Chronological timeline of texts tagged with Difficult Translation
About This Tag
The Hebrew Bible often poses grammatical and interpretive difficulties that lead to unexpected translations in derivative translations such as the Septuagint, the Targums, and other traditions. These translations often reflect efforts to resolve ambiguity, add missing information, or confirm the text to contemporary theological or cultural frameworks. As a result, they sometimes diverge from the Hebrew in ways that reveal the translators’ assumptions and interpretive priorities.
Note: Dates shown in this timeline are approximate and based on scholarly estimates.
Back to TagLeviticus 3:4 / Onkelos Leviticus 3:4
5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
Leviticus 3:4
Hebrew Bible
3 Then the one presenting the offering must present a gift to the Lord from the peace-offering sacrifice: He must remove the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that surrounds the entrails, 4 the two kidneys with the fat on their sinews, and the protruding lobe on the liver (which he is to remove along with the kidneys). 5 Then the sons of Aaron must offer it up in smoke on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the wood in the fire as a gift of a soothing aroma to the Lord.
100-200 C.E.
Onkelos Leviticus 3:4
Targum
3 And of the oblation of the sacred victim the fat that covereth the inwards, even all the fat that is upon the inwards, 4 and the two kidneys and the fat which is upon them on the sides, and the caul that is upon the liver with the kidneys, he shall remove. 5 And the sons of Aharon shall burn it at the altar, with the burnt offering which is on the wood upon the fire, an oblation to be received with grace before the Lord.
6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition)
Judges 5:21
Hebrew Bible
20 From the sky the stars fought, from their paths in the heavens they fought against Sisera. 21 The onrushing torrent* carried them off; the river confronted them—the Kishon River. Step on the necks of the strong! 22 “The horses’ hooves pounded the ground; the stallions galloped madly. 23 ‘Call judgment down on Meroz,’ says the angel of the Lord; ‘Be sure to call judgment down on those who live there, because they did not come to help in the Lord’s battle, to help in the Lord’s battle against the warriors.’
2nd Century B.C.E.
LXX Judges 5:21
Septuagint
20 From heaven the stars arrayed themselves, from their tracks they arrayed themselves against Sisera. 21 The wadi of Kishon swept them away, that ancient brook the Kishon brook; my mighty soul will trample him. 22 Then the heels of the horse were fettered; in haste his mighty ones hastened. 23 “Call down curses on Meroz,” said the angel of the Lord, “call down curses on all who dwell in it, for they did not come to the help of the Lord, to help among the mighty ones.”
6th Century B.C.E.
Ezekiel 8:17
Hebrew Bible
16 Then he brought me to the inner court of the Lord’s house. Right there at the entrance to the Lord’s temple, between the porch and the altar, were about 25 men with their backs to the Lord’s temple, facing east—they were worshiping the sun toward the east! 17 He said to me, “Do you see, son of man? Is it a trivial thing that the house of Judah commits these abominations they are practicing here? For they have filled the land with violence and provoked me to anger still further. Look, they are putting the branch to their nose! 18 Therefore I will act with fury! My eye will not pity them nor will I spare them. When they have shouted in my ears, I will not listen to them.”
1st Century B.C.E.
LXX Ezekiel 8:17
Septuagint
16 And he led me into the interior court of the house of the Lord and toward the front-door space of the temple of the Lord, between the Elam and between the altar, were about twenty men; their backsides were toward the temple of the Lord and their faces opposite, and they were bowing to the sun. 17 And he said to me, “Have you seen, son of man? Is it a small thing for the house of Judah to be doing the transgressions that they have done here? Because they have filled the land with lawlessness! And look; it is as if they are mocking! 18 And I will treat them with wrath. My eye will have no pity, and I will show no mercy.”
6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E.
Psalm 68:6
Hebrew Bible
5 He is a father to the fatherless and an advocate for widows. God rules from his holy dwelling place. 6 God settles in their own homes those who have been deserted; he frees prisoners and grants them prosperity. But sinful rebels live in the desert. 7 O God, when you lead your people into battle, when you march through the wastelands, (Selah)
200-600 C.E.
Targum Psalm 68:7
Targum
6 Father of the orphans, and judge of widows – such is God in the dwelling place of his holy presence. 7 God, who makes matches, joining the solitary to mates; who brought out the house of Israel, who were bound in Egypt; for the correct deeds of their fathers in public procession; but Pharaoh and his armies, who refused to let them go, dwelt in thirst. 8 O God, when you went forth in a pillar of cloud and in a pillar of fire before your people, when you traveled in the wilderness of Jeshimon forever, when you gave the Torah to your people –