Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (original) (raw)
Targumic Studies by Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman
Collectanea Theologica, 2023
There are similarities between the way Targum Jonathan explains the Hebrew texts and the way the ... more There are similarities between the way Targum Jonathan explains the Hebrew texts and the way the New Testament authors use the same texts. However, it is hard to identify the exact relationship between Targum Jonathan and the New Testament. Two examples of “Targumic” translations in the New Testament are explored in this article: Acts 13:21–22 and James 5:7–8. All in all we can say that (1) it is hard to find identical forms of exegesis, although there are several similar cases and parallels; (2) we must do our best to describe similar cases as precise as possible, because there are both similarities and contradictions in all these cases; (3) there is no direct relationship between Targum Jonathan and the New Testament; but (4) they can be used cautiously as a means to better understand each other; and (5) to better understand how Jewish authors – and I include the New Testament Jewish followers of Jesus here – read and understood their Scriptures.
Interpretatie, 2009
In zijn artikel in Interpretatie (januari 2009) verwondert Eeuwout van der Linden zich er, samen ... more In zijn artikel in Interpretatie (januari 2009) verwondert Eeuwout van der Linden zich er, samen met Midas Dekkers, over dat de kat niet in de Bijbel voorkomt. Er zijn genoeg aanwijzingen dat de kat vanaf 1100 v.Chr. wijdverspreid in het Middellandse Zeegebied voorkwam. In Egypte werden ze eeuwenlang als heilige wezens gezien en bij duizendtallen gemummificeerd. Er was zelfs een centrum, waar de cultus voor de kat centraal stond, namelijk Bubastis, in Ezechiël 30:17 genoemd als Pibeset. 1 Dit soort gegevens maakt het inderdaad vreemd dat de kat niet in de Bijbel voorkomt. Was het beestje taboe, juist omdat het in Egypte zoveel eer kreeg?
This is the English translation of Targum Samuel, as it was published in my dissertation: The Tar... more This is the English translation of Targum Samuel, as it was published in my dissertation: The Targum of Samuel (SAIS, 1; Leiden: Brill, 2002). It has been copied with the permission of the publisher.
It is the English translation of the Aramaic text, published as main text in Alexander Sperber's edition.
This article provides a description of MS ‘Erfurt 1’, now classified as Cod. Or. Fol. 1210-1211 a... more This article provides a description of MS ‘Erfurt 1’, now classified as Cod. Or. Fol. 1210-1211 at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin. This manuscript is a huge Hebrew and Aramaic Bible, rooted in the tradition of the giant Bibles. The creating of this Bible was finished in 1343, most probably in or in the neighbourhood of Erfurt. The consonantal text is Ashkenazi, related to MS El. f.6 at the Thüringer Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek of Jena. It also contains the text of an Ashkenazi tosefta-targum to 1 Sam. 17:8. The manuscript was severly damaged during the World War II. Restoration of the first volume is already underway.
This article has two aims: (1) to present the results of describing, naming and categorizing all ... more This article has two aims: (1) to present the results of describing, naming and categorizing all the manners, in which the Targums texts are handed down, including their direct context and paratexts; and (2) while doing so, to present the most interesting phenomena encountered.
There appear to be (1) continuous texts; (2) liturgical capita selecta; (3) anthologies; (4) sample texts in other books; (5) quotations; and (6) Targums based on other Targums.
In this article we explore all the paratextual elements of two manuscripts of Alfonso de Zamora. ... more In this article we explore all the paratextual elements of two manuscripts of Alfonso de Zamora. The following items are described: the colophons, the indications of toseftas, the headings and closings, two introductory poems of David Kimchi, the dictionary references, alternative readings to the Aramaic column and other marginal notes.
This article explores the first and second editions of both the Rabbinic Bibles (Venice) and the ... more This article explores the first and second editions of both the Rabbinic Bibles (Venice) and the Polyglot Bibles (Complutum and Antwerp). These editions are described from three perspectives: (1) their marketing and success, where it will become evident that the marketing strategies were different but that problems with clerical and political powers were comparable; (2) their contents, where the differences outnumber the similarities; and (3) their paratexts, where some influences from the Rabbinic Bibles on the Antwerp Polyglot Bible will become clear.
Several scholars and printers in the sixteenth and seventeenth century made plans to produce a po... more Several scholars and printers in the sixteenth and seventeenth century made plans to produce a polyglot Bible. Some succeeded, others edited a part of the Bible, some only began to assemble manuscripts and made notes on how to accomplish the project. They were all Christian, some of them aided by converted Jews. Nevertheless, most of them included, or planned to include, the Aramaic text of one or more Targums. That choice was not self-evident, because many Christian scholars opposed the dissemination and study of Jewish literature. The leading question of this article is therefore: what arguments did the makers of polyglot Bibles give to include the Targum? In the end, ten arguments could be given from the introductions of the polyglot Bibles and three more from secondary literature.
Aramaic Studies, 2005
Until recently, stemmatological methods were not applied to Targum Studies, and now that they are... more Until recently, stemmatological methods were not applied to Targum Studies, and now that they are, the question arises what adaptation the methods must undergo before they reckon with all the peculiarities of the Targums. This article joins this discussion by describing research into the role of vocalisation within stemmatology. The conclusion is that addition of vocalisation—or rather: pronunciation patterns—to stemmatology may well be helpful to refine a stemma of Targumic manuscripts and to establish whether the punctuator used a different Vorlage.
Aramaic Studies, 2012
This is the introduction to a special volume of Aramaic Studies on "A Jewish Targum in a christia... more This is the introduction to a special volume of Aramaic Studies on "A Jewish Targum in a christian World". As guest editors, Alberdina Houtman and Eveline van Staalduine-Sulmann brought together and edited seven papers that were presented at the congress of the International Organzation for Targumic Studies that took place in 2010 in Helsinki.
