New Ways in Textual Criticism: Isa 42,1-4 as a Paradigm Case

This study undertakes a meticulous comparison of Isa 42,1-4 in its Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, Syriac, and Latin versions. It tries to demonstrate by means of the analysis of a single passage that the ancient versions can only be adduced as witnesses to the original Hebrew text against the background of their own stylistic and exegetical preferences. A comparison of these respective preferences leads to the conclusion that the versions share a common stock of interpretative methods differently applied to the source text. Hence they are to a different extent influenced by some of the major theological ideas of their time, such as messianism, divine transcendence, or the hitherto unnoticed sympathy for the poor and needy.