Tuesday 31 May 2016

Job 14 and Psalm 3

Words shared by Job 14:12-16 and Psalm 3:5-8
Robert Cole's work to show the relationships within the Psalter of Psalms 1 and 2 and 149 for instance is quite convincing to me based on the recurring words. I haven't read his book on the subject but I did read a preliminary article he published several years ago. (Cole, Robert. JSOT 98 (2002). 75-88 An Integrated Reading of Psalms 1 and 2.)

I really don't have the time or the cash or the space to collect any more books at my age, but I bet it is good. He was negatively reviewed and has negatively answered the review. In it he mentions the death and resurrection simile of sleep and awake. I have no difficulty with this reading.

Awake is used in the Psalter with the sense of that final awakening as well as the normal sleeping / awakening pattern in 3:6, 17:5 and 139:18. Sleep (3:6, 4:9, 13:4) has the sense of ordinary sleep and also of death, the Hamlet usage. Shakespeare was not using the image for the first time.

The capping of the image is as Cole rightly points out in Job 14:12. The table above shows how clearly this response of Job reflects the language of Psalm 3. There is some similarity in the music for the Psalm and that of Job 14 but it is not as if one needs the confirmation. Each verse is a tri-colon delimited by both ole-veyored and atnah.


Monday 30 May 2016

2 Chronicles 7

This doubles parts of 1 Kings 8-9. Probably 1 Kings 9 will follow soon.

