Isaiah 34

I am filling in a few gaps and then expect to start some sequences as a strategy for completing this project. This chapter pointed out some issues for me around the verb to meet, and my concordance rules in other chapters in Exodus and Numbers. It is always good when this happens. I changed several places where the tradition is meet in Exodus to engage. This focuses the word more fully on its uses in English and distinguishes יעד more fully from פגע. It remains to be seen when everything is done if these focuses can stand the pressure I put on them.

What is important to me first is to see what the text that is written seems to say in its sound, and then on reflection to hear and know what it means. I find meaning very slippery and very dangerous. Dangerous because the meaning accepted by some is an offence to others. We might at least hear what is said first, and disagree or protect our turf with texts after some reflection and with a little more information.

I do this to prove a point: translations require assumptions and guesses. If we are to be subject one to another, we should know it is not because of our own superior power to subjugate others with words.

There is something very lovely about the Jewish tradition of teaching, of which I know too little. They reason from the text to differing opinions. So let us have our differences as we must. But let us be clear that we are not on our own, the arbiter of another's data. Let the tension live. Yahweh's rage is contained when our ears are open to each other. I suppose that is one way of thinking. The consequences of our stubborn deafness are definitely appalling, whether Yahweh has anything to do with it in one's opinion or not.

You will note, of course that the heavens have been rolled up like a book (ספר), record, recounting... All we need to do is read about them from Newton to Einstein and ongoing. Altogether a remarkable revelation of awe and wonder from science, correctly so called.

This is not a comfortable chapter.

Isaiah 34		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
קִרְב֤וּ גוֹיִם֙ לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ וּלְאֻמִּ֖ים הַקְשִׁ֑יבוּ תִּשְׁמַ֤ע הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ וּמְלֹאָ֔הּ תֵּבֵ֖ל וְכָל־צֶאֱצָאֶֽיהָ	1		Come near nations to hear, and tribes attend. Let the land hear and its fullness, the world and all emerging from it.	3e	4C	13 17
כִּ֣י קֶ֤צֶף לַֽיהוָה֙ עַל־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם וְחֵמָ֖ה עַל־כָּל־צְבָאָ֑ם הֶחֱרִימָ֖ם נְתָנָ֥ם לַטָּֽבַח	2	B	For the rage of Yahweh is on all the nations, and heat over all their hosts, to utterly destroy them. He will give them to the slaughter.	3e	4C	18 10
וְחַלְלֵיהֶ֣ם יֻשְׁלָ֔כוּ וּפִגְרֵיהֶ֖ם יַעֲלֶ֣ה בָאְשָׁ֑ם וְנָמַ֥סּוּ הָרִ֖ים מִדָּמָֽם	3		And their profaned will be cast down and their carcasses, their stink will ascend, and the hills will be molten from their blood.	3e	4B	16 9
וְנָמַ֙קּוּ֙ כָּל־צְבָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְנָגֹ֥לּוּ כַסֵּ֖פֶר הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְכָל־צְבָאָ֣ם יִבּ֔וֹל כִּנְבֹ֤ל עָלֶה֙ מִגֶּ֔פֶן וּכְנֹבֶ֖לֶת מִתְּאֵנָֽה	4		And all the host of the heavens will rot. The heavens will be rolled up like a book, and all their hosts will wither as a leaf from the vine withers and as the withering a fig tree.	3e	4C	21 21
כִּֽי־רִוְּתָ֥ה בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם חַרְבִּ֑י הִנֵּה֙ עַל־אֱד֣וֹם תֵּרֵ֔ד וְעַל־עַ֥ם חֶרְמִ֖י לְמִשְׁפָּֽט	5		For saturated in the heavens is my sword. Behold on Edom it descends, and over the people of my ban for lessons in judgment.	3e	4B	8 15
חֶ֣רֶב לַיהוָ֞ה מָלְאָ֥ה דָם֙ הֻדַּ֣שְׁנָה מֵחֵ֔לֶב מִדַּ֤ם כָּרִים֙ וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים מֵחֵ֖לֶב כִּלְי֣וֹת אֵילִ֑ים כִּ֣י זֶ֤בַח לַֽיהוָה֙ בְּבָצְרָ֔ה וְטֶ֥בַח גָּד֖וֹל בְּאֶ֥רֶץ אֱדֽוֹם	6	B	The sword of Yahweh is full of blood, fattened from the choicest with the blood of butting lambs and goats, from the choicest of the kidneys of rams, for an offering to Yahweh is in the enclosure [Bozrah], and great slaughter in the land of Edom.	3e	4C	28 18
וְיָרְד֤וּ רְאֵמִים֙ עִמָּ֔ם וּפָרִ֖ים עִם־אַבִּירִ֑ים וְרִוְּתָ֤ה אַרְצָם֙ מִדָּ֔ם וַעֲפָרָ֖ם מֵחֵ֥לֶב יְדֻשָּֽׁן	7		And wild bulls will come down with them, and young bulls with the mighty, and their land will be saturated with blood and their dust from the choicest will be fattened,	3e	4C	15 17
כִּ֛י י֥וֹם נָקָ֖ם לַֽיהוָ֑ה שְׁנַ֥ת שִׁלּוּמִ֖ים לְרִ֥יב צִיּֽוֹן	8	d	For a day of the vengeance of Yahweh, a year of repayment for the contention of Zion.	3d	4A	6 9
וְנֶהֶפְכ֤וּ נְחָלֶ֙יהָ֙ לְזֶ֔פֶת וַעֲפָרָ֖הּ לְגָפְרִ֑ית וְהָיְתָ֣ה אַרְצָ֔הּ לְזֶ֖פֶת בֹּעֵרָֽה	9		And her torrents will be changed to tar and her dust to pitch, and her land will be for tar kindled.	3e	4C	18 11
לַ֤יְלָה וְיוֹמָם֙ לֹ֣א תִכְבֶּ֔ה לְעוֹלָ֖ם יַעֲלֶ֣ה עֲשָׁנָ֑הּ מִדּ֤וֹר לָדוֹר֙ תֶּחֱרָ֔ב לְנֵ֣צַח נְצָחִ֔ים אֵ֥ין עֹבֵ֖ר בָּֽהּ	10	C	Night and day not quenched, forever her smoke will ascend. From generation to generation, deserted, in perpetual perpetuity, none will pass through her.	3e	4C	17 17
וִירֵשׁ֙וּהָ֙ קָאַ֣ת וְקִפּ֔וֹד וְיַנְשׁ֥וֹף וְעֹרֵ֖ב יִשְׁכְּנוּ־בָ֑הּ וְנָטָ֥ה עָלֶ֛יהָ קַֽו־תֹ֖הוּ וְאַבְנֵי־בֹֽהוּ	11		And unclean bird and porcupine and barn owl will possess her, and raven will dwell in her, and he will stretch out on her a line of disorder and stones of the void.	3d	4B	19 13
חֹרֶ֥יהָ וְאֵֽין־שָׁ֖ם מְלוּכָ֣ה יִקְרָ֑אוּ וְכָל־שָׂרֶ֖יהָ יִ֥הְיוּ אָֽפֶס	12		Her freeborn, (but none is there) her royalty will proclaim, and all her nobility will be terminated.	3e	4B	12 9
וְעָלְתָ֤ה אַרְמְנֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ סִירִ֔ים קִמּ֥וֹשׂ וָח֖וֹחַ בְּמִבְצָרֶ֑יהָ וְהָיְתָה֙ נְוֵ֣ה תַנִּ֔ים חָצִ֖יר לִבְנ֥וֹת יַעֲנָֽה	13		And prickles will come up in her citadels, stinging nettle and thorns in her enclosures, and she will be the home of dragons, grass to the daughters of an ostrich.	3e	4C	20 14
וּפָגְשׁ֤וּ צִיִּים֙ אֶת־אִיִּ֔ים וְשָׂעִ֖יר עַל־רֵעֵ֣הוּ יִקְרָ֑א אַךְ־שָׁם֙ הִרְגִּ֣יעָה לִּילִ֔ית וּמָצְאָ֥ה לָ֖הּ מָנֽוֹחַ	14		And wild places will meet coasts, and kid against its associate will call. Surely there is the uneasy Lilith, but she will find rest in her.	3e	4C	17 14
שָׁ֣מָּה קִנְּנָ֤ה קִפּוֹז֙ וַתְּמַלֵּ֔ט וּבָקְעָ֖ה וְדָגְרָ֣ה בְצִלָּ֑הּ אַךְ־שָׁ֛ם נִקְבְּצ֥וּ דַיּ֖וֹת אִשָּׁ֥ה רְעוּתָֽהּ	15	B	There is her nest, great owl, and she will lay and hatch and foment in her shadow. Surely there kites are collected, each with her associate.	3d	4C	18 12
דִּרְשׁ֨וּ מֵֽעַל־סֵ֤פֶר יְהוָה֙ וּֽקְרָ֔אוּ אַחַ֤ת מֵהֵ֙נָּה֙ לֹ֣א נֶעְדָּ֔רָה אִשָּׁ֥ה רְעוּתָ֖הּ לֹ֣א פָקָ֑דוּ כִּֽי־פִי֙ ה֣וּא צִוָּ֔ה וְרוּח֖וֹ ה֥וּא קִבְּצָֽן	16		Search out from the record of Yahweh and recite. Not one from them will lag, each her associate will not visit, for my mouth has commanded it, and its spirit, itself, collects.	3e	4C	29 11
וְהֽוּא־הִפִּ֤יל לָהֶן֙ גּוֹרָ֔ל וְיָד֛וֹ חִלְּקַ֥תָּה לָהֶ֖ם בַּקָּ֑ו עַד־עוֹלָם֙ יִֽירָשׁ֔וּהָ לְד֥וֹר וָד֖וֹר יִשְׁכְּנוּ־בָֽהּ	17		And he has let fall for them the lot, and his hand has divided for them by line. For evermore they will possess her, from generation to generation, they will dwell in her.	3d	4C	18 15

