Esther 7

Fraught with anticipation, (leap of the 6th to high C), Haman and the king come to have a cup of tea with the queen.

Esther 7		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיָּבֹ֤א הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהָמָ֔ן לִשְׁתּ֖וֹת עִם־אֶסְתֵּ֥ר הַמַּלְכָּֽה	1		And the king and Haman came to imbibe with Esther the queen.	3e	4C	17
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ לְאֶסְתֵּ֜ר גַּ֣ם בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשֵּׁנִי֙ בְּמִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן מַה־שְּׁאֵלָתֵ֛ךְ אֶסְתֵּ֥ר הַמַּלְכָּ֖ה וְתִנָּ֣תֵֽן לָ֑ךְ וּמַה־בַּקָּשָׁתֵ֛ךְ עַד־חֲצִ֥י הַמַּלְכ֖וּת וְתֵעָֽשׂ	2		And the king said to Esther, Even by the second day in the imbibing of the wine, What is your request, queen Esther? And it will be given to you. Or what is your demand? To half of the royal estates? And it will be done.	3d	4C	35 15
וַתַּ֨עַן אֶסְתֵּ֤ר הַמַּלְכָּה֙ וַתֹּאמַ֔ר אִם־מָצָ֨אתִי חֵ֤ן בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְאִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ ט֑וֹב תִּנָּֽתֶן־לִ֤י נַפְשִׁי֙ בִּשְׁאֵ֣לָתִ֔י וְעַמִּ֖י בְּבַקָּשָׁתִֽי	3		And Esther the queen answered and she said, If I have found grace in your eyes, O king, and if to the king it is good, let my very self be given to me at my request, and my people, at my demand.	3e	4C	30 18
כִּ֤י נִמְכַּ֙רְנוּ֙ אֲנִ֣י וְעַמִּ֔י לְהַשְׁמִ֖יד לַהֲר֣וֹג וּלְאַבֵּ֑ד וְ֠אִלּוּ לַעֲבָדִ֨ים וְלִשְׁפָח֤וֹת נִמְכַּ֙רְנוּ֙ הֶחֱרַ֔שְׁתִּי כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין הַצָּ֛ר שֹׁוֶ֖ה בְּנֵ֥זֶק הַמֶּֽלֶךְ	4	C	For we are sold, I and my people, to be exterminated and to be slain and to perish. If though, as manservants and as handmaidens, we were to be sold, I would have kept silent, for there is no foe considered equal to the affront of the king.	3d	4C	18 30
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לְאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֑ה מִ֣י ה֥וּא זֶה֙ וְאֵֽי־זֶ֣ה ה֔וּא אֲשֶׁר־מְלָא֥וֹ לִבּ֖וֹ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת כֵּֽן	5		And the king Ahasuerus said, (and saying to Esther the queen), Who is this he and where is this he, whose heart is filled to do such?	3e	4B	19 18
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר־אֶסְתֵּ֔ר אִ֚ישׁ צַ֣ר וְאוֹיֵ֔ב הָמָ֥ן הָרָ֖ע הַזֶּ֑ה וְהָמָ֣ן נִבְעַ֔ת מִלִּפְנֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְהַמַּלְכָּֽה	6		And Esther said, The person who is foe and enemy is this evil Haman. And Haman was alarmed from the presence of the king and the queen.	3e	4C	16 15
וְהַמֶּ֜לֶךְ קָ֤ם בַּחֲמָתוֹ֙ מִמִּשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֔יִן אֶל־גִּנַּ֖ת הַבִּיתָ֑ן וְהָמָ֣ן עָמַ֗ד לְבַקֵּ֤שׁ עַל־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ מֵֽאֶסְתֵּ֣ר הַמַּלְכָּ֔ה כִּ֣י רָאָ֔ה כִּֽי־כָלְתָ֥ה אֵלָ֛יו הָרָעָ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ת הַמֶּֽלֶךְ	7		But the king arose in his heat from the imbibing of the wine, to the garden of the mansion, and Haman stood to seek for his very self from Esther the queen, when he saw that the evil was finished for him from the king.	3d	4C	20 33
וְהַמֶּ֡לֶךְ שָׁב֩ מִגִּנַּ֨ת הַבִּיתָ֜ן אֶל־בֵּ֣ית ׀ מִשְׁתֵּ֣ה הַיַּ֗יִן וְהָמָן֙ נֹפֵ֔ל עַל־הַמִּטָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶסְתֵּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ הֲ֠גַם לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ אֶת־הַמַּלְכָּ֛ה עִמִּ֖י בַּבָּ֑יִת הַדָּבָ֗ר יָצָא֙ מִפִּ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וּפְנֵ֥י הָמָ֖ן חָפֽוּ	8		But the king returned from the garden of the mansion to the house of the imbibing of the wine, and Haman was fallen on the couch that Esther was on. And said the king, Will he even take control of the queen who is with me in the house? The word goes out from the mouth of the king and the face of Haman is hooded.	3c	4B	52 16
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר חַ֠רְבוֹנָה אֶחָ֨ד מִן־הַסָּרִיסִ֜ים לִפְנֵ֣י הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ גַּ֣ם הִנֵּה־הָעֵ֣ץ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֪ה הָמָ֟ן לְֽמָרְדֳּכַ֞י אֲשֶׁ֧ר דִּבֶּר־ט֣וֹב עַל־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ עֹמֵד֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הָמָ֔ן גָּבֹ֖הַּ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּ֑ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ תְּלֻ֥הוּ עָלָֽיו	9		And Harbonah, one of the eunuchs in the presence of the king, said, Also note well the tree that Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good for the king. It stands in the house of Haman, of stature fifty cubits. And the king said, Hang him on it.	3c	4B	56 11
וַיִּתְלוּ֙ אֶת־הָמָ֔ן עַל־הָעֵ֖ץ אֲשֶׁר־הֵכִ֣ין לְמָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַחֲמַ֥ת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ שָׁכָֽכָה פ	10		And Haman was hanged on the tree which he had prepared for Mordecai, and the heat of the king subsided.	3e	4B	17 10

Voldemort and Harry Potter - so Mordecai and Haman? two who share a desire for life, but one whose desire is at the expense of 'the other'. (Can we see any of this in the current climate?)

It is the evil that is hung on the scaffold, itself not redeemed but destroyed. If one desires power and another loses thereby, the one who achieves power loses the cooperation and motivation of the other. This can happen in very simple relationships, nothing so complex as politics. But elections and games have a winner. If, however, the winner wins at the expense of the loser, there is no possibility for good governance. The evil of a life that seeks the destruction of the other must itself be destroyed. I can't get around the need for destruction. Haman is not resurrected. Neither is the sin that is destroyed on the cross in the Christian proclamation. If we have died to sin, how can we continue in it? asks the Apostle.

Evil is also a problem to religion in general. It must be faced. It is not something that can be ignored in any complete theological thinking.

Note in verse 9 the florid singing ability of the eunuch and the abrupt dismissal of Haman by the king. 56 elaborate syllables in the first part of the verse before the atnah and 11 after in the dismissal.

And Harbonah, one of the eunuchs in the presence of the king, said, Also note well the tree that Haman made for Mordecai who spoke good for the king. It stands in the house of Haman, of stature fifty cubits.
And the king said, Hang him on it.

Hosea 10

Question in verse 3 - response in the last verse (15). Play on words between Bethel and Bethaven. House of God and House of Mischief. Extended harvesting metaphor. 22 words occur exactly twice, 11 more than twice. Complex image - deliberate, but not poetry. Play on the calf - an idol or Ephraim itself, two iniquities - reflecting each other.

