Translators Quote by James John Courtenay
““The translators of the LXX did not attempt to find a Greek word to correspond in sense with every Hebrew word or phrase. Sometimes they did not translate the original at all, but gave some substitute for it, whose meaning 'is, of course, to be ascertained only from Egyptian Greek.””
About This Quote
Source Historical: Septuagint translation notes, 3rd century BCE
The Greek translators prioritized conveying overall sense over literal word‑for‑word matching, sometimes omitting or substituting terms.
In simple terms: Greek translators focused on meaning, not literal word matches.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize sense over strict literalism when translating.
Themes
translation
interpretation
ancient texts
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
scholarly
educational
When to use this quote
- Bible study
- academic research
- teaching ancient languages
Key Concepts
Septuagint
semantic equivalence
linguistic adaptation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance fidelity and readability?
- When is a literal rendering essential?
A Different Perspective
Literal translation can miss cultural nuance.
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