One who reads The Antiquities of Josephus must be impressed with the fact that while the historian follows the narrative presented in the Scripture, he contrives to make it rather more agreeable to the national susceptibilities. There is, of course, nothing unusual in this. History is continually being moulded to suit the prejudices of readers. Many people would be astonished if they read foreign records of their national exploits. They might be still more astonished if they could read a brief and impartial history of their nation written by an inspired prophet. One of the many evidences of truth in the Scriptures is seen in the unvarnished picture of things that the nation would naturally prefer to hide.
Josephus gives a full account of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and of their life in the wilderness, except that he completely omits all reference to the golden calf! He records the prolonged journey, but tones down the story of national cowardice and faithlessness which made it necessary. He mentions the encounter with the Midianites and the marriages contracted, but completely transforms the scene, almost presenting the matter as an interesting philosophical discussion with the women of Midian which had unfortunate results in the formation of undesirable friendships.
It is not so easy to alter the character of a narrative when making a translation, yet even in this some changes are effected according to the prejudices of the translators. Especially may we expect to find a certain liberty of interpretation and paraphrase when a translation is made for the readers of a nation with prejudices far removed from those of the people among whom the writings were originally produced.
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Author: Islip Collyer
Keywords: Septuagint, LXX, Greek Bible, Greek Old Testament
Bible reference(s): Dan 9:25, Isaiah 49:7, Zec 13:7, Acts 17:11
Source: “Translations and Interpretations,” The Testimony, Vol. 7, No. 74, February 1937, pp. 50-2.
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