Svensk Exegetisk Årsbok, 2018
Conclusion We have wandered far from a Hebrew text in which God called for repentance and the pro... more Conclusion
We have wandered far from a Hebrew text in which God called for repentance and the prophets commented on this call. We considered the meaning of the expression ‘with all your heart’ and the differences between the phrases ‘rend your heart’ and ‘rend your garments’. We concluded that the actual interpretation may depend on the denominational (and other) background of the reader. Taking Hermisson’s three types of spiritualization into consideration we also concluded that the Hebrew text fits type three, although we found one modern Lutheran interpreter who seems to lean towards type one. Protestants tend to prefer to translate and interpret the Hebrew text as referring to being upright, while Roman Catholics interpret it as being fully committed. Hermisson’s type three must be broadened to ‘only the cultic actions of a committed or upright person pleases God.’
Continuing with the Aramaic translation we concluded that the Jewish translators cared little about Hermisson’s type three, diminishing that aspect of the text and preferring a translation emphasizing being just. Within this context Hermisson’s type three can therefore be re-formulated again, now as ‘only the cultic actions of a just person pleases God.’ At the same time, the Targum brought in type two by valuing prayer as much as offerings and libations.
The turn to Christian translators of the Targums brought new insights. Again, we saw a difference between Roman Catholic scholars and others, now on the level of conversion. Some seemed to stress good deeds, others more rational insight and reflection. The Roman Catholics expressed God’s call by referring to the removal of one’s sins and to penance. The activism of the Targum is rightly incorporated in almost all the translations, except in the Protestant one. Hermisson’s type two and three have been conserved in the translations, but type three seems to be ‘only the cultic actions of a just or committed person pleases God.’
Translation always involves interpretation, because in the process of translation the translator must continually choose between all possible meanings of a word. He must, at the same time, keep in mind the general intention of his passage. Yet with this interpretation comes a small risk, for it betrays the background and biases of the translator, over and over again.
The Spirit(s) from Before the Lord: Pneumatology in Targum Jonathan, 2019
How many spirits are there before God's throne in Targum Jonathan? And why uses that Targum vario... more How many spirits are there before God's throne in Targum Jonathan? And why uses that Targum various terms for the divine Spirit? It is concluded that Targum Jonathan's stress on the distinction between God and humans got in the way of a sharp pneumatology.
Hebrew Texts in Jewish, Christian and Muslim Surroundings, 2018
The Song of Hannah has a rich textual and reception history, which has been described and explain... more The Song of Hannah has a rich textual and reception history, which has been described and explained before. What has not been done in the earlier investigations is systematically tracing what effect the various texts have on the image of God and on the reader’s understanding of Him. A different text or a different context results in a different meaning, at least partially. In this article I hope to present four recensions of Hannah’s Song: the song as it originally could have been, the Masoretic Text, the old Greek version and the Targum of 1 Samuel 2:1-10. To each recension the following questions will be asked: (1) Who are the two women in verse 5? (2) What is the image of God the recension provides? (3) How is the reader addressed?
Note that two corrigenda are added to the text.
Septuagint, Targum and Beyond, 2020
The Lukan Simeon fired the Christian imagination as a famous character in the nativity story and ... more The Lukan Simeon fired the Christian imagination as a famous character in the nativity story and as the author of a very often sung hymn, the Nunc dimittis. He is, however, almost anonymous in the Gospel of Luke. His character required elaboration, which is done in both Eastern and the Western Christianity in several ways.
Why Simeon is associated with two Jewish Bible translations is explained by how he is interpreted in Bible commentaries, from Origen onwards and well into the sixteenth century. He was the image of the “old” Jewish people: expecting the Messiah, yet fading away and making room for a new stage in God’s work in the world. Simeon is also seen as predicting the parting of the ways between Judaism and Christianity. This identification functions as an apology for the use of two different translations—and specifically for their christological interpretations—in the church, the Septuagint in the East and Targum Jonathan in the West. It is no wonder that these translations were regularly preferred over the Masoretic Texts, for as they were read by Christians, the translations served Christian theology better than the Hebrew texts did.
Journal for the Study of Judaism, 1993
Collectanea Theologica, 2023
There are similarities between the way Targum Jonathan explains the Hebrew texts and the way the ... more There are similarities between the way Targum Jonathan explains the Hebrew texts and the way the New Testament authors use the same texts. However, it is hard to identify the exact relationship between Targum Jonathan and the New Testament. Two examples of “Targumic” translations in the New Testament are explored in this article: Acts 13:21–22 and James 5:7–8. All in all we can say that (1) it is hard to find identical forms of exegesis, although there are several similar cases and parallels; (2) we must do our best to describe similar cases as precise as possible, because there are both similarities and contradictions in all these cases; (3) there is no direct relationship between Targum Jonathan and the New Testament; but (4) they can be used cautiously as a means to better understand each other; and (5) to better understand how Jewish authors – and I include the New Testament Jewish followers of Jesus here – read and understood their Scriptures.
Interpretatie, 2009
In zijn artikel in Interpretatie (januari 2009) verwondert Eeuwout van der Linden zich er, samen ... more In zijn artikel in Interpretatie (januari 2009) verwondert Eeuwout van der Linden zich er, samen met Midas Dekkers, over dat de kat niet in de Bijbel voorkomt. Er zijn genoeg aanwijzingen dat de kat vanaf 1100 v.Chr. wijdverspreid in het Middellandse Zeegebied voorkwam. In Egypte werden ze eeuwenlang als heilige wezens gezien en bij duizendtallen gemummificeerd. Er was zelfs een centrum, waar de cultus voor de kat centraal stond, namelijk Bubastis, in Ezechiël 30:17 genoemd als Pibeset. 1 Dit soort gegevens maakt het inderdaad vreemd dat de kat niet in de Bijbel voorkomt. Was het beestje taboe, juist omdat het in Egypte zoveel eer kreeg?
