Βασιλεύς and ἄρχων in the Septuagint: Greek translations of the Hebrew word “king” and the attitude towards kings in the Egyptian Diaspora of the 3rd century

Abstract

The paper deals with the choice between the Greek words βασιλεύς and ἄρχων used in the LXX translation of the Pentateuch to render the Hebrew melek. Having adduced the relevant passages with necessary textual comments, the author discusses the hypothesis of E. Bickerman that the choice is to be explained by self-censorship of the LXX translators, worried about the reception of the Greek Pentateuch by the Ptolemaic court and administration. The author concurs with critics of the hypothesis and suggests that the solution should be sought elsewhere, namely in the attitude of Second Temple Judaism towards the institution of monarchy in Israel. The last part of the paper deals with the similar strategy employed by the translators in the Greek Ezekiel.