Christmas 2017

Diana started a letter and I finished it. That was quick.

Psalms 97

Looking for a Christmas read in TNK.

Christmas readings from the Revised Common Lectionary Year A, B or C: Isaiah 9 or Isaiah 62 or Isaiah 52, Psalms 96, 97. (Below) I will save Psalm 98 for next year.

Psalms 97		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
יְהוָ֣ה מָ֭לָךְ תָּגֵ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ יִ֝שְׂמְח֗וּ אִיִּ֥ים רַבִּֽים	1		Yahweh reigns. Let the earth rejoice. Let the multitude of coasts be glad.	3e	4B	9 7
עָנָ֣ן וַעֲרָפֶ֣ל סְבִיבָ֑יו צֶ֥דֶק וּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט מְכ֣וֹן כִּסְאֽוֹ	2		Clouds and dark turbulence surround him. Righteousness and judgment are the stability of his throne.	3e	4B	9 9
אֵ֭שׁ לְפָנָ֣יו תֵּלֵ֑ךְ וּתְלַהֵ֖ט סָבִ֣יב צָרָֽיו	3	g	Fire walks in his presence, and will blaze his surrounding foes.	3e	4B	6 7
הֵאִ֣ירוּ בְרָקָ֣יו תֵּבֵ֑ל רָאֲתָ֖ה וַתָּחֵ֣ל הָאָֽרֶץ	4		His lightnings light the world. The earth saw and was in birth.	3e	4B	8 9
הָרִ֗ים כַּדּוֹנַ֗ג נָ֭מַסּוּ מִלִּפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה מִ֝לִּפְנֵ֗י אֲד֣וֹן כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ	5		Hills melted like wax from the presence of Yahweh, from the presence of the Lord of all the earth.	3e	4B	13 9
הִגִּ֣ידוּ הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם צִדְק֑וֹ וְרָא֖וּ כָל־הָעַמִּ֣ים כְּבוֹדֽוֹ	6		The heavens make evident his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.	3e	4B	8 10
יֵבֹ֤שׁוּ ׀ כָּל־עֹ֬בְדֵי פֶ֗סֶל הַמִּֽתְהַלְלִ֥ים בָּאֱלִילִ֑ים הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ל֝וֹ כָּל־אֱלֹהִֽים	7		All servants of a graven image will be ashamed, boasting in the good for nothing. Worship him all gods.	3e	4C	16 8
שָׁמְעָ֬ה וַתִּשְׂמַ֨ח ׀ צִיּ֗וֹן וַ֭תָּגֵלְנָה בְּנ֣וֹת יְהוּדָ֑ה לְמַ֖עַן מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ יְהוָֽה	8		Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced on account of your judgments, Yahweh.	3e	4B	16 9
כִּֽי־אַתָּ֤ה יְהוָ֗ה עֶלְי֥וֹן עַל־כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ מְאֹ֥ד נַ֝עֲלֵ֗יתָ עַל־כָּל־אֱלֹהִֽים	9		For you Yahweh are Most High over all the earth. You are supremely ascended over all gods.	3e	4C	11 11
אֹהֲבֵ֥י יְהוָ֗ה שִׂנְא֫וּ רָ֥ע שֹׁ֭מֵר נַפְשׁ֣וֹת חֲסִידָ֑יו מִיַּ֥ד רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יַצִּילֵֽם	10		Those who love Yahweh hate evil. He guards those who are under his mercy. He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.	3e	4B	8 7 8
א֭וֹר זָרֻ֣עַ לַצַּדִּ֑יק וּֽלְיִשְׁרֵי־לֵ֥ב שִׂמְחָֽה	11	g	Light is sown for one who is righteous, and gladness to the upright of heart.	3e	4B	7 6
שִׂמְח֣וּ צַ֭דִּיקִים בַּֽיהוָ֑ה וְ֝הוֹד֗וּ לְזֵ֣כֶר קָדְשֽׁוֹ	12		Be glad in Yahweh you righteous ones, and give thanks for the remembrance of his holiness.	3e	4B	7 8

#PsalmTweets

And for something quite different and sensitively told, see James Tabor's post on the historical Jesus here. (I have used the 'son of Panthera' idea in a romantic reconstruction of the times after Jesus in the first century, my novella, Seen from the Street, presently 'out of print', but perhaps I will reread and revise it a little over the next year as I complete TNK. I could use another critical editor. Let me know if you are interested.)

Memories

Uncle Ted, died at Vimy Ridge - just over 100 years ago

This is from a reminder present from son, Jeremy, who got us to go and visit the grave in 2004.

Jeremy standing in a farmer's field in France

The inscription in the official record:

BROWN, Lieutenant, FREDERICK RUYTER, M M, 29th Bn. Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regt.). Died of wounds, received at Vimy Ridge, 10th April 1917. Age 25. Son of John Ruyter Brown and Luella B. Brown, of Vancouver, British Columbia. I. H. 74.

Joshua 2

Men or persons, take your choice. They are referred to once as singular. I made it awkward to have an extra syllable in the English gloss. (More for the music! - to which I not paying much attention these days.)

Raxab, to distinguish the harlot from the mythical monster, Rahab.

