Biblical Criticism & History Forum - earlywritings.com

Secret Alias wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:56 am Can we all at least be honest and admit that the only reason why this stupid idea that the LXX was an original exemplar rather than a translation crept into the discussion was because it "fits" with the notion that the Pentateuch borrowed from Greek writers? It doesn't make sense that Moses was understood to write in Greek. And then the names of the books themselves. The third book of history in Greek is called Leviticus, because it is about the selection and ministry of the Levites. But in Hebrew the first word is used as the title. How is this reconciled? The Greek clearly seems to be a summary of the contents of the Hebrew original.

ABuddhist wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:04 am
In all honesty, I am not familiar enough with Gmirkin's claims to know whether he claims that the Pentateuch was written originally in Greek.

neilgodfrey wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:12 pm

ABuddhist wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:04 am
In all honesty, I am not familiar enough with Gmirkin's claims to know whether he claims that the Pentateuch was written originally in Greek.

Gmirkin concurs with the long-established evidence that the Pentateuch was originally written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek. (There are usually clear signs that indicate if a work is a translation of another - syntax etc.)

There is also manuscript evidence that demonstrates we no longer have the original Hebrew nor even the first Greek translation. These are not "Gmirkin" ideas but part of the standard understanding among the specialist scholars. Gmirkin addresses some of this evidence in his latest book. (Gmirkin's views on Plato's influence and Hellenistic dating also get a more positive response among the scholars who have read them than they do here among jerks who deliberately refuse to read them and fall back on personal attacks, especially anti-semitism, and childish "whataboutism", refusal to actually read serious responses or else to simply ignore and forget them, to derail this thread from serious discussion.

ABuddhist wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:29 pm

neilgodfrey wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:12 pm

ABuddhist wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 5:04 am
In all honesty, I am not familiar enough with Gmirkin's claims to know whether he claims that the Pentateuch was written originally in Greek.

Gmirkin concurs with the long-established evidence that the Pentateuch was originally written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek. (There are usually clear signs that indicate if a work is a translation of another - syntax etc.)

There is also manuscript evidence that demonstrates we no longer have the original Hebrew nor even the first Greek translation. These are not "Gmirkin" ideas but part of the standard understanding among the specialist scholars. Gmirkin addresses some of this evidence in his latest book. (Gmirkin's views on Plato's influence and Hellenistic dating also get a more positive response among the scholars who have read them than they do here among jerks who deliberately refuse to read them and fall back on personal attacks, especially anti-semitism, and childish "whataboutism", refusal to actually read serious responses or else to simply ignore and forget them, to derail this thread from serious discussion.

Well, I thank you for your advice. In general, though, I am glad that I had this discussion with Secret Alias, because I at least got him to start citing scholarship aside from Philo and other ancient authorities.

Gmirkin concurs with the long-established evidence that the Pentateuch was originally written in Hebrew and then translated into Greek. (There are usually clear signs that indicate if a work is a translation of another - syntax etc.)