Biblical Hebrew Forum

["K Randolph" <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Bruce:

Unless this is a happax legomai from an otherwise unknown root, this
is from the root NZH נזה which means "sprinkle". "To startle" has no
linguistic basis that I can discern.

This passage is poetry, and as such, it uses words in ways that at
times would surprise us, at times metaphorical and not directly
literal. Almost all of the uses of NZH is in cultic purification,
therefore this use implies a cultic purification of many nations
("many nations" is the object of the verb).

The reaction of the kings is in the next strophe of the verse.

Karl W. Randolph.

On 6/18/07, Bruce Meltzer <bmeltzer1243 AT yahoo.com> wrote:
> Aside from theological presuppositions, what would the linguistic basis be 
> for rendering yazzeh in the song of the suffering servant as sprinkle instead 
> of startle?  The act of sprinkling in the Tanach always involves physical 
> matter and the context of Isa. 52:15 would support startle more strongly 
> (i.e. the reaction of the kings).  Any arguments for or against?