So what we reap is what we sow. If we sow (in this case) to militarism, we will reap the same in our own streets. If we sow (as here also) to idolatry, whether or mammon or flesh, we will reap shame and venomous judgment. There are no priests (כהן) in this chapter. There are in chapters 4 to 6, but not here - so ascetic is the gloss I chose. (Ephraim can't blame its trouble on a hierarchy.) There were many pebbles to stumble over in this chapter. Perhaps I have not punted them all away yet. Always take care where you walk. Sometimes I stumble on a plain path.

Hosea 10		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
גֶּ֤פֶן בּוֹקֵק֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל פְּרִ֖י יְשַׁוֶּה־לּ֑וֹ כְּרֹ֣ב לְפִרְי֗וֹ הִרְבָּה֙ לַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת כְּט֣וֹב לְאַרְצ֔וֹ הֵיטִ֖יבוּ מַצֵּבֽוֹת	1	C	A vine evacuated is Israel, fruit conferred for itself, As the multitude of its fruit, so is the multitude of altars. As good as its land, is the good of monuments.	3e	4C	13 22
חָלַ֥ק לִבָּ֖ם עַתָּ֣ה יֶאְשָׁ֑מוּ ה֚וּא יַעֲרֹ֣ף מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֔ם יְשֹׁדֵ֖ד מַצֵּבוֹתָֽם	2		Divided in their heart, now they bear their guilt. He, he will break the nape of their altars. He will devastate their monuments.	3e	4C	9 15
כִּ֤י עַתָּה֙ יֹֽאמְר֔וּ אֵ֥ין מֶ֖לֶךְ לָ֑נוּ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יָרֵ֙אנוּ֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מַה־יַּֽעֲשֶׂה־לָּֽנוּ	3	C	For now they say, There is no king for us, for we did not fear Yahweh. But what will the king do for us?	3e	4C	10 19
דִּבְּר֣וּ דְבָרִ֔ים אָל֥וֹת שָׁ֖וְא כָּרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֑ית וּפָרַ֤ח כָּרֹאשׁ֙ מִשְׁפָּ֔ט עַ֖ל תַּלְמֵ֥י שָׂדָֽי	4		They have spoken words of vain imprecation to cut a covenant, so judgment flourishes as venom over the ridges of the field.	3e	4C	12 12
לְעֶגְלוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית אָ֔וֶן יָג֖וּרוּ שְׁכַ֣ן שֹֽׁמְר֑וֹן כִּי־אָבַ֨ל עָלָ֜יו עַמּ֗וֹ וּכְמָרָיו֙ עָלָ֣יו יָגִ֔ילוּ עַל־כְּבוֹד֖וֹ כִּֽי־גָלָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנּוּ	5		The Samaritan neighbours will be in awe of the calf of Bethaven [House of mischief], for its people lament over it and its ascetics rejoice over it, over its glory, for it is exiled from them.	3e	4B	13 23
גַּם־אוֹתוֹ֙ לְאַשּׁ֣וּר יוּבָ֔ל מִנְחָ֖ה לְמֶ֣לֶךְ יָרֵ֑ב בָּשְׁנָה֙ אֶפְרַ֣יִם יִקָּ֔ח וְיֵב֥וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵעֲצָתֽוֹ	6		Moreover it to Ashur is escorted, a gift to the king Jareb. Shame Ephraim receives, and Israel is ashamed from its own counsel.	3e	4B	15 16
נִדְמֶ֥ה שֹׁמְר֖וֹן מַלְכָּ֑הּ כְּקֶ֖צֶף עַל־פְּנֵי־מָֽיִם	7		Undone is Samaria, her king, as raging foam on the surface of water.	3e	4A	6 7
וְנִשְׁמְד֞וּ בָּמ֣וֹת אָ֗וֶן חַטַּאת֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל ק֣וֹץ וְדַרְדַּ֔ר יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל־מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֑ם וְאָמְר֤וּ לֶֽהָרִים֙ כַּסּ֔וּנוּ וְלַגְּבָע֖וֹת נִפְל֥וּ עָלֵֽינוּ ס	8		And exterminated are the high places of mischief, the sin of Israel. Bramble and thistle will come up on their altars, and they will say to the hills, Cover us, and to the hillocks, Fall upon us.	3e	4C	25 19
מִימֵי֙ הַגִּבְעָ֔ה חָטָ֖אתָ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל שָׁ֣ם עָמָ֔דוּ לֹֽא־תַשִּׂיגֵ֧ם בַּגִּבְעָ֛ה מִלְחָמָ֖ה עַל־בְּנֵ֥י עַֽלְוָֽה	9		From the days of Gibeah, Israel has sinned. There they stood. In Gibeah, war did not overtake them against the children of injustice.	3c	4B	11 18
בְּאַוָּתִ֖י וְאֶסֳּרֵ֑ם וְאֻסְּפ֤וּ עֲלֵיהֶם֙ עַמִּ֔ים בְּאָסְרָ֖ם לִשְׁתֵּ֥י עוֹנֹתָֽם	10		...In my desire that I would chasten them? And peoples gather against them in their bonds to their two iniquities.	3e	4C	8 16
וְאֶפְרַ֜יִם עֶגְלָ֤ה מְלֻמָּדָה֙ אֹהַ֣בְתִּי לָד֔וּשׁ וַאֲנִ֣י עָבַ֔רְתִּי עַל־ט֖וּב צַוָּארָ֑הּ אַרְכִּ֤יב אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ יַחֲר֣וֹשׁ יְהוּדָ֔ה יְשַׂדֶּד־ל֖וֹ יַעֲקֹֽב	11		And Ephraim is a calf under teaching, loving to pound, and I, I pass through above her fine neck. I will make Ephraim ride. Judah will plough. Jacob will harrow for him.	3e	4C	25 17
זִרְע֨וּ לָכֶ֤ם לִצְדָקָה֙ קִצְר֣וּ לְפִי־חֶ֔סֶד נִ֥ירוּ לָכֶ֖ם נִ֑יר וְעֵת֙ לִדְר֣וֹשׁ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה עַד־יָב֕וֹא וְיֹרֶ֥ה צֶ֖דֶק לָכֶֽם	12		Sow for yourselves for righteousness. Reap to the edge of kindness. Till for yourselves what is to be tilled. For time it is to search out Yahweh until he comes and instructs righteousness for you.	3e	4C	17 17
חֲרַשְׁתֶּם־רֶ֛שַׁע עַוְלָ֥תָה קְצַרְתֶּ֖ם אֲכַלְתֶּ֣ם פְּרִי־כָ֑חַשׁ כִּֽי־בָטַ֥חְתָּ בְדַרְכְּךָ֖ בְּרֹ֥ב גִּבּוֹרֶֽיךָ	13		You have ploughed wickedness. Injustice you have reaped. You have eaten the fruit of dissimulation, because you have trusted in your way, in the multitude of your valiant ones.	3d	4B	17 13
וְקָ֣אם שָׁאוֹן֮ בְּעַמֶּךָ֒ וְכָל־מִבְצָרֶ֣יךָ יוּשַּׁ֔ד כְּשֹׁ֧ד שַֽׁלְמַ֛ן בֵּ֥ית אַֽרְבֵ֖אל בְּי֣וֹם מִלְחָמָ֑ה אֵ֥ם עַל־בָּנִ֖ים רֻטָּֽשָׁה	14		So noise will arise among your people and all your enclosures will be devastated, as Shalman devastated the house of Arbel in the day of war. Mother on children dashed to pieces.	3c	4B	29 7
כָּ֗כָה עָשָׂ֤ה לָכֶם֙ בֵּֽית־אֵ֔ל מִפְּנֵ֖י רָעַ֣ת רָֽעַתְכֶ֑ם בַּשַּׁ֕חַר נִדְמֹ֥ה נִדְמָ֖ה מֶ֥לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	15	~	As such the house of God will do for you from the face of the evil that is your evil. In the dawn undone, undone is the king of Israel.	3e	4C	15 12

Joshua 23

Joshua is now no longer ignored by me for 11 months. I was surprised to see this chapter pop up to 57% done by automation in my list. I think it is the repeated Deuteronomic phrasing in it. Warnings of the relationship between faithfulness and consequences are not our strong point as human beings.

