Scribal Change and Strategic Sequencing in the Hebrew Source of G Proverbs

Joseph L. Justiss examines the variant sequences of large text-blocks as found in the ancient Greek version of Proverbs (G Proverbs) and the Masoretic version of Proverbs (M Proverbs) to determine whether G's translator or G's source is the cause of the variant orders. Additionally, he examines how the different sequencing impacts the interpretation of the juxtaposed units. The author proceeds from a diachronic to a synchronic analysis of these units. Diachronically, textual and editorial criticism shed light on scribal changes at the edges and sometimes within juxtaposed units. Synchronically, topic analysis, dialogic analysis, and literary analysis reveal scribal motivations and compositional strategies inspiring the sequencing of units. Drawing on the main results of his study, Joseph L. Justiss argues that a variant Hebrew recension caused G's variant sequences and that the scribe of G's source expanded texts to emphasize wise speech and reverence in the presence of high authorities.