Published: 2020-05-20

The Book of Obadiah in the Septuagint

Barbara Strzałkowska
Collectanea Theologica
Section: Articles
https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.1.02

Abstract

The Book of Obadiah, though short (only 21 verses; the shortest book of
the Hebrew Bible), is difficult all the same. Its difficulties are manifested on
the linguistic and textual level, but above all in what concerns its content,
theology and interpretation. The Greek translation of Oba in the LXX is
particularly important because it presents a way of understanding of the
Book dating back to pre-Christian era, Hellenistic times, which strongly
emphasized the theme of threats towards Israel from other nations. In the
LXX-Oba the curses against enemies (Edom – Idumea) are radicalized
and their guilt highlighted. The article presents the Book of Obadiah in its
historical context (both of the Hebrew original and the Greek version), as
well as its text, content and character in the Septuagint version. The article
compares the text of the LXX-Oba with LXX-Jr 29 and shows how difficult
theology of the Book was understood among the Jews of Hellenistic Alexandria.
The universalization of the message of the Book translated by the
LXX later found continuity in its patristic and rabbinical interpretations.

Keywords:

LXX-Oba, the nature of the LXX translation, textual criticism of the LXX, The Book of the Twelve in the LXX

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Citation rules

Strzałkowska, B. (2020). The Book of Obadiah in the Septuagint. Collectanea Theologica, 90(1), 19–76. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.1.02

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