible to see where the translator has not used standard translational practices. Then, if the Greek can be retranslated into acceptable Hebrew, it will accurately reveal the translator’s Vorlage. Screnock acknowledges that success depends on the isomorphic character of OG, and that less ‘literal’ translations require different treatment (as would Exodus 15, for instance), but his assumption is that most OG translations are in fact isomorphic. The assumption needs far more detailed checking. There is also the question of establishing the OG text itself, not always straightforward.