Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Matthew Anstey" <ansteyfamily AT optusnet.com.au>]

Hi all,

Can anyone shed any light on the phrase in Ezekiel 23:34, "and you will
gnaw (GRM) its [the cup's] earthenware (CHERESH)"? 

In preparing this entry for SDBH, I have written the following draft
footnote. Any comments are welcome.

The meaning of the phrase ואת־חרשׁיה תגרמי is uncertain. Ancient
Versions: Targum Jonathan emends to ותגמרין "and you will make an end
of"; LXX reads as ואת־חדשׁיה גמרתי "and her new moons I will take away";
Syriac freely renders "you will cut off your hair". Modern Versions:
RSV: "and pluck out your hair"; NJV: "And gnaw its shards"; NJB: "then
you will break it in pieces"; TEV: "and with its broken pieces"; CEV:
"Then smash the cup to pieces". HOTTP recommends following MT as
follows: "and you will chew on its broken pieces". Several versions
implicitly or explicitly suggest that the broken pieces of the pottery
cup are what is used to lacerate the breasts ושׁדיך תנתּקי as the verse
continues. Following the MT, one can surmise that the metaphor of
gnawing the pottery cup (of affliction and desolation v.33) represents
hardship.

With regards,

Matthew Anstey
Semantic Domains of Biblical Hebrew (SDBH) Dictionary Project 
United Bible Societies

Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
Faculteit der Godgeleerdheid
Residence: Kambah, ACT, Australia
ansteyfamily AT optusnet.com.au
+61 (0)2 6296 4044