| This dissertation examines the text of Joshua 3:1-5:1 by employing narratological and translation technique methods. Overall, it has been estimated, the Greek version of Joshua is 4-5% shorter than the MT. Most scholars would argue that the shorter version of LXX-Joshua reflects the original Hebrew Vorlage whereas the MT reflects an expanded version of such an alleged Hebrew Vorlage. In this study, however, the LXX version of Joshua 3:1-5:1 is 2-3% longer than the MT. One would wonder at the outset of this study, whether such statistical difference between the Hebrew and Greek texts of this particular narrative suggests a different Hebrew Vorlage, which differed from the MT by such an amount, or whether it simply reflects the interpretive activity of the translator. And yet some would opt for a middle solution; namely, it is possible to have both free translation and a different Vorlage in this same text. After a close analysis of this narrative, it is quite clear that there are no large-scale variants such as pluses, minuses or substitutions of a large amount of text. The 42-verse narrative in the MT is well preserved in the LXX. The general description of the translation technique of the book of Joshua to range from 'relatively free' to 'relatively literal' is maintained in this study. The translator tends to offer free renderings of this narrative, primarily in cases where, (1) the Hebrew syntax is complex; (2) the sequence of events is problematic; (3) the translator makes his own accent or emphasis; (4) the translator addresses a theological issue. Since most of the variants, both quantitative and qualitative, can be safely attributed to the interpretive activity of the translator, it can therefore be concluded that the translator of this particular narrative renders a Hebrew text that is very similar to the MT. In other words, in the case of Joshua 3:1-5:1, the MT is virtually the same as the Hebrew Vorlage.. |
