Biblical Hebrew Forum

[JBarach AT aol.com]

BHaverim --
 
Any suggestions for the translation of Psalm 36:2 (in the Hebrew text,  i.e., 
the verse after the title)?
 
The opening words ("a declaration/oracle of rebellion") are unusual, since  
it's normal to have the second word in this construction be the name of the  
person making the declaration (e.g., "an oracle of Yahweh" or "an oracle of  
David").  It's possible, I suppose, that Rebellion is here personified and  
is 
the one making the declaration.
 
The next phrase may mean "belonging to the wicked" or "by the wicked" (on  
the lines of "by David" in the title), so that it's a declaration of the  
rebellion which belongs to or is committed by the wicked.  Or it could be a  
declaration by Rebellion (personified) *to* the wicked person, as if 
Rebellion  is 
his god (comparable to "an oracle of Yahweh").
 
But then we get "within my heart."  That's the MT.  I realize  that some 
Hebrew manuscripts have "his heart," so that it's possible to take  this a 
statement within the heart of the wicked man.  Maybe.
 
But is it possible (with some translations) to take this as an oracle which  
is within the heart of the Psalmist?  That is, an oracle ABOUT the  rebellion 
of the wicked man?  That would be a different use of the "oracle  of..." 
construction, which normally involves a word indicating the speaker, not  a 
word 
indicating the subject.
 
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
 
John
 
 
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John Barach    (541) 531-2906
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