The Egyptian Influence on the Greek Septuagint
The Septuagint, a term that sparks intrigue among scholars and laymen alike, refers to the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. This monumental work, crafted in the heart of Alexandria during the third century BCE, stands as a testament to the cultural and linguistic confluence of the Hellenistic world. But beneath its Greek veneer, how much does the Septuagint owe to the Egyptian milieu in which it was born? This is the question that Sofía Torallas Tovar tackles in her compelling article, "How Egyptian is the Greek of Septuagint?: Some Lexical Notes," published in the "Journal for the Study of Judaism."
The Septuagint is not merely a religious text; it is a linguistic bridge between cultures. As the largest corpus of 'translation Greek,' it offers a unique lens through which we can observe the interplay of languages. The translation process itself was an act of cultural negotiation, where the translators, rooted in their Egyptian context, had to choose how to render the ancient Hebrew into the lingua franca of the time, Greek.
Tovar's article delves into the complex task of identifying Egyptian loanwords within the Septuagint. This is no easy feat, as it involves distinguishing words that are not merely Greek in an Egyptian setting but are fundamentally Egyptian in origin and adopted into Greek. The challenge is compounded by the scarcity of comparative material, given the loss of documents from other regions of the Mediterranean.
To navigate this complex linguistic landscape, Tovar employs a variety of analytical methodologies. She compares the Septuagint's vocabulary with other text corpora, including Greek papyri from Egypt, to pinpoint terms that are distinctly Egyptian. This comparative approach is crucial, as it allows for a more nuanced understanding of the linguistic features that the Septuagint shares with its Egyptian Greek counterparts.
One of the key methods used is the examination of 'calques,' or literal translations, which can reveal the underlying structure of the source language. By analyzing these calques, Tovar sheds light on how the translators may have been influenced by their native linguistic frameworks.
The findings of Tovar's research are interesting. She uncovers a layer of Egyptian essence woven into the fabric of the Greek Septuagint. Terms that were part of the everyday language in Egypt found their way into this translation, offering a glimpse into the world of Hellenistic Egypt where Greek and Egyptian lived side by side.
For instance, the use of certain words in the Septuagint that are also attested in Egyptian papyri suggests that these terms were part of the administrative and legal lexicon of the time. However, Tovar is careful to note that the presence of these terms does not necessarily mean they were unique to Egypt. The lack of surviving documents from other areas means that we cannot definitively say these words were not used elsewhere in the Greek-speaking world.
The influence of the Septuagint extends far beyond its immediate context. As Tovar points out, the translation played a significant role in shaping later Greek, including Byzantine and Modern Greek. The abundance of documents from Egypt provides a rich source of evidence for linguistic features that may have been present in the wider Greek world but are not attested due to the loss of documents.
Moreover, the Septuagint's role as a source text for Christian literature cannot be overstated. Its widespread use in biblical commentaries and other religious writings helped disseminate the Egyptian Greek terms throughout the Greek-speaking world, integrating them into the broader linguistic corpus.
The Septuagint's legacy is a testament to the dynamic nature of language and culture. It stands as a symbol of the cross-cultural interactions that were a hallmark of the Hellenistic period. The translation is not just a religious document but a historical artifact that encapsulates the complexities of linguistic exchange and cultural adaptation.
Tovar's article invites us to consider the Septuagint not just as a static text but as a living document that reflects the vibrant and multifaceted world of Hellenistic Egypt. It challenges us to think about the ways in which language can be a vehicle for cultural transmission and transformation.
Tovar reminds us that history is not just about events and figures but also about the words they spoke and the texts they left behind. The Septuagint, with its blend of Hebrew, Greek, and Egyptian elements, serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our past.
As we continue to piece together the shards of history, works like Tovar's provide the tools to understand the mosaic of human civilization. The Egyptian influence on the Greek Septuagint is a piece of the puzzle that leads us back to a world where cultures converged, and history was written not just in the deeds of the mighty but in the words of the many.