The Targum of Zephaniah (Studies in the Aramaic Interpretation of Scripture, 7)

473 Pages·2009·2.89 MB·English

by  Ahuva Ho

The Targum of Zephaniah
Studies in the Aramaic
Interpretation of Scripture
Managing Editor
Paul V.M. Flesher
University of Wyoming
Editorial Board
Bruce Chilton
Bard College
Willem Smelik
University College, London
Johannes C. de Moor
Theological University, Kampen
Moshe Bernstein
Yeshiva University
Josep Ribera
University of Barcelona
VOLUME 7
The Targum of Zephaniah
Manuscripts and Commentary
By
Ahuva Ho
LEIDEN • BOSTON
2009
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ho, Ahuva, 1943-
The targum of Zephaniah : manuscripts and commentary / by Ahuva Ho.
p. cm. — (Studies in the Aramaic interpretation of Scripture, ISSN 1570-1336 ; v. 7)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-90-04-17180-0 (hardback : alk. paper)
1. Bible. O.T. Zephaniah. Aramaic—Versions—Targum Jonathan. 2. Bible. O.T.
Zephaniah—Criticism, interpretation, etc., Jewish. I. Title. II. Series.
BS1645.52.H62 2009
224’.96042—dc22
2008048749

ISSN: 1570-1336
ISBN: 978 90 04 17180 0
Copyright 2009 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Hotei Publishing,
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printed in the netherlands
CONTENTS
Preface ......................................................................................... vii
List of Abbreviations .................................................................. ix
Chapter One Introduction ...................................................... 1
1.1 Prologue ............................................................................. 1
1.2 The Nature of Targum Jonathan ..................................... 3
1.3 The Identity of TJ and the Problems of Translation ..... 4
1.4 Overview of Research ....................................................... 10
1.5 The Function of Targumim ............................................. 25
1.6 Some Notes on the Yemenite Targumic Tradition .......... 28
1.7 Research into TJ Zephaniah ............................................. 30
1.8 Methodology ...................................................................... 32
Chapter Two The Manuscripts ............................................... 35
2.1 General Observations ........................................................ 35
2.1.1 Palestinian Ms ........................................................ 37
2.1.2 Babylonian-Yemenite Mss ..................................... 41
2.1.3 Ashkenazi Mss ....................................................... 50
2.1.4 Sepharadi Mss ....................................................... 62
2.2 Examination of TJ Zephaniah—Stemmatic
Research ............................................................................. 69
2.2.1 Palestinian Ms ....................................................... 69
2.2.2 Babylonian Mss ..................................................... 76
2.2.3 Yemenite Mss ........................................................ 83
2.2.4 Babylonian and Yemenite MSS—Comparison .... 101
2.2.5 Ashkenazi Mss ....................................................... 102
2.2.6 Sepharadi Mss ....................................................... 134
2.2.7 True Variants ......................................................... 168
2.2.8 Rashi and Radaq as Witnesses on TJ .................. 173
2.3 The Scribes ........................................................................ 180
Chapter Three Commentary .................................................. 185
3.1 Prologue ............................................................................. 185
3.2 Two Targumic Toseftot ........................................................ 189
3.3 Chapter 1 ........................................................................... 192
vi contents
3.4 Chapter 2 ........................................................................... 252
3.5 Chapter 3 ........................................................................... 306
Chapter Four Conclusions ....................................................... 409
4.1 Targum’s Expressions and Concerns ................................ 409
4.2 Targum’s Characteristics ................................................... 411
4.2.1 The Concept of God ........................................... 411
4.2.2 Man and God ....................................................... 412
4.2.3 Idolatry ................................................................. 412
4.2.4 Fear of God and Sin ............................................ 413
4.2.5 Prayer ................................................................... 413
4.2.6 Reward of the Righteous and Punishment of the
Wicked .................................................................. 413
4.2.7 Mysticism ............................................................. 414
4.2.8 Eschatology .......................................................... 415
4.2.9 The Love of Israel ................................................ 415
4.2.10 Geographical Names ............................................ 416
4.2.11 Modifi cation ......................................................... 416
4.2.12 Clarifi cation .......................................................... 417
