Texts in Conversation
The birth of Jesus in Luke 2 includes language that is similar to the Aramaic translation of Isaiah 6 in Targum Jonathan. This suggests that the language in Luke was influenced by an Aramaic tradition later preserved in the Targum.
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Jonathan Isaiah 6:3
Targum
2 Holy ministers on high stood before him: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, that it should not see; and with twain he covered his body, that it should not be seen; and with twain he was ministering. 3 And one cried unto another, and they were saying, Holy in the highest and exalted heavens is the house of His Shekinah, holy upon the earth is the work of His might, holy for ever, world without end, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of the brightness of His glory. 4 And the posts of the threshold of the temple moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house of the sanctuary was filled with cloudy darkness. 5 Then said I, Woe is me, for I have sinned, for I am a guilty man to reprove, and I dwell in the midst of a people polluted with sin: for mine eyes have seen the glory of the Shekinah of the King of the worlds, the Lord of hosts.
Date: 200-300 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
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!”
Date: 75-85 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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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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