Biblical Hebrew Forum

[K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Ken:

On Fri, May 27, 2011 at 8:45 AM, kenneth greifer <greifer AT hotmail.com>wrote:

>
>
> JEREMIAH 17:1 is usually translated something like "the sin of Judah is
> written with a pen of iron, by a stylus of diamond it is engraved on the
> tablet of their heart...."
>
> JEREMIAH 17:9 is usually translated something like "the heart is deceitful
> (is crooked) more than everything, and it is very sick (weak). Who will know
> it?"
>
> Then JEREMIAH 17:10 is usually translated something like "I the L-rd
> examine a heart, I try the reins (the mind) (kaf lamed yud vav tav), (and)
> to give to a man like (according to) his way, like the fruit of his deeds."
> I think this part has a mistake. "Reins and" sound funny.
>
> …
> Kenneth Greifer
>
> The mistake is in the translation.

The word KLYWT כליות is the plural of KLYH כליה which means “kidney”, often
used symbolically to refer to a person’s inward parts and/or emotions.

In verse ten we have “heart” and “kidneys” in parallel, words that are often
used in similar ways. Typical Biblical Hebrew poetry.

Karl W. Randolph.