Whoever thinks that they are not electing a pastor should consider the consequences (here and throughout the canonical history) of the impact of a leader on the fate of the people. There can be no disjunction between our moral or business choices and our faithfulness to the Holy One. Our choices determine what we really believe. And they reveal our ignorance or knowledge, our integrity (נפשׁ), our true soul, if you wish, to everyone including ourselves.

I am glad to see my hedge funds are behaving a little better today.

Note the use of 'remember' as a religious framework for worship. We still do it today. What is it we chose to remember together? This reveals what we value.

Joshua 23		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַֽיְהִי֙ מִיָּמִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים אַ֠חֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר־הֵנִ֨יחַ יְהוָ֧ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִכָּל־אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם מִסָּבִ֑יב וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִֽים	1		And it was from many days after, that Yahweh had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old when it comes to days.	3c	4B	29 10
וַיִּקְרָ֤א יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙ לְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִזְקֵנָיו֙ וּלְרָאשָׁ֔יו וּלְשֹׁפְטָ֖יו וּלְשֹֽׁטְרָ֑יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אֲנִ֣י זָקַ֔נְתִּי בָּ֖אתִי בַּיָּמִֽים	2		And Joshua called for all Israel, to its elders, and to its preeminent, and to its judges, and to its overseers, and he said to them, I, I am old when it comes to days.	3e	4C	24 16
וְאַתֶּ֣ם רְאִיתֶ֗ם אֵת֩ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם לְכָל־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֚י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם ה֖וּא הַנִּלְחָ֥ם לָכֶֽם	3		And you, you have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to all these nations from your presence, for Yahweh your God, he is fighting for you.	3c	4C	29 13
רְאוּ֩ הִפַּ֨לְתִּי לָכֶ֜ם אֶֽת־הַ֠גּוֹיִם הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֛לֶּה בְּנַחֲלָ֖ה לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶ֑ם מִן־הַיַּרְדֵּ֗ן וְכָל־הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִכְרַ֔תִּי וְהַיָּ֥ם הַגָּד֖וֹל מְב֥וֹא הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ	4		You see I have let fall to you these nations that are still here, to be an inheritance to your bands, from the Jordan and all the nations that I have cut off, and the great sea from the going down of the sun.	3d	4B	26 25
וַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם ה֚וּא יֶהְדֳּפֵ֣ם מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם וְהוֹרִ֥ישׁ אֹתָ֖ם מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם וִֽירִשְׁתֶּם֙ אֶת־אַרְצָ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם לָכֶֽם	5		And Yahweh your God, he will evict them from your presence and dispossess them from before you, and you will possess their land as Yahweh your God spoke to you.	3d	4C	22 19
וַחֲזַקְתֶּ֣ם מְאֹ֔ד לִשְׁמֹ֣ר וְלַעֲשׂ֔וֹת אֵ֚ת כָּל־הַכָּת֔וּב בְּסֵ֖פֶר תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֑ה לְבִלְתִּ֥י סוּר־מִמֶּ֖נּוּ יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹֽאול	6		So be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the record of the instruction of Moses, that you not turn aside from it on the right hand or on the left.	3e	4C	24 12
לְבִלְתִּי־בוֹא֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אִתְּכֶ֑ם וּבְשֵׁ֨ם אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֤ם לֹא־תַזְכִּ֙ירוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א תַשְׁבִּ֔יעוּ וְלֹ֣א תַעַבְד֔וּם וְלֹ֥א תִֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לָהֶֽם	7		That you do not come among these nations, these that are still here with you. And in the name of their God you will not remember, and you will not make an oath, and you will not serve them, and you will not prostrate yourselves to them.	3e	4C	18 28
כִּ֛י אִם־בַּיהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם תִּדְבָּ֑קוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה	8	d	In contrast, in Yahweh your God you will cling, as you have done to this day.	3d	4B	11 11
וַיּ֤וֹרֶשׁ יְהוָה֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם גּוֹיִ֖ם גְּדֹלִ֣ים וַעֲצוּמִ֑ים וְאַתֶּ֗ם לֹא־עָ֤מַד אִישׁ֙ בִּפְנֵיכֶ֔ם עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה	9	C	And Yahweh dispossessed from before you nations great and numerous, and you, no-one has stood before you to this day.	3e	4C	17 14
אִישׁ־אֶחָ֥ד מִכֶּ֖ם יִרְדָּף־אָ֑לֶף כִּ֣י ׀ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם ה֚וּא הַנִּלְחָ֣ם לָכֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר לָכֶֽם	10		One person from you pursued a thousand, for Yahweh your God, he is fighting for you as he spoke to you.	3e	4C	9 20
וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם מְאֹ֖ד לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֑ם לְאַהֲבָ֖ה אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם	11		So be guarded especially for your integrity, to love Yahweh your God.	3e	4A	11 11
כִּ֣י ׀ אִם־שׁ֣וֹב תָּשׁ֗וּבוּ וּדְבַקְתֶּם֙ בְּיֶ֙תֶר֙ הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אִתְּכֶ֑ם וְהִֽתְחַתַּנְתֶּ֥ם בָּהֶ֛ם וּבָאתֶ֥ם בָּהֶ֖ם וְהֵ֥ם בָּכֶֽם	12	B	For if to turn away, you turn and cling to these remaining nations, these that are still here with you, and you intermarry among them and go in among them and they among you,	3d	4B	27 16
יָד֙וֹעַ֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּ כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יוֹסִ֜יף יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֗ם לְהוֹרִ֛ישׁ אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִלִּפְנֵיכֶ֑ם וְהָי֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם לְפַ֣ח וּלְמוֹקֵ֗שׁ וּלְשֹׁטֵ֤ט בְּצִדֵּיכֶם֙ וְלִצְנִנִ֣ים בְּעֵינֵיכֶ֔ם עַד־אֲבָדְכֶ֗ם מֵ֠עַל הָאֲדָמָ֤ה הַטּוֹבָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם	13	~	to know, you will know. For Yahweh your God will not again dispossess these nations from before you, but they will become for you a snare, and a trap, and a scourge in your sides, and barbs in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that Yahweh your God gave to you.	3d	4C	29 52
וְהִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֤י הוֹלֵךְ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וִידַעְתֶּ֞ם בְּכָל־לְבַבְכֶ֣ם וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁכֶ֗ם כִּ֣י לֹֽא־נָפַל֩ דָּבָ֨ר אֶחָ֜ד מִכֹּ֣ל ׀ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הַטּוֹבִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֜ר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֙ עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם הַכֹּל֙ בָּ֣אוּ לָכֶ֔ם לֹֽא־נָפַ֥ל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ דָּבָ֥ר אֶחָֽד	14		But behold, I am going today on the way of all the earth. And you will know with all your heart and with all your being, that not one word has fallen from all the good things that Yahweh your God spoke concerning you. The whole has come to you. Not one word has fallen from it.	3e	4C	17 56
וְהָיָ֗ה כַּאֲשֶׁר־בָּ֤א עֲלֵיכֶם֙ כָּל־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַטּ֔וֹב אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם כֵּן֩ יָבִ֨יא יְהוָ֜ה עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם אֵ֚ת כָּל־הַדָּבָ֣ר הָרָ֔ע עַד־הַשְׁמִיד֣וֹ אוֹתְכֶ֗ם מֵ֠עַל הָאֲדָמָ֤ה הַטּוֹבָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם	15		And it will happen as had come upon you all the good word that Yahweh your God spoke to you, so Yahweh will bring upon you all the evil word until it exterminates you from off this good ground that Yahweh your God gave to you.	3d	4C	29 44
בְּ֠עָבְרְכֶם אֶת־בְּרִ֨ית יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֣ה אֶתְכֶם֒ וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם וַעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם לָהֶ֑ם וְחָרָ֤ה אַף־יְהוָה֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֣ם מְהֵרָ֔ה מֵעַל֙ הָאָ֣רֶץ הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר נָתַ֥ן לָכֶֽם	16	~	When you are bypassing the covenant of Yahweh your God that he commanded you, and you go and serve other gods and prostrate yourselves to them, then the anger of Yahweh will burn among you and you will perish swiftly from off the good land that he gave to you.	3e	4C	41 29

