Übersetzungsvarianten der Schlüsselbegriffe in Gen 6,4: Wie fügen sich die gigantes aus Genesis 6,1-4 in den Kontext der hebräischen Bibel?

Abstract

This essay offers an introduction to Gen 6,1–4 in a linguistic and a semantic overview and in a comprehensive analysis of Jerome’s transmission of verse 4 in his Biblia Sacra Vulgata. The main emphasis lies on the semantic characteristics of the Hebrew words ???????? and ????????. Their semantic meaning will be analized as well as the far-reaching scope of connotations. Another focus lies on the fact, that Gen 6,1–4 opens the possibilities of interpretation to the wide field of mythology in the ancient world. Several corresponding, even contradictory impulses will be taken in account, to show how Jerome’s translation can be situated in this context. The essay concludes with an open thesis on the origins of the semantic image field ????????.