THE PARALLEL ALIGNED DATABASE
A Brief Introduction
11/15/91
The Parallel Aligned Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek texts of Jewish
Scripture are based on the Michigan-Claremont BHS consonantal text
and the TLG LXX, created by the CATSS project under the direction
of E. Tov (Jerusalem team). This data base currently is in a
provisional form that will undergo continued modification as the
CATSS project proceeds to its goals.
Each line of the parallel files shows equivalent elements of the MT
and the LXX. Occasionally, the Hebrew column splits into two columns:
column a and column b.
Column a of the Hebrew records all elements of MT as formal
equivalents of the LXX. This recording probably represents the most
objective way of registering the relation between the LXX and MT, but
at times it is of limited value since the Greek translation was
actually made from a different Hebrew text. Column b refers to that
Hebrew text.
Column b contains a selection of retroverted readings, presumably
found in the parent text of the LXX. At the same time, column b
contains some remarks on differences between the LXX and MT in matters
of translation technique. In both matters no completeness is
attempted.
For a detailed description of the Parallel text data base, consult
Emanuel Tov, _A Computerized Data Base for Septuagint Studies: The
Parallel Aligned Text of the Greek and Hebrew Bible_, Computer
Assisted Tools for Septuagint Studies (CATSS) Volume 2, Stellenbosch:
Journal of Northwest Semitic Languages, 1986).
SYSTEM OF TRANSLITERATION
Hebrew Greek
alef ) alfa A
bet B beta B
gimel G gamma G
dalet D delta D
he H epsilon E
waw W digamma/vau (=6) V
zayin Z zeta Z
het X eta H
tet + theta Q
yod Y iota I
kaf K kappa K
lamed L lamda L
mem M mu M
nun N nu N
samek S ksi C
ayin ( omicron O
pe P pi P
zade C koppa (=90) #3
qof Q rho R
resh R sigma (both) S
sin/shin # sigma final J
sin & tau T
shin $ upsilon U
taw T phi F
chi X
psi Y
omega W
ketiv * smooth breathing )
qere ** rough breathing (
morphological iota subscript |
separator \ acute accent /
grave accent \
circumflex acc. =
diaeresis +
maqqeph - capital letter * (precedes)
EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
The following symbols are used in the parallel alignment:
{#} Asterized passage (in Job).
{g} Reference to difference between the text of Rahlfs and that
of the relevant Gšttingen edition.
..a Word included in one of the Aramaic sections.
* Ketib.
** Qere.
*z Qere wela ketib, ketib wela qere.
[ ] Reference of number of verse in LXX, different from MT.
[[ ]] Reference number of verse in MT, different from the LXX.
--- {x} Apparent minus or
--+ {x} apparent plus created by lack of equivalence between long
stretches of text in the LXX and MT.
{...} Equivalent reflected elsewhere in the text, disregarded by
indexing program.
~ Difference in sequence between MT and LXX, denoted after the
first Hebrew word and before the second one, as well as
between two Greek words.
~~~ Equivalent of the Hebrew or Greek word(s) occurring
elsewhere in the verse or context (transposition).
{..~} Stylistic or grammatical transposition.
--- In the Greek column: Hebrew counterpart lacking in the LXX
(minus in the LXX).
--+ In col a. of the Hebrew: element ÒaddedÓ in the Greek
(plus in the LXX).
'' Long minus or plus (at least four lines).
{d} Reference to doublet (occurring between the two elements of
the doublet.
{..d} Distributive rendering, occurring once in the translation
but referring to more than one Hebrew word.
{..r} Notation in Hebrew column of elements repeated in the
translation.
? Questionable notation, equivalent, etc.
{p} Greek preverb representing Hebrew preposition.
{..p} Preposition added in the LXX in accordance with the rules of
the Greek language or translational habits.
{!} Infinitive absolute.
{s} Hebrew M/, MN (comparative, superlative) reflected by Greek
comparative or superlative.
{t} Transliterated Hebrew word.
# Long line continuing in next one, placed both at the end of
the line running over and at the beginning of the following
line in the opposite column.
= Introducing col. b of the Hebrew (a selection of retroverted
readings, presumably found in the parent text of the LXX).
{v} The reading of the main text of the LXX seems to reflect a
secondary text, while the ÒoriginalÓ reading is reflected in
a variant.
=% Introducing categories of translation technique recorded in
col. b.
=%vap Change from active to passive form in verbs.
=%vpa Change from passive to active form in verbs.
=%p Difference in preposition or particle.
=%p+ Addition of preposition or particle.
=p%- Omission of preposition or particle.
=; Retroversion in col. b based on equivalence occurring in
immediate or remote context.
G Hebrew variant, but at this stage no plausible retroversion
is suggested.
=+ Difference in numbers between MT and the LXX.
=@ Etymological exegesis.
=@...a Etymological exegesis according to Aramaic.
=: Introducing reconstructed proper noun.
=v Difference in vocalization (reading).
=r Incomplete retroversion.
{*} Agreement of LXX with ketib.
{**} Agreement of LXX with qere.
. Interchange of consonants between MT and the presumed Hebrew
parent text of the LXX.
.rd As above, interchange of R/D, etc.
.m As above, metathesis.
.z Possible abbreviation.
.s One word of MT separated into two or more words in the
parent text of the LXX.
.j Two words of MT joined into one word in the parent text of
the LXX.
.w Different word-division reflected in the parent text of the
LXX.