The Greek Book of Jeremiah: Studies on Its Composition and Translation

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Karin Finsterbusch
• Subject Area: Protestant Theology
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 237802570

Jeremiah exists in two main versions (Hebrew MT-Jeremiah und Greek LXX-Jeremiah). Both texts impose a significantly different structure (for example a different position of the oracles against foreign nations) and size (LXX-Jer is about one seventh shorter than MT-Jer). The differences are so significant that scholars can even speak of two different books of Jeremiah. The question of the relationship between the two texts is debated (especially the question of the existence of a non-masoretic Hebrew Vorlage of LXX-Jer). However, most scholarly literature focuses on the Hebrew text of Jeremiah and asks for LXX-Jer only with regard to its relation to MT-Jer. The Greek text of Jeremiah has not yet been studied in its own right as such an examination requires special knowledge in the field of classical philology. The proposed project wants to address this surprising desideratum. Firstly, structure and content of the Greek Jeremiah are to be examined especially with regard of linguistic features (like key formulae) in transitional passages as well as with regard to the different levels of communication (narrator - readers, Jeremiah - addressees etc). On the basis of this examination the profile of the composition of LXX-Jer will be described. The following questions need to be answered: Is the composition coherent (position of the oracles against foreign nations)? Which underlying principles govern the structure of LXX-Jer (chronological order, "theological" criteria)? Secondly, some exemplary units are to be examined with respect of their language and rhetoric. The following questions need to be asked in this regard: Though the most basic norm of the translation is that of isomorphism, as is often noted, did the translator pay attention to literary quality of his text? Did he use rhetorical devices of the target Greek language and culture? Was there one translator or were there more (differences in the parts of the book)? Can observations about the rhetoric of the speeches provide information about the cultural milieu of the translator(s) and the purpose of the translation? The answers to these questions will influence both the study of the Book of Jeremiah as well as the study of the Septuagint in general significantly.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Armin Lange