Georgian Equivalents of the Theological Terms νόμος and διαθήκη in Ancient Georgian Translations of the Holy Scriptures

Abstract

This research aims to explore and analyze the Georgian equivalents of theological terms (νόμος, διαθήκη) found in ancient scripture translations.

The Greek theological term διαθήκη, ἡ is defined in Lampe's Patristic Dictionary as testament, covenant, or will. In sacred theological writings, διαθήκη refers to both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Scripture (Lampe1961: 348). The Greek theological term νόμος, ὁ is defined in Lampe's Patristic Dictionary as follows: I. An established principle or custom; II. Law: 1. God's moral Law, 2. Natural Law, 3. The Law of Nature, 4. The law given to Adam, 5. The law given to Noah, Abraham, and Moses, culminating in the teaching of Christ, 6. The Law of Moses, 7. The Christian law, 8. The laws of the Church; C. The law of sin; III. Various rules and standards (Lampe 1961: 920-922).

In Greek ecclesiastical terminology, the theological terms διαθήκη and νόμος maintain separate meanings, devoid of overlap, and convey specific concepts.

The analysis of the material reveals a difference in ancient Georgian ecclesiastical terminology. The Georgian terms რჯული (law) and აღთქმა (covenant) are frequently used to translate the Greek term διαθήκη. In these instances, they function as terminological units expressing a single concept, with some semantic overlap. Conversely, რჯული (law) consistently translates to νόμος. In this context, the Georgian translation tradition employs the term რჯული (law) as the equivalent of two distinct Greek terms (διαθήκη and νόμος): It may convey the concept of νόμος or διαθήκη, depending on the context.

The situation differs concerning the Georgian equivalent of the term νόμος, which consistently translates to რჯული (law). Consequently, while διαθήκη has two Georgian equivalents – აღთქმა (covenant) and რჯული (law), νόμος is uniformly translated as რჯული (law). This observation suggests that within the Georgian translation tradition, the precise equivalent of the Greek term διαθήκη lacks definition, thus being rendered by synonymous terminological units – აღთქმა  (covenant) | რჯული (law).

The Gelati school of translations offers a different perspective. The Georgian equivalents of the Greek terms were determined with the assistance of Gelati translator-scribes. Specifically, the term διαθήκη is translated as აღთქმა (covenant), while νόμος is rendered as რჯული (law). Importantly, it's worth noting that აღთქმა (covenant) and რჯული (law) are not used interchangeably, as they convey distinct concepts.