Joshua 2		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ־בִּן־נ֠וּן מִֽן־הַשִּׁטִּ֞ים שְׁנַֽיִם־אֲנָשִׁ֤ים מְרַגְּלִים֙ חֶ֣רֶשׁ לֵאמֹ֔ר לְכ֛וּ רְא֥וּ אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְאֶת־יְרִיח֑וֹ וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ וַ֠יָּבֹאוּ בֵּית־אִשָּׁ֥ה זוֹנָ֛ה וּשְׁמָ֥הּ רָחָ֖ב וַיִּשְׁכְּבוּ־שָֽׁמָּה	1		And Joshua child of Nun sent from Shittim two persons to survey silently, saying, Go, see the land and Jericho. And they went and they entered the house of a woman of harlotry, and her name was Raxab, and they lay down there.	3d	4C	38 20
וַיֵּ֣אָמַ֔ר לְמֶ֥לֶךְ יְרִיח֖וֹ לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּ֣ה אֲ֠נָשִׁים בָּ֣אוּ הֵ֧נָּה הַלַּ֛יְלָה מִבְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לַחְפֹּ֥ר אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ	2		And it was mentioned to the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, men came here by night from the children of Israel to probe the land.	3c	4B	12 23
וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יְרִיח֔וֹ אֶל־רָחָ֖ב לֵאמֹ֑ר ה֠וֹצִיאִי הָאֲנָשִׁ֨ים הַבָּאִ֤ים אֵלַ֙יִךְ֙ אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ לְבֵיתֵ֔ךְ כִּ֛י לַחְפֹּ֥ר אֶת־כָּל־הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּֽאוּ	3		And the king of Jericho sent to Raxab, saying, Have the persons brought out that came to you, that came to your house, for they came to probe all the land.	3d	4C	13 30
וַתִּקַּ֧ח הָֽאִשָּׁ֛ה אֶת־שְׁנֵ֥י הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים וַֽתִּצְפְּנ֑וֹ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ כֵּ֗ן בָּ֤אוּ אֵלַי֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְלֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי מֵאַ֥יִן הֵֽמָּה	4		And the woman took both the persons and secluded him, and she said, So persons came to me, but, I do not know where they are.	3c	4C	17 21
וַיְהִ֨י הַשַּׁ֜עַר לִסְגּ֗וֹר בַּחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙ וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים יָצָ֔אוּ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי אָ֥נָה הָלְכ֖וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים רִדְפ֥וּ מַהֵ֛ר אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם כִּ֥י תַשִּׂיגֽוּם	5		And it was at the latching of the gate in the darkness, and the persons went forth. I do not know where the persons went. Pursue swiftly after them, for you may overtake them.	3d	4B	30 12
וְהִ֖יא הֶעֱלָ֣תַם הַגָּ֑גָה וַֽתִּטְמְנֵם֙ בְּפִשְׁתֵּ֣י הָעֵ֔ץ הָעֲרֻכ֥וֹת לָ֖הּ עַל־הַגָּֽג	6		But she had brought them up to the roof, and buried them in the flax wood as arranged by her on the housetop.	3e	4B	9 17
וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים רָדְפ֤וּ אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן עַ֖ל הַֽמַּעְבְּר֑וֹת וְהַשַּׁ֣עַר סָגָ֔רוּ אַחֲרֵ֕י כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יָצְא֥וּ הָרֹדְפִ֖ים אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם	7		And the men pursued after them the way of the Jordan to the fords, and they latched the gate after the pursuers went out after them.	3d	4C	21 22
וְהֵ֖מָּה טֶ֣רֶם יִשְׁכָּב֑וּן וְהִ֛יא עָלְתָ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־הַגָּֽג	8		And they before they were lying down, she came up to them on the roof.	3d	4B	8 10
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲנָשִׁ֔ים יָדַ֕עְתִּי כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְכִֽי־נָפְלָ֤ה אֵֽימַתְכֶם֙ עָלֵ֔ינוּ וְכִ֥י נָמֹ֛גוּ כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָאָ֖רֶץ מִפְּנֵיכֶֽם	9		And she said to the men, I know that Yahweh has given to you the land, and that your horror has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land soften before you.	3c	4C	21 24
כִּ֣י שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ אֵ֠ת אֲשֶׁר־הוֹבִ֨ישׁ יְהוָ֜ה אֶת־מֵ֤י יַם־סוּף֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם בְּצֵאתְכֶ֖ם מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֡ם לִשְׁנֵי֩ מַלְכֵ֨י הָאֱמֹרִ֜י אֲשֶׁ֨ר בְּעֵ֤בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ לְסִיחֹ֣ן וּלְע֔וֹג אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶחֱרַמְתֶּ֖ם אוֹתָֽם	10	B	For we have heard that Yahweh had dried up the waters of the sea of reeds before you, when you came out from Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were across the Jordan, to Sihon and to Og, whom you utterly destroyed.	3e	4C	25 35
וַנִּשְׁמַע֙ וַיִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבֵ֔נוּ וְלֹא־קָ֨מָה ע֥וֹד ר֛וּחַ בְּאִ֖ישׁ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֚י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם ה֤וּא אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם מִמַּ֔עַל וְעַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ מִתָּֽחַת	11		And we heard and our hearts melted, and spirit was not upheld any more in anyone before you, for Yahweh your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.	3d	4C	21 25
וְעַתָּ֗ה הִשָּֽׁבְעוּ־נָ֥א לִי֙ בַּֽיהוָ֔ה כִּי־עָשִׂ֥יתִי עִמָּכֶ֖ם חָ֑סֶד וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨ם גַּם־אַתֶּ֜ם עִם־בֵּ֤ית אָבִי֙ חֶ֔סֶד וּנְתַתֶּ֥ם לִ֖י א֥וֹת אֱמֶֽת	12		So now, swear please to me in Yahweh, for I have dealt with you kindly, that you yourselves will deal also with the house of my father kindly, and you give me a sign of truth.	3e	4C	17 20
