Texts in Conversation
The birth of Jesus in Luke 2 includes language similar to the Aramaic translation of Isaiah 6 in Targum Jonathan. The language in Luke was likely influenced by an Aramaic tradition later preserved in the Targum.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Jonathan Isaiah 6:3
Targum
2 Holy ministers on high stood before Him; each one had six wings. With two he covered his face, so that it could not see; with two he covered his body, so that it could not be seen; and with two he was ministering. 3 One cried to another, and they were saying, “Holy in the highest and exalted heavens is the house of His Shekinah; holy on the earth is the work of His might; holy forever and ever is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of the brightness of His glory.” 4 The posts of the threshold of the temple shook at the voice of the one who cried, and the house of the sanctuary was filled with cloudy darkness. 5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I have sinned! For I am a guilty man, deserving rebuke, and I dwell in the midst of a people polluted with sin; for my eyes have seen the glory of the Shekinah of the King of the worlds, the LORD of hosts.”
Luke 2:14
New Testament
8 Now there were shepherds nearby living out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: 11 Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”
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Notes and References
"... The targumic development of Isaiah 6:3, Holy in the highest heavens... holy upon earth... holy for endless ages, certainly is to be related, directly or indirectly, to Luke 2:14. If David Flusser's conclusions are exact, the tripartite form would have to be restored to the Gloria, by reading with a large number of witnesses: ... and among men divine benevolence — en anthropos eudokia, instead of eudokias ..."
Le Déaut, Roger
Targumic Literature and New Testament Interpretation
(p. 248) Biblical Theology Bulletin, 1974
* 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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