2 Chronicles 7 Fn Min Max Syll
וּכְכַלּ֤וֹת שְׁלֹמֹה֙ לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל וְהָאֵ֗שׁ יָֽרְדָה֙ מֵֽהַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַתֹּ֥אכַל הָעֹלָ֖ה וְהַזְּבָחִ֑ים
וּכְב֥וֹד יְהוָ֖ה מָלֵ֥א אֶת־הַבָּֽיִת
1 And as Solomon finished praying, the fire descended from the heavens and it devoured the burnt offering and the sacrifices,
and the glory of Yahweh filled the house.
3e 4C 29
10
וְלֹ֤א יָֽכְלוּ֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים לָב֖וֹא אֶל־בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה
כִּֽי־מָלֵ֥א כְבוֹד־יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה
2 And the priests were not able to enter into the house of Yahweh,
for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.
3e 4C 14
10
וְכֹ֣ל ׀ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל רֹאִים֙ בְּרֶ֣דֶת הָאֵ֔שׁ וּכְב֥וֹד יְהוָ֖ה עַל־הַבָּ֑יִת
וַיִּכְרְעוּ֩ אַפַּ֨יִם אַ֤רְצָה עַל־הָרִֽצְפָה֙ וַיִּֽשְׁתַּֽחֲו֔וּ וְהוֹד֤וֹת לַיהוָה֙ כִּ֣י ט֔וֹב כִּ֥י לְעוֹלָ֖ם חַסְדּֽוֹ
3 And all the children of Israel saw when the fire descended and the glory of Yahweh was upon the house.
And they bowed down their noses earthward upon the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to Yahweh, for it is good. For his kindness is forever.
3e 4C 21
30
וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְכָל־הָעָ֑ם
זֹבְחִ֥ים זֶ֖בַח לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה
4 Then the king and all the people,
offered an offering in the presence of Yahweh.
3e 4A 8
8
וַיִּזְבַּ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֮ אֶת־זֶ֣בַח הַבָּקָ֗ר עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔לֶף וְצֹ֕אן מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף
וַֽיַּחְנְכוּ֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְכָל־הָעָֽם
5 And king Solomon offered the offering of oxen: twenty two thousand and sheep: a hundred and twenty thousand.
And the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
3e 4C 30
17
וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֞ים עַל־מִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֣ם עֹמְדִ֗ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֞ם בִּכְלֵי־שִׁ֤יר יְהוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה דָּוִ֣יד הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ לְהֹד֤וֹת לַיהוָה֙ כִּֽי־לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּ֔וֹ בְּהַלֵּ֥ל דָּוִ֖יד בְּיָדָ֑ם
וְהַכֹּהֲנִים֙ מַחְצְרִ֣ים נֶגְדָּ֔ם וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֹמְדִֽים
6 And the priests over their watches were standing, and the Levites with the instruments of the song of Yahweh that David the king had made to give thanks to Yahweh, for his kindness is forever, when David praised by their hand.
And the priests from the courts announcing, and all Israel stood.
3e 4C 49
17
וַיְקַדֵּ֣שׁ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אֶת־תּ֤וֹךְ הֶֽחָצֵר֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י בֵית־יְהוָ֔ה כִּֽי־עָ֤שָׂה שָׁם֙ הָֽעֹל֔וֹת וְאֵ֖ת חֶלְבֵ֣י הַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים
כִּֽי־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֣ה שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לֹ֣א יָכ֗וֹל לְהָכִ֛יל אֶת־הָעֹלָ֥ה וְאֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֖ה וְאֶת־הַחֲלָבִֽים
7 And Solomon sanctified the centre of the court that is before the house of Yahweh, for he had done there the burnt offerings and the gross fat of the peace offerings,
for the altar of brass that Solomon had made could not abide the burnt offering and the gift and the gross fat.
3d 4C 31
34
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה אֶת־הֶ֠חָג בָּעֵ֨ת הַהִ֜יא שִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עִמּ֔וֹ קָהָ֖ל גָּד֣וֹל מְאֹ֑ד
מִלְּב֥וֹא חֲמָ֖ת עַד־נַ֥חַל מִצְרָֽיִם
8 And Solomon made festivities at that time, seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation,
from the entrance of Hamath to the wadi of Egypt.
3e 4C 30
10
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּ בַּיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י עֲצָ֑רֶת
כִּ֣י ׀ חֲנֻכַּ֣ת הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ עָשׂוּ֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים וְהֶחָ֖ג שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים
9 And they made on the eighth day a conclave.
For the dedication of the altar, they undertook seven days, and the festivity, seven days.
3d 4B 12
21
וּבְי֨וֹם עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י שִׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־הָעָ֖ם לְאָהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם
שְׂמֵחִים֙ וְט֣וֹבֵי לֵ֔ב עַל־הַטּוֹבָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה יְהוָה֙ לְדָוִ֣יד וְלִשְׁלֹמֹ֔ה וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַמּֽוֹ
10 And on the twenty third day of the seventh month he dismissed the people to their tents,
glad and of a good heart over the good that Yahweh had done for David and for Solomon and for Israel with him.
3e 4C 23
30
וַיְכַ֧ל שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ
וְאֵ֨ת כָּל־הַבָּ֜א עַל־לֵ֣ב שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לַעֲשׂ֧וֹת בְּבֵית־יְהוָ֛ה וּבְבֵית֖וֹ הִצְלִֽיחַ