וְהַחֲיִתֶ֞ם אֶת־אָבִ֣י וְאֶת־אִמִּ֗י וְאֶת־אַחַי֙ וְאֶת־אַחְיוֹתַ֔י וְאֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם וְהִצַּלְתֶּ֥ם אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵ֖ינוּ מִמָּֽוֶת	13		And that you will keep alive my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters and all that is theirs, and deliver our group from death.	3e	4B	28 12
וַיֹּ֧אמְרוּ לָ֣הּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים נַפְשֵׁ֤נוּ תַחְתֵּיכֶם֙ לָמ֔וּת אִ֚ם לֹ֣א תַגִּ֔ידוּ אֶת־דְּבָרֵ֖נוּ זֶ֑ה וְהָיָ֗ה בְּתֵת־יְהוָ֥ה לָ֙נוּ֙ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְעָשִׂ֥ינוּ עִמָּ֖ךְ חֶ֥סֶד וֶאֱמֶֽת	14		And the persons said to her, Our group instead of yours, from death, if you do not tell this our matter, and it will be that when Yahweh gives us the land, we will deal with your people with kindness and truth.	3c	4C	27 24
וַתּוֹרִדֵ֥ם בַּחֶ֖בֶל בְּעַ֣ד הַֽחַלּ֑וֹן כִּ֤י בֵיתָהּ֙ בְּקִ֣יר הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה וּבַֽחוֹמָ֖ה הִ֥יא יוֹשָֽׁבֶת	15		And she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was in the sidewall of the wall, and in the wall, she inhabited.	3e	4C	12 16
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הָהָ֣רָה לֵּ֔כוּ פֶּֽן־יִפְגְּע֥וּ בָכֶ֖ם הָרֹדְפִ֑ים וְנַחְבֵּתֶ֨ם שָׁ֜מָּה שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֗ים עַ֚ד שׁ֣וֹב הָרֹֽדְפִ֔ים וְאַחַ֖ר תֵּלְכ֥וּ לְדַרְכְּכֶֽם	16		And she said to them, Towards the hill, go, lest the pursuers come across you. And shroud yourselves there three days till the pursuers have returned, and afterwards you will go your way.	3e	4C	19 25
וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלֶ֖יהָ הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים נְקִיִּ֣ם אֲנַ֔חְנוּ מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥ךְ הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ	17		And the persons said to her, We are innocent of this your oath that you have made us swear.	3e	4B	10 18
הִנֵּ֛ה אֲנַ֥חְנוּ בָאִ֖ים בָּאָ֑רֶץ אֶת־תִּקְוַ֡ת חוּט֩ הַשָּׁנִ֨י הַזֶּ֜ה תִּקְשְׁרִ֗י בַּֽחַלּוֹן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹרַדְתֵּ֣נוּ ב֔וֹ וְאֶת־אָבִ֨יךְ וְאֶת־אִמֵּ֜ךְ וְאֶת־אַחַ֗יִךְ וְאֵת֙ כָּל־בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֔יךְ תַּאַסְפִ֥י אֵלַ֖יִךְ הַבָּֽיְתָה	18		Behold we are coming into the land. In expectation, you will fasten this thread of scarlet in the window through which you have brought us down, and your father and your mother and your brothers and all the house of your father, you will gather to you towards the house.	3d	4B	10 50
וְהָיָ֡ה כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־יֵצֵא֩ מִדַּלְתֵ֨י בֵיתֵ֧ךְ ׀ הַח֛וּצָה דָּמ֥וֹ בְרֹאשׁ֖וֹ וַאֲנַ֣חְנוּ נְקִיִּ֑ם וְ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִֽהְיֶ֤ה אִתָּךְ֙ בַּבַּ֔יִת דָּמ֣וֹ בְרֹאשֵׁ֔נוּ אִם־יָ֖ד תִּֽהְיֶה־בּֽוֹ	19		And it will be that anyone who emerges from the portals of your house outside, his blood will be on his head, and we will be innocent, and anyone who is with you in the house, his blood will be on our head, if a hand is on him.	3c	4C	28 22
וְאִם־תַּגִּ֖ידִי אֶת־דְּבָרֵ֣נוּ זֶ֑ה וְהָיִ֣ינוּ נְקִיִּ֔ם מִשְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ	20		And if you tell this our matter, then we will be innocent from your oath that you have made us swear.	3e	4B	11 17
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ כְּדִבְרֵיכֶ֣ם כֶּן־ה֔וּא וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵ֖ם וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ וַתִּקְשֹׁ֛ר אֶת־תִּקְוַ֥ת הַשָּׁנִ֖י בַּחַלּֽוֹן	21		And she said, According to your words so it is, and she sent them away and they went. And she fastened in expectation, the scarlet in the window.	3d	4B	16 12
וַיֵּלְכוּ֙ וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ הָהָ֔רָה וַיֵּ֤שְׁבוּ שָׁם֙ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים עַד־שָׁ֖בוּ הָרֹדְפִ֑ים וַיְבַקְשׁ֧וּ הָרֹדְפִ֛ים בְּכָל־הַדֶּ֖רֶךְ וְלֹ֥א מָצָֽאוּ	22		And they went and they came towards the hill, and they sat there three days till the pursuers had returned, and the pursuers sought throughout all the way and did not find.	3c	4C	24 16
וַיָּשֻׁ֜בוּ שְׁנֵ֤י הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ וַיֵּרְד֣וּ מֵֽהָהָ֔ר וַיַּעַבְרוּ֙ וַיָּבֹ֔אוּ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בִּן־נ֑וּן וַיְסַ֨פְּרוּ־ל֔וֹ אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַמֹּצְא֖וֹת אוֹתָֽם	23		And both the persons returned and came down from the hill and passed through and they came to Joshua child of Nun. And they recounted to him all that had been found by them.	3e	4C	30 10
וַיֹּאמְרוּ֙ אֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ כִּֽי־נָתַ֧ן יְהוָ֛ה בְּיָדֵ֖נוּ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְגַם־נָמֹ֛גוּ כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָאָ֖רֶץ מִפָּנֵֽינוּ	24		And they said to Joshua, For Yahweh has given into our hands all the land, and moreover all the inhabitants of the land soften before us.	3c	4A	21 15