Job 41

This completes Job. But it doesn't mean I am finished with it. Any completed chapter or book is subject to change when new information comes to light. Sometimes I might use a synonym once, and then require it elsewhere. Sometimes I have allowed a breaking of my concordance rules with what seems later to have been a moment of weakness. Every little change seems to make some inarticulate thing seem just a modicum clearer. But even my assumptions may be questioned. Does language really work the way I seem to think it does? Sometimes, but sometimes its creativity bursts my bounds.

Eliot says he has great difficulty with words. He writes of the difficulty in East Coker, the second quartet:

So here I am ...
Trying to learn to use words, and every attempt
Is a wholly new start, and a different kind of failure
Because one has only learnt to get the better of words
For the thing one no longer has to say, or the way in which
One is no longer disposed to say it. And so each venture
Is a new beginning, a raid on the inarticulate
...
Undisciplined squads of emotion

Oh well, back to Job and the grand metaphor of Leviathan, surely the most famous of God's play-fellows. What do you think? Who is Yahweh's speech writer?

Job 41		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
תִּמְשֹׁ֣ךְ לִוְיָתָ֣ן בְּחַכָּ֑ה וּ֝בְחֶ֗בֶל תַּשְׁקִ֥יעַ לְשֹׁנֽוֹ	1		Will you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook, or with a rope throw a line for his tongue?	3e	4B	8 9
הֲתָשִׂ֣ים אַגְמ֣וֹן בְּאַפּ֑וֹ וּ֝בְח֗וֹחַ תִּקּ֥וֹב לֶֽחֱיוֹ	2		Can you set a bulrush in his nose, or with a thorn pierce his cheek?	3e	4B	8 8
הֲיַרְבֶּ֣ה אֵ֭לֶיךָ תַּחֲנוּנִ֑ים אִם־יְדַבֵּ֖ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ רַכּֽוֹת	3		Will he make many supplications to you, or will he speak to you tenderly?	3e	4B	10 9
הֲיִכְרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֣ית עִמָּ֑ךְ תִּ֝קָּחֶ֗נּוּ לְעֶ֣בֶד עוֹלָֽם	4		Will he cut a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant evermore?	3e	4B	7 9
הַֽתְשַׂחֶק־בּ֭וֹ‬ כַּצִּפּ֑וֹר וְ֝תִקְשְׁרֶ֗נּוּ לְנַעֲרוֹתֶֽיךָ	5		Will you laugh with him as a bird? Will you fasten him for your lasses?	3e	4A	7 11
יִכְר֣וּ עָ֭לָיו חַבָּרִ֑ים יֶ֝חֱצ֗וּהוּ בֵּ֣ין כְּֽנַעֲנִֽים	6		Will companions bargain over him? Will they halve him between shopkeepers?	3e	4B	7 9
הַֽתְמַלֵּ֣א בְשֻׂכּ֣וֹת עוֹר֑וֹ וּבְצִלְצַ֖ל דָּגִ֣ים רֹאשֽׁוֹ	7		Will you fill with harpoons his skin, or with tingling fishes his head?	3e	4B	8 7
שִׂים־עָלָ֥יו כַּפֶּ֑ךָ זְכֹ֥ר מִ֝לְחָמָ֗ה אַל־תּוֹסַֽף	8		Set upon him your palm. Remember battle not again.	3e	4A	6 8
הֵן־תֹּחַלְתּ֥וֹ נִכְזָ֑בָה הֲגַ֖ם אֶל־מַרְאָ֣יו יֻטָֽל	9		Lo hope makes a liar. Even to see him is to be hurled down.	3e	4B	7 7
לֹֽא־אַ֭כְזָר כִּ֣י יְעוּרֶ֑נּוּ וּמִ֥י ה֝֗וּא לְפָנַ֥י יִתְיַצָּֽב	10		Not vicious is one that will rouse him, so who is he in my face, that presents himself?	3e	4B	8 9
מִ֣י הִ֭קְדִּימַנִי וַאֲשַׁלֵּ֑ם תַּ֖חַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם לִי־הֽוּא	11	B	Who precedes me that I should repay? Under all the heavens, mine it is.	3e	4B	9 7
לֽוֹ־אַחֲרִ֥ישׁ בַּדָּ֑יו וּדְבַר־גְּ֝בוּר֗וֹת וְחִ֣ין עֶרְכּֽוֹ	12		I will not be silent of his ample supply, or the matter of valour, or the beauty of his ranks.	3e	4B	5 9
