Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Barry" <nebarry AT verizon.net>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "George Athas" <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>
To: "B-Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 5:40 AM
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Psalm 138:2


> Barry, I think the way you are taking it is the same way many versions 
> take it, so you’re in good company.
>
> The NET has an interesting emendation, replacing שִׁמְךָ (‘your name’) 
> with שָׁמֶיךָ (‘your heavens’), rendering the clause: ‘for you have 
> exalted your promise above the entire sky.’
>
> The LXX reflects a text that omits the 2ms pronominal suffix on שֵׁם, with 
> the ensuing rendering: ὅτι ἐμεγάλυνας ἐπὶ πᾶν ὄνομα τὸ λόγιόν σου (‘for 
> you have magnified above every name your word’).

Thanks, George.  GJerome and HJerome also render it differently:

HJerome actually follows the LXX: quia magnificasti super omne nomen tuum 
eloquium tuum, "since you have magnified your communication above every 
name," suggesting that both Jerome and the LXX translator(s) had the same 
Hebrew text.

GJerome: quoniam magnificasti super omne nomen sanctum tuum, "for you have 
magnified your holy name above everything," a bit different.

This is makng me curious as to the possible textual history...  :)

Thanks.  Personally, I think textual emendation should be the very last of 
the last resorts, unless there is actual confusion in the mss.  A true crux 
frustrationis is pretty rare in biblical mss!

N.E. Barry Hofstetter
Classics and Bible Instructor, TAA
http://www.theamericanacademy.net
(2010 Savatori Excellence in Education Winner)
Mentor, TNARS
http://www.tnars.net

http://my.opera.com/barryhofstetter/blog
http://mysite.verizon.net/nebarry