Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Kerry VonDross" <vondross AT execpc.com>]

Dear B-Hebrew Members,

I do not know the Hebrew language.  Therefore, I utilize a Parallel 
Hebrew-English Bible and an Expository Dictionary for a comprehension of 
Bible passages. The Interlinear Bible that I use is a translation of the 
Masoretic text by Jay Green, Sr., published in 1976.  I am attempting to 
understand Isaiah 30:13-14.  A literal translation in English is provided:

"13 So this iniquity shall be to you as a broken section falling, like the 
bulging out in a high wall, the breaking of which comes suddenly in an 
instant.  
14 And its smashing is as the smashing of a potter's vessel; when broken in 
pieces, he has no pity; for in its breaking there is not found a sherd to 
carry fire from the hearth, nor to skim water from a well."

This interlinear translation also provides the original Masoretic text and 
list a word-for-word English translation above each Hebrew word.  I am 
writing it left-to-right, not as it is found in Hebrew written right-to-left. 
 It reads:

"13 therefore / shall be / to you / iniquity / this / as a breach / falling / 
bulging out / in a wall / made high, / which / suddenly, /  in an instant, / 
comes /  its smashing. /  
14 And its smashing / (is) as smashing / the / vessel of / a potter's / 
(when) broken, / not / he has pity / and not /
there is found / in its breaking / a shard / to take up / fire / from the 
hearth, / or to skim / water / from a pool."

Since the original text does not have a period, punctuation mark or space 
that separates verse 13 from verse 14, is this something that has been 
supplied by "modern" translators?  In other words, could the break and 
separation of these verses be at a different location?  Could it be 
translated to read as follows:

"13 therefore / shall be / to you / iniquity / this / as a breach / falling / 
bulging out / in a wall / made high, / which / suddenly, /  in an instant, / 
comes.  
14 Its smashing / and its smashing / (is) as smashing / the / vessel of / a 
potter's / (when) broken, / not / he has pity / and not /
there is found / in its breaking / a shard / to take up / fire / from the 
hearth, / or to skim / water / from a pool."

This is what I am attempting to understand.  How is the conjunction of verse 
13 and verse 14 determined?

Kerry VonDross