redaction history of the pentateuchal Targums, A

By Gudrun Lier

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into the fascinating world of ancient Jewish biblical interpretation, examining how different communities shaped and reshaped sacred texts to meet their spiritual needs. Gudrun Lier presents a groundbreaking analysis of the Pentateuchal Targums, the Aramaic translations and interpretations of the Torah that served various Jewish communities throughout history.

Rather than viewing these ancient texts as uniform synagogue resources, Lier reveals how each Targum emerged from distinct spiritual and educational contexts. Her research uncovers how Targum Onqelos may have served the early rabbinical courts, while Pseudo-Jonathan appears connected to the dynamic teaching circles of later rabbinic academies. Through careful examination of manuscripts like the Fragment Targum and Neofiti 1, she demonstrates how these interpretive works evolved in stages, reflecting the changing spiritual needs of their communities.

The author challenges conventional assumptions about how religious authorities collaborated in the fourth century, offering fresh insights into the relationship between formal religious leadership and grassroots spiritual practice. By connecting Targum literature with Midrashic traditions, this work illuminates how ancient Jewish communities actively engaged with their sacred texts, adapting and reinterpreting them to address contemporary spiritual questions.

For readers interested in understanding how religious communities have historically approached sacred texts, this study offers valuable perspectives on the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation in spiritual practice.