Biblical Hebrew Forum

["wattswestmaas" <wattswestmaas AT eircom.net>]

Chris:

When looking at an unpointed text, it is the context that tells whether or
not a verb is hiphil with a dropped yod, or another form.


>>>>>Hallo Karl,  Yes I know that this is a very sensible approach

In this case, the context does not call for a specific hiphil reading:

>>>>>Yes you are right again

it could be a qal reading And Moses broke camp, with Israel There is no
need for a hiphil reading, for Moses did not make Israel break camp, rather
they were following God in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and fire by
night (Exodus 13:1722). It was God doing the leading, not Moses. Thus the
context, along with its form, argue against this being a hiphil.

>>>>> EXCEPT that we have one minor problem to overcome and that is the same
verb being used in Psalm 78:56 and 78:52. Here one has difficulty NOT using
the causative. On top of this the Rabbis themselves do put this in a hiphil
category and give very convincing explanations. And it is the CONTEXT that
they use to explain WHY this is a HIPHIL.


>>>>>As a side issue the 'Pillar of Smoke and Fire does not provide them
motivation in many instance to believe that God is there so in this instance
by the sea the pillar of fire is not really a great incentive to move on.
This is borne out in many situations.

Karl W. Randolph.