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  • From: "B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>
  • To: b-hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Ps 40:6
  • Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2007 20:49:15 -0400

Hi John,

The string you are looking for `RK + 'L only generates four hits in BibleWorks, the two you have mentioned (Psa 40:6; Job 32:14) and two others, Jdg 20:30 and 1Ch 19:17. The string `RK + X + 'L (where X is a wildcard word) generates no hits.

Personally, I think your idea, that no one can mount an (successful) opposition to the testimonies of YHWH's wondrous works, is a viable interpretation, even though it is not recognized in English translations.

Shalom,
Bryan

JBarach AT aol.com wrote:
B-Haverim --
Any suggestions on how to understand (and translate) the phrase at the end of the second line of Ps. 40:6? I've seen that line rendered "Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to you in order" (NKJV) or "reckoned up in order" (KJV), presumably taking ערך, which has the root sense of laying something out or stacking something up, as having to do with setting things out in order in words. It's possible that that's how the phrase is used in Job 32:14. Others take this phrase to refer to *comparison*: "There is no comparison with you!" The context does suggest occasion for such a comment, given that the previous verse speaks of those who are turning aside to "a lie" (i.e., a f
alse god). But is this phrase ever used elsewhere for comparison? The verse that is often cited as proof of this possibility is Isaiah 40:18, but that isn't exactly this phrase!
With the addition of אל, however, it seems that the phrase often has to do with setting an army in order, arraying an army, against someone. Even in Job 32:14, where it is words that are being laid out (in order), the sense of opposition is still present.
Would it be correct, then, to understand the last half of this line as saying something like "There is no one arrayed against you" -- perhaps in the sense "No one can be arrayed against you (and succeed)?" The whole line would then be understood this way: "As for your thoughts toward us -- no one can be arrayed against you (successfully)." Any help you could provide would be appreciated. In particular, it would help if any of you have the technology that allows you to list all the passages where this verb is used with אל. That's something I can't search for on my computer and I'd like to be able to study those passages.
Thanks!
John

--
B.M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13206
W: (315) 437-6744





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