The Use of πυρόω in the Septuagint, and its Value for Esther, Addition D 5

Abstract

A careful analysis of the semantics and syntax of the verb πυρόω in the Septuagint helps to identify a hitherto unrecognised element of linguistic similarity between Addition D to Esther and 3 Maccabees (books originally written in Greek ab initio, that is, without a semitic Vorlage). This similarity, namely the metaphorical use of πυροῦμαι (passive) directly predicated of the person experiencing an intense emotion, followed by a dative denoting the trigger of fire ‘within’, should be added to those features supporting the hypothesis that Addition D to Esther, like most probably also Additions B and E, was originally written in what Septuagintal studies call “compositional Greek”.