Karl, In a first approach I think you may be right.
1. Concerning the form -------> we have parallels of your proposed (hamtem) form in a. Nm 32:14: qamtem b. Dt 9:16: sartem c. Zc 14:5: v'nastem 2. Concerning the meaning: Maybe we have here a construction similar (not identical!) to that in Dt 7:23 (v'hamam). But I find here a problem; Karl. In a context of death and destruction (see 16:35 and the preceding verses).... isn't it more logical the meaning "you killed" -namely, related to verb "MWT"- than any meaning related to verb HWM? Remark: the LXX writes "apektágkate", you killed: in the 3rd century b.C.E (2,300 years ago). they understood "HMTM" as being related to verb "MWT" and not to verb "HWM". Friendly, Pere Porta 2011/4/16 K Randolph <[email protected]> > Pere: > > On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 9:10 PM, Pere Porta <[email protected]> wrote: > >> We have in Nm 17:6 the verbal form HAMIT.EM, you killed. >> > > Is it? > > There are two ways of looking at it: one way is to start with an assumed > pattern and then try to fit what is written into that pattern, and if it > doesn’t fit, make it fit, and the other is to look at what is there, and ask > ‘what is it?’ > >> >> If we were to write this word in today Israeli script (the pointless one, >> hasar haniqud), must we include a YUD between M and T? >> >> Looking at the context, it looks as if it should be a hiphil of MWT with a > third person plural suffix, and that’s the way the Masoretes have pointed > it. From my years of trying to master the Masoretic points, I still tend to > read the text according to those points. But does that really fit? > > If this were a hiphil, then you are right, the normal way to write it is > with a yod between the first mem and tau. But then, shouldn’t the verb be > plural? Translated as “You, you caused them to die, the people of YHWH”? > Somewhat awkward Hebrew, but understandable. > > Picture the scene: the day previously a major earthquake just swallowed a > portion of the encampment and fire descended on 250 leaders of the people. > These people were questioning Moses’ authority to do what he did. Now a > hostile crowd is advancing on Moses and Aaron saying, “You, you ???? the > people of YHWH!” What can “????” be? > > From the context, the verb is MWT, and I’ll admit, that’s my first reaction > too. But was I right? Were the Masoretes right? > > Now I am putting up a trial balloon, but the form can be from the verb הום > HWM, correctly conjugated as a plural, even fitting the context: “You, you > put YHWH’s people into commotion!” or in more colloquial English, “It’s your > fault that the people of YHWH are stirred up!” i.e. questioning Moses’ > authority and actions. Look at the following chapter as well. > > Are we dealing with another case of incorrect pointing? How would you > puncture that trial balloon? What do you think? > >> >> Kind regards from >> >> Pere Porta >> (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain) >> >> Karl W. Randolph. > > -- Pere Porta _______________________________________________ b-hebrew mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/b-hebrew
