Responding to a Puzzled Scribe

An anonymous Greek version exists for Habakkuk 3, additional to the Septuagint, and the other Greek versions of the Minor Prophets. It is witnessed by only six medieval manuscripts and has been dubbed the Barberini Greek version after a manuscript formerly in the library of the Barberini family in Rome. In part one of this book Joshua L. Harper is able to demonstrate the following aspects of this version: when compared with the other Greek versions, it appears that the Barberini version was originally independent of the Septuagint but has been influenced by it in transmission. The Barberini version was probably translated no earlier than the later books of the Septuagint (that is, around the first century BC), and no later than the mid-third century AD. The style, methods of translation, and exegetical affinities suggest that the translator was primarily concerned with producing stylistic, understandable Greek rather than with conforming closely to the Hebrew source text. The translator was probably Jewish, particularly since some readings resonate with Jewish exegetical traditions. The relatively polished Greek suggests that the translator had received some formal Greek education, perhaps in a Hellenistic Jewish community. In the second part of this work Harper provides text, translation, and notes for the major Greek versions. The Barberini version has been analysed in particular detail, with regard to lexical and syntactical translation technique, as well as matters of style. OG and 8?evXIIgr have also been covered, as they are the principal foils against which to measure the Barberini version. These textual notes provide the detailed basis for the analysis contained in part one.