Genesis 4, 4-5: The Story of a Translation Bias

However faithful it may appear, any translation develops under the interpretation that the translator applies to the source-text, biased by various elements present in the broad circumstance of that particular translating activity. In some cases, this fact alters, or adds a new layer of meaning to the original text. The present paper explores the case under Gen. 4, 4-5, where, by introducing a linguistic variation - namely delta omega rho omicron nu, omicron upsilon, tau omicron / theta upsilon sigma iota alpha, alpha zeta, eta (in kappa alpha iota epsilon pi iota tau omicron iota zeta, delta omega rho omicron iota zeta , v. 4, and kappa alpha iota epsilon pi iota tau alpha iota zeta theta upsilon sigma iota alpha iota zeta, v. 5) instead of the monotony displayed by the Hebrew text - (Sic) [min"khal (in (sic) / Engl. 'and to his offering') -, the Greek Septuagint provides the reader with the possibility of condemning Cain before he commits the crime.