Genesis 18

Some sections, are much more fun than expected. I work under constraint so I am not free to make the English normal. I am letting my now 70% completed glossary guide me. I see multiple places where it needs correcting and I do that, but equally sometimes it suggests a reading that would never have occurred to me given traditional language choices from this massive text, made over by 16th century biases. (I have my own biases of course. Not sure I can name them: ... )

Verse 14 - there is no hard in the text that I can see. This Yahweh understates his becoming. I don't know whether to read it backwards or forwards: will a wonder from Yahweh be something? Or will a word from Yahweh be wonderful?

Verse 19 reads like an interpolation. Yahweh begins the speech and then it shifts to third person. The logic is perplexing. Remember that conjunctions and prepositions, those tongue connectors, are difficult to gloss.Does Yahweh's knowledge of Abraham determine his ability in order that (למען אשׁר) he can be a good father? As a father, I sure hope so. There - that's a bias of mine.

Verse 20 - I guess I should not expect to understand Yahweh when he is musing. This is grammatically strange. appeal (זעק) is probably also an outcry (צעק), but the stems differ. It is not the sense of appealing, i.e. desirable, though it might be that too. Sodom already has a bad rep as we have seen in chapter 14.

Verse 21 - the number of syllables in הכצעקתה is compromised by my elongated English whether ה according כ to her ה outcry צעק.

Verse 23 - the intimacy of נגשׁ is missed with the gloss come close. But it is there. snatch fits everywhere else so far for this gloss, so why not here? And note that the word changes. You would not know this from KJV or JB. NIV is more precise (good for them in this case) and uses sweep away where I presently have snatch.

Verse 25 - so far in my work judgment has always 'meant' good judgement. I have one other gloss for the stem שׁפט, that is astute. But right and justice I have as צדיך. Perhaps I am too generous sometimes with my synonyms.

The word for bear is נשא lift up - but not forgive (footnoted in NIV). Forgive has a specific stem: סלח. It is not necessary to conflate lift up with forgive. It risks being a bit of a short circuit. Real change of heart, new creation, requires participatory work, not just good theory.

