Sunday 31 January 2016

Biblical Studies Carnival #120

Tim Bulkeley has posted a thorough carnival even with footnotes to slow us down.

I have noted particularly and added to my reader the Sri Lankan blog of Vinoth Ramachandra. He is noting the past though not clearly enough the future implications of the world's being ruled by 62 men. Here is an irony worth reading on Sanders visiting Liberty University: I can only hope that a Jew like Bernie Sanders will help these Christians go back and read the Hebrew Bible.

This will take time to work through...

Consistent with this comment though is another quote from Travis McMaken also linked in the carnival: “Christianity” in North America—i.e., those who claim to worship this same God, Yahweh, as vectored by way of Jesus Christ—serves as just this sort of justification for those who have wealth, isolating them from God’s demand for solidarity with the poor. Solidarity, not charity. 

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Work is cut out for me

This morning I did a spontaneous presentation (very little from me) based on a little of the last chapter in a book by Francis Landy (The Beauty and the Enigma 2001 - p 399, chapter 13 Ghostwriting). I had coffee with Francis a few days ago. He wasn't at our conversation today, but the beauty of his writing stands alone in this chapter. It is fiction in the voice of the young Isaiah:
Uriahu taught me to read. To read for the most hidden implications, for the music of the letters, for the spirit of the one, the one who wrote. To watch the letters disappear invisible into the depths from which they came. Letters are pathways for the one who knows. We could count them, transpose them, perceive their secret symmetries. We could read black for white, space for silence, the gaps between the letters. Uriahu taught me to concentrate on one text, a few lines, for many months. It became living matter, shape, sound. And was divested of those properties, until it was pure letter, the slightest movement and trace of breath.
I read it twice, the second time putting just a little of the before and after into the reading. Why? someone asked, and I said, because he mentions the music of the letters. From there I went on to show a little of the music that I see in the text and which I an learning to hear. And I learned that the response to such a claim will be multiply complex depending on what the background of the hearers is. Whether one has a Judaic background as some might, or Islamic, and whether it is from this continent or that, and whether one is Christian, and whether we have historical information or not, and whether the music is sealed, or not. So many online have said to me that I am wrong or Haïk-Vantoura is wrong, but no one said that today. Yet I could hear the wheels turning and the gears clinking into place - whether of the multiple traditions of cantillation or of the Muslim call to prayer, or music from Christian tradition, gears turning from round the world.

How will I write what must be one of thousands of possible explorations of this music - with beauty, and the light of Yah (אוּרִיּהוּ) as Francis has named the young Isaiah's teacher above.

To be understood, I must have a singable book but not a music book. I must have an accurate book, but not a scholarly book. I must have a gentle book, but focused. I use easily the language of music, tonic, dominant, supertonic, mode. But even this editor does not know the words! I would not use the language of diacritics, te'amim, atnah, munah, etc because it will be unreadable. I must have a book in English that can be read in English by a non-musician and yet I must have the Hebrew and its transcription or there will be nothing there. I am working on it. Here - could you / would you read this?


Last week I explained between boards to a fellow bridge-player what I was doing. When he hear about the hand-signals in the Hebrew Bible, he was amazed and said "Who knew!"

A few weeks ago I sang a little to my 2 year old grandson, (a musician already). He heard and took note. His whole body understood without words both Hebrew and music. He just knew. And I knew he knew. There was no paradigm shift required for him with his already deep knowledge of Prokofiev and the rhythm of real music. But there is for the rest of us. If we will learn to hear, we must shift our fondly held positions.

The young Isaiah can teach us the reality of the word. Thank-you Francis Landy for this marvellous jumping off point.

Sunday 24 January 2016

Where does God occur, and how

OK that's a silly question - but here's what I mean:

The Hebrew for God / gods אלוהם occurs in various forms, construct, with pronouns etc, and alone. When it is alone, it sometimes has the definite article. Most translations ignore the definite article. They gloss it as God rather than the gods. Why?

The distribution is this:
In Torah, with the article 59, without 736
In the former prophets 123 and 386
In the latter prophets 10 and 373 (Jonah gets 5 of the 10)
In the three books of truth, 6 and 437 (3 each for Psalms and Job)
In the five scrolls 31 - all in Qohelet and 13, 0,0 for Lamentations, Song and Esther
In the remaining 141 with and 357 without the article.

In case you were wondering האלוהם never takes construct or pronoun suffixes.

These totals are probably quite close to the right totals, but I have not checked my entire database for errors yet.

Has anyone written about this question?

Update: here's an example from Exodus 3: And Moses was tending the sheep of Jethro his father-in-law, a priest of Midian,
and he drove his flocks behind the wilderness and came to the hill of the gods toward Horeb.
וּמֹשֶׁ֗ה הָיָ֥ה רֹעֶ֛ה אֶת צֹ֛אן יִתְר֥וֹ חֹתְנ֖וֹ כֹּהֵ֣ן מִדְיָ֑ן
 וַיִּנְהַ֤ג אֶת הַצֹּאן֙ אַחַ֣ר הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר וַיָּבֹ֛א אֶל הַ֥ר הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים חֹרֵֽבָה
and some music to help you interpret
Interesting article here.

Wednesday 20 January 2016

Preparation

This is an incomplete post but I want to use the incomplete information to consider a study done in Iceland on belief in the creation of heaven and earth among the Icelanders. Apparently no Icelander under the age of 25 considers that God made the heavens and the earth.

Here's my list of places in the HB (Helpful Bear) that reference שׁמימ, ארצ, and either עשה or ברא. (It may not be complete but it's probably not too far off.)

How does today's belief or lack of it relate to the ancient belief? Are those ancient words at all present today with any credibility? What about the immanent presence creating today? Immanence rather than distance. Where does responsibility lie for the earth and the heavens? And space junk and evil and destruction?

Genesis 1
בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים
אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ
1 In the beginning of God's creating
the heavens and the earth,
8
9
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֛ם בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ
וְיִרְדּוּ֩ בִדְגַ֨ת הַיָּ֜ם וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙ וּבְכָל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּבְכָל־הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ
26 And God said, let us construct humanity in our image according to our likeness,
and let them rule among the fish of the sea and among the fowl of the heavens and among the cattle and in all the earth and among every creeper that creeps upon the earth.
19
33
Genesis 2
אֵ֣לֶּה תוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִבָּֽרְאָ֑ם
בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם
4 These are the successions of the heavens and the earth when they were created
on the day Yahweh God constructed earth and heaven,
15
15
Genesis 11
וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ הָ֣בָה ׀ נִבְנֶה־לָּ֣נוּ עִ֗יר וּמִגְדָּל֙ וְרֹאשׁ֣וֹ בַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְנַֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּ֖נוּ שֵׁ֑ם
פֶּן־נָפ֖וּץ עַל־פְּנֵ֥י כָל־הָאָֽרֶץ
4 And they said, Take care. Let us build for ourselves a city and a tower and its top in the heavens, and let us make for ourselves a name,
lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.
27
10
Exodus 20:4, 11
לֹֽ֣א תַֽעֲשֶׂ֨ה־לְךָ֥֣ פֶ֣֙סֶל֙ ׀ וְכָל־תְּמוּנָ֡֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤֣ר בַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙ ׀ מִמַּ֡֔עַל וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר֩ בָּאָ֖֨רֶץ מִתַָּ֑֜חַת
וַאֲשֶׁ֥֣ר בַּמַּ֖֣יִם ׀ מִתַּ֥֣חַת לָאָֽ֗רֶץ
4 You will not make for yourself a graven image or any similitude that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the waters beneath the earth.
30
11
כִּ֣י שֵֽׁשֶׁת־יָמִים֩ עָשָׂ֨ה יְהוָ֜ה אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֶת־הַיָּם֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֔ם וַיָּ֖נַח בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑י
עַל־כֵּ֗ן בֵּרַ֧ךְ יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּ֖ת וַֽיְקַדְּשֵֽׁהוּ
11 For six days Yahweh constructed the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and he rested on the seventh day.
Therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it.

