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The Hebrew version of Nehemiah has the Levites read the Torah and give an interpretation, referencing what becomes an Aramaic translation tradition. The Greek Septuagint changes this to just Ezra teaching, removing any reference to translation.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Nehemiah 8:8
Hebrew Bible
7 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—all of whom were Levites—were teaching the people the law, as the people remained standing. 8 They read from the book of God’s law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read. 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priestly scribe, and the Levites who were imparting understanding to the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the law.
LXX Nehemiah 8:8
Septuagint
7 And Joshua and Benaiah and Sherebiah were instructing the people in the law, and the people were in their place. 8 And they read in the document of the law of God, and Ezra was instructing and teaching on the knowledge of the Lord, and the people understood during the reading. 9 And Nehemiah spoke, along with Ezra the priest and scribe and the Levites instructing the people, and they said to all the people, “Today is holy to the Lord our God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
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Notes and References
... The word here translated as ‘interpretation’ is a technical Aramaic term for translation in the Persian court. The same verb is used in Ezra 4:18 to mean verbal translation before the Persian king, so it seems that the author or editor is aware of the technical meaning of the verb. Some, including the rabbis, view this as the first record of a Targum. The Septuagint does not read it this way, but rather takes the root at its alternative sense of ‘to make clear or distinct.’ Such a translation ignores the technical meaning of the term. The Septuagint translates it with edidasken, to teach verbally. ...
Cleath, Lisa Joann
Reading Ceremonies in the Hebrew Bible: Ideologies of Textual Authority in Joshua 8, 2 Kings 22-23, and Nehemiah 8
(pp. 285-286) University of California, Los Angeles, 2016
* 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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