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 BCE (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 CE
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 BCE (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 BCE
LXX Judges 5:21
Septuagint
20 The stars from heaven set themselves in array, they set themselves to fight with Sisara out of their paths. 21 The brook of Kison swept them away, the brook of the ancients, the brook Kison: my mighty soul will trample him down. 22 When the hoofs of the horse were entangled, his mighty ones earnestly hastened 23 to curse Meroz: Curse it, said the angel of the Lord; cursed is every one that dwells in it, because they did not come to the help of the Lord, to his help among the mighty.
6th century BCE
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 BCE
LXX Ezekiel 8:17
Septuagint
16 And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord, and at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty men, with their back parts toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces turned the opposite way; and these were worshipping the sun. 17 And he said to me, Son of man, you have seen this. Is it a little thing to the house of Juda to practise the iniquities which they have practised here? for they have filled the land with iniquity: and, look, these are as scorners. 18 Therefore I will deal with them in fierce anger: my eye shall not spare, nor will I have any mercy.
6th–3rd centuries BCE
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 CE
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 –