Hosea 6

A short chapter. I must find some long chapters eventually. Fascinating to me how a distant change will happen. A Psalm I worked with in 2007, Psalm 46, suffered a tweak because of this chapter. The phrase changed was 'in the early morning'. There is always a tension between awkwardness and idiom. I see that early, right early, etc are common, also interpretive phrases like the break of day or the crack of dawn are possible idiomatically, but for me concordance teaches idiom, where idiom masks the foreign sound. So I removed early and replaced it with 'in the face of  the morning'. Now just think what that does for those who need their sleep, like the brain-damaged who cannot face the morning! Or the brightness of those who greet the dawn and the new day with all its chores.

So what did I face this morning? Clear the kitchen, change the bed, do the laundry, make granola, do the dishes, clear the kitchen, make the bed, and finish this short post, (mostly done last night between 11 and midnight). One catches the time wherever possible. Yea for Cinderella.

In this chapter we have again the maturing rain. Perhaps this is the most obvious lesson from the Bible - that we should grow to maturity and put aside the me-first mentality of our youth. You need some power to do this.

Murder is a thing in the heart, as simple as a silent comparison.

Curious where I used 'agenda'? Job 31:11, Psalms 26:10, 119:150 (so far).

Timer has rung for the granola.

Hosea 6		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
לְכוּ֙ וְנָשׁ֣וּבָה אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה כִּ֛י ה֥וּא טָרָ֖ף וְיִרְפָּאֵ֑נוּ יַ֖ךְ וְיַחְבְּשֵֽׁנוּ	1		Come and let us return to Yahweh for he tears and he heals, he strikes and he binds us up.	3d	4B	18 6
יְחַיֵּ֖נוּ מִיֹּמָ֑יִם בַּיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י יְקִמֵ֖נוּ וְנִחְיֶ֥ה לְפָנָֽיו	2		He will revive us after two days. On the third day he will raise us up and we will live in his presence.	3e	4A	8 15
וְנֵדְעָ֣ה נִרְדְּפָ֗ה לָדַ֙עַת֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה כְּשַׁ֖חַר נָכ֣וֹן מֽוֹצָא֑וֹ וְיָב֤וֹא כַגֶּ֙שֶׁם֙ לָ֔נוּ כְּמַלְק֖וֹשׁ י֥וֹרֶה אָֽרֶץ	3		And we will know. We will pursue to know Yahweh, as dawn, prepared is his going forth. And he will come in as the heavy rain to us, as the maturing rain he will instruct earth.	3e	4C	20 15
מָ֤ה אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־לְּךָ֙ אֶפְרַ֔יִם מָ֥ה אֶעֱשֶׂה־לְּךָ֖ יְהוּדָ֑ה וְחַסְדְּכֶם֙ כַּֽעֲנַן־בֹּ֔קֶר וְכַטַּ֖ל מַשְׁכִּ֥ים הֹלֵֽךְ	4	C	What will I do for you, Ephraim? What will I do for you, Judah? For your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as early dew it goes away.	3e	4C	17 16
עַל־כֵּ֗ן חָצַ֙בְתִּי֙ בַּנְּבִיאִ֔ים הֲרַגְתִּ֖ים בְּאִמְרֵי־פִ֑י וּמִשְׁפָּטֶ֖יךָ א֥וֹר יֵצֵֽא	5		Therefore I have hewn by the prophets. I have slain them by the sayings of my mouth, and your judgments are emerging light.	3e	4A	15 8
כִּ֛י חֶ֥סֶד חָפַ֖צְתִּי וְלֹא־זָ֑בַח וְדַ֥עַת אֱלֹהִ֖ים מֵעֹלֽוֹת	6	d	For mercy I have delight in, and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God over burnt offerings.	3d	4A	9 9
וְהֵ֕מָּה כְּאָדָ֖ם עָבְר֣וּ בְרִ֑ית שָׁ֖ם בָּ֥גְדוּ בִֽי	7		But they were as humans. They go beyond covenant. There they are treacherous against me.	3e	4B	10 4
גִּלְעָ֕ד קִרְיַ֖ת פֹּ֣עֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן עֲקֻבָּ֖ה מִדָּֽם	8		Gilead is the town of workers of mischief, heeled with blood.	3e	4B	9 5
וּכְחַכֵּ֨י אִ֜ישׁ גְּדוּדִ֗ים חֶ֚בֶר כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים דֶּ֖רֶךְ יְרַצְּחוּ־שֶׁ֑כְמָה כִּ֥י זִמָּ֖ה עָשֽׂוּ	9		And as raiding parties tarry for someone, a companion of priests, directed, rise up early to murder, that they may undertake an agenda.	3e	4C	19 5
בְּבֵית֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רָאִ֖יתִי שַׁעֲרֽוּרִיָּ֑ה שָׁ֚ם זְנ֣וּת לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם נִטְמָ֖א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	10		House of Israel I have seen a horrendous thing. There, the prostitution of Ephraim. Defiled is Israel.	3e	4C	13 11
גַּם־יְהוּדָ֕ה שָׁ֥ת קָצִ֖יר לָ֑ךְ בְּשׁוּבִ֖י שְׁב֥וּת עַמִּֽי פ	11		Also Judah, he imposes a harvest for you, when I turn the captivity of my people.	3e	4A	8 8

Job 37

Elihu has some good lines. All animate beings are metaphor for the human. The human (individual and together) is always the hidden antecedent, singular or plural. So the animal here anticipates Leviathan and Behemoth, and is Job also. Yahweh would not appear without Elihu's preparation. Elihu is not an afterthought.

Who is defining whom here? Make no assumptions. Do not read your imagined coherence or your need for coherence into it. Be prepared to hold mutual contradictions together. Who can make what is mystery clear? What kind of clarity is possible for an earthling? Only that it be just and merciful without braggadocio. (Somewhere in Micah where right wing Christians never look.) Job 38 is here from December 2015. How consistent in style is my software-supported process? The phrase in chapters 37 and 38 'wings of the earth' show it to be a snitch in the heavenly game of quidditch. (The phrase also occurs in Ezekiel and Isaiah, 5 times in total.)

