Le Roux, J.H. (Jurie Hendrik), 1944-2017-11-302017-11-302017Jurie le Roux, “Two Africans and the Elusiveness of Meaning,” Old Testament Essays 30/2 (2017): 367-383, DOI: http://dx.DOI.org/ 10.17159/2312-3621/2017/v30n2a11.1010-991910.17159/2312-3621/2017/v30n2a11http://hdl.handle.net/2263/63386This article highlights the impossibility of ever grasping fully the meaning of an OT text and how this loss can be approached. Historical criticism underscored the notion that the OT/HB originated over many years: texts were constantly re-interpreted, contexts often changed, older parts were re-adapted and therefore many (even opposing) voices can be heard in the Hebrew Scripture. Notwithstanding difficulties and the elusiveness of meaning, OT scholarship can still be of great value and to elaborate this point the views of two African born scholars are discussed and their “solutions” accentuated. The one suggested that studying the text can be a joyful enterprise and the other African advised that we must always be open to future possibilities.enOld Testament Society of South AfricaOld Testament/Hebrew BibleAugustineDerrida, Jacques, 1930-2004MonnicaGeorgette Safar DerridaVerbum interiorVerbum exteriorDeconstructionTheology articles SDG-04SDG-04: Quality educationTheology articles SDG-10SDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesTheology articles SDG-16SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutionsArticle