Methodological Remarks on the Textual History of Reigns : A Response to Siegfried Kreuzer

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The Best Greek Witnesses for 2 Samuel

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Christian Schäfer, Alfred Rahlfs (1865-1935) und die kritische Edition der Septuaginta: Eine biographisch-wissenschaftsgeschichtliche Studie (BZAW 489). Berlin/Boston: de Gruyter 2016. [Book review]

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The Proto-Lucianic Problem in 1 Samuel

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Josephus’ Sources and Motivations in Depicting Davidic Kingship

In Antiquitates judaicae (A.J.), book 7, Josephus (37–ca. 100 CE) retells the stories of David’s kingship in 2 Samuel. Instead of quoting the Samuel text, he paraphrases it in a fairly high-style Greek. Generally, the scholarly opinion is divided on whether Josephus based his exposition mainly on a Hebrew (so Nodet) or a Greek (Mez, Ulrich) text, or whether he used both (Rahlfs, Brock). In this article, a case will be made for Josephus being dependent on a Greek text in A.J. 7, but it is difficult to determine whether that Greek text was closer to the Lucianic (Antiochian) text than the B or majority texts (so Mez, Ulrich, Spottorno). The most decisive factors behind Josephus’ formulations are the need to produce a good story and to present King David in a favorable light. However, details of the underlying Greek text affect Josephus’ choice of words in isolated cases, e.g., referring to King David as “the shepherd” of his people (2 Sam 24:17 // A.J. 7.328) and explicating that David chose the plague over other forms of punishment following the census (2 Sam 24:14 // A.J. 7.322–323). Both of these cases are based on a Greek reading absent from the MT. In addition to details in the Greek text, Josephus’ choice of words or a free expansion are partly motivated by his own situation after the Jewish War. Josephus’ motivations can be detected when he deviates from the biblical narrative. Examples of this phenomenon include depicting David’s son Absalom as a demagogue who incited the mob to rebellion (A.J. 7.196) and justifying the purportedly changed allegiance of David’s friend Hushai by prudence and acknowledgement of divine providence (A.J. 7.211–212). The study of Josephus’ depiction of Davidic kingship must take into account both the sources and the personal motivations of the author. The study illuminates the impact of a large-scale political transition—the Jewish War and its aftermath—on the rewriting of scriptural texts and traditions.Peer reviewe

Abel and Dan (2 Sam 20:18–19) in Textual Criticism, Tradition History, and Archaeology

The MT form of the saying of the wise woman in 2 Sam 20:18–19 presents multiple text-critical problems. Instead of “Let them inquire at Abel,” the LXX refers to “Abel and Dan.” The notion of the wise woman being “one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel” (NRSV) is grammatically difficult; the LXX reads differently: “what the faithful of Israel had established, had been abandoned.” This paper seeks to bring textual criticism into discussion with an archaeological analysis, including a tradition-historical angle on the story, by: 1. Re-examining the textual evidence, with due consideration of the Septuagint. 2. Considering the archaeological findings of Iron Age sites at Tel Abel and Tel Dan. 3. Examining the textual and iconographic implications of the motif “woman on the wall.” 4. Evaluating the plausibility of the historical settings implied in the story in light of the textual and archaeological evidence.Peer reviewe

InDEx – Industrial Data Excellence

InDEx, the Industrial Data Excellence program, was created to investigate what industrial data can be collected, shared, and utilized for new intelligent services in high-performing, reliable and secure ways, and how to accomplish that in practice in the Finnish manufacturing industry.InDEx produced several insights into data in an industrial environment, collecting data, sharing data in the value chain and in the factory environment, and utilizing and manipulating data with artificial intelligence. Data has an important role in the future in an industrial context, but data sources and utilization mechanisms are more diverse than in cases related to consumer data. Experiences in the InDEx cases showed that there is great potential in data utili zation.Currently, successful business cases built on data sharing are either company-internal or utilize an existing value chain. The data market has not yet matured, and third-party offerings based on public and private data sources are rare. In this program, we tried out a framework that aimed to securely and in a controlled manner share data between organizations. We also worked to improve the contractual framework needed to support new business based on shared data, and we conducted a study of applicable business models. Based on this, we searched for new data-based opportunities within the project consortium. The vision of data as a tradeable good or of sharing with external partners is still to come true, but we believe that we have taken steps in the right direction.The program started in fall 2019 and ended in April 2022. The program faced restrictions caused by COVID-19, which had an effect on the intensity of the work during 2020 and 2021, and the program was extended by one year. Because of meeting restrictions, InDEx collaboration was realized through online meetings. We learned to work and collaborate using digital tools and environments. Despite the mentioned hindrances, and thanks to Business Finland’s flexibility, the extension time made it possible for most of the planned goals to be achieved.This report gives insights in the outcomes of the companies’ work within the InDEx program. DIMECC InDEx is the first finalized program by the members of the Finnish Advanced Manufacturing Network (FAMN, www.famn.fi).</p

Textual Variation in the Old Testament and Early Christian Sermons

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