Job 37		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
אַף־לְ֭זֹאת יֶחֱרַ֣ד לִבִּ֑י וְ֝יִתַּ֗ר מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ	1		Indeed for this my heart is apprehensive, and it is released from its place.	3e	4B	8 6
שִׁמְע֤וּ שָׁמ֣וֹעַ בְּרֹ֣גֶז קֹל֑וֹ וְ֝הֶ֗גֶה מִפִּ֥יו יֵצֵֽא	2		Hear, to hear in the shudder of his voice, and the muttering from his mouth emerging.	3e	4C	10 7
תַּֽחַת־כָּל־הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם יִשְׁרֵ֑הוּ וְ֝אוֹר֗וֹ עַל־כַּנְפ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ	3		Under all the heavens he makes it upright, and his light on the wings of the earth.	3e	4A	9 9
אַחֲרָ֤יו ׀ יִשְׁאַג־ק֗וֹל יַ֭רְעֵם בְּק֣וֹל גְּאוֹנ֑וֹ וְלֹ֥א יְ֝עַקְּבֵ֗ם כִּֽי־יִשָּׁמַ֥ע קוֹלֽוֹ	4		After it a voice roars. It thunders with the voice of his pride, and he will not supplant them when his voice is heard	3e	4C	13 10
יַרְעֵ֤ם אֵ֣ל בְּ֭קוֹלוֹ נִפְלָא֑וֹת עֹשֶׂ֥ה גְ֝דֹל֗וֹת וְלֹ֣א נֵדָֽע	5		The One thunders wonders with his voice, doing great things and we do not know.	3e	4C	9 9
כִּ֤י לַשֶּׁ֨לַג ׀‬ יֹאמַ֗ר הֱוֵ֫א אָ֥רֶץ וְגֶ֥שֶׁם מָטָ֑ר וְ֝גֶ֗שֶׁם מִטְר֥וֹת עֻזּֽוֹ	6	C	For to snow he says, Be earth and shower of rain, and the shower of rain of his strength.	3e	4C	10 5 7
בְּיַד־כָּל־אָדָ֥ם יַחְתּ֑וֹם לָ֝דַ֗עַת כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֥י מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ	7		In the hand of every earthling he seals, to be known of all persons from what he does.	3e	4A	7 10
וַתָּבֹ֣א חַיָּ֣ה בְמוֹ־אָ֑רֶב וּבִמְע֖וֹנֹתֶ֣יהָ תִשְׁכֹּֽן	8		And animal enters into a lurking place, and in their dens they dwell.	3e	4B	8 8
מִן־הַ֭חֶדֶר תָּב֣וֹא סוּפָ֑ה וּֽמִמְּזָרִ֥ים קָרָֽה	9		From the inner room comes storm-wind, and from the winnowing, cold.	3e	4B	8 6
מִנִּשְׁמַת־אֵ֥ל יִתֶּן־קָ֑רַח וְרֹ֖חַב מַ֣יִם בְּמוּצָֽק	10		From the breath of the One, ice is given, and breadth of waters molded.	3e	4B	8 7
אַף־בְּ֭רִי יַטְרִ֣יחַ עָ֑ב יָ֝פִ֗יץ עֲנַ֣ן אוֹרֽוֹ	11		Indeed in saturation he encumbers thick cloud. He disperses cloud. His revealing.	3e	4B	7 6
וְה֤וּא מְסִבּ֨וֹת ׀ מִתְהַפֵּ֣ךְ בְּתַחְבּוּלֹתָ֣יו לְפָעֳלָ֑ם כֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְצַוֵּ֓ם ׀ עַל־פְּנֵ֖י תֵבֵ֣ל אָֽרְצָה	12	C	And himself surrounding overturning in pledges, that they may work, all that he commands them in the face of the world of earth.	3e	4C	17 13
אִם־לְשֵׁ֥בֶט אִם־לְאַרְצ֑וֹ אִם־לְ֝חֶ֗סֶד יַמְצִאֵֽהוּ	13		If of sceptre, if for his land, if for mercy, he will find it.	3e	4A	8 8
הַאֲזִ֣ינָה זֹּ֣את אִיּ֑וֹב עֲ֝מֹ֗ד וְהִתְבּוֹנֵ֤ן ׀ נִפְלְא֬וֹת אֵֽל	14		Give ear to this Job. Stand and understand the wonders of the One.	3e	4C	7 10
הֲ֭תֵדַע בְּשׂוּם־אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְ֝הוֹפִ֗יעַ א֣וֹר עֲנָנֽוֹ	15	g	Do you know when defines God them, and makes the light of his cloud to shine?	3e	4B	11 8
הֲ֭תֵדַע עַל־מִפְלְשֵׂי־עָ֑ב מִ֝פְלְא֗וֹת תְּמִ֣ים דֵּעִֽים	16	g	Do you know about the leveling of thick cloud, from the wonders of one who is complete in knowledge?	3e	4B	8 7
אֲשֶׁר־בְּגָדֶ֥יךָ חַמִּ֑ים בְּהַשְׁקִ֥ט אֶ֝֗רֶץ מִדָּרֽוֹם	17		That your garments warm, when he quiets earth from the southern region?	3e	4A	8 8
תַּרְקִ֣יעַ עִ֭מּוֹ לִשְׁחָקִ֑ים חֲ֝זָקִ֗ים כִּרְאִ֥י מוּצָֽק	18		Have you pummeled with him the skies, resolute as a molded mirror?	3e	4B	8 7
ה֭וֹדִיעֵנוּ‬ מַה־נֹּ֣אמַר ל֑וֹ לֹ֥א־נַ֝עֲרֹ֗ךְ מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ	19	g	Make known to us what we will say to him. We cannot compare in the face of darkness.	3e	4B	8 6
הַֽיְסֻפַּר־ל֭וֹ‬ כִּ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר אִֽם־אָ֥מַר אִ֝֗ישׁ כִּ֣י יְבֻלָּֽע	20		Will one recount to him that I will speak? If someone talks when he is swallowed.	3e	4B	8 8
וְעַתָּ֤ה ׀ לֹ֘א רָ֤אוּ א֗וֹר בָּהִ֣יר ה֭וּא בַּשְּׁחָקִ֑ים וְר֥וּחַ עָ֝בְרָ֗ה וַֽתְּטַהֲרֵֽם	21		So now they do not see glaring light. (It is in the skies), but wind passes through and makes them clean.	3e	4C	13 9
מִ֭צָּפוֹן זָהָ֣ב יֶֽאֱתֶ֑ה עַל־אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ נ֣וֹרָא הֽוֹד	22	g	From the treasured place gold arrives, upon God, fearful splendour.	3e	4B	8 7
שַׁדַּ֣י לֹֽא־מְ֭צָאנֻהוּ שַׂגִּיא־כֹ֑חַ וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט וְרֹב־צְ֝דָקָ֗ה לֹ֣א יְעַנֶּֽה	23		The Sufficient, we do not find him augmented of power, but judgment and much righteousness, he does not answer.	3e	4B	11 12
לָ֭כֵן יְרֵא֣וּהוּ אֲנָשִׁ֑ים לֹֽא־יִ֝רְאֶ֗ה כָּל־חַכְמֵי־לֵֽב פ	24	g	So men fear him. He does not regard all the shrewd of heart.	3e	4B	9 8

Esther 1

I really don't know where this is going to take me. Esther is very offensive to some people. I suppose that's too bad. All of us have our touch points that offend us. Where is offence located?

The first thing I notice is that this a sumptuous environment. The language is sumptuous. I'm not sure I am up to it. Of course, sometimes I'm not sure what I am up to.

Out of necessity, I have frequently translated words related to מלך as 'king'. In this chapter, I have used royal estate for kingdom where the owner is the queen, Vashti. In some ways this opening chapter is very funny. The 'ultimate influence' of the male is old news. It does, of course, in this book of Esther, lead into the subject of other prejudice with predictable poison at its root.

Perhaps that will do for an overall moral. Let's see.

Esther 1		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיְהִ֖י בִּימֵ֣י אֲחַשְׁוֵר֑וֹשׁ ה֣וּא אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ הַמֹּלֵךְ֙ מֵהֹ֣דּוּ וְעַד־כּ֔וּשׁ שֶׁ֛בַע וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּמֵאָ֖ה מְדִינָֽה	1		And it was in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Cush, one hundred and twenty seven provinces),	3d	4B	8 25
בַּיָּמִ֖ים הָהֵ֑ם כְּשֶׁ֣בֶת ׀ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֗וֹשׁ עַ֚ל כִּסֵּ֣א מַלְכוּת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה	2		in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom which was in Shushan, the temple precincts,	3e	4C	5 24
בִּשְׁנַ֤ת שָׁלוֹשׁ֙ לְמָלְכ֔וֹ עָשָׂ֣ה מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה לְכָל־שָׂרָ֖יו וַעֲבָדָ֑יו חֵ֣יל ׀ פָּרַ֣ס וּמָדַ֗י הַֽפַּרְתְּמִ֛ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י הַמְּדִינ֖וֹת לְפָנָֽיו	3		in the year third of his reign, he made a party for all his nobles and his servants, the wealth of Persia and Media, the patricians and the chiefs of provinces, in his presence,	3d	4C	19 19
בְּהַרְאֹת֗וֹ אֶת־עֹ֙שֶׁר֙ כְּב֣וֹד מַלְכוּת֔וֹ וְאֶ֨ת־יְקָ֔ר תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת גְּדוּלָּת֑וֹ יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֽוֹם	4		in his show of riches, the glory of his kingdom, and esteem, the adornment of his greatness, days of largess, a hundred and eighty day span.	3e	4B	23 10
וּבִמְל֣וֹאת ׀ הַיָּמִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה עָשָׂ֣ה הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ לְכָל־הָעָ֣ם הַנִּמְצְאִים֩ בְּשׁוּשַׁ֨ן הַבִּירָ֜ה לְמִגָּ֧דוֹל וְעַד־קָטָ֛ן מִשְׁתֶּ֖ה שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בַּחֲצַ֕ר גִּנַּ֥ת בִּיתַ֖ן הַמֶּֽלֶךְ	5		In the fullness of these days, the king made for all the people that were found in Shushan, the temple precincts, from the greatest and to the least, a party of seven days, in the court of the garden of the mansion of the king:	3c	4B	42 10
ח֣וּר ׀ כַּרְפַּ֣ס וּתְכֵ֗לֶת אָחוּז֙ בְּחַבְלֵי־ב֣וּץ וְאַרְגָּמָ֔ן עַל־גְּלִ֥ילֵי כֶ֖סֶף וְעַמּ֣וּדֵי שֵׁ֑שׁ מִטּ֣וֹת ׀ זָהָ֣ב וָכֶ֗סֶף עַ֛ל רִֽצְפַ֥ת בַּהַט־וָשֵׁ֖שׁ וְדַ֥ר וְסֹחָֽרֶת	6	B	Cream-white cotton and amethyst, held fast in ropes of sea silk, and purple in rolls of silver and alabaster pillars, rods of gold and silver on marble pavement and alabaster and mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell,	3d	4B	27 20
וְהַשְׁקוֹת֙ בִּכְלֵ֣י זָהָ֔ב וְכֵלִ֖ים מִכֵּלִ֣ים שׁוֹנִ֑ים וְיֵ֥ין מַלְכ֛וּת רָ֖ב כְּיַ֥ד הַמֶּֽלֶךְ	7		and irrigated in vessels of gold, such vessels from vessels varying, and wine of the kingdom in abundance according to the hand of the king.	3d	4B	15 10
וְהַשְּׁתִיָּ֥ה כַדָּ֖ת אֵ֣ין אֹנֵ֑ס כִּי־כֵ֣ן ׀ יִסַּ֣ד הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עַ֚ל כָּל־רַ֣ב בֵּית֔וֹ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כִּרְצ֥וֹן אִישׁ־וָאִֽישׁ	8		And the imbibing was according to dictate. There was no duress. For so instituted the king, all the abundance of his house, to do according to the bidding of each and every person.	3e	4C	9 20
גַּ֚ם וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה עָשְׂתָ֖ה מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה נָשִׁ֑ים בֵּ֚ית הַמַּלְכ֔וּת אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ ס	9	C	Even Vashti the queen made a party for women, the house of the royal estates that belonged to the king Ahasuerus.	3e	4C	12 14
בַּיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י כְּט֥וֹב לֵב־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בַּיָּ֑יִן אָמַ֡ר לִ֠מְהוּמָן בִּזְּתָ֨א חַרְבוֹנָ֜א בִּגְתָ֤א וַאֲבַגְתָא֙ זֵתַ֣ר וְכַרְכַּ֔ס שִׁבְעַת֙ הַסָּ֣רִיסִ֔ים הַמְשָׁ֣רְתִ֔ים אֶת־פְּנֵ֖י הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ	10		On the seventh day, as the heart of the king was pleased with wine, he said to Mehuman, Bizta, Xarbona, Bigta, and Abagta, Zetar and Karkas, seven eunuchs ministering the presence of the king Ahasuerus,	3e	4C	14 40
לְ֠הָבִיא אֶת־וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּכֶ֣תֶר מַלְכ֑וּת לְהַרְא֨וֹת הָֽעַמִּ֤ים וְהַשָּׂרִים֙ אֶת־יָפְיָ֔הּ כִּֽי־טוֹבַ֥ת מַרְאֶ֖ה הִֽיא	11	~	To have Vashti the queen brought to the presence of the king in a royal diadem, to show the peoples and the nobility her beauty, for she was fine of appearance, herself.	3c	4C	19 18
וַתְּמָאֵ֞ן הַמַּלְכָּ֣ה וַשְׁתִּ֗י לָבוֹא֙ בִּדְבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּיַ֣ד הַסָּרִיסִ֑ים וַיִּקְצֹ֤ף הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מְאֹ֔ד וַחֲמָת֖וֹ בָּעֲרָ֥ה בֽוֹ	12		But the queen Vashti would not come by the word of the king that was by the hand of the eunuchs, and the king was enraged much and his poison kindled within him.	3e	4C	23 16
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לַחֲכָמִ֖ים יֹדְעֵ֣י הָֽעִתִּ֑ים כִּי־כֵן֙ דְּבַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִפְנֵ֕י כָּל־יֹדְעֵ֖י דָּ֥ת וָדִֽין	13		And the king said to the shrewd who knew the times, (for such was the word of the king in the presence of all who knew dictate and sentence),	3e	4B	15 15
וְהַקָּרֹ֣ב אֵלָ֗יו‬ כַּרְשְׁנָ֤א שֵׁתָר֙ אַדְמָ֣תָא תַרְשִׁ֔ישׁ מֶ֥רֶס מַרְסְנָ֖א מְמוּכָ֑ן שִׁבְעַ֞ת שָׂרֵ֣י ׀ פָּרַ֣ס וּמָדַ֗י רֹאֵי֙ פְּנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים רִאשֹׁנָ֖ה בַּמַּלְכֽוּת	14		(And the near to him were Karshena, Shetar, Admata, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, Memukan, seven nobles of Persia and Media who saw the face of the king, those sitting preeminent in the kingdom.)	3e	4C	24 25
כְּדָת֙ מַֽה־לַּעֲשׂ֔וֹת בַּמַּלְכָּ֖ה וַשְׁתִּ֑י עַ֣ל ׀ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־עָשְׂתָ֗ה אֶֽת־מַאֲמַר֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ בְּיַ֖ד הַסָּרִיסִֽים ס	15		According to dictate, what is to be done with the queen Vashti, in that she did not undertake the pronouncement of the king Ahasuerus by the hand of the eunuchs?	3e	4B	11 24
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מְמוּכָ֗ן לִפְנֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהַשָּׂרִ֔ים לֹ֤א עַל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ לְבַדּ֔וֹ עָוְתָ֖ה וַשְׁתִּ֣י הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה כִּ֤י עַל־כָּל־הַשָּׂרִים֙ וְעַל־כָּל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֕ר בְּכָל־מְדִינ֖וֹת הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵרֽוֹשׁ	16		And Memukan said in the presence of the king and the nobles, Not to the king alone has Vashti the queen been subversive, but to all the nobility and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.	3e	4C	30 26
כִּֽי־יֵצֵ֤א דְבַר־הַמַּלְכָּה֙ עַל־כָּל־הַנָּשִׁ֔ים לְהַבְז֥וֹת בַּעְלֵיהֶ֖ן בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ן בְּאָמְרָ֗ם הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֡וֹשׁ אָמַ֞ר לְהָבִ֨יא אֶת־וַשְׁתִּ֧י הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה לְפָנָ֖יו וְלֹא־בָֽאָה	17		For the word of the queen will go forth to all the women to disdain their husbands in their eyes, when they say, The king Ahasuerus, he said to have Vashti the queen brought into his presence, and she did not come.	3c	4C	22 27
וְֽהַיּ֨וֹם הַזֶּ֜ה תֹּאמַ֣רְנָה ׀ שָׂר֣וֹת פָּֽרַס־וּמָדַ֗י אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה לְכֹ֖ל שָׂרֵ֣י הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וּכְדַ֖י בִּזָּי֥וֹן וָקָֽצֶף	18		And today they will say this, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear the word of the queen to all the sultans of the king. So more than enough disdain and rage.	3e	4C	32 8
אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֗וֹב יֵצֵ֤א דְבַר־מַלְכוּת֙ מִלְּפָנָ֔יו וְיִכָּתֵ֛ב בְּדָתֵ֥י פָֽרַס־וּמָדַ֖י וְלֹ֣א יַעֲב֑וֹר אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תָב֜וֹא וַשְׁתִּ֗י לִפְנֵי֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ וּמַלְכוּתָהּ֙ יִתֵּ֣ן הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לִרְעוּתָ֖הּ הַטּוֹבָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנָּה	19		If to the king it is good, let the word of the kingdom go forth from his presence and be written into the dictates of Persia and Media so it will not pass away, that Vashti will not enter into the presence of the king Ahasuerus. And her royal estate, the king assign to an associate better than her.	3d	4C	32 33
וְנִשְׁמַע֩ פִּתְגָ֨ם הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ אֲשֶֽׁר־יַעֲשֶׂה֙ בְּכָל־מַלְכוּת֔וֹ כִּ֥י רַבָּ֖ה הִ֑יא וְכָל־הַנָּשִׁ֗ים יִתְּנ֤וּ יְקָר֙ לְבַעְלֵיהֶ֔ן לְמִגָּד֖וֹל וְעַד־קָטָֽן	20		And the edict of the king will be heard, that he makes in all his kingdom, for munificent it is, and all the women will assign esteem to their husbands from the greatest and to the least.	3e	4C	22 21
וַיִּיטַב֙ הַדָּבָ֔ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְהַשָּׂרִ֑ים וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ כִּדְבַ֥ר מְמוּכָֽן	21		And the word was good in the eyes of the king and the nobles, and the king did according to the word of Memukan.	3e	4A	16 11
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח סְפָרִים֙ אֶל־כָּל־מְדִינ֣וֹת הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֶל־מְדִינָ֤ה וּמְדִינָה֙ כִּכְתָבָ֔הּ וְאֶל־עַ֥ם וָעָ֖ם כִּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ לִהְי֤וֹת כָּל־אִישׁ֙ שֹׂרֵ֣ר בְּבֵית֔וֹ וּמְדַבֵּ֖ר כִּלְשׁ֥וֹן עַמּֽוֹ	22		And he had correspondence sent to all the provinces of the king, province by province, according to its writing, people by people, according to their tongue, that every man should be ultimate influence in his house, and that it be spoken according to the tongue of its people.	3e	4C	32 16

Hosea 5

After this 9 more chapters of Hosea and I will 'finish' the 12 (the minor prophets). Also 5 more chapters, and Job is done. So I think I will pursue these two interim goals. Then I must tackle Esther. Perhaps it will introduce me to later writing as part of preparing for the later 'other' books, Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah and of course 1 and 2 Chronicles (very close to the Samuel Kings stories). Finishing Esther will bring to a close the 5 scrolls, a subdivision of the Scripture from the traditional Jewish point of view. Christian Bibles lose this subdivision by putting Ruth into a 'historical' frame, and Lamentations in with the prophets. The Song and Qohelet are then lumped with 'wisdom' literature. The Christian division no longer works for me. The Jewish division is far more easily remembered.

1. Torah (the first 5 books)
2. Prophets
1. Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) 
2. Later Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) 
3. The 12 (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)
3. Writings
1. Books of Truth (Psalms, Job, Proverbs)
2. The 5 Scrolls  (Song, Ruth, Lamentations, Qohelet, Esther)
3. Other (Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles)

You will see that Job is true like poetry is true. Daniel is not among the prophets. Nor is Lamentations. 

Samuel, Kings, The 12, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles are each treated as 1 book, giving a total of 24 for the Hebrew canon. These orders play on numbers easily remembered 3, 7, 12 and 24. 

If you want an acronym that includes the New Testament, it is T-N-K-N-T - a character based palindrome. As a concentric structure, it circles the K for Ketuvim, or writings. The first 7 of these are my favorite books and have been called keys to Torah.

You know my keys to reading are word recurrence, parallelism, and music. But the idea of poetry and the scrolls as 'key' is vital since it stops the power of wanting to know 'the meaning'. Meaning is made sense of only in hearing and doing. We must change from our desperation for domineering truth.

