Acceptable Anachronism in Biblical Studies. Issue 3 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malone, Andrew S.
• Is Part Of: Bible translator. Volume 67:Issue 3(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 351
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: anachronism -- textual updating -- modernizing -- archaizing -- biblical examples -- functional equivalence; 220.405
• DOI: 10.1177/2051677016671992
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-6770

Abstract

For the most part, biblical scholars have joined their secular counterparts in being vigilant—and even vigilantes—against anachronistic thinking and language. However, Scripture itself models a variety of apparently intentional anachronisms, such as the introducing of updated equivalents or of outdated archaisms. Such occurrences in both the Old and New Testaments invite us to revisit this complex phenomenon and to consider what anachronism (or some fresh, less pejorative designation) might contribute to our own contemporary interpretation and translation of the Bible.