Dominick S. Hernández, Proverbs: Pathways to Wisdom

Abstract

discussions under these rubrics follow a “performative-sensitive” translation of the biblical text. These translations intentionally embrace a more formal approach to translation, seeking to follow the Hebrew text closely in terms of word-for-word equivalents and a variety of structural and syntactic elements. Ironically, a formal translation of this sort, when performed, actually takes on a dynamic quality that perhaps in many ways does what the Hebrew text did in its oral context! The author’s translations of the Elijah narratives and texts from Ezekiel and Jonah serve well to help the reader “hear” aspects of the texts often overlooked in these familiar narratives. This kind of translation always involves a tension between pushing limits to illustrate vivid ideas and keeping the text readable, and inevitably Mathews veers a little far from the center line in an instance or two. Elijah calling for the prophets of Baal to call out to God “with surround sound” (p. 112), for example, does not land quite right on the ear of this reviewer; and yet these kinds of risks are necessary for the experimentation that performance criticism calls for, and by and large Mathews’s translations are powerful and effective. The introductory material and creativity sections of each case study also contain a wide variety of interesting and thoughtful observations about the texts and her translations of them, such as reflection on the effects of the episode about Naboth’s vineyard when considered as a “prequel” or consideration of Ezekiel as a “performance artist.” The commentary sections of the case studies are focused on narrative elements such as characters and props and other elements of the texts worthy of attention for their roles in performance. Mathews pays particular attention to the “ready-mades” that occur in each of the texts, and conventional words and phrases that would have been familiar to the hearers of the texts but are used by the writers in unconventional ways to bring about surprise or disquiet (p. 87). In the connections sections of the case studies, Mathews explores the relevance of these prophetic messages for contemporary contexts. Her examples demonstrate sensitivity to a variety of social issues, particularly issues of justice, to which the prophetic voices continue to speak. Her observations about their resonance with the contemporary issue of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories are especially poignant. In all, Mathews offers an engaging exploration that demonstrates the considerable value of performance criticism. From technical explanations to theological insights, she provides thought-provoking engagement with this methodology useful for both scholars and ministers interested in these prophetic texts or in learning more about this approach for its application to all biblical texts.