Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Tyler Connoley <johntyler AT connoley.com>]

Title: Jer 38:10

Hey All,

I have a question about the text of Jer 38:10. The MT says the king told Ebed-melech to take $L$M )N$M in his hand. The note in BHS reads “1 c Ms $L$H.” Most translations translate it as three men, except NASB, which is always very literal. The Hermeneia commentary says, “One would expect the singular )W with ‘thirty.’”

How do I make an informed decision on the best way to translate this? 

Thanks,
Tyler
-- 
"Storytelling reveals meaning without 
committing the error of defining it.” 
               -Hannah Arendt