35
15
Exodus 31:17
בֵּינִ֗י וּבֵין֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל א֥וֹת הִ֖וא לְעֹלָ֑ם
כִּי־שֵׁ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים עָשָׂ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י שָׁבַ֖ת וַיִּנָּפַֽשׁ
17 Sabbath 14
29
Deuteronomy 3:24
אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֗ה אַתָּ֤ה הַֽחִלּ֙וֹתָ֙ לְהַרְא֣וֹת אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶ֨ת־גָּדְלְךָ֔ וְאֶת־יָדְךָ֖ הַחֲזָקָ֑ה
אֲשֶׁ֤ר מִי־אֵל֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם וּבָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה כְמַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ וְכִגְבוּרֹתֶֽךָ
24 Moses plea 30
27
Deuteronomy 4:32
כִּ֣י שְׁאַל־נָא֩ לְיָמִ֨ים רִֽאשֹׁנִ֜ים אֲשֶׁר־הָי֣וּ לְפָנֶ֗יךָ לְמִן־הַיּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁר֩ בָּרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ אָדָם֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ וּלְמִקְצֵ֥ה הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְעַד־קְצֵ֣ה הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
הֲנִֽהְיָ֗ה כַּדָּבָ֤ר הַגָּדוֹל֙ הַזֶּ֔ה א֖וֹ הֲנִשְׁמַ֥ע כָּמֹֽהוּ
32 The consequence of the divine presence 49
18
Deuteronomy 5:8
לֹֽ֣א תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה לְךָ֥֣ פֶ֣֙סֶל֙ כָּל תְּמוּנָ֔֡ה אֲשֶׁ֤֣ר בַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙ מִמַּ֔֡עַל וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר֩ בָּאָ֖֨רֶץ מִתָּ֑֜חַת
וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּמַּ֖֣יִם מִתַּ֥֣חַת לָאָֽ֗רֶץ
8 You will not make for yourself a graven image, any similitude that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the waters beneath the earth.
29
11
Deuteronomy 28
יִפְתַּ֣ח יְהוָ֣ה ׀ לְ֠ךָ אֶת־אוֹצָר֨וֹ הַטּ֜וֹב אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם לָתֵ֤ת מְטַֽר־אַרְצְךָ֙ בְּעִתּ֔וֹ וּלְבָרֵ֕ךְ אֵ֖ת כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֑ךָ
וְהִלְוִ֙יתָ֙ גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֔ים וְאַתָּ֖ה לֹ֥א תִלְוֶֽה
12 Yahweh will open for you his good treasury, the heavens to give rain for your land in its time and to bless all the deeds of your hand.
And you will lend to many nations and you yourself will not borrow.
37
14
1 Kings 8:43
אַתָּ֞ה תִּשְׁמַ֤ע הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מְכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַנָּכְרִ֑י
לְמַ֣עַן יֵדְעוּן֩ כָּל־עַמֵּ֨י הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֗ךָ לְיִרְאָ֤ה אֹֽתְךָ֙ כְּעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלָדַ֕עַת כִּי־שִׁמְךָ֣ נִקְרָ֔א עַל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי
43 The prayer of Solomon for the temple 28
46
2 Kings 19:15
וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל חִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָה֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים אַתָּה־ה֤וּא הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ לְבַדְּךָ֔ לְכֹ֖ל מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָאָ֑רֶץ
אַתָּ֣ה עָשִׂ֔יתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ
15 Hezekiah's prayer - reflects the Psalms 46
14
Isaiah 37:16
יְהוָ֨ה צְבָא֜וֹת אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב הַכְּרֻבִ֔ים אַתָּה־ה֤וּא הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ לְבַדְּךָ֔ לְכֹ֖ל מַמְלְכ֣וֹת הָאָ֑רֶץ
אַתָּ֣ה עָשִׂ֔יתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ
16 also reflecting the Psalms 34
14
Isaiah 42:5
כֹּֽה־אָמַ֞ר הָאֵ֣ל ׀ יְהוָ֗ה בּוֹרֵ֤א הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְנ֣וֹטֵיהֶ֔ם רֹקַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ וְצֶאֱצָאֶ֑יהָ
נֹתֵ֤ן נְשָׁמָה֙ לָעָ֣ם עָלֶ֔יהָ וְר֖וּחַ לַהֹלְכִ֥ים בָּֽהּ
5 reflecting Genesis 1 27
17
Isaiah 44:23-24
רָנּ֨וּ שָׁמַ֜יִם כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֣ה יְהוָ֗ה הָרִ֙יעוּ֙ תַּחְתִּיּ֣וֹת אָ֔רֶץ פִּצְח֤וּ הָרִים֙ רִנָּ֔ה יַ֖עַר וְכָל־עֵ֣ץ בּ֑וֹ
כִּֽי־גָאַ֤ל יְהוָה֙ יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב וּבְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִתְפָּאָֽר
23 Celebrating redemption - not to be missed! 28
14
כֹּֽה־אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ גֹּאֲלֶ֔ךָ וְיֹצֶרְךָ֖ מִבָּ֑טֶן
אָנֹכִ֤י יְהוָה֙ עֹ֣שֶׂה כֹּ֔ל נֹטֶ֤ה שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ לְבַדִּ֔י רֹקַ֥ע הָאָ֖רֶץ מֵאִתִּֽי
24 16
23
Isaiah 45:8, 12, 18
הַרְעִ֤יפוּ שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ מִמַּ֔עַל וּשְׁחָקִ֖ים יִזְּלוּ־צֶ֑דֶק
תִּפְתַּח־אֶ֣רֶץ וְיִפְרוּ־יֶ֗שַׁע וּצְדָקָ֤ה תַצְמִ֙יחַ֙ יַ֔חַד אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בְּרָאתִֽיו
8 Let the heavens drip from above and let the skies flow with righteousness.
Let the earth open, and let them be fruitful. And let salvation and righteousness grow as one.
I, Yahweh, I have created it.
14
23
אָֽנֹכִי֙ עָשִׂ֣יתִי אֶ֔רֶץ וְאָדָ֖ם עָלֶ֣יהָ בָרָ֑אתִי
אֲנִ֗י יָדַי֙ נָט֣וּ שָׁמַ֔יִם וְכָל־צְבָאָ֖ם צִוֵּֽיתִי
12 God's claim through Isaiah's mouth 17
16
כִּ֣י כֹ֣ה אָֽמַר־יְ֠הוָה בּוֹרֵ֨א הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם ה֣וּא הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים יֹצֵ֨ר הָאָ֤רֶץ וְעֹשָׂהּ֙ ה֣וּא כֽוֹנְנָ֔הּ לֹא־תֹ֥הוּ בְרָאָ֖הּ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת יְצָרָ֑הּ
אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה וְאֵ֥ין עֽוֹד
18 Isaiah's description 39
7
Isaiah 51:13
וַתִּשְׁכַּ֞ח יְהוָ֣ה עֹשֶׂ֗ךָ נוֹטֶ֣ה שָׁמַיִם֮ וְיֹסֵ֣ד אָרֶץ֒ וַתְּפַחֵ֨ד תָּמִ֜יד כָּל־הַיּ֗וֹם מִפְּנֵי֙ חֲמַ֣ת הַמֵּצִ֔יק כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר כּוֹנֵ֖ן לְהַשְׁחִ֑ית
וְאַיֵּ֖ה חֲמַ֥ת הַמֵּצִֽיק
13 Yahweh as maker 40
8
Isaiah 65:17
כִּֽי־הִנְנִ֥י בוֹרֵ֛א שָׁמַ֥יִם חֲדָשִׁ֖ים וָאָ֣רֶץ חֲדָשָׁ֑ה
וְלֹ֤א תִזָּכַ֙רְנָה֙ הָרִ֣אשֹׁנ֔וֹת וְלֹ֥א תַעֲלֶ֖ינָה עַל־לֵֽב
17 New heavens and earth 16
18
Isaiah 66:22
כִּ֣י כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם הַ֠חֳדָשִׁים וְהָאָ֨רֶץ הַחֲדָשָׁ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנִ֥י עֹשֶׂ֛ה עֹמְדִ֥ים לְפָנַ֖י נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה
כֵּ֛ן יַעֲמֹ֥ד זַרְעֲכֶ֖ם וְשִׁמְכֶֽם
22 34
10
Jeremiah 10:12-13
עֹשֵׂ֥ה אֶ֙רֶץ֙ בְּכֹח֔וֹ מֵכִ֥ין תֵּבֵ֖ל בְּחָכְמָת֑וֹ
וּבִתְבוּנָת֖וֹ נָטָ֥ה שָׁמָֽיִם
12 Making earth by his power, establishing world in his shrewdness,
and in his acumen, stretching out the heavens,
15
10
לְק֨וֹל תִּתּ֜וֹ הֲמ֥וֹן מַ֙יִם֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיַּעֲלֶ֥ה נְשִׂאִ֖ים מִקְצֵ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ
בְּרָקִ֤ים לַמָּטָר֙ עָשָׂ֔ה וַיּ֥וֹצֵא ר֖וּחַ מֵאֹצְרֹתָֽיו
13 a bit like Psalm 104 22
17
Jeremiah 31:37
כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה אִם־יִמַּ֤דּוּ שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ מִלְמַ֔עְלָה וְיֵחָקְר֥וּ מֽוֹסְדֵי־אֶ֖רֶץ לְמָ֑טָּה
גַּם־אֲנִ֞י אֶמְאַ֨ס בְּכָל־זֶ֧רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עַֽל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשׂ֖וּ נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה
37 consequences of the divine presence again 24
22
Jeremiah 32:17
אֲהָהּ֮ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִה֒ הִנֵּ֣ה ׀ אַתָּ֣ה עָשִׂ֗יתָ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וְאֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ בְּכֹֽחֲךָ֙ הַגָּד֔וֹל וּבִֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖ הַנְּטוּיָ֑ה
לֹֽא־יִפָּלֵ֥א מִמְּךָ֖ כָּל־דָּבָֽר
17 reflecting Psalms or Genesis 38
9
Jeremiah 51:15-16
עֹשֵׂ֥ה אֶ֙רֶץ֙ בְּכֹח֔וֹ מֵכִ֥ין תֵּבֵ֖ל בְּחָכְמָת֑וֹ
וּבִתְבוּנָת֖וֹ נָטָ֥ה שָׁמָֽיִם
15 =10:12 15
10
לְק֨וֹל תִּתּ֜וֹ הֲמ֥וֹן מַ֙יִם֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַיַּ֥עַל נְשִׂאִ֖ים מִקְצֵה־אָ֑רֶץ
בְּרָקִ֤ים לַמָּטָר֙ עָשָׂ֔ה וַיֹּ֥צֵא ר֖וּחַ מֵאֹצְרֹתָֽיו
16 =10:13 - a frame for ? 20
17
Psalms 102
לְ֭פָנִים הָאָ֣רֶץ יָסַ֑דְתָּ
וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדֶ֣יךָ שָׁמָֽיִם
26 in the face of the earth you founded,
and the deeds of your hands, the heavens.