Genesis 18		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם	1		And Yahweh appeared to him by the oak of Mamre, and he was sitting at the door of the tent as the day was hot.	3d	4C	13 13
וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים עָלָ֑יו וַיַּ֗רְא וַיָּ֤רָץ לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָֽרְצָה	2		And he lifted up his eyes, and he stared and behold, three men stood firm over him, and he stared, and he raced to encounter them from the door of the tent, and he prostrated himself to the earth.	3e	4C	21 20
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֗י אִם־נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ אַל־נָ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר מֵעַ֥ל עַבְדֶּֽךָ	3		And he said, My Lord, if please, I have found grace in your eyes, please do not pass by from your servant.	3e	4C	3 23
יֻקַּֽח־נָ֣א מְעַט־מַ֔יִם וְרַחֲצ֖וּ רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ תַּ֥חַת הָעֵֽץ	4		Receive please a little of the water and wash your feet, and relax under the tree.	3e	4B	13 9
וְאֶקְחָ֨ה פַת־לֶ֜חֶם וְסַעֲד֤וּ לִבְּכֶם֙ אַחַ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּ֥ן עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם עַֽל־עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֵּ֥ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ	5		And I will take a fragment of bread, and confirm your hearts. After, do pass by, for so you will have passed by your servant. And they said, So do as you have spoken.	3e	4C	28 13
וַיְמַהֵ֧ר אַבְרָהָ֛ם הָאֹ֖הֱלָה אֶל־שָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מַהֲרִ֞י שְׁלֹ֤שׁ סְאִים֙ קֶ֣מַח סֹ֔לֶת ל֖וּשִׁי וַעֲשִׂ֥י עֻגֽוֹת	6		And Abraham moved swiftly towards the tent to Sarah, and said, Swiftly, three bushels of flour, fine flour, kneaded, and make a pancake.	3c	4C	13 21
וְאֶל־הַבָּקָ֖ר רָ֣ץ אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיִּקַּ֨ח בֶּן־בָּקָ֜ר רַ֤ךְ וָטוֹב֙ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֶל־הַנַּ֔עַר וַיְמַהֵ֖ר לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֹתֽוֹ	7		And Abraham raced to the herd, and he took of the herd, one tender and good, and he gave to a lad, and he was swift to deal with it.	3e	4C	9 24
וַיִּקַּ֨ח חֶמְאָ֜ה וְחָלָ֗ב וּבֶן־הַבָּקָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וְהֽוּא־עֹמֵ֧ד עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם תַּ֥חַת הָעֵ֖ץ וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּ	8		And he took clotted cream and milk, and the child of the herd that was dealt with, and he put forth before them, and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate.	3c	4B	23 15
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵׄלָׄ֔יׄוׄ אַיֵּ֖ה שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִנֵּ֥ה בָאֹֽהֶל	9		And they said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.	3e	4B	12 8
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר שׁ֣וֹב אָשׁ֤וּב אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה וְהִנֵּה־בֵ֖ן לְשָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וְשָׂרָ֥ה שֹׁמַ֛עַת פֶּ֥תַח הָאֹ֖הֶל וְה֥וּא אַחֲרָֽיו	10		And he said, To return, I will return to you as is the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son. And Sarah heard at the door of the tent, and it was behind him.	3d	4C	23 16
וְאַבְרָהָ֤ם וְשָׂרָה֙ זְקֵנִ֔ים בָּאִ֖ים בַּיָּמִ֑ים חָדַל֙ לִהְי֣וֹת לְשָׂרָ֔ה אֹ֖רַח כַּנָּשִֽׁים	11		And Abraham and Sarah were old, having come into a plurality of days. Sarah had been given relief from the path according to women.	3e	4C	15 12
וַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן	12		And Sarah made sport within her, saying, After I am worn out, will there be enthrallment for me? And my lord is elderly.	3e	4C	10 16
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י זָקַֽנְתִּי	13		And Yahweh said to Abraham, Why this making sport from Sarah, saying, Indeed, truly will I give birth? And myself, I am old.	3d	4B	9 22
הֲיִפָּלֵ֥א מֵיְהוָ֖ה דָּבָ֑ר לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד אָשׁ֥וּב אֵלֶ֛יךָ כָּעֵ֥ת חַיָּ֖ה וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה בֵֽן	14		Will a wonder from Yahweh be something? At the appointed time I will return to you, as is the time of life, and Sarah will have a son.	3d	4A	9 16
וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ שָׂרָ֧ה ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ר לֹ֥א צָחַ֖קְתִּי כִּ֣י ׀ יָרֵ֑אָה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ׀ לֹ֖א כִּ֥י צָחָֽקְתְּ	15		And Sarah dissimulated, saying, I did not make sport. (Because she feared.) And he said, No, but you did make sport.	3c	4B	15 8
וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקִ֖פוּ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י סְדֹ֑ם וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הֹלֵ֥ךְ עִמָּ֖ם לְשַׁלְּחָֽם	16		And from there the men arose and looked down on the face of Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on.	3e	4C	19 11
וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אָמָ֑ר הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤ה אֲנִי֙ מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲנִ֥י עֹשֶֽׂה	17		But Yahweh said, Will I blindfold from Abraham what I am doing.	3e	4C	5 15
וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הָי֧וֹ יִֽהְיֶ֛ה לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל וְעָצ֑וּם וְנִ֨בְרְכוּ ב֔וֹ כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ	18		For Abraham will become a great nation and numerous, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.	3c	4A	16 11
כִּ֣י יְדַעְתִּ֗יו לְמַעַן֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְצַוֶּ֜ה אֶת־בָּנָ֤יו וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהוָ֔ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת צְדָקָ֖ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט לְמַ֗עַן הָבִ֤יא יְהוָה֙ עַל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֖ר עָלָֽיו	19	B	For I know him, in order that he will command his children and his house after him, and keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and judgment, in order that Yahweh may bring over Abraham what he spoke concerning him.	3e	4C	38 18
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה זַעֲקַ֛ת סְדֹ֥ם וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה כִּי־רָ֑בָּה וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם כִּ֥י כָבְדָ֖ה מְאֹֽד	20		And Yahweh said, For the appeal of Sodom and Gomorrah is abundant, and their sin, for it is very heavy.	3d	4B	16 9
אֵֽרֲדָה־נָּ֣א וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ הַבָּ֥אָה אֵלַ֖י עָשׂ֣וּ ׀ כָּלָ֑ה וְאִם־לֹ֖א אֵדָֽעָה	21		I will go down now and I will see, whether according to her outcry that has come to me, they do all of it. And if not, I will know.	3d	4B	21 6
וַיִּפְנ֤וּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ סְדֹ֑מָה וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם עוֹדֶ֥נּוּ עֹמֵ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה	22		And the men faced from there and went towards Sodom, and Abraham yet stood in the presence of Yahweh.	3e	4C	15 13
וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַאַ֣ף תִּסְפֶּ֔ה צַדִּ֖יק עִם־רָשָֽׁע	23		And Abraham came close and said, Indeed will you snatch the righteous one with one who is wicked?	3e	4B	9 9
אוּלַ֥י יֵ֛שׁ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר הַאַ֤ף תִּסְפֶּה֙ וְלֹא־תִשָּׂ֣א לַמָּק֔וֹם לְמַ֛עַן חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים הַצַּדִּיקִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ	24		Perhaps there are fifty righteous ones in the midst of the city, Indeed will you snatch, and not bear the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones that are within her?	3d	4C	13 25
חָלִ֨לָה לְּךָ֜ מֵעֲשֹׂ֣ת ׀ כַּדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה לְהָמִ֤ית צַדִּיק֙ עִם־רָשָׁ֔ע וְהָיָ֥ה כַצַּדִּ֖יק כָּרָשָׁ֑ע חָלִ֣לָה לָּ֔ךְ הֲשֹׁפֵט֙ כָּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ לֹ֥א יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה מִשְׁפָּֽט	25		Far be it from you to do such a thing as this, to execute a righteous one with one who is wicked, and that a righteous one should be as one who is wicked. Far be it from you. Will not the judge of all the earth do judgment?	3e	4C	30 17
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה אִם־אֶמְצָ֥א בִסְדֹ֛ם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר וְנָשָׂ֥אתִי לְכָל־הַמָּק֖וֹם בַּעֲבוּרָֽם	26		And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous ones in the midst of the city, then I will bear the whole place on their behalf.	3d	4B	20 13
וַיַּ֥עַן אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הִנֵּה־נָ֤א הוֹאַ֙לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔י וְאָנֹכִ֖י עָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר	27		And Abraham answered and he said, Behold if you will, I have attempted to speak to my Lord, and I am dust and ashes.	3e	4C	9 22
א֠וּלַי יַחְסְר֞וּן חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים הַצַּדִּיקִם֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה הֲתַשְׁחִ֥ית בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה אֶת־כָּל־הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית אִם־אֶמְצָ֣א שָׁ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה	28	~	Perhaps there will lack of the fifty righteous ones, five. Will you destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty five.	3e	4C	26 17
וַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד לְדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם אַרְבָּעִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה בַּעֲב֖וּר הָאַרְבָּעִֽים	29		And again further to speak to him, he said, Perhaps forty will be found there. And he said, I will not act, on behalf of the forty.	3d	4C	21 14
וַ֠יֹּאמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה אִם־אֶמְצָ֥א שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִֽׁים	30	~	And he said, Please do not let my Lord burn, and I will speak. Perhaps thirty will be found there, And he said, I will not act if I find there thirty.	3d	4C	24 14
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּֽה־נָ֤א הוֹאַ֙לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔י אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֶשְׂרִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָֽעֶשְׂרִֽים	31		And he said, Behold if you will, I have attempted to speak to my Lord. Perhaps twenty will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy on behalf of the twenty.	3d	4C	24 12
וַ֠יֹּאמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אַךְ־הַפַּ֔עַם אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֲשָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָעֲשָׂרָֽה	32	~	And he said, Please do not let my Lord burn, and I will speak but this one time. Perhaps ten will be found there. And he said, I will not destroy on behalf of the ten.	3d	4C	27 13
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כִּלָּ֔ה לְדַבֵּ֖ר אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם וְאַבְרָהָ֖ם שָׁ֥ב לִמְקֹמֽוֹ	33		And Yahweh went when he finished speaking to Abraham. And Abraham returned to his place.	3e	4B	17 8

