Texts in Conversation
In Leviticus 18, the Targum introduces Memra where the Hebrew speaks of God’s personal command, likely to avoid implying that God physically holds his statutes. This reflects a willingness to modify the text to accommodate a theological interpretation.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Leviticus 18:30
Hebrew Bible
28 So do not make the land vomit you out because you defile it just as it has vomited out the nations that were before you. 29 For if anyone does any of these abominations, that person who does them will be cut off from the midst of the people. 30 You must obey my charge not to practice any of the abominable statutes that have been done before you, so that you do not defile yourselves by them. I am the Lord your God.’”
Date: 750–400 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Onkelos Leviticus 18:30
Targum
28 so that the land does not empty you out when you defile it; as it will have cast out the people who were before you. 29 For whoever commits any of these abominations, the souls that do them shall be destroyed from among their people. 30 And you shall observe the command of My Memra, that you do not follow the abominable customs which have been done before you, nor be corrupted by them. I am the Lord your God.
Date: 50–500 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The Targum introduced memra here to avoid the anthropomorphic portrayal of God holding or guarding His statutes (“My charge”) ... Our translator could have more simply substituted memra for “charge” and written, “Observe My memra.” This would have made the verse clearer. However, he preferred to retain the biblical words if at all possible and added memra for the above-stated reason ..."
Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner, Onkelos on the Torah, Leviticus: Understanding the Bible Text (Jerusalem: Gefen, 2008), 145.
* 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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