Language and Identity in Hellenistic Judaism

Essays in Memory of James K. Aitken

William A. Ross, Marieke Dhont, Christopher J. Fresch

• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9780567715098
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

This volume honours the life and scholarship of James K. Aitken (1968–2023), a distinguished scholar of Hebrew and Early Jewish Studies at the University of Cambridge. Bringing together fourteen original essays by colleagues, students, and friends, the collection explores themes central to Aitken's work. Contributors examine the interplay between language and identity in ancient Jewish communities, with particular attention to the Septuagint and its place within the history of Greek.
Aitken's intellectual legacy is reflected in the breadth of topics covered, from lexical studies and syntactic analysis to sociolinguistic phenomena and historical context. The essays build on his pioneering research and continue conversations he began, offering fresh insights into the lived realities of Jews in the Hellenistic world.
More than a scholarly tribute, this volume is a testament to Aitken's collegial spirit and mentorship. The editors-William A. Ross, Marieke Dhont, and Christopher Fresch-were all shaped by his guidance and friendship, and have curated a collection that reflects both his academic influence and personal impact. With contributions from leading international scholars, this book stands as a fitting memorial to a beloved teacher, collaborator, and friend.

Table of contents

• Half-title
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of Figures and Tables
• Publisher’s Note
• Abbreviations and Sigla
• Publications of James K. Aitken
• Professor James K. Aitken (1968–2023): A Brief Biography
• Introduction
• Chapter 1. Verbal Periphrasis with ποιέω in Postclassical Greek
• Chapter 2. The Poetics of Symmachos
• Chapter 3. On the Language of the Septuagint and Other Matters: A Conversation with Jim Aitken
• Chapter 4. “(John) Joseph”: A Fifth-Century Greek Translator of Jeremiah
• Chapter 5. Was There a Jewish Literary Tradition in Greek After the First Century CE?
• Chapter 6. The Septuagint Psalms Translator’s Treatment of the Hebrew Verb: Preliminary Findings
• Chapter 7. Innovations in the Tiberian Reading Tradition of the Hebrew Bible
• Chapter 8. Lexical and Stylistic Aspects of the Greek Prologue to Sirach
• Chapter 9. Horn Vocabulary and the Revision of Old Greek Judges
• Chapter 10. Diathesis, Greek Idiom, and Freedom of Choice
• Chapter 11. Jewish Burial Practices in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Early Byzantine Balkans and the Aegean
• Postscript. Light from East Anglia: Tracing the Influences of the Cambridge School(s) of Septuagint Scholarship
• List of Contributors
• Index of References
• Index of Authors