Ezekiel 9

Ezekiel 8 is here. It has been a few months. I had forgotten.

Who is who? What is the nature of the striking? How many groups are defined by the graffiti? Funny word graffiti - but mark I have used elsewhere. Mark is a dark sound. The word is used of David when he feigned madness to escape 1 Samuel 21. There I rendered it graffiti - a light sound. (The acrostic Psalm 34 is relevant here.)

I have much respect for my honest atheist friends and relations (my name is Rabbit). Really, honest atheism is more honest than dishonest and fearful believers whose convictions have no courage. That is why we start at the sanctuary where the bending is pronounced. Aye yai yai, who will escape! Is there any Yahweh to see?

I had better answer that question. Yes, Virginia. Appropriate to the season.

I have to justify as well why I chose strike for traditional smite, and profane for all those places where slay, kill etc are used in other translations. Well, death is a complex problem. And we read into it what we choose.

Mission Control, I don't know if I am ready for theological conclusions... (MC: Get on with it.)

Yes, the One who is, and who was, and who is to come, is real. The judgment of the earth: the scientists, the politicians, the conservatives, and the liberals have nowhere to place their unknowns if there is no Becoming.

Those bound by time, bound by the imaginary numbers embedded in 4th dimensional mathematics, bound by the just out of reach market, pondering how many houses can be lit by one bitcoin, cannot say what will happen tomorrow. Why should we believe them today? Yet these can and do judge. It is in our mandate as scientists and politicians to decide our fate. Do I need to list what is undefinable, beauty, love, holiness, quality, kindness? Bend in this direction and do not lose hope. Then we bend in the direction of the One who is, and who was, and who is to come, this eternal glorious heaviness.

We will have to wait for the conclusion of these dream visions...