This is the English translation of Targum Samuel, as it was published in my dissertation: The Tar... more This is the English translation of Targum Samuel, as it was published in my dissertation: The Targum of Samuel (SAIS, 1; Leiden: Brill, 2002). It has been copied with the permission of the publisher.
It is the English translation of the Aramaic text, published as main text in Alexander Sperber's edition.
This article provides a description of MS ‘Erfurt 1’, now classified as Cod. Or. Fol. 1210-1211 a... more This article provides a description of MS ‘Erfurt 1’, now classified as Cod. Or. Fol. 1210-1211 at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin. This manuscript is a huge Hebrew and Aramaic Bible, rooted in the tradition of the giant Bibles. The creating of this Bible was finished in 1343, most probably in or in the neighbourhood of Erfurt. The consonantal text is Ashkenazi, related to MS El. f.6 at the Thüringer Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek of Jena. It also contains the text of an Ashkenazi tosefta-targum to 1 Sam. 17:8. The manuscript was severly damaged during the World War II. Restoration of the first volume is already underway.
This article has two aims: (1) to present the results of describing, naming and categorizing all ... more This article has two aims: (1) to present the results of describing, naming and categorizing all the manners, in which the Targums texts are handed down, including their direct context and paratexts; and (2) while doing so, to present the most interesting phenomena encountered.
There appear to be (1) continuous texts; (2) liturgical capita selecta; (3) anthologies; (4) sample texts in other books; (5) quotations; and (6) Targums based on other Targums.
In this article we explore all the paratextual elements of two manuscripts of Alfonso de Zamora. ... more In this article we explore all the paratextual elements of two manuscripts of Alfonso de Zamora. The following items are described: the colophons, the indications of toseftas, the headings and closings, two introductory poems of David Kimchi, the dictionary references, alternative readings to the Aramaic column and other marginal notes.
This article explores the first and second editions of both the Rabbinic Bibles (Venice) and the ... more This article explores the first and second editions of both the Rabbinic Bibles (Venice) and the Polyglot Bibles (Complutum and Antwerp). These editions are described from three perspectives: (1) their marketing and success, where it will become evident that the marketing strategies were different but that problems with clerical and political powers were comparable; (2) their contents, where the differences outnumber the similarities; and (3) their paratexts, where some influences from the Rabbinic Bibles on the Antwerp Polyglot Bible will become clear.
Several scholars and printers in the sixteenth and seventeenth century made plans to produce a po... more Several scholars and printers in the sixteenth and seventeenth century made plans to produce a polyglot Bible. Some succeeded, others edited a part of the Bible, some only began to assemble manuscripts and made notes on how to accomplish the project. They were all Christian, some of them aided by converted Jews. Nevertheless, most of them included, or planned to include, the Aramaic text of one or more Targums. That choice was not self-evident, because many Christian scholars opposed the dissemination and study of Jewish literature. The leading question of this article is therefore: what arguments did the makers of polyglot Bibles give to include the Targum? In the end, ten arguments could be given from the introductions of the polyglot Bibles and three more from secondary literature.
Aramaic Studies, 2005
Until recently, stemmatological methods were not applied to Targum Studies, and now that they are... more Until recently, stemmatological methods were not applied to Targum Studies, and now that they are, the question arises what adaptation the methods must undergo before they reckon with all the peculiarities of the Targums. This article joins this discussion by describing research into the role of vocalisation within stemmatology. The conclusion is that addition of vocalisation—or rather: pronunciation patterns—to stemmatology may well be helpful to refine a stemma of Targumic manuscripts and to establish whether the punctuator used a different Vorlage.
Aramaic Studies, 2012
This is the introduction to a special volume of Aramaic Studies on "A Jewish Targum in a christia... more This is the introduction to a special volume of Aramaic Studies on "A Jewish Targum in a christian World". As guest editors, Alberdina Houtman and Eveline van Staalduine-Sulmann brought together and edited seven papers that were presented at the congress of the International Organzation for Targumic Studies that took place in 2010 in Helsinki.
Svensk Exegetisk Årsbok, 2018
Conclusion We have wandered far from a Hebrew text in which God called for repentance and the pro... more Conclusion
We have wandered far from a Hebrew text in which God called for repentance and the prophets commented on this call. We considered the meaning of the expression ‘with all your heart’ and the differences between the phrases ‘rend your heart’ and ‘rend your garments’. We concluded that the actual interpretation may depend on the denominational (and other) background of the reader. Taking Hermisson’s three types of spiritualization into consideration we also concluded that the Hebrew text fits type three, although we found one modern Lutheran interpreter who seems to lean towards type one. Protestants tend to prefer to translate and interpret the Hebrew text as referring to being upright, while Roman Catholics interpret it as being fully committed. Hermisson’s type three must be broadened to ‘only the cultic actions of a committed or upright person pleases God.’
Continuing with the Aramaic translation we concluded that the Jewish translators cared little about Hermisson’s type three, diminishing that aspect of the text and preferring a translation emphasizing being just. Within this context Hermisson’s type three can therefore be re-formulated again, now as ‘only the cultic actions of a just person pleases God.’ At the same time, the Targum brought in type two by valuing prayer as much as offerings and libations.
The turn to Christian translators of the Targums brought new insights. Again, we saw a difference between Roman Catholic scholars and others, now on the level of conversion. Some seemed to stress good deeds, others more rational insight and reflection. The Roman Catholics expressed God’s call by referring to the removal of one’s sins and to penance. The activism of the Targum is rightly incorporated in almost all the translations, except in the Protestant one. Hermisson’s type two and three have been conserved in the translations, but type three seems to be ‘only the cultic actions of a just or committed person pleases God.’
Translation always involves interpretation, because in the process of translation the translator must continually choose between all possible meanings of a word. He must, at the same time, keep in mind the general intention of his passage. Yet with this interpretation comes a small risk, for it betrays the background and biases of the translator, over and over again.
