Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Bob MacDonald <bobmacdonald AT shaw.ca>]

Fools step in - 

John

I am about three months old in this world - but I like the sense of the
transgression of the wicked speaking in the heart of the psalmist - not only
as if 'my' heart is prophetic and full of insight - but because 'my' heart
understands the transgression - i.e. 'I' am not separate from it.

I am speaking only as hearing the mind of a human struggle some millennia
past - something I think is closer to the Psalmist than some translations
give credence to.

Of course I would prefer if the words of the Psalmist were to undermine
colonialism and the I'm right you're wrong syndrome, the objectification of
the enemy - just so you know my bias.

BTW - I don't see 'oracle' but a participle form of - I suppose you could
noun the participle completely...



Bob

Bob MacDonald
Victoria BC
http://gx.ca
http://bmd.gx.ca
 

-----Original Message-----
From: b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:b-hebrew-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of JBarach AT aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 6:34 PM
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] Psalm 36:2

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
 
 
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
John Barach    (541) 531-2906
Pastor, Reformation Covenant Church (CREC)
706 Beekman Avenue
Medford, OR  97501
http://barach.us
_______________________________________________
b-hebrew mailing list
b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew