Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Alexander Oldernes" <alexander AT oldernes.no>]

In Num 17:27 the word "gawa`nu" is used to describe an action that still had 
not taken place. The verb has the 'perfect' aspect.

Here is how it's translated:
ASV: "we perish"
KJV: "we die"
NKJ: "surely we die"
NIV: "we will die"

In Num 20:3 the same word is translated into "had died" in all these 
translations.

Would it be better to translate "gawa`nu" in Num 17:27b as:
"We are as good as dead!".

Would it be more close to the original understanding?


Alexander Oldernes
Norway