A Model for Distinguishing between Textual Variants and Translation Shifts in Old Testament Textual Criticism

The use of ancient translations such as the Septuagint, Peshitta or Vulgate represents a distinctive challenge in textual criticism. Before the translation can be used as a witness, we must understand how it relates to its source text, which we do not possess. This circular impasse is a crucial concept in textual criticism. The present article explores the interface between textual criticism and translation studies and suggests a model based on the analogy of recursion in computer programming. An initial hypothesis (in this case: the MT as a substitute source text), leads to preliminary conclusions, and then those conclusions are a basis for refining the hypothesis. The model is illustrated with an analysis of the Greek Septuagint of Jonah.