Hosea 5		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
שִׁמְעוּ־זֹ֨את הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים וְהַקְשִׁ֣יבוּ ׀ בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וּבֵ֤ית הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַאֲזִ֔ינוּ כִּ֥י לָכֶ֖ם הַמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט כִּֽי־פַח֙ הֱיִיתֶ֣ם לְמִצְפָּ֔ה וְרֶ֖שֶׁת פְּרוּשָׂ֥ה עַל־תָּבֽוֹר	1		Hear this O priests, and attend O house of Israel, and house of the king, lend an ear, for to you is the judgment, for a snare you are for Mizpah and a net spread over Tabor.	3e	4C	30 17
וְשַׁחֲטָ֥ה שֵׂטִ֖ים הֶעְמִ֑יקוּ וַאֲנִ֖י מוּסָ֥ר לְכֻלָּֽם	2		And towards butchery, those who fall away are inscrutable. And I mentored them all.	3e	4A	9 8
אֲנִי֙ יָדַ֣עְתִּי אֶפְרַ֔יִם וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֹֽא־נִכְחַ֣ד מִמֶּ֑נִּי כִּ֤י עַתָּה֙ הִזְנֵ֣יתָ אֶפְרַ֔יִם נִטְמָ֖א יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	3		Myself, I know Ephraim, and Israel is not concealed from me, for now Ephraim plays the harlot. Defiled is Israel.	3e	4C	17 13
לֹ֤א יִתְּנוּ֙ מַ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם לָשׁ֖וּב אֶל־אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י ר֤וּחַ זְנוּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔ם וְאֶת־יְהוָ֖ה לֹ֥א יָדָֽעוּ	4	C	They will not permit their practices to return to their God, for the wind of prostitution is within them, and Yahweh they do not know.	3e	4C	14 17
וְעָנָ֥ה גְאֽוֹן־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּפָנָ֑יו וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל וְאֶפְרַ֗יִם יִכָּֽשְׁלוּ֙ בַּעֲוֺנָ֔ם כָּשַׁ֥ל גַּם־יְהוּדָ֖ה עִמָּֽם	5		And the pride of Israel answers in his face. So Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their iniquity. Judah also will stumble with them.	3e	4B	11 22
בְּצֹאנָ֣ם וּבִבְקָרָ֗ם יֵֽלְכ֛וּ לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָ֑אוּ חָלַ֖ץ מֵהֶֽם	6		With their flocks and their herds they will walk on to seek Yahweh and not find him. Rescue from them.	3d	4B	20 4
בַּיהוָ֣ה בָּגָ֔דוּ כִּֽי־בָנִ֥ים זָרִ֖ים יָלָ֑דוּ עַתָּ֛ה יֹאכְלֵ֥ם חֹ֖דֶשׁ אֶת־חֶלְקֵיהֶֽם ס	7		In Yahweh they are treacherous, for estranged children they have had. Now a month will devour them with their divisions.	3d	4B	12 11
תִּקְע֤וּ שׁוֹפָר֙ בַּגִּבְעָ֔ה חֲצֹצְרָ֖ה בָּרָמָ֑ה הָרִ֙יעוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית אָ֔וֶן אַחֲרֶ֖יךָ בִּנְיָמִֽין	8		Sound a shophar in Gibeah. Trumpet in Ramah. Raise a shout Bethaven. After you, Benjamin.	3e	4C	13 13
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ לְשַׁמָּ֣ה תִֽהְיֶ֔ה בְּי֖וֹם תּֽוֹכֵחָ֑ה בְּשִׁבְטֵי֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הוֹדַ֖עְתִּי נֶאֱמָנָֽה	9		Ephraim will be desolated in the day of correction. Among the sceptres of Israel, I have made known faithfulness.	3e	4B	12 13
הָיוּ֙ שָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה כְּמַסִּיגֵ֖י גְּב֑וּל עֲלֵיהֶ֕ם אֶשְׁפּ֥וֹךְ כַּמַּ֖יִם עֶבְרָתִֽי	10		The nobility of Judah are like those who relocate a border. On them I will pour out like water my fury.	3e	4B	13 10
עָשׁ֥וּק אֶפְרַ֖יִם רְצ֣וּץ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט כִּ֣י הוֹאִ֔יל הָלַ֖ךְ אַחֲרֵי־צָֽו	11		Oppressed is Ephraim. Damaged is judgment, for he determined to walk, after a commandment.	3e	4B	8 9
וַאֲנִ֥י כָעָ֖שׁ לְאֶפְרָ֑יִם וְכָרָקָ֖ב לְבֵ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה	12		And I, am like a moth to Ephraim, and like rottenness to the house of Judah.	3e	4A	9 9
וַיַּ֨רְא אֶפְרַ֜יִם אֶת־חָלְי֗וֹ וִֽיהוּדָה֙ אֶת־מְזֹר֔וֹ וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ אֶל־אַשּׁ֔וּר וַיִּשְׁלַ֖ח אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ יָרֵ֑ב וְה֗וּא לֹ֤א יוּכַל֙ לִרְפֹּ֣א לָכֶ֔ם וְלֹֽא־יִגְהֶ֥ה מִכֶּ֖ם מָזֽוֹר	13		When Ephraim saw his illness and Judah his estrangement, Ephraim went to Ashur and he reached out to king Jareb, but he is not able to heal you nor cure your estrangement.	3e	4C	30 17
כִּ֣י אָנֹכִ֤י כַשַּׁ֙חַל֙ לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם וְכַכְּפִ֖יר לְבֵ֣ית יְהוּדָ֑ה אֲנִ֨י אֲנִ֤י אֶטְרֹף֙ וְאֵלֵ֔ךְ אֶשָּׂ֖א וְאֵ֥ין מַצִּֽיל	14	B	For I am as the aged beast to Ephraim and like a cub to the house of Judah. I myself, I tear and walk away. I lift up and there is none to deliver.	3e	4C	18 15
אֵלֵ֤ךְ אָשׁ֙וּבָה֙ אֶל־מְקוֹמִ֔י עַ֥ד אֲשֶֽׁר־יֶאְשְׁמ֖וּ וּבִקְשׁ֣וּ פָנָ֑י בַּצַּ֥ר לָהֶ֖ם יְשַׁחֲרֻֽנְנִי	15		I will walk away. I will return to my place until they bear their guilt and seek my presence. In their trouble, they will seek me early.	3e	4C	20 9

Hosea 4

We are quite able to be hurt by and with the inhabitants of the land we live in.