The Spirit(s) from Before the Lord: Pneumatology in Targum Jonathan, 2019
How many spirits are there before God's throne in Targum Jonathan? And why uses that Targum vario... more How many spirits are there before God's throne in Targum Jonathan? And why uses that Targum various terms for the divine Spirit? It is concluded that Targum Jonathan's stress on the distinction between God and humans got in the way of a sharp pneumatology.
Hebrew Texts in Jewish, Christian and Muslim Surroundings, 2018
The Song of Hannah has a rich textual and reception history, which has been described and explain... more The Song of Hannah has a rich textual and reception history, which has been described and explained before. What has not been done in the earlier investigations is systematically tracing what effect the various texts have on the image of God and on the reader’s understanding of Him. A different text or a different context results in a different meaning, at least partially. In this article I hope to present four recensions of Hannah’s Song: the song as it originally could have been, the Masoretic Text, the old Greek version and the Targum of 1 Samuel 2:1-10. To each recension the following questions will be asked: (1) Who are the two women in verse 5? (2) What is the image of God the recension provides? (3) How is the reader addressed?
Note that two corrigenda are added to the text.
Septuagint, Targum and Beyond, 2020
The Lukan Simeon fired the Christian imagination as a famous character in the nativity story and ... more The Lukan Simeon fired the Christian imagination as a famous character in the nativity story and as the author of a very often sung hymn, the Nunc dimittis. He is, however, almost anonymous in the Gospel of Luke. His character required elaboration, which is done in both Eastern and the Western Christianity in several ways.
Why Simeon is associated with two Jewish Bible translations is explained by how he is interpreted in Bible commentaries, from Origen onwards and well into the sixteenth century. He was the image of the “old” Jewish people: expecting the Messiah, yet fading away and making room for a new stage in God’s work in the world. Simeon is also seen as predicting the parting of the ways between Judaism and Christianity. This identification functions as an apology for the use of two different translations—and specifically for their christological interpretations—in the church, the Septuagint in the East and Targum Jonathan in the West. It is no wonder that these translations were regularly preferred over the Masoretic Texts, for as they were read by Christians, the translations served Christian theology better than the Hebrew texts did.
Journal for the Study of Judaism, 1993
Christus in het Oude Testament, 2024
In 1978 heeft uitgeverij Kok een bundel preken van Henk de Jong uitgegeven onder de titel: De twe... more In 1978 heeft uitgeverij Kok een bundel preken van Henk de Jong uitgegeven onder de titel: De twee messiassen. Het bevat 31 preken over de 31 hoofdstukken van het eerste boek Samuël, elke preek tussen de vijf en acht pagina’s lang. Dit artikel over de preken van Henk de Jong kent twee zoekvragen. Allereerst vraag ik mij af of de heilshistorische aanpak, die hij later omschreven heeft in zijn boek Van oud naar nieuw, al zichtbaar is in zijn preken. De tweede vraag werd mij expliciet door de redactie gesteld: heeft De Jong gebruik gemaakt van Joodse exegese van het bijbelboek? We weten uit andere van zijn werken en ook uit zijn colleges dat hij daarmee niet helemaal onbekend was. Met deze twee vragen in het achterhoofd heb ik de 31 preken gelezen en geanalyseerd.
Nico Riemersma et al., Van God gesproken: opstellenover bijbelse theologie aangeboden aan Joep Dubbink (ACEBT.SS, 19; Amsterdam: SHA, 2023), 115-124., 2023
In the Hebrew and Greek versions of the narrative on David against Goliath God’s role is re-stric... more In the Hebrew and Greek versions of the narrative on David against Goliath God’s role is re-stricted to being mentioned by the characters of the story, specifically David and King Saul (categories 4 and 5). Most ancient translations, also most additions to Targum Jonathan, close-ly follow the original story, including the lack of God’s active participation. Short summaries of the story, embedded in a larger work such as sermons or poems, tend to only mention the actions and leave out the speeches, resulting in summaries without God in any role. This is mainly visible in Psalm 151 and most of the christian authors. It might be that this bare style of retelling is also triggered by the way history was told in the Roman world. That is what Sulpicius Severus hints at in his Chronicles. The reticence of other christian authors can also be explained by the fact that their books are about virtues (and vices), stressing the human side of the battle. David does not become the example of courage or loyalty if God intervenes too early in the story and He himself becomes the hero.
1. Walter Hilbrands & Hendrik J. Koorevaar (eds), Einleitung in das Alte Testament: Ein historisch-kanonischer Ansatz (Giessen: Brunnen Verlag, 2023), 2023
The most important figures of speech in the Old Testament and their meaning.
NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion, 2016
Inspirare, 2022
Exegesis and possible application of Psalm 137 for Christian readers.
Met andere woorden, 2006
In 1 Samuël 17:44 en 46 staat een wederzijdse bedreiging van David en Goliat dat de een het lijk ... more In 1 Samuël 17:44 en 46 staat een wederzijdse bedreiging van David en Goliat dat de een het lijk van de ander te eten zou geven aan ‘het gevogelte des hemels en aan het gedierte des velds’ (1951). Deze neutrale vertaling, waarbij de vogels en de dieren niet verder benoemd worden, is een goede weergave van het Hebreeuws, waarbij verdere specificatie ook niet voorkomt. Toch heeft de Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling 2004 hier gekozen voor ‘aasgieren en hyena’s’ (vers 46). Waar komen die dieren vandaan?
