Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Karl Randolph" <kwrandolph AT email.com>]

Vincent:

This is a passage that almost cries out for a paragraph to 
explain it, for it uses a grammatical construct in Hebrew 
that does not exist in European languages.

When we find noun L-noun where the two nouns are the same, 
this refers to each and every of the noun. Most often this 
construct is found in connection with nouns referring to 
time, as "day by day" or "night by night" which can be 
translated as "daily" or "nightly". In Isaiah 28 the 
construct is connected with QW (measuring line) and CW 
(command) and in the context of its use, God's expression 
is reduced to a series of measurements and commands (lit. 
measurement upon measurement, command upon command) which 
may even be numbered and added upon, where the more weighty 
matters get lost in the woodwork.

Karl W. Randolph.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Medina, Vincent" <VMedina AT cbcag.edu>

> 
> Greetings to All:
> 
> 
> 
> I have been doing some research on Isaiah 28. As you know there is much
> controversy over the interpretation of vv. 8-12, particularly how to
> understand the words, tsav latsav, tsav latsav, qav laqav, qav laqav.
> 
> 
> 
> Most think that the traditional translation "precept upon precept,
> precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line" is inadequate.
> Some think it represents a teacher teaching his students to recite the
> alphabet (which brings up the question of whether the names of the
> consonants has changed as well as the order), some think it is an
> imitation of baby talk, some an actual attempt at speaking in Akkadian,
> some just nonsense syllables.
> 
> 
> 
> Have you encountered any theories that you find convincing regarding the
> interpretation of these verses?
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> 
> 
> Vincent Medina

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