11 And Solomon finished the house of Yahweh and the house of the king.
And in all that came to the heart of Solomon to undertake in the house of Yahweh and in his own house, he prospered.
3c 4B 15
23
וַיֵּרָ֧א יְהוָ֛ה אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה בַּלָּ֑יְלָה
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ אֶת־תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ וּבָחַ֜רְתִּי בַּמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּ֛ה לִ֖י לְבֵ֥ית זָֽבַח
12 And Yahweh appeared to Solomon in the night,
saying to him, I have heard your prayer and I have chosen in this place for myself for the house of offering.
3c 4B 12
27
הֵ֣ן אֶֽעֱצֹ֤ר הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְלֹֽא־יִהְיֶ֣ה מָטָ֔ר וְהֵן־אֲצַוֶּ֥ה עַל־חָגָ֖ב לֶאֱכ֣וֹל הָאָ֑רֶץ
וְאִם־אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח דֶּ֖בֶר בְּעַמִּֽי
13 B Lo, I contain the heavens and there is no rain and lo, I will command over grasshopper to eat the earth,
and if I send pestilence onto my people,
3e 4C 27
10
וְיִכָּנְע֨וּ עַמִּ֜י אֲשֶׁ֧ר נִֽקְרָא־שְׁמִ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙ וִֽיבַקְשׁ֣וּ פָנַ֔י וְיָשֻׁ֖בוּ מִדַּרְכֵיהֶ֣ם הָרָעִ֑ים
וַאֲנִי֙ אֶשְׁמַ֣ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְאֶסְלַח֙ לְחַטָּאתָ֔ם וְאֶרְפָּ֖א אֶת־אַרְצָֽם
14 and my people, who are called My name is over them, are brought to heel and they pray and they seek my presence and they turn from their evil ways,
then I, I will hear from the heavens and I will forgive their sin and I will heal their land.
3c 4B 35
22
עַתָּ֗ה עֵינַי֙ יִהְי֣וּ פְתֻח֔וֹת וְאָזְנַ֖י קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת
לִתְפִלַּ֖ת הַמָּק֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears will pay attention,
to the prayer of this place.
3e 4B 15
8
וְעַתָּ֗ה בָּחַ֤רְתִּי וְהִקְדַּ֙שְׁתִּי֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה לִהְיוֹת־שְׁמִ֥י שָׁ֖ם עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם
וְהָי֨וּ עֵינַ֧י וְלִבִּ֛י שָׁ֖ם כָּל־הַיָּמִֽים
16 And now I have chosen and sanctified this house to let my name be there for evermore,
and my eyes and my heart will be there every day.
3c 4C 24
13
וְאַתָּ֞ה אִם־תֵּלֵ֣ךְ לְפָנַ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר הָלַךְ֙ דָּוִ֣יד אָבִ֔יךָ וְלַעֲשׂ֕וֹת כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֑יךָ
וְחֻקַּ֥י וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י תִּשְׁמֽוֹר
17 And you, if you will walk in my presence as David your father walked and do everything I commanded you,
and my statutes and my judgments you keep,
3e 4C 31
9
וַהֲקִ֣ימוֹתִ֔י אֵ֖ת כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּתֶ֑ךָ
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּרַ֗תִּי לְדָוִ֤יד אָבִ֙יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹֽא־יִכָּרֵ֤ת לְךָ֙ אִ֔ישׁ מוֹשֵׁ֖ל בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל
18 then I will place the throne of your kingdom,
as I cut for David, your father, saying, There not will be cut off for you a man governing in Israel.
3e 4C 12
26
וְאִם־תְּשׁוּב֣וּן אַתֶּ֔ם וַעֲזַבְתֶּם֙ חֻקּוֹתַ֣י וּמִצְוֺתַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם
וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם לָהֶֽם
19 But if you turn away and you discard my statutes or my commandments that I gave in your presence,
and you go and serve other gods and prostrate yourselves to them,
3e 4B 26
22
וּנְתַשְׁתִּ֗ים מֵעַ֤ל אַדְמָתִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תִּי לָהֶ֔ם וְאֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִקְדַּ֣שְׁתִּי לִשְׁמִ֔י אַשְׁלִ֖יךְ מֵעַ֣ל פָּנָ֑י
וְאֶתְּנֶ֛נּוּ לְמָשָׁ֥ל וְלִשְׁנִינָ֖ה בְּכָל־הָעַמִּֽים
20 then I will deport them from off my ground that I gave for them and this house which I have sanctified for my name I will cast down from my presence.
And I will consign them as a parable and a gibe among all the peoples.
3d 4C 35
16
וְהַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיָ֣ה עֶלְי֔וֹן לְכָל־עֹבֵ֥ר עָלָ֖יו יִשֹּׁ֑ם
וְאָמַ֗ר בַּמֶּ֨ה עָשָׂ֤ה יְהוָה֙ כָּ֔כָה לָאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּ֖את וְלַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה
21 And this house that is of the Most High, to all who traverse by it, it will be a desolation.
And they will say, Why did Yahweh do thus to this land and to this house?
3e 4C 20
22
וְאָמְר֗וּ עַל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָֽזְב֜וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתֵיהֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹצִיאָם֮ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַיִם֒ וַֽיַּחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙ בֵּאלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲו֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם וַיַּֽעַבְד֑וּם
עַל־כֵּן֙ הֵבִ֣יא עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת
22 And they will say, For they have forsaken Yahweh the God of their ancestors who brought them out from the land of Egypt and they have encouraged other gods and prostrated themselves to them and served them.
So all this evil has come upon them.
3e 4B 50
14

