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Document Details : Title: Does YHWH 'Weigh' or 'Lead' the Hearts? Subtitle: Maat and Translational Deviation between MT- and LXX-Proverbs Author(s): LAMB, Gregory E. Journal: Journal of Septuagint and Cognate Studies Volume: 58 Date: 2025 Pages: 41-64 DOI: 10.2143/JSCS.58.0.3295593 Abstract : The Greek text of Proverbs exhibits a free and paraphrastic style when compared to the MT. While scholars such as Michael V. Fox have suggested the overall fidelity of the translator(s) to the underlying Hebrew exemplar(s), and that the aforementioned translational freedoms do not evince anarchic intent, other scholars (e.g., Hans Lewy et al.) have suggested that this translational deviance is intentional, and can be explained via various hypotheses including the influence of Greek mystery cults and philosophical/eschatological underpinnings, which downplay the vivid, ekphrastic afterlife imagery of the MT. However, I contend that in the cases of LXX-Prov 16:2; 21:2; and 24:12, which in the MT invoke Egyptian Maatian concepts of 'weighing the hearts/spirits', the translator(s) intentionally deviate from the MT because of their desire to avoid any linkage between Maatian concepts and YHWH. Thus, in their seeming concerns against religious assimilation, and apparent apologetic desire to highlight the supremacy of YHWH above competing pagan pantheons, the translations of these passages in LXX-Proverbs betray the effects of competitive historiography. |
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