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  • From: "Harold R. Holmyard III" <hholmyard AT ont.com>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Isaiah 53: oppression?
  • Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 13:04:02 -0500

Dear Vadim,

How about otzer?

The translation of confinement (otzer, vs8) as oppression is unwarranted. The word is also translated thus in Psalm 107:39, which is clearly wrong in relation to the princes mentioned there.

HH: The princes are not even mentioned until the following verse, so Ps 107:39 does not have to concern princes.

Rulers can be pressed (surrounded and wander in wastes) but not oppressed. In the only other instance, Proverbs 30:16, the same word refers to barren [womb], also a closed place, confinement. Because of (from) oppression he was taken is also meaningless, unless we assume he was taken from this world of oppression to the heavenly kingdom; but Isaiah does not profess resurrection. In the Tanach, taken [by God] is used only with Enoch and Elijah, and seems too high-flown considering the writer's attitude toward his subject. Further, this reading is not congruent with his soul was exposed to death.

HH: A translation note from the NET Bible says this:

tn The precise meaning of this line is uncertain. The translation above assumes that /m here has an instrumental sense, "by, through," and understands otzer umishpat , "coercion and legal decision," as a hendiadys meaning "coercive legal decision." Other interpretive options include: (1) "without [for this sense of /m, see BDB 578] hindrance and proper judicial process," i.e., "unfairly and with no one to defend him," (2) "from [in the sense of "after," see BDB 581] arrest and judgment."

Yours,
Harold Holmyard



HH:



Sincerely,

Vadim Cherny
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