9
10
Psalms 115
בְּרוּכִ֣ים אַ֭תֶּם לַיהוָ֑ה
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ
15 You are the blessed of Yahweh,
who makes heaven and earth.
7
7
Psalms 121
עֶ֭זְרִי מֵעִ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ
2 My help is from Yahweh
who makes heaven and earth.
6
7
Psalms 124
עֶ֭זְרֵנוּ בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ
8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh
who makes heaven and earth.
7
7
Psalms 134
יְבָרֶכְךָ֣ יְ֭הוָה מִצִּיּ֑וֹן
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ
3 Yahweh will bless you from Zion,
who makes heaven and earth.
9
7
Psalms 135
כֹּ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־חָפֵ֥ץ יְהוָ֗ה עָ֫שָׂ֥ה
בַּשָּׁמַ֥יִם וּבָאָ֑רֶץ
בַּ֝יַּמִּ֗ים וְכָל־תְּהוֹמֽוֹת
6 All that delighted Yahweh he did
in the heavens and in the earth
in the seas and all abysses,
9
7
8
Psalms 146
עֹשֶׂ֤ה ׀ שָׁ֘מַ֤יִם וָאָ֗רֶץ אֶת־הַיָּ֥ם וְאֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֑ם
הַשֹּׁמֵ֖ר אֱמֶ֣ת לְעוֹלָֽם
6 who makes heaven and earth, the sea
and all that is in them,
keeping truth forever,