4.2.13 Confl ation ............................................................ 418
4.3 Targum Jonathan and Rabbinic Teaching ....................... 418
4.4 Historical Allusions and Dating ........................................ 420
4.5 The Manuscripts and Their stemmas ............................... 424
4.5.1 Stemmas ............................................................... 425
4.6 The Toseftot ......................................................................... 426
4.7 True Variants ..................................................................... 426
4.8 The Erosion of TJ ............................................................. 427
Bibliography ................................................................................ 431
Indices
Sigla of Mss according to the Institute of Microfi lmed
Hebrew Manuscripts of the Jewish National and University
Library ( JNUL) ...................................................................... 445
Index of Names ...................................................................... 447
Index of Biblical Passages ...................................................... 451
Index of Post-Biblical Passages .............................................. 455
PREFACE
This study could not have been completed without the help of the
following librarians and libraries. My deepest thanks go first and
foremost to Dr. Benjamin Richler and Yael Okun of the Institute
of Microfi lmed Hebrew Manuscripts at the National Library of the
Hebrew University, who supplied me with all the photocopies and
the majority of the descriptive information. Their attentiveness and
kindness have been unmatched. Many thanks to Ilana Tahan and Sut-
ton Hedley of the British Library. Thank you, Ms Tahan, for taking
time to host my husband and myself at the British Library. Thanks
to Judit Balatz of the Budapest Magyar tudomanyos akademia who
kept the library open for me after hours. Thanks to Sara Diamant of
the New York Jewish Theological Seminary ( JTS), Tara C. Craig of
The Rare Book and Manuscript Library of Columbia University, Dr.
Hartmut-Orwin Feistel of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Mag. Michael
Grünwald of the Gottweig Stiftsbibliothek, Laurent Hericher of the
Paris Bibliothèque Nationale de France, and Aurora Diez Baños of the
Universidad Complutense de Madrid Library. A special thank you is
sent to Betty Clement of the Clairmont School of Theology for her
unyielding support above and beyond her call of duty.
Thanks must be given to all my most learned and respected teachers
from the Hebrew University, the University of Judaism (the current
American Jewish University), and Clairmont Graduate School, who
guided my academic journey.
Sincere thanks are due to Prof. Paul V.M. Flesher, and Brill’s editors
Mattie Kuiper, Camila Werner, and Marleen Schouten-Vink, for their
guidance throughout the publication process.
Thanks to my students who enjoy and appreciate our weekly meet-
ings, and especially Howard Mirowitz, whose stylistic suggestions have
been most welcomed. Much appreciation to Ruth Abers who dedicated
long hours to help me with the indices, and took care of me when I
was sick.
A special acknowledgment must be made to the Israeli scholar, poet
and writer, Mr. Mordekhai Yitzhari, whose help in deciphering and
discerning Yemenite colophons, have been immeasurable.
viii preface
And last but not least, I thank my family: My late father, my teacher
and rabbi, Haim Ofri, who introduced me to Rashi and Targum, at
a tender age; my children, Dr. Harel A. Ho, Dr. Claire L. Ho, and
Ofer B. Ho, who have unfalteringly expressed their pride and love;
my daughter-in-law, Joyce Tamanaha-Ho, whose literary skills have
illuminated this study from its fi rst steps; my adorable grandchildren
who keep me smiling, and my precious husband, Prof. Dr. Winston G.
Ho, whose love and confi dence have comforted me through highs and
lows. This work is dedicated to him.
Ahuva Ho
Orange, California
February 2009
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
Aq Aquila
AS Aramaic Studies
ASV American Standard Version (1901)
AT Additional Targum
ATSAT Arbeiten zu Text und Sprache im Alten Testament
BAR Biblical Archaeology Review
BHS Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
BO Bibliotheca Orientalis
BS Bibliotheca Sacra
BThB Biblical Theology Bulletin
BZAW Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissen-
schaft
CBQ Catholic Biblical Quarterly
CRINT Compendia Rerum Iudaicarum ad Novum Testamentum
DBSup Dictionnaire de la Bible: Supplément
EB Estudios Biblicos
EDB Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible
EI Eretz Israel
EJ Encyclopaedia Judaica
ET The Expository Times
EThR Études Théologiques et Religieuses
FRB First Rabbinic Bible, Venice, 1515–1517 (ms B)
HB Hebrew Bible
HOTTP Preliminary and Interim Report on the Hebrew Old Testa-
ment Text Project
HTR Harvard Theological Review
IDBS The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Supplementary
Volume
JAB Journal for the Aramaic Bible
JAOS Journal of the American Oriental Society
JBL Journal of Biblical Literature
JE Jewish Encyclopedia
JJS Journal of Jewish Studies
JNSL Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages
JNUL Jewish National and University Library, Institute of Micro-
fi lmed Hebrew Manuscripts