Biblical Hebrew Forum

[John Barach <jbarach AT telusplanet.net>]

BHaverim --

In Judges 6, YHWH tells Gideon to take "the bull of the bullock"
(PaR-HaSHOR) which belongs to his father *and* "the second bull" (PaR
HaSHeNiY) "seven years old."  It is this "second bull" which Gideon
sacrifices and which the men of the city see when they wake up (v. 28).

In his commentary on Judges, Daniel Block suggests that there was only
one bull.  He thinks the word usually translated "second" here doesn't
actually mean "second," but comes from a different root which means "to
be exalted, of high rank."  Thus, there is only the one bull, the bull
that belongs to Gideon's father -- even the prize bull seven years old.

That sounds plausible, but I can't verify that this "different root"
exists.  Block cites J. A. Emerton, "The 'Second Bull' in Judges
6:25-28," 55-55* -- but doesn't provide any other bibliographical
detail.

Your comments would be appreciated.

Regards,

John


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John Barach (403) 317-1950
Pastor, Trinity Reformed Church (URCNA)
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