Job 22

As I wait for the bread to cool, (it's a subtle bread, with a touch of cardamom, two challah braids, a half dozen buns, and a loaf), another chapter of Job.

This part of the conversation is far from clear. Eliphaz may be quoting thoughts from Job's earlier speeches. If it's in double quotes, that's my intent. It is I think difficult to really assign a consistent character to each of the friends. One thing they never do is address God in the second person. God is always second-hand for them. Some of the verses seem to make no sense whatever, but stick with them and some guesswork seems to emerge.

The bread has cooled.
Job 22 Fn Min Max Syll
וַ֭יַּעַן אֱלִיפַ֥ז הַֽתֵּמָנִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר 1 g And Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, 3e 3g 13
הַלְאֵ֥ל יִסְכָּן־גָּ֑בֶר
כִּֽי־יִסְכֹּ֖ן עָלֵ֣ימוֹ מַשְׂכִּֽיל
2 By the One, will one who is valiant be cherished?
For an insight is cherished unto itself.
3e 4B 6
8
הַחֵ֣פֶץ לְ֭שַׁדַּי כִּ֣י תִצְדָּ֑ק
וְאִם־בֶּ֝֗צַע כִּֽי־תַתֵּ֥ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ
3 Is it delight for the Sufficient that you are right?
And is it gain that your ways are complete?
3e 4B 9
10
הֲֽ֭מִיִּרְאָ֣תְךָ יֹכִיחֶ֑ךָ
יָב֥וֹא עִ֝מְּךָ֗ בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט
4 From your fear will he correct you?
Will he enter with you into judgment?
3e 4B 9
7
הֲלֹ֣א רָעָֽתְךָ֣ רַבָּ֑ה
וְאֵֽין־קֵ֝֗ץ לַעֲוֺנֹתֶֽיךָ
5 Is not your evil abundant,
and is there no end to your iniquities?
3e 4B 7
9
כִּֽי־תַחְבֹּ֣ל אַחֶ֣יךָ חִנָּ֑ם
וּבִגְדֵ֖י עֲרוּמִּ֣ים תַּפְשִֽׁיט
6 For you inflict pain on your kin for nothing,
and the garments of the naked you have pillaged.
3e 4B 8
8
לֹא־מַ֭יִם עָיֵ֣ף תַּשְׁקֶ֑ה
וּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗ב תִּֽמְנַֽע־לָֽחֶם
7 No water to the exhausted do you give to drink,
and from the famished you withhold bread.
3e 4B 6
8
וְאִ֣ישׁ זְ֭רוֹעַ ל֣וֹ הָאָ֑רֶץ
וּנְשׂ֥וּא פָ֝נִ֗ים יֵ֣שֶׁב בָּֽהּ
8 But a man of arms, for him is the earth,
and one who is shown partiality inhabits within it.
3e 4B 9
7
אַ֭לְמָנוֹת שִׁלַּ֣חְתָּ רֵיקָ֑ם
וּזְרֹע֖וֹת יְתֹמִ֣ים יְדֻכָּֽא
9 g Widows you send away empty,
and the arms of orphans are crushed.
3e 4B 8
9
עַל־כֵּ֭ן סְבִיבוֹתֶ֣יךָ פַחִ֑ים
וִֽ֝יבַהֶלְךָ פַּ֣חַד פִּתְאֹֽם
10 So all around you are snares,
and dread vexes you suddenly.
3e 4B 9
8
אוֹ־חֹ֥שֶׁךְ לֹֽא־תִרְאֶ֑ה
וְֽשִׁפְעַת־מַ֥יִם תְּכַסֶּֽךָּ
11 Or darkness you do not see,
and a profusion of waters cover you.
3e 4A 5
8
הֲֽלֹא־אֱ֭לוֹהַּ גֹּ֣בַהּ שָׁמָ֑יִם
וּרְאֵ֤ה רֹ֖אשׁ‬ כּוֹכָבִ֣ים כִּי־רָֽמּוּ
12 Is not God lofty in heaven?
And see the head of the stars that are exalted.
3e 4C 9
8
וְֽ֭אָמַרְתָּ מַה־יָּ֣דַֽע אֵ֑ל
הַבְעַ֖ד עֲרָפֶ֣ל יִשְׁפּֽוֹט
13 And you say, How does the One know?
From within murk does he judge?
3e 4B 8
7
עָבִ֣ים סֵֽתֶר־ל֭וֹ‬ וְלֹ֣א יִרְאֶ֑ה
וְח֥וּג שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם יִתְהַלָּֽךְ
14 Thick clouds are his hiding place, so he does not see,
and the ambit of the heavens he walks.
3e 4B 9
7
הַאֹ֣רַח עוֹלָ֣ם תִּשְׁמֹ֑ר
אֲשֶׁ֖ר דָּרְכ֣וּ מְתֵי־אָֽוֶן
15 The path of obscurity you have kept,
that men of mischief have trodden.
3e 4B 7
7
אֲשֶֽׁר־קֻמְּט֥וּ וְלֹא־עֵ֑ת
נָ֝הָ֗ר יוּצַ֥ק יְסוֹדָֽם
16 Who are overrun and out of time,
a river infusing their foundation.
3e 4A 7
7
הָאֹמְרִ֣ים לָ֭אֵל ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ
וּמַה־יִּפְעַ֖ל שַׁדַּ֣י לָֽמוֹ
17 Those saying to the One, Depart from us,
And what will the Sufficient work out for them?
3e 4B 9
8
וְה֤וּא מִלֵּ֣א בָתֵּיהֶ֣ם ט֑וֹב
וַעֲצַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים רָ֣חֲקָה מֶֽנִּי
18 C "And he himself filled with their houses good"
and "the counsel of the wicked is distant from me".
3e 4C 8
11
יִרְא֣וּ צַדִּיקִ֣ים וְיִשְׂמָ֑חוּ
וְ֝נָקִ֗י יִלְעַג־לָֽמוֹ
19 The righteous see and they are glad,
and an innocent derides them.
3e 4B 9
7
אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ
וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם אָ֣כְלָה אֵֽשׁ
20 If our place were not concealed,
then what remains of them fire would devour.
3e 4B 7
6
הַסְכֶּן־נָ֣א עִמּ֑וֹ
וּשְׁלם‬ בָּ֝הֶ֗ם תְּֽבוֹאַתְךָ֥ טוֹבָֽה
21 Cherish please, with him, and be whole.
In these, good will come to you.
3e 4B 5
10
קַח־נָ֣א מִפִּ֣יו תּוֹרָ֑ה
וְשִׂ֥ים אֲ֝מָרָ֗יו בִּלְבָבֶֽךָ
22 Take please from his mouth instruction,
and set his sayings in your heart.
3e 4B 6
9
אִם־תָּשׁ֣וּב עַד־שַׁ֭דַּי תִּבָּנֶ֑ה
תַּרְחִ֥יק עַ֝וְלָ֗ה מֵאָהֳלֶֽךָ
23 If you return to the Sufficient, you will be built.
You will put injustice far from your tent.
3e 4B 9
9
וְשִׁית־עַל־עָפָ֥ר בָּ֑צֶר
וּבְצ֖וּר נְחָלִ֣ים אוֹפִֽיר
24 And you will put enclosure to dust,
and as a rock in torrents, Ophir.
3e 4B 7
7
וְהָיָ֣ה שַׁדַּ֣י בְּצָרֶ֑יךָ
וְכֶ֖סֶף תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת לָֽךְ
25 And the Sufficient will become your enclosure,
and silver from great effort will be yours.
3e 4B 9
7
כִּי־אָ֭ז עַל־שַׁדַּ֣י תִּתְעַנָּ֑ג
וְתִשָּׂ֖א אֶל־אֱל֣וֹהַּ פָּנֶֽיךָ
26 For then on the Sufficient you will delight exquisitely,
and you will lift up to God your face.
3e 4B 8
10
תַּעְתִּ֣יר אֵ֭לָיו וְיִשְׁמָעֶ֑ךָּ
וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ תְשַׁלֵּֽם
27 You will petition to him and he will hear you,
and your vows, you will pay.
3e 4B 9
7
וְֽתִגְזַר־א֭וֹמֶר‬ וְיָ֣קָם לָ֑ךְ
וְעַל־דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ נָ֣גַֽהּ אֽוֹר
28 And you will part with a saying, and it will arise for you,
and on your ways light will illuminate.
3e 4B 9
9
כִּֽי־הִ֭שְׁפִּילוּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר גֵּוָ֑ה
וְשַׁ֖ח עֵינַ֣יִם יוֹשִֽׁעַ
29 For they humble and you will say, Hubris,
but the depressed eyes he will save.
3e 4B 9
7
יְֽמַלֵּ֥ט‬ אִֽי־נָקִ֑י
וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט בְּבֹ֣ר כַּפֶּֽיךָ פ
30 He will make escape. Where? Innocence.
And escape is made by the purity of your open palms.
3e 4B 5
9

