Vieux pots et bonne soupe : l'emploi de tolúpè en LXX 4 Règnes 4.39

Abstract

One aims to explain why the Greek noun τολύπη “ball of wool” (LXX 4 Kings 4.39) is associated with ἄμπελος “vine” and to what extent it can be considered as an equivalent of Hebrew paqqu‘ōt, both referring to the colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.). The analysis of the features that characterize the short narrative about the miracle of Elisha (BH 2 Kings 4.39) and the consideration of τολύπη from a lexicological point of view leads us to conclude how accurate and how relevant the choice made by the Greek scholars who worked out the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible is.