Mythological Creatures in the Book of Job and Their Interpretation in the Septuagint and in the Slavonic Translations.

The article focuses on the representation and interpretation of mythological creatures in the Book of Job as found in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and various Slavonic translations. It examines key mythological figures such as Rahab, Leviathan, Môt (the Canaanite god of the netherworld), the Sirens from Greek mythology, and the sea-god Yamm, highlighting how the Septuagint blends Semitic mythological elements with Hellenic influences. The study compares these Greek texts with the Latin Vulgate and several medieval Slavonic translations, noting that Slavonic translators generally follow the Greek text but sometimes clarify or adapt the mythological concepts for their audiences, with the Rila translation of the catena regarded as particularly adept. The article also discusses the artistic depictions of these creatures in illuminated Greek manuscripts, illustrating the cultural transmission and transformation of ancient mythological motifs through biblical translation traditions.