A semantic comparison of the conclusion of LXX Tobit and Semitic 4QTobit

Updated by: 
Shlomo Brand
Research notes: 
SB/12/10/2021
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Evans, Annette H.M.
year: 
2021
Full title: 

A semantic comparison of the conclusion of LXX Tobit and Semitic 4QTobit

Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
Volume: 
77
Issue / Series Volume: 
1
Abbreviated Series Name: 
HTS
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

At the beginning of the 20th century, the shorter Greek version of the book of Tobit, GI, which is included in the Catholic Bible, was thought to be the oldest version. It was defined as ‘a lesson on almsgiving and its redeeming powers’. As the discoveries of the Semitic copies of Tobit at Qumran, GI is recognised to be a reworking of the longer version GII, most probably originally written in Aramaic, between 225 and 175 BCE. In all versions of Tobit, the theme of almsgiving is introduced as specifically directed to Jewish kinsmen, but towards the end, is to be directed to all poor, suggesting that it may have been written by a Hellenistic Jew. Although the surface context of the narrative of Tobit is the Jewish tradition of proper observation of mitzvot and sacrifice and eventual reward, the various versions contain varying degrees of ancient Near Eastern wisdom, and an ironic, subversive reflection of hypocritical righteousness. This article questioned why the endings differ markedly in different versions. To try to find answers, a semantic comparison was made between GI and the most complete Aramaic version 4Q196.

Primary Texts: Judean Desert Documents: 
Scroll / Document: 
4Q196
Primary Texts: Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha: 
Composition / Author: 
Tobit
URL: 
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/hts/article/view/212231
Label: 
18/10/2021
Record number: 
108 000