Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Harold R. Holmyard III" <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear Joseph,
     Alviero suggested, "The imperatives in verse 1-2 are likely to be
addressed to the nocturnal ministers (or residents, like boy Samuel or old
Hannah in the Gospel of Luke) of the Temple, who respond in verse 3 by
invoking God's blessing on the suppliant(s)."
     This is also the interpretation of C. F. Keil, and it is preferable to
the one that I suggested earlier. Keil notes that Y:BFREK:KF ("may he bless
you") at the start of verse 3 is "the ground-form of the priestly
benediction" in Num 6:24. Alviero also cited Num 6:24-26, offering good
guidance on interpreting the third verse. I apologize that I spoke off the
top of my head.

                                         Yours,
                                         Harold Holmyard