Multilingualism and Translation in Ancient Judaism
Before and After Babel

Explores the practice and conception of multilingualism and translation in ancient Judaism, and the dialectical relationship between them.

Steven D. Fraade (Author)

9781009203715, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 September 2023

256 pages
28 x 19 x 2.1 cm, 0.607 kg

In this book, Steven Fraade explores the practice and conception of multilingualism and translation in ancient Judaism. Interrogating the deep and dialectical relationship between them, he situates representative scriptural and other texts within their broader synchronic - Greco-Roman context, as well as diachronic context - the history of Judaism and beyond. Neither systematic nor comprehensive, his selection of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek primary sources, here fluently translated into clear English, best illustrate the fundamental issues and the performative aspects relating to translation and multilingualism. Fraade scrutinizes and analyzes the texts to reveal the inner dynamics and the pedagogical-social implications that are implicit when multilingualism and translation are paired. His book demonstrates the need for a more thorough and integrated treatment of these topics, and their relevance to the study of ancient Judaism, than has been heretofore recognized.

1. Introduction: multilingualism in the neighborhood
2. Before Babel
3. Seventy languages (and translations) for seventy nations
4. Ezra the scribe and the origins of Targum
5. Out of the fire and into the wall
6. 'Reading leads to translation' whether public or private
7. Be careful what you wish for
8. Afterword.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]