מִֽי־גִ֭לָּה פְּנֵ֣י לְבוּשׁ֑וֹ בְּכֶ֥פֶל רִ֝סְנ֗וֹ מִ֣י יָבֽוֹא	13		Who uncovers the face of his clothing? In the double bridle who comes?	3e	4B	7 8
דַּלְתֵ֣י פָ֭נָיו מִ֣י פִתֵּ֑חַ סְבִיב֖וֹת שִׁנָּ֣יו אֵימָֽה	14		The portals of his face who opens? His surrounding teeth are horrible.	3e	4B	8 7
גַּ֭אֲוָה אֲפִיקֵ֣י מָֽגִנִּ֑ים סָ֝ג֗וּר חוֹתָ֥ם צָֽר	15	g	Proud are the channels of shields, imprisoning the seal of trouble.	3e	4B	9 5
אֶחָ֣ד בְּאֶחָ֣ד יִגַּ֑שׁוּ וְ֝ר֗וּחַ לֹא־יָב֥וֹא בֵֽינֵיהֶֽם	16		One in the other, they are brought close, and wind not will come between them.	3e	4B	8 8
אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֥יהוּ יְדֻבָּ֑קוּ יִ֝תְלַכְּד֗וּ וְלֹ֣א יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ	17		Each to its sibling clinging, they are caught and will not be separated.	3e	4B	9 9
עֲֽ֭טִישֹׁתָיו תָּ֣הֶל א֑וֹר וְ֝עֵינָ֗יו כְּעַפְעַפֵּי־שָֽׁחַר	18		His sneezing praises light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of dawn.	3e	4B	7 8
מִ֭פִּיו לַפִּידִ֣ים יַהֲלֹ֑כוּ כִּיד֥וֹדֵי אֵ֝֗שׁ יִתְמַלָּֽטוּ	19	g	From his mouth torches walk, and infatuations of fire escape.	3e	4B	9 8
מִ֭נְּחִירָיו יֵצֵ֣א עָשָׁ֑ן כְּד֖וּד נָפ֣וּחַ וְאַגְמֹֽן	20	g	From his sniffler he makes smoke emerge, as one who is infatuated stokes bulrushes.	3e	4B	7 8
נַ֭פְשׁוֹ גֶּחָלִ֣ים תְּלַהֵ֑ט וְ֝לַ֗הַב מִפִּ֥יו יֵצֵֽא	21	g	His very self blazes coals, and flame from his mouth emerges.	3e	4B	8 7
בְּֽ֭צַוָּארוֹ יָלִ֣ין עֹ֑ז וּ֝לְפָנָ֗יו תָּד֥וּץ דְּאָבָֽה	22		In his neck lodges strength, and in his face drooping is turned to joy.	3e	4B	7 8
מַפְּלֵ֣י בְשָׂר֣וֹ דָבֵ֑קוּ יָצ֥וּק עָ֝לָ֗יו בַּל־יִמּֽוֹט	23		The flaps of his flesh cling, infused upon him, so he will not be moved.	3e	4B	8 7
לִ֭בּוֹ יָצ֣וּק כְּמוֹ־אָ֑בֶן וְ֝יָצ֗וּק כְּפֶ֣לַח תַּחְתִּֽית	24	g	His heart is infused as stone, and is infused like a slice of the lower decks.	3e	4B	7 8
מִ֭שֵּׂתוֹ יָג֣וּרוּ אֵלִ֑ים מִ֝שְּׁבָרִ֗ים יִתְחַטָּֽאוּ	25	g	From his lifting up, gods are in awe. From shattering, they make a sin offering.	3e	4B	8 7
מַשִּׂיגֵ֣הוּ חֶ֭רֶב בְּלִ֣י תָק֑וּם חֲנִ֖ית מַסָּ֣ע וְשִׁרְיָֽה	26		Overtaking him, sword is without place, spear, missile, or arm-chains.	3e	4B	10 7
יַחְשֹׁ֣ב לְתֶ֣בֶן בַּרְזֶ֑ל לְעֵ֖ץ רִקָּב֣וֹן נְחוּשָֽׁה	27		He reckons iron as straw, as a rotten tree, brass.	3e	4B	7 8
לֹֽא־יַבְרִיחֶ֥נּוּ בֶן־קָ֑שֶׁת לְ֝קַ֗שׁ נֶהְפְּכוּ־ל֥וֹ אַבְנֵי־קָֽלַע	28		He does not run from the child of a bow. To stubble, wayward for him, are the stones of a sling.	3e	4A	8 8
כְּ֭קַשׁ נֶחְשְׁב֣וּ תוֹתָ֑ח וְ֝יִשְׂחַ֗ק לְרַ֣עַשׁ כִּידֽוֹן	29	g	As stubble they are reckoned, a bludgeon, and he laughs at the quake of scales.	3e	4B	7 8
תַּ֭חְתָּיו חַדּ֣וּדֵי חָ֑רֶשׂ יִרְפַּ֖ד חָר֣וּץ עֲלֵי־טִֽיט	30	g	His underparts are a keen potsherd. He outspreads sharp flails over mire.	3e	4B	7 7
יַרְתִּ֣יחַ כַּסִּ֣יר מְצוּלָ֑ה יָ֝֗ם יָשִׂ֥ים כַּמֶּרְקָחָֽה	31		He makes the depth churn like a pot. The sea he sets up as perfumes.	3e	4B	8 7
אַ֭חֲרָיו יָאִ֣יר נָתִ֑יב יַחְשֹׁ֖ב תְּה֣וֹם לְשֵׂיבָֽה	32	g	Following him is an enlightened pathway. (One might reckon abyss to be grey-haired.)	3e	4B	7 7
אֵֽין־עַל־עָפָ֥ר מָשְׁל֑וֹ הֶ֝עָשׂ֗וּ לִבְלִי־חָֽת	33		There is none over dust his governor. He who made him is without dismay.	3e	4A	6 6
אֵֽת־כָּל־גָּבֹ֥הַּ יִרְאֶ֑ה ה֝֗וּא מֶ֣לֶךְ עַל־כָּל־בְּנֵי־שָֽׁחַץ ס	34		All the lofty he sees. He is king over all the children of the pride.	3e	4B	7 9