Sunday 29 May 2016

1 Samuel 29

There are all sorts of chapters that I come across that I have never looked closely at. This one is a curious possible analogy on partnerships between enemies. Who gets to be the one that triumphs over evil in the long run. (One could get carried away with the analogy.)
1 Samuel 29 Fn Min Max Syll
וַיִּקְבְּצ֧וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֛ים אֶת־כָּל־מַחֲנֵיהֶ֖ם אֲפֵ֑קָה
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל חֹנִ֔ים בַּעַ֖יִן אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּיִזְרְעֶֽאל
1 And the Philistines collected all their armies towards Aphaq,
and Israel encamped by a spring that is in Jezreel.
3c 4B 16
15
וְסַרְנֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ עֹֽבְרִ֔ים לְמֵא֖וֹת וְלַאֲלָפִ֑ים
וְדָוִ֣ד וַאֲנָשָׁ֗יו עֹֽבְרִ֛ים בָּאַחֲרֹנָ֖ה עִם־אָכִֽישׁ
2 And the chieftains of the Philistines passed through in hundreds and in thousands,
but David and his men crossed over in the rear with Akish.
3d 4C 16
17
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ שָׂרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים מָ֖ה הָעִבְרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אָכִ֜ישׁ אֶל־שָׂרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים הֲלֽוֹא־זֶ֨ה דָוִ֜ד עֶ֣בֶד ׀ שָׁא֣וּל מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָיָ֤ה אִתִּי֙ זֶ֤ה יָמִים֙ אוֹ־זֶ֣ה שָׁנִ֔ים וְלֹֽא־מָצָ֤אתִי בוֹ֙ מְא֔וּמָה מִיּ֥וֹם נָפְל֖וֹ עַד־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
3 And the chiefs of the Philistines said, What's with these Hebrews?
And Akish said to the chiefs of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, that has been with me these days or these years, and I have not found in him any spot from the day of his falling in until this day.
3e 4C 15
55
וַיִּקְצְפ֨וּ עָלָ֜יו שָׂרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ לוֹ֩ שָׂרֵ֨י פְלִשְׁתִּ֜ים הָשֵׁ֣ב אֶת־הָאִ֗ישׁ וְיָשֹׁב֙ אֶל־מְקוֹמוֹ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִפְקַדְתּ֣וֹ שָׁ֔ם וְלֹֽא־יֵרֵ֤ד עִמָּ֙נוּ֙ בַּמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְלֹא־יִֽהְיֶה־לָּ֥נוּ לְשָׂטָ֖ן בַּמִּלְחָמָ֑ה
וּבַמֶּ֗ה יִתְרַצֶּ֥ה זֶה֙ אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔יו הֲל֕וֹא בְּרָאשֵׁ֖י הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָהֵֽם
4 And the chiefs of the Philistines raged against him and the chiefs of the Philistines said to him, Make this person return and let him return to his place where you conscripted him, but let him not descend with us in the battle,
so there will not be for us an accuser in the battle. And in what sense should this one be acceptable to his master if not with the heads of these men?
3e 4C 61
22
הֲלוֹא־זֶ֣ה דָוִ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֧ר יַעֲנוּ־ל֛וֹ בַּמְּחֹל֖וֹת לֵאמֹ֑ר
הִכָּ֤ה שָׁאוּל֙ בַּֽאֲלָפָ֔יו וְדָוִ֖ד בְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו
5 Is not this David of whom they answer to each in the dance, saying,
Saul struck his thousands but David his tens of thousands?
3c 4C 15
15
וַיִּקְרָ֨א אָכִ֜ישׁ אֶל־דָּוִ֗ד וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵ֠לָיו חַי־יְהוָ֞ה כִּי־יָשָׁ֣ר אַתָּ֗ה וְט֣וֹב בְּ֠עֵינַי צֵאתְךָ֨ וּבֹאֲךָ֤ אִתִּי֙ בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה כִּ֠י לֹֽא־מָצָ֤אתִֽי בְךָ֙ רָעָ֔ה מִיּ֛וֹם בֹּאֲךָ֥ אֵלַ֖י עַד־הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה
וּבְעֵינֵ֥י הַסְּרָנִ֖ים לֹֽא־ט֥וֹב אָֽתָּה
6 And Akish called to David and said to him, Yahweh lives, for you have been upright and good in my eyes, your going out and your coming with me in the camp, for I have not found among you evil from the day of your coming to me until this day,
but in the eyes of the chieftains, you are not good.
3d 4C 56
10
וְעַתָּ֥ה שׁ֖וּב וְלֵ֣ךְ בְּשָׁל֑וֹם
וְלֹֽא־תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה רָ֔ע בְּעֵינֵ֖י סַרְנֵ֥י פְלִשְׁתִּֽים
7 So now return and go in peace,
and you will not do evil in the eyes of the chieftains of the Philistines.
3e 4B 9
13
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר דָּוִ֜ד אֶל־אָכִ֗ישׁ כִּ֣י מֶ֤ה עָשִׂ֙יתִי֙ וּמַה־מָּצָ֣אתָ בְעַבְדְּךָ֔ מִיּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיִ֣יתִי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה
כִּ֣י לֹ֤א אָבוֹא֙ וְנִלְחַ֔מְתִּי בְּאֹיְבֵ֖י אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ
8 And David said to Akish, But what have I done and what have you found in your servant from the day that I have been in your presence until this day,
that I may not go and do battle with the enemies of my lord the king?
3e 4C 38
17
וַיַּ֣עַן אָכִישׁ֮ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־דָּוִד֒ יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּ֣י ט֥וֹב אַתָּ֛ה בְּעֵינַ֖י כְּמַלְאַ֣ךְ אֱלֹהִ֑ים
אַ֣ךְ שָׂרֵ֤י פְלִשְׁתִּים֙ אָֽמְר֔וּ לֹֽא־יַעֲלֶ֥ה עִמָּ֖נוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה
9 And Akish answered and said to David, I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God,
but the chiefs of the Philistines say, he will not ascend with us in the battle.
3d 4C 27
18
וְעַתָּה֙ הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְעַבְדֵ֥י אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ אִתָּ֑ךְ
וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֣ם בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וְא֥וֹר לָכֶ֖ם וָלֵֽכוּ
10 And now rise early in the morning and the servants of your lord, that came with you,
and having risen early in the morning and you have light, then go.
3e 4B 21
14
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם דָּוִ֜ד ה֤וּא וַֽאֲנָשָׁיו֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בַּבֹּ֔קֶר לָשׁ֖וּב אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים עָל֥וּ יִזְרְעֶֽאל
11 And David rose up early, he and his men, to go in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines.
And the Philistines ascended to Jezreel.
3e 4C 24
9

