Augustine’s Objection to Jerome’s Translation Project

I would, of course, prefer that you translate for us the canonical Greek scriptures, which are said to have had seventy translators. It will, after all, be extremely annoying if your translation begins to be read more frequently in many churches because the Latin churches will be out of harmony with the Greek churches, especially since, when the Greek book is produced, that is, in a widely known language, your translation will easily be proven to be in opposition to it. But if anyone is upset by something unfamiliar in the translation from the Hebrew and raises the charge of falsification, he will rarely or never have access to the Hebrew texts by which your translation might be defended against the objection. But even if one had access to the Hebrew, who would tolerate the condemnation of so many Latin and Greek authorities? In addition, even the Hebrews, when consulted, can offer a different response so that you alone seem indispensable since you can prove even them wrong. But who will be the judge? I would be surprised if you can find one.

For, when a certain brother bishop of ours began to have your translation read in the church over which he presides, a particular passage in the prophet Jonah caused a disturbance because it was presented in far different language than had become familiar to the senses and memory and had been chanted for so many ages. There was produced so great an uproar among the people, especially when the Greeks brought accusations and stirred up the charge of falsification, that the bishop—this took place in the city of Oea [in Libya]—was forced to demand the testimony of Jews. But, whether out of ignorance or out of malice, they replied that what both the Greek and Latin texts had and said was in the Hebrew books. What then? The man was forced to correct the text as if it were incorrect, since he did not want to be left without any people after the grave crisis. Hence, it seems to us as well that you could have been mistaken at times on some points. And see what a problem this presents in those writings that cannot be corrected by a comparison with the texts in familiar languages.