12-30-2010, 04:24 AM
Shlama Stephen and Jerry,
I'm writing on the apocalypses. I knew there was no evidence for an original Aramaic Revelation, but I suspect one due to Yochanan Shlika's signature all over the text. When the translation of "seven spirits" occurs in 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6, it is popularly assumed seven spirits due to the seven lamps, seven stars, . However, this is a menorah, and it is really one lampstand with seven lamps that is being seen, which is a drash from Exodus 25:37, 40:4, Zechariah 4, etc. In Zechariah 4:6, it is one Spirit, but with seven eyes which go to and fro the earth (Zech 4:10). I am trying to find the missing link between how it was understood at first to be a seven-fold menorah to becoming "seven spirits". If 'sevenfold' is strictly an English word, that would be an explanation, and the error would point to a Greek redaction of the missing Aramaic original. Similar to the point you made, the Septuagint translates Genesis 4:24 only with the Greek hepta ("Cain shall be avenged sevenfold" is the translation); which can mean either seven or sevenfold. So far, it looks like its a translational problem, but I'm no linguist, and can't prove it. Didn't mean to frighten you, I'm not going to use you as a source or anything. I'm thinking of just leaving the issue due to relevance in the grand scheme of things. Even if I leave it "seven spirits" I can easily show Yochanan's vision as a menorah with seven lamps using good old-fashioned midrash, without making it a linguistic issue. Its not like it changes who the Rukha d'Qudsha is anyway! To tell you the truth though, it would be nice to have an answer to the laughing icon on the Skeptic's Annotated Bible commentary regarding "seven spirits of God": <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/rev/3.html">http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/rev/3.html</a><!-- m --> It was for this reason I started writing my commentary, and had a question on 'sevenfold' to begin with.
Again though, appreciate all of your insights!
I'm writing on the apocalypses. I knew there was no evidence for an original Aramaic Revelation, but I suspect one due to Yochanan Shlika's signature all over the text. When the translation of "seven spirits" occurs in 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6, it is popularly assumed seven spirits due to the seven lamps, seven stars, . However, this is a menorah, and it is really one lampstand with seven lamps that is being seen, which is a drash from Exodus 25:37, 40:4, Zechariah 4, etc. In Zechariah 4:6, it is one Spirit, but with seven eyes which go to and fro the earth (Zech 4:10). I am trying to find the missing link between how it was understood at first to be a seven-fold menorah to becoming "seven spirits". If 'sevenfold' is strictly an English word, that would be an explanation, and the error would point to a Greek redaction of the missing Aramaic original. Similar to the point you made, the Septuagint translates Genesis 4:24 only with the Greek hepta ("Cain shall be avenged sevenfold" is the translation); which can mean either seven or sevenfold. So far, it looks like its a translational problem, but I'm no linguist, and can't prove it. Didn't mean to frighten you, I'm not going to use you as a source or anything. I'm thinking of just leaving the issue due to relevance in the grand scheme of things. Even if I leave it "seven spirits" I can easily show Yochanan's vision as a menorah with seven lamps using good old-fashioned midrash, without making it a linguistic issue. Its not like it changes who the Rukha d'Qudsha is anyway! To tell you the truth though, it would be nice to have an answer to the laughing icon on the Skeptic's Annotated Bible commentary regarding "seven spirits of God": <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/rev/3.html">http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/rev/3.html</a><!-- m --> It was for this reason I started writing my commentary, and had a question on 'sevenfold' to begin with.
Again though, appreciate all of your insights!