Hosea 4		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
שִׁמְע֥וּ דְבַר־יְהוָ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּ֣י רִ֤יב לַֽיהוָה֙ עִם־יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֠י אֵין־אֱמֶ֧ת וְֽאֵין־חֶ֛סֶד וְאֵֽין־דַּ֥עַת אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּאָֽרֶץ	1		Hear the word of Yahweh, children of Israel, for Yahweh has a contention with the inhabitants of the land, for there is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land.	3c	4C	11 28
אָלֹ֣ה וְכַחֵ֔שׁ וְרָצֹ֥חַ וְגָנֹ֖ב וְנָאֹ֑ף פָּרָ֕צוּ וְדָמִ֥ים בְּדָמִ֖ים נָגָֽעוּ	2		Censure and disowning and murder and stealing and adultery, they have breached, and blood with blood is their contagion.	3e	4B	15 12
עַל־כֵּ֣ן ׀ תֶּאֱבַ֣ל הָאָ֗רֶץ וְאֻמְלַל֙ כָּל־יוֹשֵׁ֣ב בָּ֔הּ בְּחַיַּ֥ת הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְגַם־דְּגֵ֥י הַיָּ֖ם יֵאָסֵֽפוּ	3		So the land will lament and will be enfeebled. Every inhabitant in her with the animals of the field and among the fowl of the heavens, and also the fishes of the sea will be gathered.	3e	4B	27 10
אַ֥ךְ אִ֛ישׁ אַל־יָרֵ֖ב וְאַל־יוֹכַ֣ח אִ֑ישׁ וְעַמְּךָ֖ כִּמְרִיבֵ֥י כֹהֵֽן	4	f	But let not anyone contend with or correct another, nor your people, as those who contend with a priest.	3d	4B	10 8
וְכָשַׁלְתָּ֣ הַיּ֔וֹם וְכָשַׁ֧ל גַּם־נָבִ֛יא עִמְּךָ֖ לָ֑יְלָה וְדָמִ֖יתִי אִמֶּֽךָ	5		But you will stumble in the day and a prophet will also stumble with you in the night, and I will mute your mother.	3c	4B	16 7
נִדְמ֥וּ עַמִּ֖י מִבְּלִ֣י הַדָּ֑עַת כִּֽי־אַתָּ֞ה הַדַּ֣עַת מָאַ֗סְתָּ וְאֶמְאָֽסְאךָ֙ מִכַּהֵ֣ן לִ֔י וַתִּשְׁכַּח֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶשְׁכַּ֥ח בָּנֶ֖יךָ גַּם־אָֽנִי	6		My people are undone without knowledge. Because you, you refused knowledge, so I will refuse you from being my priest, and you forgot the instruction of your God. I will forget your children, I also.	3e	4B	9 34
כְּרֻבָּ֖ם כֵּ֣ן חָֽטְאוּ־לִ֑י כְּבוֹדָ֖ם בְּקָל֥וֹן אָמִֽיר	7		As they multiplied so they sinned against me. Their glory in disgrace I will exchange.	3e	4B	7 8
חַטַּ֥את עַמִּ֖י יֹאכֵ֑לוּ וְאֶל־עֲוֺנָ֖ם יִשְׂא֥וּ נַפְשֽׁוֹ	8		The sin of my people they will eat, and to their iniquity they will lift up their being.	3e	4A	7 9
וְהָיָ֥ה כָעָ֖ם כַּכֹּהֵ֑ן וּפָקַדְתִּ֤י עָלָיו֙ דְּרָכָ֔יו וּמַעֲלָלָ֖יו אָשִׁ֥יב לֽוֹ	9		And it will happen, as people as priest. Then I will visit him his ways, and from their practices I will bring him back.	3e	4C	8 17
וְאָֽכְלוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יִשְׂבָּ֔עוּ הִזְנ֖וּ וְלֹ֣א יִפְרֹ֑צוּ כִּֽי־אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה עָזְב֖וּ לִשְׁמֹֽר	10		So let them eat but not be satisfied. Let them play the harlot but not make a breach, because with Yahweh, they have forsaken to keep watch.	3e	4B	15 9
זְנ֛וּת וְיַ֥יִן וְתִיר֖וֹשׁ יִֽקַּֽח־לֵֽב	11	d	Harlotry and wine and new wine take a heart.	3d	3g	10
עַמִּי֙ בְּעֵצ֣וֹ יִשְׁאָ֔ל וּמַקְל֖וֹ יַגִּ֣יד ל֑וֹ כִּ֣י ר֤וּחַ זְנוּנִים֙ הִתְעָ֔ה וַיִּזְנ֖וּ מִתַּ֥חַת אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם	12		My people at its tree inquires, and its stick makes clear to it, for the wind of prostitution makes for wandering, and they have prostituted themselves from under their God.	3e	4C	13 18
עַל־רָאשֵׁ֨י הֶהָרִ֜ים יְזַבֵּ֗חוּ וְעַל־הַגְּבָעוֹת֙ יְקַטֵּ֔רוּ תַּ֣חַת אַלּ֧וֹן וְלִבְנֶ֛ה וְאֵלָ֖ה כִּ֣י ט֣וֹב צִלָּ֑הּ עַל־כֵּ֗ן תִּזְנֶ֙ינָה֙ בְּנ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם וְכַלּוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם תְּנָאַֽפְנָה	13		On the tops of the hills they sacrifice, and on the hillocks they burn incense under oak and poplar and elm, for her shadow is good so your daughters prostitute themselves and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.	3c	4B	33 18
לֹֽא־אֶפְק֨וֹד עַל־בְּנוֹתֵיכֶ֜ם כִּ֣י תִזְנֶ֗ינָה וְעַל־כַּלּֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ כִּ֣י תְנָאַ֔פְנָה כִּי־הֵם֙ עִם־הַזֹּנ֣וֹת יְפָרֵ֔דוּ וְעִם־הַקְּדֵשׁ֖וֹת יְזַבֵּ֑חוּ וְעָ֥ם לֹֽא־יָבִ֖ין יִלָּבֵֽט	14		I will not visit your daughters, for they are playing the harlot, or your daughters-in-law, for they are adulterers, for they with the harlots have separated themselves and with the holy prostitutes they sacrifice, and the people not understanding will be thrown headlong.	3e	4B	42 7
אִם־זֹנֶ֤ה אַתָּה֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַל־יֶאְשַׁ֖ם יְהוּדָ֑ה וְאַל־תָּבֹ֣אוּ הַגִּלְגָּ֗ל וְאַֽל־תַּעֲלוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית אָ֔וֶן וְאַל־תִּשָּׁבְע֖וּ חַי־יְהוָֽה	15		If you play the harlot, Israel, do not let Judah offend, and do not come to Gilgal, and do not go up to Bethaven [the house of mischief] and do not swear, Yahweh lives.	3e	4C	14 24
כִּ֚י כְּפָרָ֣ה סֹֽרֵרָ֔ה סָרַ֖ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עַתָּה֙ יִרְעֵ֣ם יְהוָ֔ה כְּכֶ֖בֶשׂ בַּמֶּרְחָֽב	16	C	For as a rebellious young bull, Israel is rebellious. Now Yahweh will shepherd them as a young lamb in a spacious room.	3e	4C	12 12
חֲב֧וּר עֲצַבִּ֛ים אֶפְרָ֖יִם הַֽנַּֽח־לֽוֹ	17	c	Ephraim is charmed by idols. Leave him to it.	3c	3g	11
סָ֖ר סָבְאָ֑ם הַזְנֵ֣ה הִזְנ֔וּ אָהֲב֥וּ הֵב֛וּ קָל֖וֹן מָגִנֶּֽיהָ	18	g	Their liquor has gone off. They have played the harlot, prostituted themselves. Her shields love, they love disgrace.	3d	4B	3 15
צָרַ֥ר ר֛וּחַ אוֹתָ֖הּ בִּכְנָפֶ֑יהָ וְיֵבֹ֖שׁוּ מִזִּבְחוֹתָֽם	19		Wind troubles her with her wings, and they will be ashamed of their sacrifices.	3d	4A	10 8

On the issue of holy prostitution as related to some current discussions, and the ambiguity of the word קדשׁ, there is a good article here.

Job 36

Back from a short holiday. Not sure I could stand a long one without carrying my data and library with me. It's the nature of the work that it is a real escape. But the problem with this puzzle, as I was thinking this morning when watching my wife do the crossword, is that the answers will not be in next weekend's paper. My 'answer' emerges, and like Yahweh's answer to Job, it is far less clear than one might think was good. There are things that are supposed to be clear: to do judgment, and to love mercy, and modestly to walk with your God. But you can see that my glosses for this famous line don't match the traditional, and if one looks at political manipulation, it seems that those who might follow such a pattern are few and far between.

I note in my dictionary that (so far) I have not distinguished the root form of Elihu and Elijah. They are both spelled the same (אליהו) some of the time. In fact if you spell Elijah the way of its supposed root, it is indistinguishable from 'to her' (אליה). Nonetheless, this character Elihu is not Elijah.

This remains poetry - short sharp lines, often enigmatic. The syllable counts in the fourth column give it away. Compare the prophets and very few of their lines are this short (in spite of the post-modern tendency to think of them as poets).

Elihu remains enigmatic. There seems to me little support for the divine right of kings. I read verses 7 to 9 as critical of kings, and of others, whether rich or presumptuous, in positions of power such as Job is. (Job is not presumptuous but the righteous one that is always in God's eyes. Don't misread me.)

There are repeated words here that are obvious in my reading, but their meaning - who will say? There are 28 that recur exactly twice. Glossing these words identically changes the received 'meaning' (which was only some ancient or modern guess in any case). I have even taken special care with a preposition in this chapter. Perhaps I should be even more careful with them. It is so easy to try and make sense of what is foreign to me by reducing it to the commonplace that I expect. I see that I could be much more restrictive with על than I have been. There are many years yet to finish this project. (I have rendered על as on below - throughout! It varies considerably as over, on, not translated, to, in, about, concerning, upon, against, and so on. How I would render the preposition depends also on the English verb in the phrase.)

One more chapter for Elihu - patience. Whether it 'makes sense' at the end remains to be seen. (Certainly, I scarcely recognize my reading from 6 years ago.)

