Preserving Textual Plurality: The Case of 1 Kings 2

Building on the author’s master’s thesis, this study examines the Interludes (sometimes called Miscellanies) of 3 Kingdoms (LXX)/1 Kings 2.12-46l (MT), a passage where the LXX preserves significant variant material vis-à-vis the MT. While some scholars argue that the differences are the result of midrashic expansion or theological reworking, the evidence points towards the translation of a distinct edition of 1 Kings which originated in Hebrew. As a result, the modern Bible translator is faced with several options and their implications for what “faithful” translation looks like in the case of textual plurality. Should translators favour a dominant textual tradition or preserve multiple readings for future generations? Several options are explored for how to navigate this textual plurality while considering some of the implications.