Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Jason A. Hare" <language_lover64801 AT yahoo.com>]

Shmuel,

Been a long time since I've spoken with you. How have your holidays begun?
:-D

Here is my take on the verse in question (if you are at all interested):

"And he (the 'Branch') will [re]build the palace/temple of HaShem, and it
(the palace/temple) will bear splendor. He shall sit and govern upon his
throne. A there will be a cohen/priest at his throne. A counsel of peace
will be between the two of them."

For the first sentence, "he" refers to the Branch from verse 12 (as you
agree).

The "palace" of HaShem refers to the Temple (in Jerusalem). The "hu"
(he/it) refers to the temple in the second part of my first sentence. It
does not refer to the Branch bearing the splendor, but the Temple itself
(in my estimation).

The last two sentences are where your question is really centered, if I am
reading you correctly.

*** Does //v'haya khohen al kis'o// mean "and *he* will be a cohen upon
his throne" or "and *there* will be a cohen upon his throne"? ***

The Hebrew is less clear than English wants. However, based on the fact
that the next part of the verse reads "between the two of them," it would
only be natural to read it as two individuals, the Branch and the cohen.
This represents that this Branch governs with religious counsel, which is
why he governs with the "counsel of peace."

I think it is against the text to read into the text that the Branch
himself is to be a cohen upon the throne. One major problem with that
would be that the cohanim come from Levi while the ruling family was
Davidic (from Judah).

I will not go into my view of the verse as regards Messianic
interpretation. Schmuel, you knowing a bit about me, you should know what
my opinions would be. However, based on the grammar, I think it is clear
that this is not talking about a priest-king, but rather a king who
receives his counsel from HaShem's representatives (the cohanim).

Regards,
Jason