Biblical Hebrew Forum

[K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Joseph:

On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 11:22 AM, Joseph Justiss <jljustiss AT msn.com> wrote:

>
> ESV, NASB, NKJV, HCSB all translate Proverbs 5:16 as "Should your springs
> be scattered...? or something like that.


This is an archaic use of English that has a imperative force.

Look at the context. The subject is “your well” in the singular. Therefore
the plural מעינתיך should be translated as “from your eyes”. In this verse,
this verse is turning from the main subject to address the springs besides
the main subject, and saying “Let them be scattered from your eyes, those
welling up waters on the road outside.” (bad translation — sorry).


>
>
> Joseph Justiss
>
>
> Karl W. Randolph.