Targum, n.
(ˈtɑːgəm, ‖ tarˈgum)
Also 6–7 thargum.
[a. Chaldee targūm interpretation, f. targēm to interpret: see dragoman.]
Each of several Aramaic translations, interpretations, or paraphrases of the various divisions of the Old Testament, made after the Babylonian captivity, at first preserved by oral transmission, and committed to writing from about 100 a.d. onwards.
The extant Targums together comprise all the books except Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel.
| 1587 Golding De Mornay xxvii. (1592) 427 The Thargum of Hierusalem and the Onkelos which are bookes of cheefe authoritie among the Iewes. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 174 This the Hebrewes call Targum, that is, the Translation, which hath with them no lesse credit then the Text it selfe. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. v. x. 249 Jonathan who compiled the Thargum, conceives the colours of these banners to answer the pretious stones in the breastplate, and upon which the names of the Tribes were engraven. 1706 A. Bedford Temple Mus. viii. 159 We find the Targum of Onkelos to be mark't with the Accents. 1776 Burney Hist. Mus. I. 228 note, The Targum, or Chaldee Paraphrase, mentions an instrument not to be found in the original, or in any of the translations. 1864 Reader 16 Jan. 74/1 The Targums are versions of the Old Testament in what has been called Chaldee, but which is, in fact, the language of Aram or Syria. |
Hence Targum v. trans., to interpret or paraphrase (Scripture) in the manner of the Targums (also absol.); Targumic (tɑːˈguːmɪk), Tarˈgumical, adjs., of or pertaining to the Targums; Tarˈgumically adv., in the manner of the Targums.
| a 1873 Deutsch Rem. (1874) 361 The authenticity of the Targumic Texts. 1883 F. Delitzsch in Athenæum 26 May 668/3 A considerable number of Targumic and Talmudic words..occur in the Assyrian and Babylonian language. 1883 A. Edersheim Life & Times Jesus I. ii. viii. 206 At that time each one Targumed for himself... The New Testament writers..when it seemed necessary, literally or Targumically rendered a verse. Ibid. II. v. xiv. 574 S. Matthew, Targuming this prophecy in form as in its spirit. |