16
8
Nehemiah 9:6
אַתָּה־ה֣וּא יְהוָה֮ לְבַדֶּךָ֒ אַתָּ֣ה עָשִׂ֡יתָ אֶֽת־הַשָּׁמַיִם֩ שְׁמֵ֨י הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם וְכָל־צְבָאָ֗ם הָאָ֜רֶץ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָלֶ֙יהָ֙ הַיַּמִּים֙ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּהֶ֔ם וְאַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑ם
וּצְבָ֥א הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לְךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים
6 Reflecting Psalms + some eastern philosophy? 56
11
2 Chronicles 2:11
וַיֹּאמֶר֮ חוּרָם֒ בָּר֤וּךְ יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ
אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַן֩ לְדָוִ֨יד הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ בֵּ֣ן חָכָ֗ם יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙ שֵׂ֣כֶל וּבִינָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִבְנֶה־בַּ֙יִת֙ לַיהוָ֔ה וּבַ֖יִת לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ
11 (12 English)  28
36
2 Chronicles 6:33
וְאַתָּ֞ה תִּשְׁמַ֤ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מִמְּכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַנָּכְרִ֑י
לְמַ֣עַן יֵדְעוּ֩ כָל־עַמֵּ֨י הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֗ךָ וּלְיִרְאָ֤ה אֹֽתְךָ֙ כְּעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלָדַ֕עַת כִּֽי־שִׁמְךָ֣ נִקְרָ֔א עַל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי
33 Solomon's prayer again 30
46
To summarize: heaven earth, doing/making/creating occur 4 times in Genesis. They are a frame for creation and a center (verse 26). Three times in Exodus - 2 in the Decalogue. Once in the instruction on the Sabbath. 3 instances in Deuteronomy - sermon, Decalogue, and the covenant chapter. Twice in Kings, 10 times in Isaiah, 6 in Jeremiah, 7 in the Psalms, and three more - Nehemiah and Chronicles, in the context of the temple. Where I have not translated below, you can hover over the link to see the English.

Tuesday 19 January 2016

1 Kings 15

More palace intrigue. The music is not without interest. Some of the ornaments seem to indicate astonishment at some of these actions, like the generosity of Yahweh contrasted with the bribery of Asa. Interesting also that the 'and there was war' verses are varied. But I am not pursuing this with too great alacrity.
 

