Biblical Hebrew Forum

["B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>]

I think the passages in the first chapters of Job that using the root 
BRK are not easy (1:5; 1: 10; 1:11; 1:21; 2:5; 2:9).

One sense we commonly understand is (Piel) "to praise" or passive (Qal 
passive and Pual) "to be praised."  This sense may seem uncomfortable in 
the first chapters of Job or in 1Ki 21, where several of the BRK verbs 
are often translated "curse" or "blaspheme."

I can suggest a plausible co-union of the ideas of "praise" and 
"blaspheme" in both the first two chapters of Job and 1Ki 21. 

I would apply a social construct in which BRK meant "to praise" in the 
sense of "giving credit."  For Job to give credit to God for his 
suffering would indeed seem blasphemous.  For Job's children to give 
credit to God for their joy during a festival would likewise be 
unfounded and therefore blasphemous if indeed they were sinful.  In 1Ki 
21, for Naboth to credit God and the king for his sudden elevation 
within his city (at least this was the accusation) would be blasphemous 
to God and criminal to the king, a capital offense.

In a commentary, I would suggest for Job 1:11 the notion  "...he'll 
surely throw the credit in your face."
For a translation I would suggest "he will surely blaspheme you to your 
face."

For the wife's words in Job 2:9 I would suggest for a translation, 
"Credit God, and die."

In 1Ki 21:13, how would this sit with y'all as a translation of the 
false accusation:  "Naboth [treasonously] credited God and king"?

shalom,
Bryan

--
B.M. Rocine
Living Word Church
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Syracuse, NY 13206
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