Job 40

Yahweh is one might say, blunt in this speech, but also not without metaphor. This, however, is not to be understood as decipherable solely by the intellect. So here's the music. 
Some verses are connected with whatever went before them through a lack of opening silluq.

Note how subdued the narrator is. The voice does not rise above a g. I could handle that part in my old age. There is no recitation on high C until verse 23 (ignore the ornaments common to the poetic books). This is the only verse in the speech in chapters 40-41 that has the mahpakh.

Verses 11 to 13 outline what a person must do to overcome evil. Yahweh will of course congratulate the successful candidate. Following this burial, Behemoth. Figure it out. It's poetry. More to come - the last chapter of the speeches.

Job 40		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיַּ֖עַן יְהוָ֥ה אֶת־אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר	1		And Yahweh answered Job and said,	3e	3g	11
הֲ֭רֹב עִם־שַׁדַּ֣י יִסּ֑וֹר מוֹכִ֖יחַ אֱל֣וֹהַּ יַעֲנֶֽנָּה פ	2	g	Will one who contends with the Sufficient be mentor? Referee of God, let him answer.	3e	4B	7 11
וַיַּ֖עַן אִיּ֥וֹב אֶת־יְהוָ֗ה וַיֹּאמַֽר	3		And Job answered Yahweh and said.	3e	3g	11
הֵ֣ן קַ֭לֹּתִי מָ֣ה אֲשִׁיבֶ֑ךָּ יָ֝דִ֗י שַׂ֣מְתִּי לְמוֹ־פִֽי	4	B	Lo I am slight. What will I return to you? My hand I have set over my mouth.	3e	4B	9 7
אַחַ֣ת דִּ֭בַּרְתִּי וְלֹ֣א אֶֽעֱנֶ֑ה וּ֝שְׁתַּ֗יִם וְלֹ֣א אוֹסִֽיף פ	5		Once I have spoken and I will not answer, Twice and I will add no more.	3e	4B	10 7
וַיַּֽעַן־יְהוָ֣ה אֶת־אִ֭יּוֹב מִ֥ן ׀ סְעָרָ֗ה וַיֹּאמַֽר	6		And Yahweh answered Job from from the tempest and said.	3e	4B	15
אֱזָר־נָ֣א כְגֶ֣בֶר חֲלָצֶ֑יךָ אֶ֝שְׁאָלְךָ֗ וְהוֹדִיעֵֽנִי	7		Gird, if you will, as one who is valiant, your reins, and I will ask you, and you will make known to me.	3e	4B	10 8
הַ֭אַף תָּפֵ֣ר מִשְׁפָּטִ֑י תַּ֝רְשִׁיעֵ֗נִי לְמַ֣עַן תִּצְדָּֽק	8	g	Indeed you thwart my judgment. You condemn me, so you are right.	3e	4B	7 9
וְאִם־זְר֖וֹעַ כָּאֵ֥ל ׀ לָ֑ךְ וּ֝בְק֗וֹל כָּמֹ֥הוּ תַרְעֵֽם	9		And if an arm like the One is yours, or with a voice like his you thunder,	3e	4A	8 7
עֲדֵ֥ה נָ֣א גָֽא֣וֹן‬ וָגֹ֑בַהּ וְה֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר תִּלְבָּֽשׁ	10		Deck yourself, if you will, with pride and haughtiness, and with splendour and honour, let yourself be clothed.	3e	4B	8 7
הָ֭פֵץ עֶבְר֣וֹת אַפֶּ֑ךָ וּרְאֵ֥ה כָל־גֵּ֝אֶ֗ה וְהַשְׁפִּילֵֽהוּ	11	g	Disperse the fury of your anger, and see all pride and abase it.	3e	4B	7 10
רְאֵ֣ה כָל־גֵּ֭אֶה הַכְנִיעֵ֑הוּ וַהֲדֹ֖ךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים תַּחְתָּֽם	12		See all pride and subdue it, and crush wickedness under itself.	3e	4B	9 8
טָמְנֵ֣ם בֶּעָפָ֣ר יָ֑חַד פְּ֝נֵיהֶ֗ם חֲבֹ֣שׁ בַּטָּמֽוּן	13		Bury them in the dust together. Their faces bind in burial.	3e	4B	7 8
וְגַם־אֲנִ֥י אוֹדֶ֑ךָּ כִּֽי־תוֹשִׁ֖עַ לְךָ֣ יְמִינֶֽךָ	14		And even I, I will give thanks to you, for you save yourself by your right hand.	3e	4B	7 9
הִנֵּה־נָ֣א בְ֭הֵמוֹת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֣יתִי עִמָּ֑ךְ חָ֝צִ֗יר כַּבָּקָ֥ר יֹאכֵֽל	15		Behold, if you will, Behemoth, whom I made with you. Grass like an ox he eats.	3e	4B	13 7
הִנֵּה־נָ֣א כֹח֣וֹ בְמָתְנָ֑יו וְ֝אֹנ֗וֹ בִּשְׁרִירֵ֥י בִטְנֽוֹ	16		Behold if you will his power in his loins, and his virility in the navel of his belly.	3e	4B	8 8
יַחְפֹּ֣ץ זְנָב֣וֹ כְמוֹ־אָ֑רֶז גִּידֵ֖י פַחֲדָ֣יו יְשֹׂרָֽגוּ	17		He delights in his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his testicles are intertwined.	3e	4B	8 9
עֲ֭צָמָיו אֲפִיקֵ֣י נְחוּשָׁ֑ה גְּ֝רָמָ֗יו כִּמְטִ֥יל בַּרְזֶֽל	18	g	His bones are channels of brass, his cartilage like cast-iron.	3e	4B	9 7
ה֭וּא‬ רֵאשִׁ֣ית דַּרְכֵי־אֵ֑ל הָ֝עֹשׂוֹ יַגֵּ֥שׁ חַרְבּֽוֹ	19	g	He is the beginning of the ways of the One. He who made him can make overture to his sword.	3e	4B	6 7
כִּֽי־ב֭וּל הָרִ֣ים יִשְׂאוּ־ל֑וֹ וְֽכָל־חַיַּ֥ת הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה יְשַֽׂחֲקוּ־שָֽׁם	20		For produce, mountains are lifted up for him, and all the animals of the field will laugh there.	3e	4B	6 12
תַּֽחַת־צֶאֱלִ֥ים יִשְׁכָּ֑ב בְּסֵ֖תֶר קָנֶ֣ה וּבִצָּֽה	21		Under shady trees he lies down, in the hidden places of calamus and swamp.	3e	4B	7 8
יְסֻכֻּ֣הוּ צֶאֱלִ֣ים צִֽלֲל֑וֹ יְ֝סֻבּ֗וּהוּ עַרְבֵי־נָֽחַל	22		Shady trees cherish his shadow. Willows of a torrent surround him.	3e	4B	10 7
הֵ֤ן יַעֲשֹׁ֣ק נָ֭הָר לֹ֣א יַחְפּ֑וֹז יִבְטַ֓ח ׀ כִּֽי־יָגִ֖יחַ יַרְדֵּ֣ן אֶל־פִּֽיהוּ	23	C	Lo, he oppresses a river. He does not hasten. He trusts that Jordan will burst out into his mouth.	3e	4C	9 10
בְּעֵינָ֥יו יִקָּחֶ֑נּוּ בְּ֝מֽוֹקְשִׁ֗ים יִנְקָב־אָֽף	24		In his eyes he receives it. Through traps, a nose drills.	3e	4A	7 6

Hosea 9

These verses might be applied today, not necessarily to Ephraim, but to anyone who considers themselves a favorite of God's but who is failing to act as Yahweh acts, with a preferential option for the poor. The precipice is very steep and rough.

