Biblical Hebrew Forum

[ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk (Ben Crick)]

On Sun 19 Mar 2000 (06:26:25), polycarp66 AT aol.com wrote:
> No, I think the MT is precisely correct.  So is Matt 5.43. The reason being 
> that 2 Sam. reports the words of Joab -- WHICH HE MEANT AS BEING CONTRARY 
> TO 
> WHAT HE THOUGHT SHOULD BE DONE.

 Is it not just possible that Matthew had Leviticus 19:18 in mind here?

 "Hate thine enemy" can be deduced from the imprecatory Psalms; especially
 Psalm 139:21-22. We should hate our enemies with a "perfect hatred"
 TaK:LiYT &iN:'aH. God hates things, not people; he loves sinners, but
 hates their sin; e.g. Malachi 2:16. This is a "perfect hatred".

 See also the DSS (Manual of Discipline 1:3-4). Jesus' entirely novel
 teaching "But I say to you" is "love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
 do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you,
 and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

 Shalom
 Ben
-- 
 Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
 <ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk>
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