Ezekiel 9		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
וַיִּקְרָ֣א בְאָזְנַ֗י ק֤וֹל גָּדוֹל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר קָרְב֖וּ פְּקֻדּ֣וֹת הָעִ֑יר וְאִ֛ישׁ כְּלִ֥י מַשְׁחֵת֖וֹ בְּיָדֽוֹ	1		And he called in my ears with a great voice, saying, Have those entrusted with the city brought near, and each his instrument of destruction in his hand.	3d	4C	18 10
וְהִנֵּ֣ה שִׁשָּׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֡ים בָּאִ֣ים ׀ מִדֶּרֶךְ־שַׁ֨עַר הָעֶלְי֜וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ מָפְנֶ֣ה צָפ֗וֹנָה וְאִ֨ישׁ כְּלִ֤י מַפָּצוֹ֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ וְאִישׁ־אֶחָ֤ד בְּתוֹכָם֙ לָבֻ֣שׁ בַּדִּ֔ים וְקֶ֥סֶת הַסֹּפֵ֖ר בְּמָתְנָ֑יו וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ וַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ אֵ֖צֶל מִזְבַּ֥ח הַנְּחֹֽשֶׁת	2		And behold six men coming from the way of the higher gate that faced northward, and each his instrument of smashing in his hand, and one man among them clothed with linen and an ink well of a scribe on his waist, and they came and they stood next to the altar of brass.	3e	4C	55 14
וּכְב֣וֹד ׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל נַעֲלָה֙ מֵעַ֤ל הַכְּרוּב֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיָ֣ה עָלָ֔יו אֶ֖ל מִפְתַּ֣ן הַבָּ֑יִת וַיִּקְרָ֗א אֶל־הָאִישׁ֙ הַלָּבֻ֣שׁ הַבַּדִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר קֶ֥סֶת הַסֹּפֵ֖ר בְּמָתְנָֽיו	3		And the glory of the God of Israel ascended from the cherub, that he had been on, to the sill of the house, and he called to the man clothed with linen who had the ink well of a scribe on his waist.	3d	4C	27 22
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֵלָ֔יו עֲבֹר֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֔יר בְּת֖וֹךְ יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וְהִתְוִ֨יתָ תָּ֜ו עַל־מִצְח֣וֹת הָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים הַנֶּֽאֱנָחִים֙ וְהַנֶּ֣אֱנָקִ֔ים עַ֚ל כָּל־הַתּ֣וֹעֵב֔וֹת הַֽנַּעֲשׂ֖וֹת בְּתוֹכָֽהּ	4		And Yahweh said to him, Pass through into the midst of the city, in the midst of Jerusalem. Scratch graffiti on the foreheads of those sighing and groaning over all the abominations being done in her midst.	3e	4C	19 36
וּלְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ אָמַ֣ר בְּאָזְנַ֔י עִבְר֥וּ בָעִ֛יר אַחֲרָ֖יו וְהַכּ֑וּ אַל־תָּחֹ֥ס עֵינְכֶ֖ם וְאַל־תַּחְמֹֽלוּ	5		And to these he said in my ears, Pass through in the city after him, and strike. Do not let your eye spare and show no pity.	3d	4B	18 10
זָקֵ֡ן בָּח֣וּר וּבְתוּלָה֩ וְטַ֨ף וְנָשִׁ֜ים תַּהַרְג֣וּ לְמַשְׁחִ֗ית וְעַל־כָּל־אִ֨ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־עָלָ֤יו הַתָּו֙ אַל־תִּגַּ֔שׁוּ וּמִמִּקְדָּשִׁ֖י תָּחֵ֑לּוּ וַיָּחֵ֙לּוּ֙ בָּאֲנָשִׁ֣ים הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר לִפְנֵ֥י הַבָּֽיִת	6		Old, young man, or maiden, and little ones, and women you will slay for destruction, but over everyone on whom is the graffiti, you are not to make overture, and from my sanctuary you will start. And they started among the elders that were before the house.	3e	4C	40 18
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם טַמְּא֣וּ אֶת־הַבַּ֗יִת וּמַלְא֧וּ אֶת־הַחֲצֵר֛וֹת חֲלָלִ֖ים צֵ֑אוּ וְיָצְא֖וּ וְהִכּ֥וּ בָעִֽיר	7		And he said to them, Defile the house and fill the courts with the profaned. Go forth. And they went forth and struck in the city.	3c	4B	25 8
וַֽיְהִי֙ כְּהַכּוֹתָ֔ם וְנֵֽאשֲׁאַ֖ר אָ֑נִי וָאֶפְּלָ֨ה עַל־פָּנַ֜י וָאֶזְעַ֗ק וָֽאֹמַר֙ אֲהָהּ֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה הֲמַשְׁחִ֣ית אַתָּ֗ה אֵ֚ת כָּל־שְׁאֵרִ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּשָׁפְכְּךָ֥ אֶת־חֲמָתְךָ֖ עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם	8		And it happened as they were striking them, and I was residue, I fell on my face and appealed, and I said, Aye yai yai, my Lord Yahweh, will you have all the residue of Israel destroyed by pouring out your heat on Jerusalem?	3e	4C	12 45
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֗י עֲוֺ֨ן בֵּֽית־יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל וִֽיהוּדָה֙ גָּדוֹל֙ בִּמְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד וַתִּמָּלֵ֤א הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ דָּמִ֔ים וְהָעִ֖יר מָלְאָ֣ה מֻטֶּ֑ה כִּ֣י אָמְר֗וּ עָזַ֤ב יְהוָה֙ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֵ֥ין יְהוָ֖ה רֹאֶֽה	9		And he said to me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is very very great, and the land is filled with blood, and the city full of bending, for they say, Yahweh has forsaken the earth, and there is no Yahweh to see.	3e	4C	36 17
וְגַ֨ם־אֲנִ֔י לֹא־תָח֥וֹס עֵינִ֖י וְלֹ֣א אֶחְמֹ֑ל דַּרְכָּ֖ם בְּרֹאשָׁ֥ם נָתָֽתִּי	10		And even I will not spare my eye nor will I show pity. Their way on their head I will assign.	3e	4B	12 8
וְהִנֵּ֞ה הָאִ֣ישׁ ׀ לְבֻ֣שׁ הַבַּדִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר הַקֶּ֙סֶת֙ בְּמָתְנָ֔יו מֵשִׁ֥יב דָּבָ֖ר לֵאמֹ֑ר עָשִׂ֕יתִי כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּיתָֽנִי	11		And behold, the man clothed with linen who had the ink well on his waist returned a word, saying, I have done everything you commanded me.	3e	4C	24 11