Texts in Conversation
Exodus 23 forbids mentioning the names of other gods, implying their existence. The Aramaic translation in Targum Onkelos changes this to refer to the idols of the other nations, removing any sense of polytheism from the Hebrew source.
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Exodus 23:13
Hebrew Bible
12 For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, in order that your ox and your donkey may rest and that your female servant’s son and the resident foreigner may refresh themselves. 13 “Pay attention to do everything I have told you, and do not even mention the names of other gods—do not let them be heard on your lips. 14 “Three times in the year you must make a pilgrim feast to me.
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Onkelos Exodus 23:13
Targum
12 Six days shalt thou do thy work, and in the seventh day have rest, that thy ox and thy ass may rest, and the son of thine handmaid and thy sojourner may be quiet. 13 And of all that I have spoken to you be mindful, and the name of the idols of the Gentiles remember not; let it not be heard upon thy lips. 14 Three times thou shalt solemnize festival before Me in the year.
Date: 100-200 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Onkelos recasts the biblical phrase 'other Elohim', which, if translated 'gods,' could imply that other deities exist. Ibn Ezra maintains that the prohibition 'do not mention' relates to an oath. Nachmanides understands it in its literal sense, that even mentioning other gods is prohibited ..."
Drazin, Israel, and Stanley M. Wagner
Onkelos on the Torah, Exodus: Understanding the Bible Text
(p. 153) Gefen, 2006
* 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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