Biblical Hebrew Forum

[docmiscall AT aol.com]

Phil,
? Just the verbal form(s) and the specific syntax provide possibilities and 
restrictions for exegesis and translation.? The didactic question, introduced 
by MY, implies a following answer, in this instance in v. 4.? I think that 
the question and answer are clear; whether you translate with a future ("who 
shall ascend..?" NRSV), a modal form ("who may ascend..?" NIV) or one of your 
proposed subjunctives depends on your understanding of the psalm (and other 
similar contexts) and on how much nuance you want to see in the Hebrew forms 
and syntax.? I don't think that there's any one answer here you can explain 
and defend a translation using both form and context but not "prove" one.

Peter Miscall