1 Kings 15 Fn Min Max Syll
וּבִשְׁנַת֙ שְׁמֹנֶ֣ה עֶשְׂרֵ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יָרָבְעָ֣ם בֶּן־נְבָ֑ט
מָלַ֥ךְ אֲבִיָּ֖ם עַל־יְהוּדָֽה
1 And in year eighteen of king Jeroboam child of Nebat,
Abijam reigned over Judah.
3e 4B 17
9
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ מַעֲכָ֖ה בַּת־אֲבִישָׁלֽוֹם
2 Three years he reigned in Jerusalem,
and the name of his mother was Makah, the daughter of Abishalom.
3e 4B 10
12
וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ בְּכָל־חַטֹּ֥אות אָבִ֖יו אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֣ה לְפָנָ֑יו
וְלֹא־הָיָ֨ה לְבָב֤וֹ שָׁלֵם֙ עִם־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔יו כִּלְבַ֖ב דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽיו
3 And he walked in all the sins of his father that he did in his presence.
And his heart was not at peace with Yahweh his God as was the heart of David his father.
3e 4C 17
20
כִּ֚י לְמַ֣עַן דָּוִ֔ד נָתַן֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהָ֥יו ל֛וֹ נִ֖יר בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
לְהָקִ֤ים אֶת־בְּנוֹ֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וּֽלְהַעֲמִ֖יד אֶת־יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם
4 C But for the sake of David, Yahweh his God gave to him a lamp in Jerusalem,
to raise up his son after him and to give standing to Jerusalem.
3d 4C 19
18
אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֥ה דָוִ֛ד אֶת־הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה
וְלֹֽא־סָ֞ר מִכֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֗הוּ כֹּ֚ל יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֔יו רַ֕ק בִּדְבַ֖ר אוּרִיָּ֥ה הַחִתִּֽי
5 For David did what is upright in the eyes of Yahweh,
and was not stubborn about all that he commanded him all the days of his life, certainly in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
3d 4C 15
24
וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה הָיְתָ֧ה בֵין־רְחַבְעָ֛ם וּבֵ֥ין יָרָבְעָ֖ם כָּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיָּֽיו 6 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life. 3c 3g 20
וְיֶ֨תֶר דִּבְרֵ֤י אֲבִיָּם֙ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה הֲלֽוֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה
וּמִלְחָמָ֥ה הָיְתָ֛ה בֵּ֥ין אֲבִיָּ֖ם וּבֵ֥ין יָרָבְעָֽם
7 And the remaining words of Abijam and all that he undertook, are they not written in the record of the words of the days of the kings of Judah?
And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
3d 4C 34
15
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב אֲבִיָּם֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בְּעִ֣יר דָּוִ֑ד
וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אָסָ֥א בְנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו
8 And Abijam was laid out with his ancestors and they entombed him in the city of David,
and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
3d 4C 20
9
וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים לְיָרָבְעָ֖ם מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
מָלַ֥ךְ אָסָ֖א מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה
9 And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel,
Asa reigned, king of Judah.
3e 4B 14
9
וְאַרְבָּעִ֤ים וְאַחַת֙ שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ מַעֲכָ֖ה בַּת־אֲבִישָׁלֽוֹם
10 And forty one years he reigned in Jerusalem,
and the name of his mother was Makah, the daughter of Abishalom.
3e 4C 15
12
וַיַּ֧עַשׂ אָסָ֛א הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה
כְּדָוִ֖ד אָבִֽיו
11 And Asa did what is upright in the eyes of Yahweh,
as David his father.
3c 4B 13
5
וַיַּעֲבֵ֥ר הַקְּדֵשִׁ֖ים מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ
וַיָּ֙סַר֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַגִּלֻּלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשׂ֖וּ אֲבֹתָֽיו
12 And he passed through the sanctuaries in the land,
and he put aside all the figurines that his ancestors had made.
3e 4A 11
16
וְגַ֣ם ׀ אֶת־מַעֲכָ֣ה אִמּ֗וֹ וַיְסִרֶ֙הָ֙ מִגְּבִירָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשְׂתָ֥ה מִפְלֶ֖צֶת לָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה
וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת אָסָא֙ אֶת־מִפְלַצְתָּ֔הּ וַיִּשְׂרֹ֖ף בְּנַ֥חַל קִדְרֽוֹן
13 And moreover Makah his mother, he chastened her as queen-mother that she made a totem for her happiness.
And Asa cut off her totem and incinerated in the wadi Kidron.
3e 4C 26
17
וְהַבָּמ֖וֹת לֹא־סָ֑רוּ
רַ֣ק לְבַב־אָסָ֗א הָיָ֥ה שָׁלֵ֛ם עִם־יְהוָ֖ה כָּל־יָמָֽיו
14 But the high places they did not put aside.
But the heart of Asa was at peace with Yahweh all his days.
3d 4B 6
15
וַיָּבֵא֙ אֶת־קָדְשֵׁ֣י אָבִ֔יו וְקָדְשֵׁ֖י בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה
כֶּ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב וְכֵלִֽים
15 And he introduced the holy things of his father and the holy things of the house of Yahweh,
silver and gold and vessels.
3e 4B 14
8
וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה הָיְתָ֜ה בֵּ֣ין אָסָ֗א וּבֵ֛ין בַּעְשָׁ֥א מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כָּל־יְמֵיהֶֽם 16 And there war was between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. 3d 4B 22
וַיַּ֨עַל בַּעְשָׁ֤א מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ עַל־יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּ֖בֶן אֶת־הָרָמָ֑ה
לְבִלְתִּ֗י תֵּ֚ת יֹצֵ֣א וָבָ֔א לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה
17 And Baasha king of Israel went up to Judah and built Ramah,
so as to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.
3e 4C 21
16
וַיִּקַּ֣ח אָ֠סָא אֶת־כָּל־הַכֶּ֨סֶף וְהַזָּהָ֜ב הַֽנּוֹתָרִ֣ים ׀ בְּאוֹצְר֣וֹת בֵּית־יְהוָ֗ה וְאֶת־אֽוֹצְרוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּיַד־עֲבָדָ֑יו
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֞ם הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָסָ֗א אֶל־בֶּן־הֲ֠דַד בֶּן־טַבְרִמֹּ֤ן בֶּן־חֶזְיוֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֔ם הַיֹּשֵׁ֥ב בְּדַמֶּ֖שֶׂק לֵאמֹֽר
18 And Asa took all the silver and the gold that was remaining in the treasuries of the house of Yahweh and the treasuries of the house of the king and he gave them into the hand of his servants.
Then the king Asa sent them away to Benhadad child of Tabrimmon child of Hezion king of Aram who sat in Damascus, saying,
3e 4C 40
33
בְּרִית֙ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֔ךָ בֵּ֥ין אָבִ֖י וּבֵ֣ין אָבִ֑יךָ
הִנֵּה֩ שָׁלַ֨חְתִּֽי לְךָ֥ שֹׁ֙חַד֙ כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֔ב לֵ֣ךְ הָפֵ֗רָה אֶת־בְּרִֽיתְךָ֙ אֶת־בַּעְשָׁ֣א מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְיַעֲלֶ֖ה מֵעָלָֽי
19 A covenant between me and you, between my father and your father:
behold I send to you bribes of silver and gold. Go annul your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, and he will go up away from me.
3e 4B 16
37
וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע בֶּן־הֲדַ֜ד אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָסָ֗א וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֨י הַחֲיָלִ֤ים אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ֙ עַל־עָרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת־עִיּ֣וֹן וְאֶת־דָּ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת אָבֵ֣ל בֵּֽית־מַעֲכָ֑ה
וְאֵת֙ כָּל־כִּנְר֔וֹת עַ֖ל כָּל־אֶ֥רֶץ נַפְתָּלִֽי
20 And Benhadad heeded king Asa and he sent the chiefs of the forces that were his to the cities of Israel, and struck Ijon and Dan and Lament of the house of Makah,
and all Kinneroth over all the land of Naphtali.
3e 4C 47
12
וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ בַּעְשָׁ֔א וַיֶּחְדַּ֕ל מִבְּנ֖וֹת אֶת־הָֽרָמָ֑ה
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּתִרְצָֽה
21 And it happened as Baasha heard so he set aside the building of Ramah,
and settled in Tirzah.
3e 4B 16
6
וְהַמֶּ֨לֶךְ אָסָ֜א הִשְׁמִ֤יעַ אֶת־כָּל־יְהוּדָה֙ אֵ֣ין נָקִ֔י וַיִּשְׂא֞וּ אֶת־אַבְנֵ֤י הָֽרָמָה֙ וְאֶת־עֵצֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנָ֖ה בַּעְשָׁ֑א
וַיִּ֤בֶן בָּם֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אָסָ֔א אֶת־גֶּ֥בַע בִּנְיָמִ֖ן וְאֶת־הַמִּצְפָּֽה
22 Then the king Asa had broadcast through all Judah (none was exempted) and they lifted up the stones of Ramah and its timber that Baasha had built with,
and king Asa built with them the hillock of Benjamin and Mizpah.
3e 4C 37
20
וְיֶ֣תֶר כָּל־דִּבְרֵֽי־אָ֠סָא וְכָל־גְּב֨וּרָת֜וֹ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֗ה וְהֶֽעָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּנָ֔ה הֲלֹֽא־הֵ֣מָּה כְתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה
רַ֚ק לְעֵ֣ת זִקְנָת֔וֹ חָלָ֖ה אֶת־רַגְלָֽיו
23 And all the remaining words of Asa and all his valour and all that he undertook, the cities that he built, are they not written in the record of the words of the days of the kings of Judah?
But in the time of his old age, he was twisted in his feet.
3d 4C 47
11
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֤ב אָסָא֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו וַיִּקָּבֵר֙ עִם־אֲבֹתָ֔יו בְּעִ֖יר דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑יו
וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ יְהוֹשָׁפָ֥ט בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו
24 And Asa was laid out with his ancestors and was entombed with his ancestors in the city of David his father,
and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.
3d 4C 23
11
וְנָדָ֣ב בֶּן־יָרָבְעָ֗ם מָלַךְ֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שְׁתַּ֔יִם לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה
וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שְׁנָתָֽיִם
25 And Nadab child of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah,
and reigned over Israel two years.
3e 4B 25
11
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ אָבִ֔יו וּ֨בְחַטָּאת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
26 And he did evil in the eyes of Yahweh.
And he walked in the way of his father and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
3e 4B 10
21
וַיִּקְשֹׁ֨ר עָלָ֜יו בַּעְשָׁ֤א בֶן־אֲחִיָּה֙ לְבֵ֣ית יִשָּׂשכָ֔ר וַיַּכֵּ֣הוּ בַעְשָׁ֔א בְּגִבְּת֖וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים
וְנָדָב֙ וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל צָרִ֖ים עַֽל־גִּבְּתֽוֹן
27 And Baasha child of Achiyah of the house of Issachar colluded against him and Baasha struck Gibbethon (that was Philistine),
while Nadab and all Israel were besieging Gibbethon.
3e 4C 30
13
וַיְמִתֵ֣הוּ בַעְשָׁ֔א בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שָׁלֹ֔שׁ לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה
וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תַּחְתָּֽיו
28 And Baasha had him die in the third year of Asa king of Judah,
and he reigned in his stead.
3e 4B 18
5
וַיְהִ֣י כְמָלְכ֗וֹ הִכָּה֙ אֶת־כָּל־בֵּ֣ית יָרָבְעָ֔ם לֹֽא־הִשְׁאִ֧יר כָּל־נְשָׁמָ֛ה לְיָרָבְעָ֖ם עַד־הִשְׁמִד֑וֹ
כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַד־עַבְדּ֖וֹ אֲחִיָּ֥ה הַשִּׁילֹנִֽי
29 And it happened as he reigned, he struck all the house of Jeroboam. He did not leave a residue of any breath-bearing to Jeroboam till he exterminated him,
according to the word of Yahweh, who spoke by the hand of his servant Achiyah, the Shilonite,
3c 4B 28
19
עַל־חַטֹּ֤אות יָרָבְעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֔א וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
בְּכַעְס֕וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִכְעִ֔יס אֶת־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
30 over the sins of Jeroboam who did sin and who made Israel to sin,
in his grievous behaviour with which he grieved Yahweh the God of Israel.
3e 4C 21
16
וְיֶ֛תֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י נָדָ֖ב וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה
הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם כְּתוּבִ֗ים עַל־סֵ֛פֶר דִּבְרֵ֥י הַיָּמִ֖ים לְמַלְכֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
31 And the remaining words of Nadab, and all that he undertook,
are they not written in the record of the words of the days of the kings of Israel?
3d 4B 13
20
וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה הָיְתָ֜ה בֵּ֣ין אָסָ֗א וּבֵ֛ין בַּעְשָׁ֥א מֶֽלֶךְ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כָּל־יְמֵיהֶֽם 32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, all their days. 3d 4B 22
בִּשְׁנַ֣ת שָׁלֹ֔שׁ לְאָסָ֖א מֶ֣לֶךְ יְהוּדָ֑ה
מָ֠לַךְ בַּעְשָׁ֨א בֶן־אֲחִיָּ֤ה עַל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּתִרְצָ֔ה עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאַרְבַּ֖ע שָׁנָֽה
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah,
Baasha child of Achiyah reigned over all Israel in Tirzah twenty four years.
3e 4C 12
23
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ יָרָבְעָ֔ם וּ֨בְחַטָּאת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱטִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
34 And he did evil in the eyes of Yahweh,
and he walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin with which he made Israel to sin.
3e 4B 10
22

