Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Moon-Ryul Jung" <moon AT sogang.ac.kr>]

I found out that the NRSV translation and RSV translation of Deut 30:1-3,
shown below, are followed by several other translations. I wonder what
kind
of analysis underlies them.

RSV groups 30:1b and 30:2 into the KI (WHEN) clause. NRSV makes 30:1b and
30:2 the condition of a conditional statement. Both are similar in that
the main statement begins at 30:3. 

WHY is the most straightforward rendering as shown below not taken?

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When all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I
have set before you, you will call them to mind among all the nations
where the LORD your God has driven you, 30:2 and return to the LORD your
God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you
this day, with all your heart and with all your soul. 30:3 [Then] the LORD
your God will restore your fortunes, and have compassion upon you, and he
will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has
scattered you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[NRSV]  30.1 When all these things have happened to you, the blessings and
the curses that I have set before you, if you call them to mind among all
the nations where the LORD your God has driven you,30:2 and return to the
LORD your God, and you and your children obey him with all your heart and
with all your soul, just as I am commanding you today,30:3 then the LORD
your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, gathering
you again from all the peoples among whom the LORD your God has scattered
you.


[RSV]
And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which
I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations
where the LORD your God has driven you, 30:2 and return to the LORD your
God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you
this day, with all your heart and with all your soul; 30:3 then the LORD
your God will restore your fortunes, and have compassion upon you, and he
will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has
scattered you.

Moon
Moon R. Jung
Sogang Univ, Seoul, Korea