Biblical Hebrew Forum

["David Stabnow" <dstabno AT lifeway.com>]

In An Introduction to the OT Historical Books (pp. 245-248) David Howard,
Jr. argues for the following translation of 2 Sam 24:1 and 1 Chron 21:1 --

Again the anger of the Lord burned
against Israel
and it incited David
against them, saying
"Go and take a census of Israel and Judah."

An adversary rose up
against Israel
and incited David
to take a census of Israel.

I am inclined to agree with him, because

1. $+N without the definite article is elsewhere always translated "an
adversary" (1 Kg 11:14,23), whereas the proper noun always has the article
(Job 1,2).

2. The subject of the first verb in 2 Sam 24:1 is "anger," and since there
is no explicit change of subject, it is quite reasonable to assume it is
also the subject of the second verb.  Howard connects the Lord's anger with
His handing Israel over to their enemies, as in the book of Judges (2:14;
3:8; 10:7; also 2 Kg 13:3).  The Chronicler assumes this connection and
exegetes that it is the threat posed by these enemies, this adversary, that
"told" David to take a military census.

NASB attributes the quote in 2 Sam 24:1 to David.  I find that
theologically preferable, but grammatically unlikely -- it is generally the
subject of the main verb who does the "saying."

Is Howard's translation grammatically sound?

Dave Stabnow
Bible Translation Editor
Broadman & Holman Publishers
Nashville, Tennessee
615-251-5851
david.stabnow AT lifeway.com

    Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do everything for God's glory.  (1 Cor 10:31, HCSB)