Sanctus, Isaiah 6:3

What do these verses have in common?
Genesis 37:28, Genesis 38:21, Exodus 12:46, Exodus 13:19, Exodus 15:19, Exodus 17:7, Exodus 27:11, Exodus 33:19, Exodus 34:31, Leviticus 7:29, Leviticus 23:34, Leviticus 25:33, Numbers 11:29, Numbers 26:1, Deuteronomy 11:13, Deuteronomy 26:7, Deuteronomy 28:11, Deuteronomy 28:48, Joshua 19:29, Judges 8:27, Judges 9:18, Judges 16:28, 1 Samuel 3:11, 1 Samuel 6:6, 1 Samuel 6:7, 1 Samuel 7:9, 1 Samuel 12:18, 1 Samuel 23:26, 1 Samuel 24:10, 1 Samuel 26:10, 2 Samuel 14:4, 2 Samuel 19:8, 2 Samuel 23:10, 1 Kings 9:21, 2 Kings 7:17, Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 56:3, Jeremiah 23:7, Jeremiah 25:15, Jeremiah 40:4, Jeremiah 42:4, Jeremiah 49:29, Jeremiah 50:4, Ezekiel 10:19, Ezekiel 41:16, Haggai 2:20, Ruth 1:8, Lamentations 1:17, Esther 2:14, Daniel 1:8, Daniel 2:23, Ezra 7:28, 2 Chronicles 9:2, 2 Chronicles 12:7, 2 Chronicles 17:5, 2 Chronicles 29:31

They share this musical pattern: high C with ornaments qadma, zaqen qatan, followed by an octave leap down to low c, like the octave leap down in the bass part in the Sanctus by Bach in his B minor mass.

Notice Isaiah 6:3, the origin of the Sanctus, among these. (For new readers, the fourth column is a syllable count for the Hebrew, before and after the atnach.)

I suppose it wouldn't surprise you that I am running too fast. My software is finding questions in my readings and I must answer them. The domain analysis is very trying at times. It governs my control of concordance and distinction of some homonyms. While the known unknowns are reducing, the unknown unknowns are increasing, and creeping up behind me. So occasionally I must retreat and pay attention to my rearguard algorithms.

This chapter is so familiar - yet also so strange. The imagery of kindling is obscured by the traditional translation. Have you used that tree for kindling. It is a natural fire-starter. A tessellation is like a piece of the pavement. Live coal is possible but strikes me as complete guesswork that is now taken as accurate. That's what happens in translation.

