Barrick, "Early Versions & Psalm 23"
ETS -- November 2005
© William D. Barrick 2005
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6d: All of these ancient versions translate the Hebrew literally. The Targum's
aymwyd anmwyd
is just a stylistic variant to
express the plurality of extension.
Conclusions
Evidence gathered from this brief study of the ancient versions' treatment of Psalm 23 can be utilized in the description of the
translation techniques and translation philosophies of those versions individually and collectively.
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With the primary exception being
the Targum, the ancient versions maintained a fairly literal translation of Psalm 23. Even the Targum, however, clearly possessed a
Hebrew base virtually identical to the MT, since additions were interpretive expansions of the Hebrew that we still possess.
Interdependency shows up exactly where we expect it: the Gallican Psalter reveals its dependence upon LXX.
The translations of
ynIlE)h]n:y>
in verse 2 revealed a propensity among some of the versions to emphasize the nourishing and caring
aspect of the shepherding metaphor, while others emphasized the guiding and leading aspect. Such variation demonstrates that the
translators were wrestling with the psalm as a whole and not translating word by word or even phrase by phrase. In verse 3,
bbeAvy>
yvip.n:
was translated with a sense of conversion except in the Targum, Symmachus, and the Hebrew Psalter of the Latin Vulgate. It is
possible that the sense of restoration and refreshment came about through Jewish translations during the early centuries of the Church.
It makes one wonder if such translations might have been reactions to Christian exposition.
The versions reveal a variety of techniques. Double translation characterizes sections of the Targum of Psalm 23.
Circumlocution was employed by the LXX and Peshitta at the end of verse 5. The emphatic particle
%a;
at the beginning of verse 6 is
variously ignored (Peshitta), translated by a simple conjunction (LXX), represented by compound particles (Hebrew Psalter in Latin
Vulgate), or translated by a single equivalent particle (as in the Targum). In at least one case (the Peshitta's translation of
ds,x,ä
in v.
6), the translator(s) were careful not to employ a homonymous form that could lead to a misunderstanding.
In regard to text critical studies, the ancient versions give very little support to any emendations of the text of Psalm 23. Every
translation is explainable on the basis of the existing Hebrew text--especially if careful attention is given to translational factors rather
than adopting a narrow word-by-word evaluation.
Future amplification of this study will focus on early Church expositors and their citations of Psalm 23 and on the various
translations of the Psalm from the Reformation to the modern era. Such a study has the potential of revealing hermeneutical
methodologies as well as translation techniques and philosophies. One factor to be examined is that of dependence on the ancient
versions.
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An excellent study of ancient translation technique and philosophy that interacts with the LXX as well as the Targums is Staffan Olofsson, The LXX
Version: A Guide to the Translation Technique of the Septuagint, Coniectanea Biblica: Old Testament Series 30 (Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International,
1990).