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b-hebrew - RE: Literal translation of Dan 11:32

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  • From: "Lewis Reich" <LBR AT sprynet.com>
  • To: b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: RE: Literal translation of Dan 11:32
  • Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 10:29:20 -0400


On 24 Sep 98, at 9:07, Lee R. Martin wrote:

> All references to the subject are plural except for the 3ms
> pronominal suffix. Why is it singular?

It seemed to me that it is singular because (aM - nation or
people, is a collective noun, and Hebrew treats singular collective
nouns as American English does (the company has decided) rather than
as British English does (the company have decided) - as taking
singular verbs and pronouns.

> Is it possible that we have misunderstood this verse?
> Paraphrased, might it mean "but the people who are aware of his god
> (that is, this false god of the enemy) will prevail and act."

If (aM is singular in number, then the verse can be read (more
naturally, I think) as "But the nation that knows its god..." Thus
it would describe the nation who knows (appreciates and worships) the
true God, in contrast to the nation described previously.

Lewis Reich
LBR AT sprynet.com




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