Texts in Conversation
Isaiah 40 poses a rhetorical question to Jacob and Israel, asking why they think God is unaware of their situation. The Greek Septuagint translation changes this into a direct command not to say such things.
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Isaiah 40:27
Hebrew Bible
25 “To whom can you compare me? Whom do I resemble?” says the Holy One. 26 Look up at the sky! Who created all these heavenly lights? He is the one who leads out their ranks; he calls them all by name. Because of his absolute power and awesome strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you say, Jacob, Why do you say, Israel, “The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me; my God is not concerned with my vindication”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, the Creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom. 29 He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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LXX Isaiah 40:27
Septuagint
25 Now therefore to whom did you liken me and will I be made equal? said the Holy One. 26 Look up on high with your eyes, and see: Who has exhibited all these? He who brings out his ornamentation by number, he will call them all by name; because of abundant glory and by might of strength, nothing has escaped you. 27 For do not say, O Iakob, and why have you spoken, O Israel, “My way was hidden from God, and my God has taken away my judgment and has withdrawn”? 28 And now, have you not known? Have you not heard? God everlasting, God who prepared the ends of the earth, will not hunger or grow weary— nor is there searching of his understanding— 29 giving strength to those who hunger and sorrow to those who are not grieving.
Date: 1st Century B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... If the above examples leave any doubt that our translator is persuaded of the existential relevance of these texts for his community or that he is possessed of a hortatory agenda, two further instances might prove convincing. At 40:27, the rhetorical question, 'Why do you say, O Jacob ...' is converted to a command: 'Do not say, O Jacob' ..."
Baer, David A.
When We All Go Home: Translation and Theology in LXX Isaiah 56-66
(p. 37) Sheffield Academic Press, 2001
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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