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Targum Jonathan
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== Origin == Like [[Targum Onkelos]], it originated in the synagogue reading of a translation from the Nevi'im, which was part of the weekly lesson. The [[Talmud]] attributes its authorship to [[Jonathan ben Uzziel]], a pupil of [[Hillel the Elder]], in [[Megillah (Talmud)|Megillah]] 3a:4.{{efn|{{cite web |title=Megillah 3a:4 |url=https://www.sefaria.org/Megillah.3a.4?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en |website=www.sefaria.org}}}} According to this source, it was composed by Jonathan ben Uzziel "from the mouths of [[Haggai]], [[Zechariah (Hebrew prophet)|Zechariah]], and [[Malachi]]," implying that it was based on traditions derived from the last prophets. The additional statements that, on this account, the entire land of Israel was shaken and that a voice from heaven cried: "Who has revealed my secrets to the children of men?" are legendary reflections of the novelty of Jonathan's undertaking and the disapprobation it evoked. The story adds that Jonathan wished to translate the Ketuvim, but a heavenly voice instructed him to stop. The Targum to the [[Book of Job]], which was withdrawn from circulation by [[Gamaliel]], [[Nasi (Hebrew title)|nasi]] of the [[Sanhedrin]], may have represented the result of his attempts to translate the Ketuvim.<ref>see Bacher, "Ag. Tan." i. 23 et seq.; 2d ed., pp. 20 et seq.</ref> Jonathan ben Uzziel is named as Hillel's most prominent pupil,<ref>Sukkah 28a</ref> and the reference to his Targum is at least of historical value, so there is nothing to controvert the assumption that it served as the foundation for the present Targum to the Prophets.<ref name="je">Jewish Encyclopedia, [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14248-targum#anchor10 Targum]</ref> It was thoroughly revised, however, before it was redacted in Babylonia. In the Babylonian Talmud it is quoted with especial frequency by Joseph, head of the Academy of [[Pumbedita]],<ref>see Bacher, "Ag. Bab. Amor." p. 103</ref> who writes concerning the two biblical passages [[Isaiah 8]]:6 and [[Zechariah 12]]:11, "If there were no Targum to it we should not know the meaning of these verses".<ref>Sanhedrin 94b; Moed Kattan 28b; Megillah 3a</ref> This shows that as early as the beginning of the fourth century the Targum to the Prophets was recognized as of ancient authority. The targum is sometimes cited with the introduction "Rav Yosef has translated", suggesting a tradition of authorship by [[Joseph bar Hama]].<ref>[https://www.daat.ac.il/encyclopedia/value.asp?id1=2153 ืชืจืืื ืืื ืชื ืื ืืืืื]</ref><ref>[[Hai ben Sherira]], Commentary on [[Tohorot]], quoted in the ''Arukh'' of [[Nathan ben Jehiel]]; see Kohut, "Aruch Completum," ii. 293a, 308a</ref>
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