Soteria, 2013
Preken vanuit het OT is niet direct populair of gemakkelijk, maar levert de christelijke gemeente... more Preken vanuit het OT is niet direct populair of gemakkelijk, maar levert de christelijke gemeente veel op. Veel verhalen of psalmen geven concrete ervaringen tussen God en gelovige door. De verbanden in de vaak verhalende literatuur met de historische context én de veelheid aan personen in de tekst leveren stof genoeg op voor meer preken over eenzelfde perikoop. Bovendien functioneert het OT als achtergrond bij het NT. Door vanuit het OT te preken komen meer theologische items aan bod dan door vanuit het NT terug te redeneren. Zeker in deze tijd, waarin mensen niet meer vragen om grote geloofssystemen maar eerder om concrete, persoonlijke verhalen van andere gelovigen, is preken uit het OT zeer aan te bevelen.
My thesis is that the root tame’ refers to a person or an object that is not allowed to be in con... more My thesis is that the root tame’ refers to a person or an object that is not allowed to be in contact (anymore) with an authority, either human or divine. This prototypical basis is visible in three various categories or spheres, all on the corporeal level: (a) the temporary status of humans and things that prohibits them from being present in a sanctuary, (b) the impossibility of a woman to marry or live with a certain man, and (c) the prohibition to eat certain animals. Furthermore, these meanings developed all kinds of extensive meanings, such as metaphors, metonyms, specializations and generalizations. I present this network of meanings in the article.
After the publication of the first Psalm of the Songs of David (CšD), the authors now provide the... more After the publication of the first Psalm of the Songs of David (CšD), the authors now provide the text of the three remaining Psalms of the Cairo Genizah manuscript, together with an English translation and notes. Although the remaining Psalms are not as poetical as the first one, they resemble it regarding choice of words and theology. King David is the pivotal figure again, who acts as the historical person and at the same time as the coming Messiah. A difference lies in the universalism, on the understanding that all the nations will come to acknowledge the God of Israel.
The authors discuss the text, language and contents of the first of the Songs of David, found in ... more The authors discuss the text, language and contents of the first of the Songs of David, found in the Cairo Genizah. This song is an alphabet acrostic, praising God’s loyalty towards King David. Comparison with other Jewish writings led to the conclusion that this psalm could well originate in the later period of Qumran. This period had a positive attitude to King David and is known for its production of liturgical manuscripts. The authors assume that the Songs of David found their way from Qumran to Cairo, as did CD, and suggest the siglum CšD (šîrē Dawîd).
The small unit of Isa. 44,1-5 contains several problems with regard to textual criticism, syntax,... more The small unit of Isa. 44,1-5 contains several problems with regard to textual criticism, syntax, exegesis and theology. Verse 5 forms not only the climax of the unit, but also of all these problems. Exegetes differ on this verse in at least three respects: (1) does this verse refer to Israelite people, coming back to their God, or to converted gentiles? (2) must we translate the verbs קרא and כנה actively, or are they meant as reflexive or even passive forms? (3) Does the subject of the third line write ‘with’ his hand, or ‘on’ his hand? The first two problems are dependent on each other, because the translation of the verbs is connected with the meaning of the entire verse. Are the gentiles giving themselves new names? Or is Israel coming back and returning to using their old names? Or is it even more complex and is Israel giving itself the old names again? This article aims to discuss the first two problems, especially the arguments given by exegetes to come to a meaningful solution, and the role of textual criticism within the argumentations.
I will come to the conclusion that the following is said about the descendants of Jacob/Israel:
This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s,’
another will call [the others] by the name of Jacob,
and another will write on his hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
and will call [the others] by the honorary name of Israel.
The third problem will be neglected in this article. Because a translation must be given, I follow the proposal of Korpel and De Moor, who see a parallel in Neo-Babylonian texts. In many cases these texts do not use a preposition either, but an accusative to describe the act of writing the owner’s name on the hand of a slave.
Tradition and Innovation in Biblical Interpretation, 2011
Poetry and meaning of Psalm 14. Psalm 53 as a harmonization of the difficult text of Psalm 14. Ro... more Poetry and meaning of Psalm 14. Psalm 53 as a harmonization of the difficult text of Psalm 14. Romans 3:13-18 as a poetical addition to Psalm 14, a piece of poetry that is translated back from Latin into Hebrew again by a Christian scribe, probably somewhere in twelfth-century England. The Hebrew translation of Romans 3:13-18 is not properly done by the scribe and exposes Christian interpretation of the text. A proper translation is therefore given, resulting in a beautifully poetic piece of Hebrew. A new edition of BHS cannot use the manuscript with the Hebrew translation of Romans 3:13-18 as a source text, but can consider it as a piece of reception history.
Marjo C.A. Korpel & Paul Sanders, Textual Boundaries in the Bible: Their Impact on Interpretation (Leuven: Peeters, 2017)., 2017
The following article is the result of an investigation into the use of spaces in the Masoretic m... more The following article is the result of an investigation into the use of
spaces in the Masoretic manuscripts of the book of Samuel, led by the
question: Is there a system in the use of spaces that can explain the
above-mentioned phenomena? And if so, is there reason to assume that spaces could also indicate silence or missing text? The search for answers
has been based on the appearance of these textual markers in Codex
Leningradensis (L), Codex Aleppo (A), and Codex Cairensis (C), which
are analysed by Langlamet (1984). To arrive at a certain measure of dating mss 4QSama, 4QSamb and 1QSama are used, which are excellently described by Herbert.
Dit gaat niet over seks, 2018
Laat ik u een aantal mensen voorstellen uit de eerste eeuwen van onze jaartelling, die hun hoofd ... more Laat ik u een aantal mensen voorstellen uit de eerste eeuwen van onze jaartelling, die hun hoofd hebben gebogen over de uitleg van dit gebod. De tekst lijkt niet zo moeilijk, maar het blijkt dat je er toch heel verschillende ideeën over kunt hebben. De problemen van de uitleg gaan voornamelijk over deze drie vragen:
1. Waar begint nu eigenlijk de fout: als iemand een verlangen voelt opkomen, als iemand plannen gaat maken om de eigendommen van de ander in eigen bezit te krijgen of pas als iemand daadwerkelijk tot actie overgaat? Kort gezegd, wat betekent nu eigenlijk dat Hebreeuwse werkwoord dat we zo simpelweg met ‘begeren’ vertalen?