Saturday 28 May 2016

Micah 7

One more of the 12 completed, 2 longish ones to go. There have been a lot of other minor changes raised by this chapter. I found it slow going compared say to the history books. Again the judgment is against exploitation. Reading this morning's Globe and Mail article by Eric Reguly would suggest that not all is well in the world today either with respect to policy and reasonable equitable distribution of wealth. Rather than fences, perhaps the gloss should be related to the trap of currency hedging. It's too late when the trap closes. Perhaps the worshipers of Mammon (with whom I share many traits) are always trying to stay ahead of the implicit equity of our allotted times. God is too subtle until the penny drops.

Verse 4 is a common garden reality of a plant that only stands upright because its twisted tendrils are entwined.
Micah 7 Fn Min Max Syll
אַ֣לְלַי לִ֗י כִּ֤י הָיִ֙יתִי֙ כְּאָסְפֵּי־קַ֔יִץ כְּעֹלְלֹ֖ת בָּצִ֑יר
אֵין־אֶשְׁכּ֣וֹל לֶאֱכ֔וֹל בִּכּוּרָ֖ה אִוְּתָ֥ה נַפְשִֽׁי
1 B Alack for me, for I am as the gatherings of summer, as grape-gleanings of a vintage.
There is no cluster to eat. First ripe fruit I desire.
3e 4C 16
13
אָבַ֤ד חָסִיד֙ מִן־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְיָשָׁ֥ר בָּאָדָ֖ם אָ֑יִן
כֻּלָּם֙ לְדָמִ֣ים יֶאֱרֹ֔בוּ אִ֥ישׁ אֶת־אָחִ֖יהוּ יָצ֥וּדוּ חֵֽרֶם
2 Perished is the merciful from the earth and of the upright within humanity, there is none.
All of them are bloodied. Each lies in wait for its kin, hunts to utter destruction.
3e 4C 16
19
עַל־הָרַ֤ע כַּפַּ֙יִם֙ לְהֵיטִ֔יב הַשַּׂ֣ר שֹׁאֵ֔ל וְהַשֹּׁפֵ֖ט בַּשִׁלּ֑וּם
וְהַגָּד֗וֹל דֹּבֵ֨ר הַוַּ֥ת נַפְשׁ֛וֹ ה֖וּא וַֽיְעַבְּתֽוּהָ
3 To do evil well, with open palms, the chief asks and the judge, for a payback,
and the great one speaks his calamity. He and they bundle it together.
3d 4C 19
15
טוֹבָ֣ם כְּחֵ֔דֶק יָשָׁ֖ר מִמְּסוּכָ֑ה
י֤וֹם מְצַפֶּ֙יךָ֙ פְּקֻדָּתְךָ֣ בָ֔אָה עַתָּ֥ה תִהְיֶ֖ה מְבוּכָתָֽם
4 Their good is like a prickly shrub upright from entwining.
The day of your lookouts and your visitation comes. Now will be their perplexity.
3e 4C 10
19
אַל־תַּאֲמִ֣ינוּ בְרֵ֔עַ אַֽל־תִּבְטְח֖וּ בְּאַלּ֑וּף
מִשֹּׁכֶ֣בֶת חֵיקֶ֔ךָ שְׁמֹ֖ר פִּתְחֵי־פִֽיךָ
5 Do not believe in a friend. Do not trust in a captain.
From one who lies down in your embrace, keep the doors of your mouth.
3e 4B 15
12
כִּֽי־בֵן֙ מְנַבֵּ֣ל אָ֔ב בַּ֚ת קָמָ֣ה בְאִמָּ֔הּ כַּלָּ֖ה בַּחֲמֹתָ֑הּ
אֹיְבֵ֥י אִ֖ישׁ אַנְשֵׁ֥י בֵיתֽוֹ
6 For son demeans father, daughter arises against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.
Everyone's enemies are those of their own house.
3e 4C 18
7
וַאֲנִי֙ בַּיהוָ֣ה אֲצַפֶּ֔ה אוֹחִ֖ילָה לֵאלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׁעִ֑י
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖נִי אֱלֹהָֽי
7 But for me, in Yahweh I will be on lookout. I will hope for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
3e 4B 16
7
אַֽל־תִּשְׂמְחִ֤י אֹיַ֙בְתִּי֙ לִ֔י כִּ֥י נָפַ֖לְתִּי קָ֑מְתִּי
כִּֽי־אֵשֵׁ֣ב בַּחֹ֔שֶׁךְ יְהוָ֖ה א֥וֹר לִֽי ס
8 Do not be glad, my enemy, for me. For I will fall. I will arise.
For I will sit in the darkness. Yahweh is light for me.
3e 4C 14
10
זַ֤עַף יְהוָה֙ אֶשָּׂ֔א כִּ֥י חָטָ֖אתִי ל֑וֹ
עַד֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרִ֤יב רִיבִי֙ וְעָשָׂ֣ה מִשְׁפָּטִ֔י יוֹצִיאֵ֣נִי לָא֔וֹר אֶרְאֶ֖ה בְּצִדְקָתֽוֹ
