Why ancient Aramaic translations of the Bible became more than just simple word swaps
In short: As Aramaic replaced Hebrew as the common language of Jews in Palestine, the Targum emerged as a vital bridge. What began as a simple oral translation for the congregation evolved into a sophisticated blend of paraphrase, commentary, and moral instruction, forever changing how the Hebrew Bible was understood and taught.
The term Targum, derived from an Aramaic word for translation or interpretation, refers to the practice of rendering the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic. Following the Babylonian Exile, Aramaic gradually superseded Hebrew as the spoken language of Jews in Palestine. By the 1st century AD, while Hebrew remained the sacred language of study and worship, it had become unintelligible to many unlearned congregants. To ensure the scriptures remained accessible, a professional interpreter known as a meturgeman would translate the biblical text aloud during synagogue services.
These oral translations quickly moved beyond literalism. The meturgeman often expanded upon the original text to clarify obscure passages, adapt ancient narratives to contemporary ideas, and emphasize moral lessons. This method transformed the Targum into a vehicle for homiletic discourse, legends, and allegories. While early Targums were relatively literal, later versions became increasingly paraphrastic. This oral tradition remained the primary authoritative form throughout the Talmudic period, with written versions only gaining official recognition and fixed text status in the post-Talmudic 5th century AD.
Two specific translations, the Targum of Onkelos on the Pentateuch and the Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, eventually achieved official status. Onkelos, considered the most literal and possibly the earliest, appeared in its final revision by the 3rd century AD. These Targums were so central to Jewish life that the Talmud mandated individuals review their scripture portions by reading the text twice and the Targum once. Even as Jewish communities stopped speaking Aramaic in the 10th century, the Targum persisted as a cornerstone of Jewish exegesis, appearing alongside the Hebrew text in manuscripts and commentaries to this day.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Targum | Ancient Jewish Biblical Interpretation & Translation | Britannica
- Also: Targum
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