Hosea 9		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
אַל־תִּשְׂמַ֨ח יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל ׀ אֶל־גִּיל֙ כָּֽעַמִּ֔ים כִּ֥י זָנִ֖יתָ מֵעַ֣ל אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אָהַ֣בְתָּ אֶתְנָ֔ן עַ֖ל כָּל־גָּרְנ֥וֹת דָּגָֽן	1		Do not be glad, Israel. No rejoicing as the peoples, for you play the harlot from your God. You love for a fee over every threshing-floor of grain.	3e	4C	21 11
גֹּ֥רֶן וָיֶ֖קֶב לֹ֣א יִרְעֵ֑ם וְתִיר֖וֹשׁ יְכַ֥חֶשׁ בָּֽהּ	2	f	Threshing-floor and wine-vat will not pasture them, and new wine will founder in her.	3e	4B	8 7
לֹ֥א יֵשְׁב֖וּ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוָ֑ה וְשָׁ֤ב אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ מִצְרַ֔יִם וּבְאַשּׁ֖וּר טָמֵ֥א יֹאכֵֽלוּ	3	f	They will not inhabit in the land of Yahweh, but Ephraim will return to Egypt and in Ashur. What is unclean they will eat.	3e	4C	8 14
לֹא־יִסְּכ֨וּ לַיהוָ֥ה ׀ יַיִן֮ וְלֹ֣א יֶֽעֶרְבוּ־לוֹ֒ זִבְחֵיהֶ֗ם כְּלֶ֤חֶם אוֹנִים֙ לָהֶ֔ם כָּל־אֹכְלָ֖יו יִטַמָּ֑אוּ כִּֽי־לַחְמָ֣ם לְנַפְשָׁ֔ם לֹ֥א יָב֖וֹא בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה	4		They will not offer libation of wine to Yahweh, and they will not be sweet to him. Their offerings are as the bread of mischief to them. All eating it are unclean. For their bread for themselves will not enter the house of Yahweh.	3e	4C	28 12
מַֽה־תַּעֲשׂ֖וּ לְי֣וֹם מוֹעֵ֑ד וּלְי֖וֹם חַג־יְהוָֽה	5		What will you do for the day of the appointed time, and for the day of the feast of Yahweh?	3e	4B	8 5
כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֤ה הָֽלְכוּ֙ מִשֹּׁ֔ד מִצְרַ֥יִם תְּקַבְּצֵ֖ם מֹ֣ף תְּקַבְּרֵ֑ם מַחְמַ֣ד לְכַסְפָּ֗ם קִמּוֹשׂ֙ יִֽירָשֵׁ֔ם ח֖וֹחַ בְּאָהֳלֵיהֶֽם	6		For behold they go to devastation. Egypt will collect them. Memphis will entomb them. Their silver coveted, stinging nettle will possess them, a thorn in their tents.	3e	4C	15 17
בָּ֣אוּ ׀ יְמֵ֣י הַפְּקֻדָּ֗ה בָּ֚אוּ יְמֵ֣י הַשִׁלֻּ֔ם יֵדְע֖וּ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֱוִ֣יל הַנָּבִ֗יא מְשֻׁגָּע֙ אִ֣ישׁ הָר֔וּחַ עַ֚ל רֹ֣ב עֲוֺנְךָ֔ וְרַבָּ֖ה מַשְׂטֵמָֽה	7	B	Come are the days of the visitation. Come are the days of the repayment. Israel will know. Foolish is the prophet. Driven crazy is anyone of the spirit over your abundant iniquity and frequent opposition.	3e	4C	19 23
צֹפֶ֥ה אֶפְרַ֖יִם עִם־אֱלֹהָ֑י נָבִ֞יא פַּ֤ח יָקוֹשׁ֙ עַל־כָּל־דְּרָכָ֔יו מַשְׂטֵמָ֖ה בְּבֵ֥ית אֱלֹהָֽיו	8		The lookout of Ephraim was with my God, a prophet, a trapper's snare over all his ways from opposition in the house of his God.	3e	4C	8 18
הֶעְמִֽיקוּ־שִׁחֵ֖תוּ כִּימֵ֣י הַגִּבְעָ֑ה יִזְכּ֣וֹר עֲוֺנָ֔ם יִפְק֖וֹד חַטֹּאותָֽם	9		They are inscrutable. They are destroyed, as in the days of Gibeah. He will remember their iniquity. He will visit their sins.	3e	4B	10 10
כַּעֲנָבִ֣ים בַּמִּדְבָּ֗ר מָצָ֙אתִי֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כְּבִכּוּרָ֤ה בִתְאֵנָה֙ בְּרֵ֣אשִׁיתָ֔הּ רָאִ֖יתִי אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם הֵ֜מָּה בָּ֣אוּ בַֽעַל־פְּע֗וֹר וַיִּנָּֽזְרוּ֙ לַבֹּ֔שֶׁת וַיִּהְי֥וּ שִׁקּוּצִ֖ים כְּאָהֳבָֽם	10		Like grapes in the wilderness I found Israel. As first ripe fruit in the fig tree in her beginning, I saw your ancestors. They went to Baal-Peor and consecrated themselves to shame, and they became detestable as their loves.	3e	4C	31 25
אֶפְרַ֕יִם כָּע֖וֹף יִתְעוֹפֵ֣ף כְּבוֹדָ֑ם מִלֵּדָ֥ה וּמִבֶּ֖טֶן וּמֵהֵרָיֽוֹן	11		Ephraim. As the fowl their glory will fly away, from giving birth, and from the belly, and from pregnancy.	3e	4B	10 12
כִּ֤י אִם־יְגַדְּלוּ֙ אֶת־בְּנֵיהֶ֔ם וְשִׁכַּלְתִּ֖ים מֵֽאָדָ֑ם כִּֽי־גַם־א֥וֹי לָהֶ֖ם בְּשׂוּרִ֥י מֵהֶֽם	12	C	For if their children had grown up, yet I would bereave them from humanity. For also woe to them when I depart from them.	3e	4C	16 10
אֶפְרַ֛יִם כַּאֲשֶׁר־רָאִ֥יתִי לְצ֖וֹר שְׁתוּלָ֣ה בְנָוֶ֑ה וְאֶפְרַ֕יִם לְהוֹצִ֥יא אֶל־הֹרֵ֖ג בָּנָֽיו	13		Ephraim, as I have seen of a rock, is transplanted at home, but Ephraim is to bring forth his children to one who slays.	3d	4B	16 11
תֵּן־לָהֶ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה מַה־תִּתֵּ֑ן תֵּן־לָהֶם֙ רֶ֣חֶם מַשְׁכִּ֔יל וְשָׁדַ֖יִם צֹמְקִֽים	14		Give them, Yahweh. What do you give? Give them a womb bereaved, and breasts shriveled.	3e	4B	8 12
כָּל־רָעָתָ֤ם בַּגִּלְגָּל֙ כִּֽי־שָׁ֣ם שְׂנֵאתִ֔ים עַ֚ל רֹ֣עַ מַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם מִבֵּיתִ֖י אֲגָרְשֵׁ֑ם לֹ֤א אוֹסֵף֙ אַהֲבָתָ֔ם כָּל־שָׂרֵיהֶ֖ם סֹרְרִֽים	15		All their evil in the whirlwind, for there I hated them over the evil of their practices. From my house I will expel them. Not again will I love them. All their nobility are rebellious.	3e	4C	25 13
הֻכָּ֣ה אֶפְרַ֔יִם שָׁרְשָׁ֥ם יָבֵ֖שׁ פְּרִ֣י בַֽל־יַעֲשׂ֑וּן גַּ֚ם כִּ֣י יֵֽלֵד֔וּן וְהֵמַתִּ֖י מַחֲמַדֵּ֥י בִטְנָֽם	16		Struck is Ephraim. Their root is dried up. Fruit they will not make. Furthermore though they give birth, yet I will execute the attractions of their bellies.	3e	4C	14 15
יִמְאָסֵ֣ם אֱלֹהַ֔י כִּ֛י לֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ ל֑וֹ וְיִהְי֥וּ נֹדְדִ֖ים בַּגּוֹיִֽם ס	17		My God will refuse them for they did not hear him, and they will become vagrants among the nations.	3d	4B	11 9

Esther 4

The presence of the harvest word, garner, may indicate a part of a metaphor. Still unclear to me. The faith of Mordecai is expressed in his confidence that the Judeans would not perish but be delivered from some other quarter if not through Esther. There is no mention of God or Yahweh in this book. Esther's name is based on the same root as 'hide' (סתר) in the sense of concealment.

So what does this story teach? I don't quite know. Apart from the obvious lesson concerning the Agagite and Amelek and the people of Israel. See Saul's failure and 1 Samuel 15 - not there yet, and also the history of Amelek, which many have considered symbolic of flesh - but that is perhaps applying a metaphor rigidly and without consideration for the story itself.

The word for cross over, pass through and so on has some unique uses: one here (v17) and one with the king of Nineveh who 'transfers' his majesty when he puts on sackcloth. I had the obvious 'laid aside; for Jonah 3. But that's just the problem: it is obvious. It is not what the text actually has written in it. It may mean that, but it is only one of many possible readings. Some questions we have to leave undetermined. (And, political aside, some, due to our possibility of sin and violence, we must not leave hanging, if our social structure is to have peace.)