e B c d f g B ^A g f e e C c d f g ^A B d f g f e e C c d g B ^A f g e e B g ^A g f e e B e B C e B g ^A d f g f e e B g ^A g f e e B d f g ^A B g e e C f g B e ^A g f e e f g B ^A C f g e e B f g B ^A B f d g f e e g ^A B g f e e f g ^A f g f e f B g B ^A B C B f g e
Isaiah 6 Fn Min Max Syll
בִּשְׁנַת־מוֹת֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ עֻזִּיָּ֔הוּ וָאֶרְאֶ֧ה אֶת־אֲדֹנָ֛י יֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֖א רָ֣ם וְנִשָּׂ֑א
וְשׁוּלָ֖יו מְלֵאִ֥ים אֶת־הַהֵיכָֽל
1 In the year of the death of the king Uzziah, and I saw my Lord sitting on a throne exalted and lifted up,
and his skirts filled the temple.
3c 4B 26
10
שְׂרָפִ֨ים עֹמְדִ֤ים ׀ מִמַּ֙עַל֙ ל֔וֹ שֵׁ֧שׁ כְּנָפַ֛יִם שֵׁ֥שׁ כְּנָפַ֖יִם לְאֶחָ֑ד
בִּשְׁתַּ֣יִם ׀ יְכַסֶּ֣ה פָנָ֗יו וּבִשְׁתַּ֛יִם יְכַסֶּ֥ה רַגְלָ֖יו וּבִשְׁתַּ֥יִם יְעוֹפֵֽף
2 Seraphim were standing above it. Six wings, six wings for each one.
With two he covers his face and with two he covers his feet and with two he flies.
3c 4C 20
21
וְקָרָ֨א זֶ֤ה אֶל־זֶה֙ וְאָמַ֔ר קָד֧וֹשׁ ׀ קָד֛וֹשׁ קָד֖וֹשׁ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת
מְלֹ֥א כָל־הָאָ֖רֶץ כְּבוֹדֽוֹ
3 And this one called to this one and said, Holy, holy, holy is Yahweh of hosts.
Full is all the earth of his glory.
3c 4C 20
9
וַיָּנֻ֙עוּ֙ אַמּ֣וֹת הַסִּפִּ֔ים מִקּ֖וֹל הַקּוֹרֵ֑א
וְהַבַּ֖יִת יִמָּלֵ֥א עָשָֽׁן
4 And the cubits of the threshold tottered from the voice of the one calling,
and the house was filled with smoke.
3e 4B 14
9
וָאֹמַ֞ר אֽוֹי־לִ֣י כִֽי־נִדְמֵ֗יתִי כִּ֣י אִ֤ישׁ טְמֵֽא־שְׂפָתַ֙יִם֙ אָנֹ֔כִי וּבְתוֹךְ֙ עַם־טְמֵ֣א שְׂפָתַ֔יִם אָנֹכִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֑ב
כִּ֗י אֶת־הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת רָא֥וּ עֵינָֽי
5 And I said, Woe is mine, for I am undone, for a person of unclean lips I am, and among a people of unclean lips I myself sit,
for the king, Yahweh of hosts, my eyes have seen.
3d 4C 33
14
וַיָּ֣עָף אֵלַ֗י אֶחָד֙ מִן־הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וּבְיָד֖וֹ רִצְפָּ֑ה
בְּמֶ֨לְקַחַ֔יִם לָקַ֖ח מֵעַ֥ל הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ
6 And one from the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand a tessellation,
in the tongs, he took from the altar.
3e 4B 16
12
וַיַּגַּ֣ע עַל־פִּ֔י וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּ֛ה נָגַ֥ע זֶ֖ה עַל־שְׂפָתֶ֑יךָ
וְסָ֣ר עֲוֺנֶ֔ךָ וְחַטָּאתְךָ֖ תְּכֻפָּֽר
7 And he touched on my mouth and he said, Behold this has touched on your lips,
and your iniquity is put aside and your sin is covered over.
3d 4B 18
13
וָאֶשְׁמַ֞ע אֶת־ק֤וֹל אֲדֹנָי֙ אֹמֵ֔ר אֶת־מִ֥י אֶשְׁלַ֖ח וּמִ֣י יֵֽלֶךְ־לָ֑נוּ
וָאֹמַ֖ר הִנְנִ֥י שְׁלָחֵֽנִי
8 And I heard the voice of my Lord, saying, Whom will I send, and who will go for us?
And I said, Here am I. Send me.
3e 4C 20
9
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לֵ֥ךְ וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה
שִׁמְע֤וּ שָׁמ֙וֹעַ֙ וְאַל־תָּבִ֔ינוּ וּרְא֥וּ רָא֖וֹ וְאַל־תֵּדָֽעוּ
9 And he said. Go, and you will say to this people,
You hear, to hear, and you have no discernment. And you see, to see, and you have no knowledge.
3e 4C 12
19
הַשְׁמֵן֙ לֵב־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְאָזְנָ֥יו הַכְבֵּ֖ד וְעֵינָ֣יו הָשַׁ֑ע
פֶּן־יִרְאֶ֨ה בְעֵינָ֜יו וּבְאָזְנָ֣יו יִשְׁמָ֗ע וּלְבָב֥וֹ יָבִ֛ין וָשָׁ֖ב וְרָ֥פָא לֽוֹ
10 Make dense the heart of this people and make its ear heavy and its eyes muddy,
lest it see with its eyes and with its ears hear and its heart discern and turn and it be healed.
3d 4B 17
22
וָאֹמַ֕ר עַד־מָתַ֖י אֲדֹנָ֑י
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר עַ֣ד אֲשֶׁר֩ אִם־שָׁא֨וּ עָרִ֜ים מֵאֵ֣ין יוֹשֵׁ֗ב וּבָתִּים֙ מֵאֵ֣ין אָדָ֔ם וְהָאֲדָמָ֖ה תִּשָּׁאֶ֥ה שְׁמָמָֽה
11 And I said, How long, my Lord?
And he said, Until that the noisy cities are without inhabitant, and houses without humanity, and the humus is noised as desolate,
3e 4B 9
33
וְרִחַ֥ק יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־הָאָדָ֑ם
וְרַבָּ֥ה הָעֲזוּבָ֖ה בְּקֶ֥רֶב הָאָֽרֶץ
12 and Yahweh has put far the human,
and the frequent disavowal within the land.
3e 4A 9
13
וְע֥וֹד בָּהּ֙ עֲשִׂ֣רִיָּ֔ה וְשָׁ֖בָה וְהָיְתָ֣ה לְבָעֵ֑ר
כָּאֵלָ֣ה וְכָאַלּ֗וֹן אֲשֶׁ֤ר בְּשַׁלֶּ֙כֶת֙ מַצֶּ֣בֶת בָּ֔ם זֶ֥רַע קֹ֖דֶשׁ מַצַּבְתָּֽהּ
13 f But yet in her is a tenth, and it will return, and she will be for kindling,
as a turpentine tree and as an oak that in being cast down have a monument in them. The seed of the holy is from her monument.
3e 4C 16
24

Saturday 16 January 2016

Isaiah 20

Another short chapter, but with an interesting last verse where I hope the music clarifies what the text seems to be saying. What do you think?
And here's my reading of Isaiah's sign - hope for his sake that he did this sign for short periods of time in the summer, and not for three years in one stretch.

... another day, another chapter
.
Isaiah 20 Fn Min Max Syll
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת בֹּ֤א תַרְתָּן֙ אַשְׁדּ֔וֹדָה בִּשְׁלֹ֣ח אֹת֔וֹ סַֽרְג֖וֹן מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר
וַיִּלָּ֥חֶם בְּאַשְׁדּ֖וֹד וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ
1 In the year the field marshall came to Ashdod, when Sargon king of Ashur sent him,
and fought against Ashdod and conquered it,
3e 4C 18
11
בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהוָה֮ בְּיַ֣ד יְשַׁעְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־אָמוֹץ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ לֵ֗ךְ וּפִתַּחְתָּ֤ הַשַּׂק֙ מֵעַ֣ל מָתְנֶ֔יךָ וְנַעַלְךָ֥ תַחֲלֹ֖ץ מֵעַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֑יךָ
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ כֵּ֔ן הָלֹ֖ךְ עָר֥וֹם וְיָחֵֽף
2 At that time Yahweh spoke by the hand of Isaiah, child of Amoz, saying, Go and open the sackcloth from your waist, and rescue your shoe from your feet.
And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
3e 4C 43
11
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלַ֛ךְ עַבְדִּ֥י יְשַׁעְיָ֖הוּ עָר֣וֹם וְיָחֵ֑ף
שָׁלֹ֤שׁ שָׁנִים֙ א֣וֹת וּמוֹפֵ֔ת עַל־מִצְרַ֖יִם וְעַל־כּֽוּשׁ
3 And Yahweh said, As my servant Isaiah walks naked and barefoot,
three years a sign and portent over Egypt and over Cush,
3d 4C 21
14
כֵּ֣ן יִנְהַ֣ג מֶֽלֶךְ־אַ֠שּׁוּר אֶת־שְׁבִ֨י מִצְרַ֜יִם וְאֶת־גָּל֥וּת כּ֛וּשׁ נְעָרִ֥ים וּזְקֵנִ֖ים עָר֣וֹם וְיָחֵ֑ף
וַחֲשׂוּפַ֥י שֵׁ֖ת עֶרְוַ֥ת מִצְרָֽיִם
4 B So will the king of Ashur lead away captives of Egypt and exiles of Cush, youngsters and the aged, naked and barefoot,
and fundamentals stripped, Egypt exposed.
3d 4B 28
10
וְחַתּ֖וּ וָבֹ֑שׁוּ
מִכּוּשׁ֙ מַבָּטָ֔ם וּמִן־מִצְרַ֖יִם תִּפְאַרְתָּֽם
5 And they will be dismayed and ashamed,
from Cush taking note of them and from their Egyptian adornment.
3e 4A 6
12
וְ֠אָמַר יֹשֵׁ֨ב הָאִ֣י הַזֶּה֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַהוּא֒ הִנֵּה־כֹ֣ה מַבָּטֵ֗נוּ אֲשֶׁר־נַ֤סְנוּ שָׁם֙ לְעֶזְרָ֔ה לְהִ֨נָּצֵ֔ל מִפְּנֵ֖י מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֑וּר
וְאֵ֖יךְ נִמָּלֵ֥ט אֲנָֽחְנוּ
6 ~ And the inhabitant of this coast in that day will say, Behold, thus our notice that we make a haven there for help to be delivered from the presence of the king of Ashur?
So how will we escape ourselves?
3e 4C 38
8

