The Aramaic Bible: Targums in their Historical Context

108 The Aramaic Bible: Targums in their Historical Context
the project was at a more advanced stage.
7. The translation of each Targum or group of Targums would be
preceded by an appropriate introduction; an apparatus would accompany
each translation, printed at the foot of the page; there would be
appropriate explanatory notes on the text. It was noted that the edition
of the Pentateuch Targums (including Onqelos) presented a difficulty,
and it was thought at first that a synoptic presentation of these would
be preferable, with all four representatives (Neofiti, Fragments
including Genizah texts, Pseudo-Jonathan and Onqelos) on facing
pages. It was recognized, however, that the technical problems
involved would necessitate careful planning. Other Targums presenting
similar problems could be treated similarly, e.g. the Targums
of Esther and Targums with longer and shorter recensions.
8. There was detailed consideration in the guidelines of the translation
itself, which was seen to be the principal matter. The translator's
attention was directed to the Aramaic text to be translated. The translator
had to see whether this had been critically edited or not, and
whether the Aramaic text was stable or varied according to
manuscripts. It was understood that the translator would be in contact
with the critical work currently being carried out on the Aramaic
texts. The English translation itself was expected to be literal, faithful
to the Aramaic text, in good English, of the RSV type of translation,
but avoiding archaisms (e.g. thou, thee, etc.). Attention was to be paid
to the peculiarities of the Aramaic version and, insofar as consonant
with acceptable English, these should be reproduced in the English
rendering. In cases where the Targum by reason of its manner of rendering
had deviated from normal canons of the language, these should
be reproduced in the translation. As examples, the guidelines cited
such phrases as 'It was revealed/manifest before the Lord...'
Peculiarities of language, such as 'debt' for 'sin', should be retained
in the translation. Attention was drawn to the problems attending
the translation of the expression bar nasha and it was noted that it
would be well if the translators in this series followed some common
principle. At least, the translator should indicate in a note that, literally,
the text had 'son of man' in cases where the expression was rendered
in some other way, e.g. 'man', 'any one'. The translators were
asked to pay attention to the manner in which the Targums translated
a given term or phrase of the Hebrew Text (e.g. hesed we'emet, po'ale
'awen...} and care taken to represent the Targumist's manner of