Unforeseen Miracles along the Banks of the Arnon River

Num 21:10-20 in the Vulgate and in Rabbinic Traditions

Abstract

The paper examines Jerome’s translation of Num 21:14-15.16-20, asking in particular about the reasons for the significant differences between the Hebrew Text and the Vulgate. These are – as will be shown – not to be explained by the existence of text-critical variants, but rather derive from a thorough reception of Jewish Rabbinic interpretations of Num 21:14-20.