Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Harold R. Holmyard III" <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear Chris,

> Hallo,  a quick question concerning the direct object of this piel verb in
> the only 2 occurrences in scripture.
>
> 1.  In Joshua 10:19 we see the direct object marker and the plural suffix.
>
> 2. But in Deut 25:18 can not this verse be more precisely translated as 'in
> you'? For semantic purposes then leading to the idea that the congregation
> of Israel is a BODY and the Amalekites were curtailing/cutting a part of
> that body away?

HH: The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew says that the preposition "B" 
with this verb at Deut 25:18 suggests place, with a sense like "'in,' 
'among,' or 'from.' They give the meaning of the verb as "'cut off 
rear,' 'attack from behind,' perhaps 'massacre rearguard' or 'cut off 
retreat.'"

                                Yours,
                                Harold Holmyard