[B-Greek] Coat of what?

Maurice A. O'Sullivan mauros at iol.ie
Tue Jan 13 14:14:36 EST 2004


At 18:56 13/01/2004, Eric Weiss wrote:

>I, too, do not envy the translator's task!!

No, indeed.

Freedman, D. N., Myers, A. C., & Beck, A. B. (2000). Eerdmans dictionary of 
the Bible (Page 265). Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans
on p.265 reads:
 >> The complexity translators face becomes apparent when one compares 
translations; e.g., in Gen. 37:3, 23, 32 Joseph's _ketonet passim_: 'tunic 
of many colors' (NKJV), long robe with sleeves (NRSV, REB), long tunic 
(NAB), decorated tunic (NJB), ornamented tunic (NJPSV), richly ornamented 
robe (NIV).<<

and on p.734:
 >> This robe (ketonet passim) is the traditional 'coat of many colors,' 
although the Hebrew actually refers simply to a sleeved tunic or robe 
reaching to the wrists and ankles (in 2 Sam. 13:18 it is the clothing of a 
princess). The significance of the special robe is that it set Joseph apart 
from his brothers and triggered hatred and jealousy in them (Gen. 37:4).<<

and for background:
Negev, A. (1996, c1990). The Archaeological encyclopedia of the Holy Land 
(3rd ed.). New York: Prentice Hall Press.

 >>Another type of loom, much employed in Egypt and also used in Palestine, 
was vertical. Two long posts were driven into the ground and a third was 
placed horizontally on top of them. The warp threads were tied to the 
horizontal post, each thread being suspended by a weight. Loom weights made 
of stonehave been found on almost every site in Palestine. The horizontal 
post of the vertical loom is the 'weaver's beam' referred to in I Samuel 
(17:7). The weaving was done at the upper part of the loom, and the woven 
fabric was rolled on top of the beam. Initially it was inserted through the 
warp with the fingers, but later a thin rod, made of wood or bone, was used.

On hand looms such as these either monochrome or polychrome fabrics were 
produced. Joseph's coat of many colors (Gen. 37:3), or Aaron's "broidered 
coat" (Exod. 28:4) may have been of the latter kind, as may the 'prey of 
diverse colors' of Sisera (Judg. 5:30). If multicolored cloth was to be 
made groups of fibers of different colors were tied to the horizontal beam. 
It was not until late in the Roman period that more advanced systems of 
weaving were introduced.<<

And if this doesn't exhaust the topic, it does me. <vbg>


Maurice A. O'Sullivan  [ Bray, Ireland ]
mauros at iol.ie





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