On Sacred Translation — The First Method
Translation, or Interpretation 1 — which, both according to the order of nature and according to the order of doctrine and of time, claims for itself the first place among the other explanatory methods of divine Scripture — is the Method which turns the holy scriptures from one language into another, rendering not only sense for sense, but word for word, with the utmost care and fidelity. For although, in the interpretation of secular writings, the highest praise of the interpreter is that he express not word for word (for that often renders the translation absurd), 2 but sense from sense, aptly and elegantly: yet in the sacred scriptures — on account of the order of the words, and the innumerable sacraments of mysteries which lie hidden in almost every single word — a duty and a necessity lies upon the faithful interpreter, that he render word for word most faithfully. In this zeal of translating there excelled, among the Latins, St. Jerome, Augustine [Giustiniani] bishop of Nebbio, and Sanctes Pagninus; 3 but among the Greeks, the seventy-two interpreters — approved by the authority of the Apostles and Evangelists, who everywhere used their translation — and after them Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, and some others, from whose editions various volumes of many translations were collected, both by Origen and by other Greeks and Latins. And of these, some were called Tetrapla, others Hexapla, others Octapla, from the number of columns.
For first they called Tetrapla 4 those Greek codices in which the single pages were distinguished by four little columns, so that in the first column was the edition of the seventy-two interpreters, in the second the translation of Aquila, in the third that of Symmachus, in the fourth that of Theodotion.
They named Hexapla 5 those Greek volumes in whose single pages six columns were arranged: of these, the first had the Hebrew text of holy Scripture, written in Hebrew letters; the second, the Hebrew text set out opposite in Greek letters, for the sake of those who did not know how to read Hebrew; the third contained the version of Aquila; the fourth, the translation of Symmachus; the fifth, the edition of the seventy-two; the sixth, the edition of Theodotion.
Octapla, 6 however, they called those copies whose eight columns were so arranged that in the first six columns the six aforesaid translations were had; but in the seventh column, the fifth Greek edition, found by Origen at Jericho; and in the eighth, the sixth Greek edition, found by the same Origen on the Actian shore.
But, that these things may become clearer, we shall take (as we have already said), for the sake of an example, the hundred and sixteenth Psalm, 7 whose various translations — arranged in a decapla, that is, in a series of ten columns — we here set before the eyes: placing in the first column the Hebrew text of the Psalm; in the second, the Chaldaic; in the third, the Greek of the seventy interpreters; in the fourth, a Latin corresponding to the Hebrew; in the fifth, a Latin corresponding to the Greek; in the sixth, a Latin corresponding to the Chaldaic; and in the four following [columns], again, four different Latin editions corresponding to the Hebrew.
[continues p164: the table (TYPVS) — Psalm 116 in ten columns]
### Model of the tenfold translation upon Psalm 116
I. Hebrew — (the psalm in the Hebrew text)
II. Chaldaic — (the psalm in the Aramaic/Targum)
III. Greek (of the Seventy) — Αἰνεῖτε τὸν κύριον πάντα τὰ ἔθνη, ἐπαινέσατε αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ λαοί· ὅτι ἐκραταιώθη τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ κυρίου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα μένει.
IV. Latin, answering to the Hebrew (Jerome’s): Alleluia. Praise the Lord, all nations; praise him, all peoples. For his mercy is confirmed over us, and the truth of the Lord [endureth] for ever.
V. Latin, answering to the Greek: Alleluia. Praise the Lord, [ye] nations; celebrate him, all peoples. For his mercy is made strong over us, and the truth of the Lord abideth unto an age.
VI. Latin, answering to the Chaldaic: Alleluia. Praise God, all peoples; praise him, all nations. For his goodness is made strong over us, and the truth of the Lord [is] for ever.
VII. Latin, answering to the Hebrew: Alleluia. Praise Jehovah, all nations; him celebrate, all nations. For the clemency of Jehovah toward us excelleth, and his faithfulness is eternal.
VIII. Latin, answering to the Hebrew: Alleluia. Praise the Lord, all nations; proclaim him, all peoples. For his kindness toward us prevaileth, and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
IX. Latin, answering to the Hebrew: Alleluia. Praise God, all nations; honor him, all ye nations. For his loving-kindness toward us is increased, and the truth of the Lord abideth unto an age.
X. Latin, answering to the Hebrew: Alleluia. Praise the Lord, all nations; all peoples also, praise him. For his grace toward us groweth more and more, and his faithfulness endureth for ever.