9 C The outrage of Yahweh I will bear for I have sinned against him,
until he will strive my strife and construct my judgment and he will bring me out to light. I will see in his righteousness.
3e 4C 11
25
וְתֵרֶ֤א אֹיַ֙בְתִּי֙ וּתְכַסֶּ֣הָ בוּשָׁ֔ה הָאֹמְרָ֣ה אֵלַ֔י אַיּ֖וֹ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֑יִךְ
עֵינַי֙ תִּרְאֶ֣ינָּה בָּ֔הּ עַתָּ֛ה תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה לְמִרְמָ֖ס כְּטִ֥יט חוּצֽוֹת
10 And will see my enemy, and her shame will cover her who said to me, Where is he, Yahweh your God?
My eyes will see into her. Now she will be trampled as dirt of the streets.
3d 4C 25
17
י֖וֹם לִבְנ֣וֹת גְּדֵרָ֑יִךְ
י֥וֹם הַה֖וּא יִרְחַק־חֹֽק
11 g A day to build your fences?
That day, the decree is distant.
3e 4B 7
6
י֥וֹם הוּא֙ וְעָדֶ֣יךָ יָב֔וֹא לְמִנִּ֥י אַשּׁ֖וּר וְעָרֵ֣י מָצ֑וֹר
וּלְמִנִּ֤י מָצוֹר֙ וְעַד־נָהָ֔ר וְיָ֥ם מִיָּ֖ם וְהַ֥ר הָהָֽר
12 f Day itself, to you he will come, from Ashur and the cities of lower Egypt,
and from lower Egypt and to a river, and sea from sea, and the hill of the hill.
3e 4C 18
17
וְהָיְתָ֥ה הָאָ֛רֶץ לִשְׁמָמָ֖ה עַל־יֹֽשְׁבֶ֑יהָ
מִפְּרִ֖י מַֽעַלְלֵיהֶֽם ס
13 And the earth will become a desolation for her inhabitants,
from the fruit of their wantonness.
3d 4A 13
7
רְעֵ֧ה עַמְּךָ֣ בְשִׁבְטֶ֗ךָ צֹ֚אן נַֽחֲלָתֶ֔ךָ שֹׁכְנִ֣י לְבָדָ֔ד יַ֖עַר בְּת֣וֹךְ כַּרְמֶ֑ל
יִרְע֥וּ בָשָׁ֛ן וְגִלְעָ֖ד כִּימֵ֥י עוֹלָֽם
14 Shepherd your people with your sceptre, the sheep of your legacy, those that dwell in the solitude of the forest in the midst of a plantation.
Let Bashan and Gilead pasture as in the days from eras past.
3c 4C 25
11
כִּימֵ֥י צֵאתְךָ֖ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם
אַרְאֶ֖נּוּ נִפְלָאֽוֹת
15 As in the days of your going out from the land of Egypt,
I will show that one wonders.
3e 4B 10
6
יִרְא֤וּ גוֹיִם֙ וְיֵבֹ֔שׁוּ מִכֹּ֖ל גְּבֽוּרָתָ֑ם
יָשִׂ֤ימוּ יָד֙ עַל־פֶּ֔ה אָזְנֵיהֶ֖ם תֶּחֱרַֽשְׁנָה
16 Let nations see and be ashamed from all their valiant acts.
Let them set hand over mouth, their ears deaf.
3e 4C 14
13
יְלַחֲכ֤וּ עָפָר֙ כַּנָּחָ֔שׁ כְּזֹחֲלֵ֣י אֶ֔רֶץ יִרְגְּז֖וּ מִמִּסְגְּרֹֽתֵיהֶ֑ם
אֶל־יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ יִפְחָ֔דוּ וְיִֽרְא֖וּ מִמֶּֽךָּ
17 They will lick dust like a snake. Like the perturbation of earth they will shudder from their imprisonment.
Yahweh our God, they will dread, and let them fear you.
3e 4C 24
16
מִי־אֵ֣ל כָּמ֗וֹךָ נֹשֵׂ֤א עָוֺן֙ וְעֹבֵ֣ר עַל־פֶּ֔שַׁע לִשְׁאֵרִ֖ית נַחֲלָת֑וֹ
לֹא־הֶחֱזִ֤יק לָעַד֙ אַפּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־חָפֵ֥ץ חֶ֖סֶד הֽוּא
18 Who is a god like you, bearing iniquity and passing over transgression, for the residue of his legacy?
He is not resolute in his anger for ever, for he delights in mercy itself.
3e 4C 22
12
יָשׁ֣וּב יְרַֽחֲמֵ֔נוּ יִכְבֹּ֖שׁ עֲוֺֽנֹתֵ֑ינוּ
וְתַשְׁלִ֛יךְ בִּמְצֻל֥וֹת יָ֖ם כָּל־חַטֹּאותָֽם
19 He will turn. He will have compassion on us. He will control our iniquities.
And he will cast into the depths of the sea, all their sins.
3d 4B 14
11
תִּתֵּ֤ן אֱמֶת֙ לְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב חֶ֖סֶד לְאַבְרָהָ֑ם
אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתָּ לַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ מִ֥ימֵי קֶֽדֶם
20 You will give truth to Jacob, mercy to Abraham,
that you swore to our ancestors from the days of old.
3e 4C 14
14