Job 36		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיֹּ֥סֶף אֱלִיה֗וּא וַיֹּאמַֽר	1		And Elihu added more and said.	3e	3f	9
כַּתַּר־לִ֣י זְ֭עֵיר וַאֲחַוֶּ֑ךָּ כִּ֤י ע֖וֹד לֶאֱל֣וֹהַּ מִלִּֽים	2		Encircle me somewhat more closely and I will breathe to you, for yet of God are speeches.	3e	4C	10 8
אֶשָּׂ֣א דֵ֭עִי לְמֵרָח֑וֹק וּ֝לְפֹעֲלִ֗י אֶֽתֵּֽן־צֶֽדֶק	3		I will lift up my knowledge from afar, and to the one whose work I am, I will give justice.	3e	4B	8 8
כִּֽי־אָ֭מְנָם לֹא־שֶׁ֣קֶר מִלָּ֑י תְּמִ֖ים דֵּע֣וֹת עִמָּֽךְ	4		Because truly not falsehood is my speech. One who is complete of knowledge is with you.	3e	4B	7 6
הֶן־אֵ֣ל כַּ֭בִּיר וְלֹ֣א יִמְאָ֑ס כַּ֝בִּ֗יר כֹּ֣חַֽ לֵֽב	5		Lo, the One is intense and not will refuse, one who is intense of heartfelt power.	3e	4B	8 5
לֹא־יְחַיֶּ֥ה רָשָׁ֑ע וּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט עֲנִיִּ֣ים יִתֵּֽן	6		Wickedness will not live, and judgment of the poor he will give.	3e	4B	6 8
לֹֽא־יִגְרַ֥ע מִצַּדִּ֗יק עֵ֫ינָ֥יו וְאֶת־מְלָכִ֥ים לַכִּסֵּ֑א וַיֹּשִׁיבֵ֥ם לָ֝נֶ֗צַח וַיִּגְבָּֽהוּ	7		He does not lower his eyes from the righteous one, but kings are on the throne, so he seats them in perpetuity and they are haughty.	3e	4A	8 8 11
וְאִם־אֲסוּרִ֥ים בַּזִּקִּ֑ים יִ֝לָּכְד֗וּן בְּחַבְלֵי־עֹֽנִי	8		And if prisoners in chains, are caught in ropes of affliction,	3e	4A	8 7
וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לָהֶ֣ם פָּעֳלָ֑ם וּ֝פִשְׁעֵיהֶ֗ם כִּ֣י יִתְגַּבָּֽרוּ	9		Then he makes evident to them their works, and their transgressions that prevail over them.	3e	4B	8 9
וַיִּ֣גֶל אָ֭זְנָם לַמּוּסָ֑ר וַ֝יֹּ֗אמֶר כִּֽי־יְשֻׁב֥וּן מֵאָֽוֶן	10		So let their ear rejoice in his mentoring, when he says that they should turn from mischief.	3e	4B	8 10
אִֽם־יִשְׁמְע֗וּ וְֽיַ֫עֲבֹ֥דוּ יְכַלּ֣וּ יְמֵיהֶ֣ם בַּטּ֑וֹב וּ֝שְׁנֵיהֶ֗ם בַּנְּעִימִֽים	11		If they hear and serve, they will finish their days in the good, and their years in pleasantness.	3e	4B	9 8 6
וְאִם־לֹ֣א יִ֭שְׁמְעוּ בְּשֶׁ֣לַח יַעֲבֹ֑רוּ וְ֝יִגְוְע֗וּ כִּבְלִי־דָֽעַת	12		And if they do not hear, dismissed they will cross over, and they will expire without having known.	3e	4B	13 7
וְֽחַנְפֵי־לֵ֭ב יָשִׂ֣ימוּ אָ֑ף לֹ֥א יְ֝שַׁוְּע֗וּ כִּ֣י אֲסָרָֽם	13		But hypocrites in heart are set in anger. They do not cry for help when he binds them.	3e	4B	8 8
תָּמֹ֣ת בַּנֹּ֣עַר נַפְשָׁ֑ם וְ֝חַיָּתָ֗ם בַּקְּדֵשִֽׁים	14		Their being dies in youth, and their life among the holy ones.	3e	4B	7 7
יְחַלֵּ֣ץ עָנִ֣י בְעָנְי֑וֹ וְיִ֖גֶל בַּלַּ֣חַץ אָזְנָֽם	15		He rescues a poor one from its affliction, and discloses (in the grip) to its ears.	3e	4B	8 8
וְאַ֤ף הֲסִיתְךָ֨ ׀ מִפִּי־צָ֗ר רַ֭חַב לֹא־מוּצָ֣ק תַּחְתֶּ֑יהָ וְנַ֥חַת שֻׁ֝לְחָנְךָ֗ מָ֣לֵא דָֽשֶׁן	16		And indeed he prods you from the mouth of trouble enlarged, unimpeded under it, and he has pinned your table, filled with fatness.	3e	4C	15 10
וְדִין־רָשָׁ֥ע מָלֵ֑אתָ דִּ֖ין וּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט יִתְמֹֽכוּ	17		But the case for the wicked you have filled. Case and judgment are maintained.	3e	4B	7 7
כִּֽי־חֵ֭מָה פֶּן־יְסִֽיתְךָ֣ בְסָ֑פֶק וְרָב־כֹּ֝֗פֶר אַל־יַטֶּֽךָּ	18		For heat, lest he prod you with a cuff, and an abundant cover-price is not stretched.	3e	4B	9 8
הֲיַעֲרֹ֣ךְ שׁ֭וּעֲךָ‬ לֹ֣א בְצָ֑ר וְ֝כֹ֗ל מַאֲמַצֵּי־כֹֽחַ	19		Will he arrange your vintage cries for help, and all assured power?	3e	4B	10 7
אַל־תִּשְׁאַ֥ף הַלָּ֑יְלָה לַעֲל֖וֹת עַמִּ֣ים תַּחְתָּֽם	20		Sigh not heavily for the night, for the burnt offerings of the peoples under them.	3e	4B	6 7
הִ֭שָּׁמֶר אַל־תֵּ֣פֶן אֶל־אָ֑וֶן כִּֽי־עַל־זֶ֝֗ה בָּחַ֥רְתָּ מֵעֹֽנִי	21	g	Watch. Do not prefer mischief, for on this you have chosen over affliction.	3e	4B	9 9
הֶן־אֵ֭ל יַשְׂגִּ֣יב בְּכֹח֑וֹ מִ֖י כָמֹ֣הוּ מוֹרֶֽה	22		Lo, the One sets on high by his power. Who, like him, instructs?	3e	4B	7 6
מִֽי־פָקַ֣ד עָלָ֣יו דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וּמִֽי־אָ֝מַ֗ר פָּעַ֥לְתָּ עַוְלָֽה	23		Who has visited on him his way? And who says, You have worked injustice.	3e	4B	6 8
זְ֭כֹר כִּֽי־תַשְׂגִּ֣יא פָעֳל֑וֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר שֹׁרְר֣וּ אֲנָשִֽׁים	24	g	Remember that you augment his work, that persons sing.	3e	4B	8 7
כָּל־אָדָ֥ם חָֽזוּ־ב֑וֹ אֱ֝נ֗וֹשׁ יַבִּ֥יט מֵרָחֽוֹק	25		Every earthling gazes against him. A mortal takes note from afar.	3e	4A	5 7
הֶן־אֵ֣ל שַׂ֭גִּיא וְלֹ֣א נֵדָ֑ע מִסְפַּ֖ר שָׁנָ֣יו וְלֹא־חֵֽקֶר	26		Lo, the One is augmented and we do not know. The record of his years is without examination.	3e	4B	8 7
כִּ֭י יְגָרַ֣ע נִטְפֵי־מָ֑יִם יָזֹ֖קּוּ מָטָ֣ר לְאֵדֽוֹ	27	g	For he lowers the droplets of waters. They purge rain of its humidity,	3e	4B	7 8
אֲשֶֽׁר־יִזְּל֥וּ שְׁחָקִ֑ים יִ֝רְעֲפ֗וּ עֲלֵ֤י ׀ אָדָ֬ם רָֽב	28		that the skies exude. They drip on an earthling abundantly.	3e	4C	7 8
אַ֣ף אִם־יָ֭בִין מִפְרְשֵׂי־עָ֑ב תְּ֝שֻׁא֗וֹת סֻכָּתֽוֹ	29	B	Indeed if one understand the spreading of a thick cloud, the ruin of its overshadowing.	3e	4B	8 6
הֵן־פָּרַ֣שׂ עָלָ֣יו אוֹר֑וֹ וְשָׁרְשֵׁ֖י הַיָּ֣ם כִּסָּֽה	30		Lo, he spreads on it his light, and the root of the sea he covers.	3e	4B	7 7
כִּי־בָ֭ם יָדִ֣ין עַמִּ֑ים יִֽתֶּן־אֹ֥כֶל לְמַכְבִּֽיר	31		For in them he makes the case for the peoples. He gives food with intensity.	3e	4B	6 7
עַל־כַּפַּ֥יִם כִּסָּה־א֑וֹר וַיְצַ֖ו עָלֶ֣יהָ בְמַפְגִּֽיעַ	32		On their palms he covers light, and he commands over her with compulsion.	3e	4B	6 9
יַגִּ֣יד עָלָ֣יו רֵע֑וֹ מִ֝קְנֶ֗ה אַ֣ף עַל־עוֹלֶֽה	33		Jubilation makes it evident to him, livestock indeed on a burnt offering.	3e	4B	6 6

Job 35

There is great difficulty reading this chapter. Ask, who is speaking, who is being quoted, and who is the subject being discussed.

Job 35		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיַּ֥עַן אֱלִיה֗וּ וַיֹּאמַֽר	1		And Elihu answered and said,	3e	3f	9
הֲ֭זֹאת חָשַׁ֣בְתָּ לְמִשְׁפָּ֑ט אָ֝מַ֗רְתָּ צִדְקִ֥י מֵאֵֽל	2	g	This do you reckon for judgment? Do you promise 'my righteousness' more than the One?	3e	4B	8 7
כִּֽי־תֹ֭אמַר מַה־יִּסְכָּן־לָ֑ךְ מָֽה־אֹ֝עִ֗יל מֵֽחַטָּאתִֽי	3		For you said, What meagerness to you? What use from my sin?	3e	4A	6 7
אֲ֭נִי אֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֣ מִלִּ֑ין וְֽאֶת־רֵעֶ֥יךָ עִמָּֽךְ	4	g	I will return you speeches, and your friends with you.	3e	4B	7 7
הַבֵּ֣ט שָׁמַ֣יִם וּרְאֵ֑ה וְשׁ֥וּר שְׁ֝חָקִ֗ים גָּבְה֥וּ מִמֶּֽךָּ	5		Take note of the heavens and see, and scrutinize the skies. High and lofty they are from you.	3e	4B	6 10
אִם־חָ֭טָאתָ מַה־תִּפְעָל־בּ֑וֹ וְרַבּ֥וּ פְ֝שָׁעֶ֗יךָ מַה־תַּעֲשֶׂה־לּֽוֹ	6		If you sin, what do you work against him, and multiply transgression, what do you do to him?	3e	4A	8 12
אִם־צָ֭דַקְתָּ מַה־תִּתֶּן־ל֑וֹ א֥וֹ מַה־מִיָּדְךָ֥ יִקָּֽח	7		If you are just, what do you give to him, or what from your hand does he take?	3e	4A	8 7
לְאִישׁ־כָּמ֥וֹךָ רִשְׁעֶ֑ךָ וּלְבֶן־אָ֝דָ֗ם צִדְקָתֶֽךָ	8		Of a man like you, your wickedness? Or of a child of humanity, your righteousness?	3e	4A	8 8
מֵ֭רֹב עֲשׁוּקִ֣ים יַזְעִ֑יקוּ יְשַׁוְּע֖וּ מִזְּר֣וֹעַ רַבִּֽים	9	g	From abundant oppressions they appeal. They cry for help from the seed of many.	3e	4B	8 8
וְֽלֹא־אָמַ֗ר אַ֭יֵּה אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֹשָׂ֑י נֹתֵ֖ן זְמִר֣וֹת בַּלָּֽיְלָה	10		And he does not say, Where is God my maker, giving psalms in the night,	3e	4B	10 8
מַ֭לְּפֵנוּ מִבַּהֲמ֣וֹת אָ֑רֶץ וּמֵע֖וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם יְחַכְּמֵֽנוּ	11	g	Educating us from the beasts of earth, and from the fowl of the heavens making us wise.	3e	4B	9 10
שָׁ֣ם יִ֭צְעֲקוּ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲנֶ֑ה מִ֝פְּנֵ֗י גְּא֣וֹן רָעִֽים	12	B	There they cry out and he does not answer, in the face of the pride of the dejected.	3e	4B	9 6
אַךְ־שָׁ֭וְא לֹא־יִשְׁמַ֥ע ׀ אֵ֑ל וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י לֹ֣א יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה	13		But vanity the One will not hear, and the Sufficient does not scrutinize it.	3e	4B	6 8
אַ֣ף כִּֽי־תֹ֭אמַר‬ לֹ֣א תְשׁוּרֶ֑נּוּ דִּ֥ין לְ֝פָנָ֗יו וּתְח֥וֹלֵֽל לֽוֹ	14	B	Indeed, for you say you will not scrutinize him. Sentence is in his presence, and you will endure your birth of him.	3e	4B	8 8
וְעַתָּ֗ה כִּי־אַ֭יִן פָּקַ֣ד אַפּ֑וֹ וְלֹֽא־יָדַ֖ע בַּפַּ֣שׁ מְאֹֽד	15		And now because there is no visitation of his anger, so he does not know in much disintegration.	3e	4B	9 7
וְ֭אִיּוֹב הֶ֣בֶל יִפְצֶה־פִּ֑יהוּ בִּבְלִי־דַ֝֗עַת מִלִּ֥ין יַכְבִּֽר פ	16	g	And Job futilely parts open his mouth. Without knowledge, he makes a great deal of speeches.	3e	4B	9 8

Project status before holiday

Here is a progress report so I can remember where I was (though I do have my 39 bookmarks).

(Is that where Buchan got his title The 39 steps? The number is on my mind since we have 39 steps from ground level to our flat, really obvious to us in this time of stressed mobility.)

There is a very complex calculation concerning what's done and what's not done in Bob's Bible. On the optimistic front, I have done nearly 40% on most counts and have now guessed pairwise more than 50% of words, and sketched singly more than 85%. But the completed chapters only comprise 32% of verses and 26% of words. There is a discrepancy here because there have been touches all over the place in the incomplete chapters, so measurement including direct work and software guesses is tricky.

In the graph below you can see that almost every chapter published (except 15 of 366) since the dawning of the decade, has been touched again in the last 6 months. Decisions made in one part of the puzzle ripple through all prior 'completed' parts of the puzzle. The software flags discrepancies in some cases, but in most cases where a passage is very similar to another, the software translates it automatically so that phrasing in initial English glosses is the same. (This does not mean that the final decision is made though. The human still must approve or adjust as seems necessary.)


And here is the list of remaining chapters and the percent complete based on words where decision or reasonably good guess has been made. There also remain about 45000 words which are unknowns, down from about 60,000 since 2016.03.31, so dropped by 25% in the last 23 weeks. 23 books of 39, 563 chapters to go, 15,353 (66.3%) verses with no draft of the English sentence. There are very few left where there is a draft that lacks underlying detail of the words).

Book	% complete	Remaining chapters
GENESIS	34.12	38
EXODUS	32.92	34
LEVITICUS	23.15	26
NUMBERS	36.14	31
DEUTERONOMY	50.87	24
JOSHUA	23.78	23
JUDGES	25.17	19
1 SAMUEL	39.09	25
2 SAMUEL	21.63	23
1 KINGS	39.58	18
2 KINGS	38.22	19
ISAIAH	27.25	52
JEREMIAH	31.57	46
EZEKIEL	20.91	46
HOSEA	33.01	11
PROVERBS	19.8	27
JOB	87.89	6
ESTHER	14.48	9
DANIEL	12.01	10
EZRA	16.09	9
NEHEMIAH	20.25	12
1 CHRONICLES	22.65	27
2 CHRONICLES	38.61	28