2. Zijn er nog consequenties aan verbonden, vooral als je het zou uitleggen als een innerlijk verlangen? Een rechter kan mij toch niet straffen voor iets wat ik verlang, terwijl ik er geen gevolg aan geef?
3. Gaat dit over ieder persoon afzonderlijk of is er ook een gemeenschappelijke verantwoordelijkheid?
The Interpretation of Exodus: Studies in Honour of Cornelis Houtman, 2006
Which parallel texts must be studied first with regard to the case of the pregnant woman and the ... more Which parallel texts must be studied first with regard to the case of the pregnant woman and the fighting men: parallel legal texts from neighbouring countries or parallel texts from other Hebrew legislation?
in: H. Lalleman, Ongemakkelijke teksten van het Oude Testament (Amsterdam: Buijten & Schipperheijn Motief, 2014), 47-49., 2014
Ongemakkelijke teksten van het Oude Testament, 2014
Ongemakkelijke teksten van het Oude Testament, 2014
IOTS meeting Amsterdam: schedule and abstracts
The eleventh meeting of the IOTS will be held in 2024, in Amsterdam. The attachment consists of t... more The eleventh meeting of the IOTS will be held in 2024, in Amsterdam. The attachment consists of the schedule of the meeting and the abstracts.
Standard List of Sigla for Targum Manuscripts, 2014
Revised standard list of sigla; approved by the IOTS in Munich 2014, revised and augmented in Feb... more Revised standard list of sigla; approved by the IOTS in Munich 2014, revised and augmented in February 2020. Extra manuscripts added in August 2022.
The Spirit is Moving: New Pathways in Pneumatology, 2019
The book Hebrew Texts in Jewish, Christian and Muslim Surroundings offers a new perspective on Ju... more The book Hebrew Texts in Jewish, Christian and Muslim Surroundings offers a new perspective on Judaism, Christianity and Islam as religions of the book. It shows that there is an intricate web of relations between the texts of these three religious traditions. On many levels, readings and interpretations intermingle and influence each other. The book is dedicated to Alberdina Houtman honouring her work as professor of Jewish-Christian relations.
This book explores how Christian scholars of the sixteenth and early seventeenth century justify ... more This book explores how Christian scholars of the sixteenth and early seventeenth century justify their study of the Targums, the Jewish Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Bible. It focuses on the four polyglot Bibles and describes these books in the scholarly world of those days. It appears that quite a few scholars edited Targumic books and translated these into Latin. The book revelas a stimulating and conflicting period of the Targum reception history.
What are the sources of authority for evangelical Christians in their debates and practices? Evan... more What are the sources of authority for evangelical Christians in their debates and practices? Evangelicals often refer to the Bible, but is is not their sole source. Practical results are also important, as are personal feelings and experiences. In this volume, fourteen researchers examine the sources of authority to which evangelicals appeal.
1. Henk Bakker, Towards an Evangelical Hermeneutic of Authority
2. René Erwich, Looking for Discernment: Dreams, Images and Prophecy in a Local Baptist Congregation
3. Miranda Klaver, New Media Making and Breaking Religious Leadership: The Case of Hillsong Church
4. Ron Michener, Losing Face in a Facebook Era: Theological Reflections on the Misplaced Authority of Social Media
5. Hans Riphagen, Jesus, You Are My King: An Analysis of the Dominant Faith Narratives in Popular Contemporary Worship Songs
6. Joke van Saane & Nadia Kroon, Feminine Failure: Expectations Around Evangelical Female Leadership
7. Ad de Bruijne, Homosexuality and Moral Authority: A Theological Interpretation of Changing Views in Evangelical Circles
8. Creighton Marlowe, Star Wars: The Creation Debate in Cyberspace Between Fundamentalists and Neo-Evangelicals
9. Stefan Paas, Why Church Planting in Europe? On Authorizing a Common Evangelical Practice
10. Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman, The Man as Priest of the Family: A Reformed Metaphor in an Evangelical Surrounding
11. Kees van der Kooi, God's Repentance and Immutability: In Search of the Relation Between Doctrine and Biblical Narrative
12. Kees van Kralingen, The Quest for Our Source of Authority: An Evaluation of Vanhoozer's Canonical-Linguistic Approach
13. Wido van Peursen, "This is What Was Spoken by the Prophet Joel": The Latter Rain in Joel's Prophecies and in Dutch Pentecostalism
What is the use of a Targum in a cultural setting where Aramaic is not a common language anymore?... more What is the use of a Targum in a cultural setting where Aramaic is not a common language anymore? An why would Christians be interested in a typically Jewish text in an otherwise anti-Jewish milieu? These and related questions have served as guides in bringing together the articles for this book, which consists of three parts: (1) Uses and functions of Targum in Europe; (2) Editing Targums and their Latin Translations; (3) Targums and Christianity. A number of the articles deal with the codicological and paratextual aspects of the relevant manuscripts and editions as witnesses of their cultural historical situations.
Dutch Evangelicalism can be understood as rooted in the Reformation, Pietism and other renewal mo... more Dutch Evangelicalism can be understood as rooted in the Reformation, Pietism and other renewal movements. This collection of articles by a number of experts in the field reflects on the boundaries and intersections of the Evangelical tradition in the Netherlands, with a special focus on the themes of transition and fusion. In new cultural and societal circumstances, Dutch Evangelicalism is rapidly changing from a minority group of dissenters to a more established and respected movement within Protestantism and Dutch society. This raises a number of questions about identity, core values, practices and beliefs.
Studies in the Aramaic Interpretation of Scriptures, 2002
Table of Content: 1. Previous Work on Targum Samuel 2. The Text of Targum Samuel 3. Exegetic... more Table of Content:
1. Previous Work on Targum Samuel
2. The Text of Targum Samuel
3. Exegetical and Translational Features
4. Semantic Studies in the Targum of Samuel
5. A Commentary on TJon 1 Samuel (including Aramaic text and English translation)
6. A Commentary on TJon 2 Samuel (including Aramaic text and English translation)
7. Conclusions
Theologisch Debat, 2008
Ik wil daarom in dit artikel reageren op bovenstaande benaderingen. Ik zal dat doen door eerst in... more Ik wil daarom in dit artikel reageren op bovenstaande benaderingen. Ik zal dat doen door eerst in het algemeen in te gaan op de verhouding tussen de EB en de Verlichting. Daarij zal ik aantonen, dat die verhouding complex ligt. Bij sommige aspecten lopen evangelicalen in de pas met andere, vooral protestantse kerken. Bij andere aspecten loopt de EB voor of gedraagt ze zich als een tegenbeweging. Daarna zal ik het toespitsen op de kritiek van Zimmer, dus vooral op de positie van de Bijbelwetenschappen en met name mijn eigen vakgebied, het Oude Testament. Daarbij zal ik laten zien hoe eenzijdig Zimmer en zijn tegenstanders zijn en dat het hoog tijd wordt voor een frisse benadering.
The Spirit Is Moving: New Pathways in Pneumatology: Studies Presented to Professor Cornelis van der Kooi on the Occasion of His Retirement (Leiden: Brill, 2019)
Evangelicals and Sources of Authority, 2016
Introduction to a Volume on Evangelicals and Their Sources of Authority.
Aramaic Studies 11 (2013), 211-224
"To explore the question of whether Tg Jon might function as background to NT texts I compare Tg ... more "To explore the question of whether Tg Jon might function as background to NT texts I compare Tg Jon and the gospel according to Matthew. I restrict this research to agricultural imagery, because the Targum is famous for its explanation of metaphors and similes, and because much imagery in Matthew has an agricultural background. It appears that in some cases it is interesting and helpful to consult the Targumic version of the Hebrew Bible. Targumic explanation of imagery is close to that of Matthew’s, although one must be aware of the differences.
"
In dit artikel richt ik mij op Romeinen 12:1-8, een gedeelte dat eindigt met de opsomming van zev... more In dit artikel richt ik mij op Romeinen 12:1-8, een gedeelte dat eindigt met de opsomming van zeven gaven, waarvan slechts een deel overeenkomt met 1 Korintiers 12. De laatste drie gaven zijn van een eigen orde en kunnen worden samengevat als drie diaconale gaven. Ze zijn misschien niet spectaculair, maar kunnen wel mensen met elkaar verbinden en anderen in staat stellen zich zonder dagelijkse zorgen aan God toe te vertrouwen.
Woord & Dienst, 2013
Pleidooi voor lichte muziek in de kerk, naast allerlei andere stijlen muziek, bij de samenstellin... more Pleidooi voor lichte muziek in de kerk, naast allerlei andere stijlen muziek, bij de samenstelling van het nieuwe Liedboek 2013.
Woord en Dienst, 2015
Regelmatig merk ik verwarring in kerken hoe de eerste groep liederen in het nieuwe Liedboek genoe... more Regelmatig merk ik verwarring in kerken hoe de eerste groep liederen in het nieuwe Liedboek genoemd moet worden. Is het nu Psalm 23 of Lied 23? En als het Psalm 23 is, moet je dan ook Psalm 23d zeggen? Of is het dan wel weer Lied 23d? Voor sommige mensen zal het niet uitmaken: psalm of lied. Voor andere is er echter de vrees dat het afschaffen van het woord psalmen deel uitmaakt van het korten op de erkenning dat we die liederen delen met het volk Israël. Komt de 'onopgeefbare verbondenheid' met Israël niet nog verder onder druk te staan? Voordat ik daarop inga, wil ik eerst kijken waar de verwarring tussen psalm en lied vandaan komt en waar nu eigenlijk de schoen wringt.
Kerkinformatie, 2014
Answer to a question from one of the Protestants Churches about how to avoid that we read the Ten... more Answer to a question from one of the Protestants Churches about how to avoid that we read the Ten Commandments so often in Church that people do not listen anymore.
Kerkinformatie, 2014
What do you pray before the service starts?
In 1939 Maier Vogel published his thesis "Sámuel elsö könyve Targumának viszonya a maszárai szöve... more In 1939 Maier Vogel published his thesis "Sámuel elsö könyve Targumának viszonya a maszárai szöveghez" at the Rabbinical Seminary of Budapest.After his graduation he stayed in Budapest and became a teacher there. During the German occupation of 1944-1945 he disappeared, see M. Carmilly-Weinberger, The Rabbinical Seminary of Budapest: 1977-1977 (New York, 1986), 33. I have translated his work into Dutch on behalf of my dissertation on the Targum of Samuel (see pp. 21-24 on Vogel and his thesis). I hereby offer a copy of the original text and my Dutch translation.
