Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Steve Miller" <smille10 AT sbcglobal.net>]

Dear friends,

 

What is the meaning of the word RQ רַק (normally meaning “only”) in Psalm
32:6, where it is translated as “surely”?

 

Ps 32:6 Upon this shall every one that is godly pray unto You in a time when
You may be found. *Surely* in the floods of great waters they shall not come
near unto him.

 

עַל־זֹאת יִתְפַּלֵּל כָּל־חָסִיד ׀ אֵלֶיךָ לְעֵת מְצֹא רַק לְשֵׁטֶף מַיִם
רַבִּים אֵלָיו לֹא יַגִּֽיעוּ׃

 

What is the meaning of RQ here? 

1)Does it mean “this is the *only* thing that can happen”, which would mean
“surely”, but I do not see this meaning in any of the other occurances of RQ
in the Bible.

2)Does it mean “*only* by this”, meaning only by confessing your sins and
prayer which finds God (vv. 1-5), will one escape great troubles?

3)Does it mean “the floods will hurt every one, but only the godly one who
prays until he finds God will escape.”?

 

There are 109 occurrances of RQ in the Bible, and in only 4 places it is
translated “surely” (or “verily”) by KJB, Darby, YLT or LXX. Besides Psalm
32:6, here are the other 3:

 

Gen 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, *Surely* the fear of God is
not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

 

Here I think the meaning of RQ in Abraham’s apology to King Abimilech is,
“The only thing is”, or “the only thing wrong with your country is”. Lamsa’s
translation of the Aramaic has “Perhaps”. I like the Stone Tanach here best,
“There is but no fear of God in this place”.

 

Deut. 4:6 And ye shall keep and do them; for that will be your wisdom and
your understanding before the eyes of the peoples that shall hear all these
statutes, and say, Verily this great nation is a wise and understanding
people.

 

Here, I think the meaning is that no other nation is such a wise and
understanding people.

 

1 Kings 21:25 *Surely* there was none like to Ahab, who did sell himself to
do evil in the sight of Jehovah, Jezebel his wife urging him on.

 

רַק לֹֽא־הָיָה כְאַחְאָב אֲשֶׁר הִתְמַכֵּר לַעֲשֹׂות הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה
אֲשֶׁר־הֵסַתָּה אֹתֹו אִיזֶבֶל אִשְׁתֹּֽו׃

 

Here, I think the meaning is “surely” because of the repetition of the
thought: “Only” Ahab = “there was none like” Ahab.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

-Steve Miller

Detroit