Friday 27 May 2016

Micah 7 and the Psalms

Not the exact words, but clearly one or the other text is alluding to the other. Micah is specific to corrupt governance where the psalm is more generic.
Word / Gloss
1
2
3
4
5
6
Vs
Stem
חסיד the merciful
MIC 7:2
חסיד
באדם within humanity
MIC 7:2
אדם
כלם all of them
MIC 7:2
כל
אישׁ each
MIC 7:2
אישׁ
והגדול and the great one
MIC 7:3
גדל
דבר speaks
MIC 7:3
דבר
חסיד is the merciful one
PSA 12:2
חסיד
אדם humanity
PSA 12:2
אדם
ידברו they speak to
PSA 12:3
דבר
אישׁ each
PSA 12:3
אישׁ
ידברו they speak
PSA 12:3
דבר
כל all
PSA 12:4
כל
מדברת speaking
PSA 12:4
דבר
גדלות greatness
PSA 12:4
גדל
Verses 5 to 8 in each also share three words: שׁמר קום ישׁע

One might simply say that the prophet and the psalmist had a similar experience. Certainly the depth of Micah's last chapter speaks of a confidence that YHWH his God will be with him whatever happens. And he does not expect it to be simple all light without darkness. He bears outrage.

(verse 9)
The outrage of Yahweh I will bear for I have sinned (חטא) against (ל?) him,
until he will strive my strife and construct my judgment and he will bring me out to light. I will see in his righteousness.

You can see that verse 9 also compares with Psalms 35:1, 43:1, 74:22, and 119:154. The thought of these 5 passages would bear more analysis, but my skim-board is skimming on...

What is this phrase sin + the pre-clitic lamed? It occurs perhaps 26 times. Normally wouldn't one expect sin + a stand-alone preposition like על or אל or perhaps ב.
These occur with sin 23, 8, and 3 times (perhaps) - so I'm wrong. It's traditional to sin 'against' someone in English - why so many variable prepositions in Hebrew?