Inspirare 6.2 , 2023
In een handzaam boekje geven vijf auteurs door middel van vijf artikelen een inleiding op Christe... more In een handzaam boekje geven vijf auteurs door middel van vijf artikelen een inleiding op Christentum von rechts, dat deel van het Duitse christendom dat zich verwant voelt met politieke partijen die rechts van de CDU/CSU staan. Martin Fritz bespreekt in het eerste artikel ('Im Bann der Dekadenz') het fenomeen in het algemeen, waarna de vier andere auteurs een specifiek thema ter hand nemen.1 Veel kenmerken uit deze vier specifieke artikelen worden ook behandeld in het artikel van Martin Fritz. Ik bespreek daarom de kenmerken van het christendom op rechts in Duitsland in de volgorde waarin Fritz deze noemt, maar haal daarbij telkens de andere vier auteurs aan met voorbeelden. De besproken stroming binnen het christendom zal blijken niet typisch Duits te zijn, want de verschillende trekken zijn ook terug te vinden in andere landen, waaronder Nederland. Twee opvallende kenmerken Fritz noemt twee opvallende kenmerken van de geschriften en toespraken van christenen 'von rechts': de polemische toon en het bewustzijn van een verandering in de maatschappij 1 Andreas Kubik behandelt de samenkomst van kopstukken en aanhang van Alternative für Deutschland na de aanslag op de kerstmarkt, 19 december 2016. Johann Hinrich Claussen bespreekt de politieke theologie van Karlheinz Weißman. Arnulf von Scheliha vat samen wat het christendom van rechts verstaat onder 'volk' en 'natie'. Als laatste bespreekt Rochus Leonhardt het fenomeen in het voormalige Oost-Duitsland ten opzichte van het voormalige West-Duitsland.
Inspirare , 2022
Recension of Pieter J. Lalleman, Vijftig misverstanden over de Bijbel.
Journal for the Study of Judaism, 2007
Page 1. CarolA. Dray Translation and Interpretation in the Targum to the Books of Kings BRILL Pag... more Page 1. CarolA. Dray Translation and Interpretation in the Targum to the Books of Kings BRILL Page 2. Translation and Interpretation in the Targum to the Books of Kings Page 3. Studies in the Aramaic Interpretation of Scripture ...
Review of Rabbinic Judaism, 2016
Journal for the Study of Judaism, 2013
The Introvert Student, 2019
What if a student of religion/theology does not participate in the discussions during class?
Students of Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis at the university do no only learn the more classic... more Students of Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis at the university do no only learn the more classical exegetical methods that have been developed over centuries. They also have to learn to work with all kinds of Bible software and electronic concordances. At Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam students learn to work with the ETCBC database (http://shebanq.ancient-data.org), which can be accessed freely online. Despite the easy accessibility of SHEBANQ as electronic analysis tool for Biblical Hebrew texts students find it hard to translate exegetical questions that arise from the Hebrew Bible and sources such as Midrash, commentaries and translations into SHEBANQ queries that can help answer them. Moreover, when students miss a methodology to move back and forth from question to query important information could be lost. In this contribution a few case studies will be presented of how the different functionalities of SHEBANQ can aid students from a simple to a more advanced level in their exe...
Eep Talstra Center for Bible and Computer, 2020
If you are fascinated by the complex and delicate process of translating the Bible, the minor Bib... more If you are fascinated by the complex and
delicate process of translating the Bible,
the minor Bible Translation in the Digital
Age is an enriching academic and personal
experience for you as this minor introduces
you to the digital tools that make it possible
to access and understand many contexts
relevant to translating the Bible, while at
the same time critically reflecting on the
inherent limitations and biases of those
tools that are now used by almost all Bible
translators and biblical scholars all over
the world.
Dutch Pentecostal Churches hold the Bible in high esteem. Its text is considered an authority for... more Dutch Pentecostal Churches hold the Bible in high esteem. Its text is considered an authority for its own days, as well as for contemporary times. Modern experiences, such as the multiple manifestations of the Spirit in the twentieth century, were therefore interpreted in the light of biblical prophecies. For instance, Joel’s prophecy concerning the descent of the Spirit on all flesh and God’s promises of early and latter rain were believed to be fulfilled in those modern events within the Pentecostal movement.
However, if the Hebrew text of Joel’s prophecies is investigated, the question rises if his utterances can be regarded as predictions concerning later times. The Hebrew gives the impression that Joel spoke about his own times. Moreover, the most quoted texts seems to be stated in past tense. Were the Dutch Pentecostals simply wrong in their appropriation of Joel’s utterances? If so, do his prophecies bear no authority in our times, because it is impossible to apply biblical texts in past tense to later times? This article hopes to throw light on this complex question concerning the Bible’s authority through the prophecies of Joel themselves: Joel’s hermeneutics of appropriation might function as an example for Bible readers in other times.
This is a list of possible topics for PhD dissertations in the field of Hebrew Bible, Digital Hum... more This is a list of possible topics for PhD dissertations in the field of Hebrew Bible, Digital Humanities and the application of digital approaches to other texts and traditions that can be done at the Research group Digital Approaches to Sacred Texts and the ETCBC at the Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Call for Papers, 2020
Contrary to what we previously hoped for, the measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus have... more Contrary to what we previously hoped for, the measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus have become increasingly strict, in the Netherlands as well as in other countries around the world. As we don’t know how long these restrictions will last, we have come to the conclusion that, much to our regret, we must cancel the IOTS conference scheduled for July this year. We will hopefully meet each other at the IOTS / IOSOT meeting in Zurich in 2022. Stay healthy!
Kind regards,
Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman
Margaretha Folmer
It is a pleasure for the executive committee of the International Organization for Targumic Studies (IOTS) to invite you to the IOTS conference on 6-8 July 2020 at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. The conference will know at least three topics, • Targums of the Tora • Targum and Peshitta • Targum and Qumran but papers on other related topics are also welcome. Abstracts of no more than 300 words can be sent to Eveline van Staalduine-Sulman (e.van.staalduine-sulman@vu.nl) before 1 March 2020.
CfP Targumic Studies, 2022
It is a pleasure for the executive committee of the International Organization for Targumic Studi... more It is a pleasure for the executive committee of the International Organization for Targumic Studies (IOTS) to invite you to the IOTS conference, connected to the international SBL conference on 17-21 July 2022 in Salzburg. The conference will include at least the topics • Targums of the Tora • Targum and Qumran • Targum Studies: Past and Present but papers on other related topics are also welcome.
All the Targum sesseion during the SBL International Meeting, Salzburg July 2022, including the l... more All the Targum sesseion during the SBL International Meeting, Salzburg July 2022, including the lecturers and all the abstracts of the lectures.