Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George F Somsel <gfsomsel AT juno.com>]

On Sun, 26 Dec 2004 17:33:20 -0500 Schmuel <schmuel AT escape.com> writes:
> Hi b-hebrew,
> 
>      I have a question about determining whether a verse is a 
> declaration, or a question.
> 
> Proverbs 5:16 (KJB)
> Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the 
> streets. 
> 
>     In some modern translations, this is switched to a question, as 
> it is believed to fit the 
> context better.  (However, John Gill and some others explain the 
> verse as being a 
> reference to children, descendents, which would leave it as a 
> declarative sentence.
> In fact, Gill quotes both the Targum and Ibn Ezra as fitting this 
> understanding.)
> 
>     Independent of the contextual issues, are their clues in the 
> Hebrew grammar or 
> construction that would indicate which way this verse is mentioned ? 
>  Or is it purely
> a contextual issue ?
> 
> Shalom,
> Steven Avery
> Queens, NY
____________________

YfPW.CW. Ma(:Y:NoTeYKf XW.CfH B.R:XoBoWT P.aL:G"Y_MfYiM 

In the Word Biblical Commentary, vol 22 on Proverbs Roland Murphy notes

"The text does not have the sign for the question, but neither is it
necessary (cf. GKC §150a). As a question, the verse leads nicely into the
emphatic v 17 "

Note the sequence in his translation here (emphasis added)

 
15     Drink water from *** your own *** cistern, 
          running water from *** your own *** well. 
     16     Should your springs be scattered abroad, 
          and streams of water in the squares??? 
     17     Let them be *** yours alone, ***
          and not shared with strangers! 
george
gfsomsel
___________
>From brocine AT twcny.rr.com  Sun Dec 26 18:33:04 2004
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From: "B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>
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Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Proverbs 5:16 - a declaration or a question ?
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 18:33:02 -0500
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Hi Steve,

Considering grammar alone and putting context aside, as you requested:

Not only does v. 16 not have any sign of a question, as George mentioned, it 
also features a clause-initial yiqtol form, which I think is highly unusual 
in an unmarked question, particularly in a question that is not parallel 
with a question.  Neither does a clause-initial yiqtol favor indicative 
mood.  The vast majority of clause-initial yiqtols are volitional, 
preferring the "may" or "let" translation like the KJV uses.  I think 
context would have to be definite before we would prefer the interpretation 
of v. 16 as a question.  I will let you decide if you think it is "definite 
enough."

Shalom,
Bryan Rocine

> Hi b-hebrew,
>
>     I have a question about determining whether a verse is a declaration, 
> or a question.
>
> Proverbs 5:16 (KJB)
> Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the 
> streets.
>
>    In some modern translations, this is switched to a question, as it is 
> believed to fit the
> context better.  (However, John Gill and some others explain the verse as 
> being a
> reference to children, descendents, which would leave it as a declarative 
> sentence.
> In fact, Gill quotes both the Targum and Ibn Ezra as fitting this 
> understanding.)
>
>    Independent of the contextual issues, are their clues in the Hebrew 
> grammar or
> construction that would indicate which way this verse is mentioned ?  Or 
> is it purely
> a contextual issue ?
>
> Shalom,
> Steven Avery
> Queens, NY
>


B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13206

ph: 315.437.6744
fx: 315.437.6766