On Sep 10, 2013, at 11:00 AM, Rolf Furuli wrote:
>
> Dear Jonathan,
>
> I respect you as a person who make sound judgements. In this case I cannot
> follow your reasoning, and I think you are forcing the theory that some verb
> forms carry the mainline and others the off-line on the text.
Yes this is what I am attempting. I may be completely off the mark on this
type of discourse, but I think It is very plausible.
> This is a theory that often collides head on with the Hebrew text.
I think Longacre's analysis of "Joseph" is quite conclusive; the data in BH
narrative at least is pretty overwhelming.
> Below I quote the NIV translation of Proverbs 31:12-27, which is a good
> rendering of the Hebrew text. This is a description of the excellent wife, in
> most cases with two parallell clauses. I see no mainline and off-line and no
> modal forms (The Bible translations I have consulted, consistently take the
> verbs as indicative and follow the pattern of the NIV.)
>
> Prov. 31:12 ¶ She brings him good, not harm,
> all the days of her life.
> Prov. 31:13 ¶ She selects wool and flax
> and works with eager hands.
> Prov. 31:14 ¶ She is like the merchant ships,
> bringing her food from afar.
> Prov. 31:15 ¶ She gets up while it is still dark;
> she provides food for her family
> and portions for her servant girls.
> Prov. 31:16 ¶ She considers a field and buys it;
> out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
> Prov. 31:17 ¶ She sets about her work vigorously;
> her arms are strong for her tasks.
> Prov. 31:18 ¶ She sees that her trading is profitable,
> and her lamp does not go out at night.
> Prov. 31:19 ¶ In her hand she holds the distaff
> and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
> Prov. 31:20 ¶ She opens her arms to the poor
> and extends her hands to the needy.
> Prov. 31:21 ¶ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
> for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
> Prov. 31:22 ¶ She makes coverings for her bed;
> she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
> Prov. 31:23 ¶ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
> where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
> Prov. 31:24 ¶ She makes linen garments and sells them,
> and supplies the merchants with sashes.
> Prov. 31:25 ¶ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
> she can laugh at the days to come.
> Prov. 31:26 ¶ She speaks with wisdom,
> and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
> Prov. 31:27 ¶ She watches over the affairs of her household
> and does not eat the bread of idleness.
This is just a reflection of how far English has come to avoid the use of
modals. This "best-that-one-could-do" translation does not speak to the issue.
Translators must compromise to some extent. See my reply to Karl.
Jonathan E Mohler
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