Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Charles Grebe <animatedhebrew AT gmail.com>]

Yes, I too have taught that the ennu suffix with the so-called energic-nun is ambiguous. I've looked at all the grammars I have and they say very little. Gesenius mentions only one possible example in Job 31:15 (see page 158, section 58k).

With regard to Ps 12, the NIV/ESV etc could be following the LXX. It is interesting that the LXX and a few late medieval Hebrew manuscripts make it explicitly plural.

Charles

Maniwaki, QC

On Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 1:17 PM, Jerry Shepherd <jshepherd53 AT gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Charles,

 

You've raised a very interesting question.  I did a search in my BibleWorks, and while I cannot claim it is exhaustive, I couldn't find a single instance where this suffix on a finite verb is 1cpl.  For years now I've assumed and taught that the suffix is ambiguous.  I imagine that the supposed ambiguity comes from the occurrence of the suffix on the preposition min.  But, as far as I can tell, the suffix does not represent 1cpl on verbs.  In your particular example, I suppose the 3ms suffix can, as is sometimes the case with 3ms suffixes generally, refer to a plural entity.  And I see that several translations take it that way.

 

Blessings,

 

Jerry

 

Jerry Shepherd

Taylor Seminary

Edmonton, Alberta

jshepherd53 AT gmail.com