Esther 4		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וּמָרְדֳּכַ֗י יָדַע֙ אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲשָׂ֔ה וַיִּקְרַ֤ע מָרְדֳּכַי֙ אֶת־בְּגָדָ֔יו וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ שַׂ֖ק וָאֵ֑פֶר וַיֵּצֵא֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֔יר וַיִּזְעַ֛ק זְעָקָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּמָרָֽה	1		And Mordecai knew all that was done and Mordecai ripped his garments, and he clothed himself with sackcloth and ashes, and came forth into the midst of the city and he appealed an appeal, great and bitter.	3d	4C	30 19
וַיָּב֕וֹא עַ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין לָב֛וֹא אֶל־שַׁ֥עַר הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בִּלְב֥וּשׁ שָֽׂק	2		And he came in even before the gate of the king, (for there is no entry to the gate of the king clothed in sackcloth).	3d	4B	11 13
וּבְכָל־מְדִינָ֣ה וּמְדִינָ֗ה מְקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דְּבַר־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ וְדָתוֹ֙ מַגִּ֔יעַ אֵ֤בֶל גָּדוֹל֙ לַיְּהוּדִ֔ים וְצ֥וֹם וּבְכִ֖י וּמִסְפֵּ֑ד שַׂ֣ק וָאֵ֔פֶר יֻצַּ֖ע לָֽרַבִּֽים	3		And in every province, by province, the place that the word of the king and the dictate touched, great lamenting among the Judeans and fasting and weeping and wailing, sackcloth and ashes spread out for many.	3e	4C	37 9
וַ֠תָּבוֹאינָה‬ נַעֲר֨וֹת אֶסְתֵּ֤ר וְסָרִיסֶ֙יהָ֙ וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לָ֔הּ וַתִּתְחַלְחַ֥ל הַמַּלְכָּ֖ה מְאֹ֑ד וַתִּשְׁלַ֨ח בְּגָדִ֜ים לְהַלְבִּ֣ישׁ אֶֽת־מָרְדֳּכַ֗י וּלְהָסִ֥יר שַׂקּ֛וֹ מֵעָלָ֖יו וְלֹ֥א קִבֵּֽל	4	~	And the lasses of Esther came and her eunuchs and they told her. And the queen was in much turmoil, and she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and to put aside his sackcloth from him, but not right in front.	3d	4C	29 25
וַתִּקְרָא֩ אֶסְתֵּ֨ר לַהֲתָ֜ךְ מִסָּרִיסֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶעֱמִ֣יד לְפָנֶ֔יהָ וַתְּצַוֵּ֖הוּ עַֽל־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י לָדַ֥עַת מַה־זֶּ֖ה וְעַל־מַה־זֶּֽה	5		And Esther called for Hatach from the eunuchs of the king whom he had installed in her presence, and she commanded him about Mordecai, to know what it was and why it was.	3e	4C	32 9
וַיֵּצֵ֥א הֲתָ֖ךְ אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָ֑י אֶל־רְח֣וֹב הָעִ֔יר אֲשֶׁ֖ר לִפְנֵ֥י שַֽׁעַר־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ	6		So Hatach came forth to Mordecai, to the plaza of the city that is before the gate of the king.	3e	4B	9 14
וַיַּגֶּד־ל֣וֹ מָרְדֳּכַ֔י אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר קָרָ֑הוּ וְאֵ֣ת ׀ פָּרָשַׁ֣ת הַכֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמַ֤ר הָמָן֙ לִ֠שְׁקוֹל עַל־גִּנְזֵ֥י הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ בַּיְּהוּדִ֖ים‪‬ לְאַבְּדָֽם	7		And Mordecai made it clear to him all that had befallen him, and distinctly the silver that Haman had said he would spend in the depositories of the king on the Judeans to eliminate them.	3d	4C	14 28
וְאֶת־פַּתְשֶׁ֣גֶן כְּתָֽב־הַ֠דָּת אֲשֶׁר־נִתַּ֨ן בְּשׁוּשָׁ֤ן לְהַשְׁמִידָם֙ נָ֣תַן ל֔וֹ לְהַרְא֥וֹת אֶת־אֶסְתֵּ֖ר וּלְהַגִּ֣יד לָ֑הּ וּלְצַוּ֣וֹת עָלֶ֗יהָ לָב֨וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ לְהִֽתְחַנֶּן־ל֛וֹ וּלְבַקֵּ֥שׁ מִלְּפָנָ֖יו עַל־עַמָּֽהּ	8		And the copy of the writing of the dictate that he was given in Shushan to exterminate them, he gave to him, to show to Esther and to make clear to her, and to command her to enter to the king to make supplication to him and to seek from his presence concerning her people.	3c	4C	33 26
וַיָּב֖וֹא הֲתָ֑ךְ וַיַּגֵּ֣ד לְאֶסְתֵּ֔ר אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֥י מָרְדֳּכָֽי	9		And Hatach came in, and he made it clear to Esther the words of Mordecai.	3e	4B	5 12
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר אֶסְתֵּר֙ לַהֲתָ֔ךְ וַתְּצַוֵּ֖הוּ אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָֽי	10		And Esther talked to Hatach and gave him commandment to Mordecai,	3e	4C	16
כָּל־עַבְדֵ֣י הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ וְעַם־מְדִינ֨וֹת הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ יֽוֹדְעִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּל־אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֡ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָבֽוֹא־אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ֩ אֶל־הֶחָצֵ֨ר הַפְּנִימִ֜ית אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יִקָּרֵ֗א אַחַ֤ת דָּתוֹ֙ לְהָמִ֔ית לְ֠בַד מֵאֲשֶׁ֨ר יֽוֹשִׁיט־ל֥וֹ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אֶת־שַׁרְבִ֥יט הַזָּהָ֖ב וְחָיָ֑ה וַאֲנִ֗י לֹ֤א נִקְרֵ֙אתי֙‬ לָב֣וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ זֶ֖ה שְׁלוֹשִׁ֥ים יֽוֹם	11		All servants of the king, the people of the provinces of the king, know that any man or woman who comes to the king to the court, the presence, whom he did not call, one dictate of his is death, with one exception, that the king hold out to him the golden mace, then he will live, and I have not been called for entry to king this thirty day span.	3d	4C	70 18
וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ לְמָרְדֳּכָ֔י אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֥י אֶסְתֵּֽר פ	12		So they made clear to Mordecai the words of Esther.	3e	4B	14
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מָרְדֳּכַ֖י לְהָשִׁ֣יב אֶל־אֶסְתֵּ֑ר אַל־תְּדַמִּ֣י בְנַפְשֵׁ֔ךְ לְהִמָּלֵ֥ט בֵּית־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ מִכָּל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים	13		And Mordecai said in reply to Esther, Do not suppose that you will escape the house of the king any more than all the Judeans.	3e	4B	12 20
כִּ֣י אִם־הַחֲרֵ֣שׁ תַּחֲרִישִׁי֮ בָּעֵ֣ת הַזֹּאת֒ רֶ֣וַח וְהַצָּלָ֞ה יַעֲמ֤וֹד לַיְּהוּדִים֙ מִמָּק֣וֹם אַחֵ֔ר וְאַ֥תְּ וּבֵית־אָבִ֖יךְ תֹּאבֵ֑דוּ וּמִ֣י יוֹדֵ֔עַ אִם־לְעֵ֣ת כָּזֹ֔את הִגַּ֖עַתְּ לַמַּלְכֽוּת	14	B	But if silence you keep, silence at this particular time interval, then deliverance will stand for Judeans from another place but you and your father's house, you will perish. And who knows if for a time such as this you have a touch for the kingdom?	3e	4C	39 16
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר אֶסְתֵּ֖ר לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֶֽל־מָרְדֳּכָֽי	15		And Esther said to reply to Mordecai.	3e	3g	12
לֵךְ֩ כְּנ֨וֹס אֶת־כָּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֣ים בְּשׁוּשָׁ֗ן וְצ֣וּמוּ עָ֠לַי וְאַל־תֹּאכְל֨וּ וְאַל־תִּשְׁתּ֜וּ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ לַ֣יְלָה וָי֔וֹם גַּם־אֲנִ֥י וְנַעֲרֹתַ֖י אָצ֣וּם כֵּ֑ן וּבְכֵ֞ן אָב֤וֹא אֶל־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־כַדָּ֔ת וְכַאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָבַ֖דְתִּי אָבָֽדְתִּי	16		Go garner all the Judeans that are found in Shushan and fast for me. You will not eat and you will not imbibe three days, night and day. Even I and my lasses will fast so. And as such I will go in to the king (which is not according to dictate), and if I perish, I perish.	3e	4C	48 22
וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר מָרְדֳּכָ֑י וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוְּתָ֥ה עָלָ֖יו אֶסְתֵּֽר ס	17		And Mordecai passed through, and did everything that Esther commanded him.	3d	4A	7 14