Friday 15 January 2016

Refugee Movie Night at Sir James Douglas School

Sir James Douglas School is holding a fundraising Movie Night on behalf of several refugee sponsorship groups. All the information is here. And there’s lots of info there: suggested donation, which groups are supported, and a donation form.

Isaiah 4 - refuge - compared with Psalm 2

What constitutes a chapter? That's a question. We know what a verse is because of the music. It's not one or two or three sentences, it is a presence made one by a musical phrase. It may be a fragment of a sentence or it may be several. Poetry verses are shorter, but prose ones are typically longer. Both have pulse.
Isaiah 4 Fn Min Max
וְהֶחֱזִיקוּ֩ שֶׁ֨בַע נָשִׁ֜ים בְּאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֗ד בַּיּ֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לַחְמֵ֣נוּ נֹאכֵ֔ל וְשִׂמְלָתֵ֖נוּ נִלְבָּ֑שׁ
רַ֗ק יִקָּרֵ֤א שִׁמְךָ֙ עָלֵ֔ינוּ אֱסֹ֖ף חֶרְפָּתֵֽנוּ
1 And seven women will be resolved on one man in that day, saying, Our bread we will eat and with our shawl we will be clothed,
but let your name be called over us to gather our reproach.
3e 4C
בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא יִֽהְיֶה֙ צֶ֣מַח יְהוָ֔ה לִצְבִ֖י וּלְכָב֑וֹד
וּפְרִ֤י הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ לְגָא֣וֹן וּלְתִפְאֶ֔רֶת לִפְלֵיטַ֖ת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
2 B In that day the sprout of Yahweh will be for status and for glory,
and the fruit of the earth for pride and for adornment for those who are secure of Israel.
3e 4C
וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ הַנִּשְׁאָ֣ר בְּצִיּ֗וֹן וְהַנּוֹתָר֙ בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם קָד֖וֹשׁ יֵאָ֣מֶר ל֑וֹ
כָּל־הַכָּת֥וּב לַחַיִּ֖ים בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם
3 And it will be that the residue in Zion and the remaining in Jerusalem will be pronounced holy to him,
all those written of the living in Jerusalem.
3e 4B
אִ֣ם ׀ רָחַ֣ץ אֲדֹנָ֗י אֵ֚ת צֹאַ֣ת בְּנוֹת־צִיּ֔וֹן וְאֶת־דְּמֵ֥י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם יָדִ֣יחַ מִקִּרְבָּ֑הּ
בְּר֥וּחַ מִשְׁפָּ֖ט וּבְר֥וּחַ בָּעֵֽר
4 B When my Lord washes the filth of the daughters of Zion and rinses the blood of Jerusalem from within her,
by the spirit of judgment and in the spirit of kindling.
3e 4C
וּבָרָ֣א יְהוָ֡ה עַל֩ כָּל־מְכ֨וֹן הַר־צִיּ֜וֹן וְעַל־מִקְרָאֶ֗הָ עָנָ֤ן ׀ יוֹמָם֙ וְעָשָׁ֔ן וְנֹ֛גַהּ אֵ֥שׁ לֶהָבָ֖ה לָ֑יְלָה
כִּ֥י עַל־כָּל־כָּב֖וֹד חֻפָּֽה
5 And Yahweh will create over every establishment of the hill of Zion and over her convocations a cloud by day and smoke and illumination of a flaming fire by night,
for over all glory is a canopy.
3d 4C
וְסֻכָּ֛ה תִּהְיֶ֥ה לְצֵל־יוֹמָ֖ם מֵחֹ֑רֶב
וּלְמַחְסֶה֙ וּלְמִסְתּ֔וֹר מִזֶּ֖רֶם וּמִמָּטָֽר
6 And a booth will be for a shadow by day from the desert,
and for a refuge and a hiding place from inundation and rain.
3d 4A

Let the spirit of kindling remind you of Psalm 2. It is only a hint of anger.
Just look at the shared words in these two sections:
ביום in day
ISA 4:1יום
לאמר saying
ISA 4:1אמר
ביום in day
ISA 4:2יום
הארץ the earth
ISA 4:2ארץ
בציון in Zion
ISA 4:3ציון
קדושׁ holy
ISA 4:3קדשׁ
יאמר will be pronounced
ISA 4:3אמר
כל all
ISA 4:3כל
אדני my Lord
ISA 4:4אדון
ציון Zion
ISA 4:4ציון
משׁפט judgment
ISA 4:4שׁפט
בער kindling
ISA 4:4בער
כל every
ISA 4:5כל
הר the hill of
ISA 4:5הר
ציון Zion
ISA 4:5ציון
יומם by day
ISA 4:5יום
כל all
ISA 4:5כל
יומם by day
ISA 4:6יום
ולמחסה and for a refuge
ISA 4:6חסה
ארץ earth
PSA 2:2ארץ
אדני my Lord
PSA 2:4אדון
ציון Zion
PSA 2:6ציון
הר hill
PSA 2:6הר
קדשׁי my holy
PSA 2:6קדשׁ
אמר he promised
PSA 2:7אמר
היום this day
PSA 2:7יום
ארץ the earth
PSA 2:8ארץ
שׁפטי you who judge
PSA 2:10שׁפט
ארץ earth
PSA 2:10ארץ
יבער he kindles
PSA 2:12בער
כל all
PSA 2:12כל
חוסי who take refuge
PSA 2:12חסה
Where is your / our refuge?