The Text of Ps 17:11a: Difference between revisions

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   + [David "Driven out" and "Surrounded"]: 1 Sam chs. 19-24, 27; 2 Sam 15-16#dispreferred
   + [David "Driven out" and "Surrounded"]: 1 Sam chs. 19-24, 27; 2 Sam 15-16#dispreferred
  + <Poetic Coherence>: To complain of being "driven out" and then "surrounded" (Ps 17:11a) makes sense in the poetic context (the verbs comprise a "structure of intensification") (Alter 2000, ch. 3 :M:). Immediately after (v. 11b), David refers to how his enemies "set their eyes to scan the land" which coheres with the development of the threat: David is not only "driven out," but then pursued ("surrounded" 11a) and, when/if he successfully escapes, his enemies scour the land for him (11b) (e.g., 1 Sam 23:15, 19-26; 24:1-2 26:1-4; 27:1).#dispreferred  
  + <Poetic Coherence>: To complain of being "driven out" and then "surrounded" (Ps 17:11a) makes sense in the poetic context (the verbs comprise a "structure of intensification") (Alter 2000, ch. 3 :M:). Immediately after (v. 11b), David refers to how his enemies "set their eyes to scan the land" which coheres with the development of the threat: David is not only "driven out," but then pursued ("surrounded" 11a) and, when/if he successfully escapes, his enemies scour the land for him (11b) (e.g., 1 Sam 23:15, 19-26; 24:1-2 26:1-4; 27:1).#dispreferred  
  + <Textual Evidence>: The two oldest textual witnesses to the text appear to read גרשוני.#dispreferred
  + <Textual Evidence>: What is likely the oldest textual witness reads גרשוני, and another old witness (the LXX) corroborates this reading.#dispreferred
   + [11Q7]: 11Q7: גרשׁוני#dispreferred  
   + [11Q7]: 11Q7: גרשׁוני#dispreferred  
   + [The LXX]: ἐκβάλλοντές με.#dispreferred  
   + [The LXX]: ἐκβάλλοντές με.#dispreferred  

Revision as of 04:46, 2 August 2024

Introduction

The Hebrew text of Psalm 17:11a, according the MT, reads as follows:[1]

אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ עַתָּה סְבָבוּניּ

There are multiple text-critical issues in this line which affect interpretation. The following three translations illustrate these issues:

  1. They have now surrounded our steps (ESV)
  2. They have tracked me down, they now surround me (NIV)
  3. They drove me out, now they surround me (Dead Sea Scrolls 11Q7)


These translations disagree, in the first place, on whether to read אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps," ESV) or אִשְּׁרוּנִי ("They have tracked me down"), or whether another verb, גרשׁ ("to drive out"), should be read instead of either (Qumran 11Q7; cf. the LXX).[2] The translations also disagree on whether the pronominal suffix attached to the verb סבב should be singular (סְבָבוּנִי, qere, "they surround me") or plural (סְבָבוּנוּ, ketiv, "they surround us").[3] The first textual issue (אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ vs אִשְּׁרוּנִי) is the more fundamental issue, and it will be the focus of the argument maps below.

Argument Maps

Our Steps (אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ)

Many interpreters follow the MT's reading אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ and interpret it to mean "our steps." The ESV, for example, says, "They have now surrounded our steps." As a variation of this view, some interpreters choose to read אַשֻּׁרֵינִי ("my steps") instead of אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps") (cf. DHH, NBS, BDS, NFC, EÜ, ZÜR). Most translations, however, read אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps").


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[Our steps (אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ)]: The earlier reading is אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps").#dispreferred
 - <Confusing>: The reading אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps") is difficult to make sense of (Briggs 1906, 131 :C:).
  <_ <The Difficult Reading>: The more difficult reading is often the earlier reading, since scribes were more likely to make the text easier to read.#dispreferred
  - <An Accusative of Member>: The phrase אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps"), is "an accusative of member" which employs a particular body part ("feet") in association with the 1cp suffix on סְבָבוּנוּ (Barthélemy 2005, 74-75 :C:; Delitzsch 1883, 299 :C:; Perowne 1870,  195 :C:).#dispreferred
   - <Word Order>: It is highly unlikely that the accusative of member would precede both the verb and the adverbial עַתָּה as it would have to do according to this interpretation (Barthélemy 2005, 75 :C:).
   + [Examples of Accusative of Member]: "he will crush your head (יְשׁוּפְךָ רֹאשׁ), and you will strike his heel (תְּשׁוּפֶנּוּ עָקֵֽב)” (Gen 3:15, NIV); cf. Pss 3:8; 22:17; cf. Ps 73:2 (Delitzsch 1883, 299 :C:).#dispreferred
    <_ <Pronominal Suffix>: In these examples, with the possible exception of Ps 22:17 (which is textually problematic), the accusative of member does not have a pronominal. By contrast, אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ has a pronominal suffix (cf. Barthélemy 2005, 75 :C:).
   <_ <Not a Body Part>: The term (either אֲשׁוּר and/or אַשֻּׁר - "step, going") does not denote a body part (Delitzsch 1883, 299 :C:; BDB).
    <_ <Precedent for a Body Part>: Other occurrences of אַשֻּׁר in Psalms are "often used in parallel with a part of the body" and so it seems probable that אַשֻּׁר "refers to some part of the body, feet, or legs" (TWOT, 81 :D:).#dispreferred
     + [Precedent for a Body Part]: Pass 37:31; 40:3; 73:2#dispreferred
 + <Manuscript Evidence>: Most Hebrew manuscripts, along with the Targum, read אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ.#dispreferred
  + [Manuscript Evidence]: MT: אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ (so most Hebrew manuscripts; see Kennicott 1776, 317); Targum: אסתוורנא.#dispreferred
   - <Quality Not Quantity>: The proliferation of the reading אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ in the textual tradition of the MT merely evinces a sequence of dependence within a particular (proto-Masoretic) stream of the broader textual history in which Psalm 17 is situated. This means that citing the sheer quantity of manuscripts attesting this reading is not a sufficiently weighty premise from which to argue that אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ is, therefore, the best reading. What is arguably the oldest known variant (11Q7) in Hebrew is corroborated by the LXX and differs from the MT. In terms of extant textual evidence, such an alternative is equally plausible. 
    + [11Q7]: 11Q7: גרשׁוני 
    + [The LXX]: ἐκβάλλοντές με.
   <_ <אֲשׁוּר v. 5>: The reading of MT (אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ—'our footsteps') probably arose due to the influence of the same word אֲשׁוּר ('footstep') in v. 5 (cf. Barthélemy 2005,75 :M:).
 + <Body Part Imagery>: Body part imagery is a pervasive motif of Psalm 17 (Goldingay 2006, 237 :C:).#dispreferred
  + [Body Part Imagery]: עין (vv. 2, 6, 11), פה (vv. 3, 10), ימין (v. 7), בטן (v. 14), אזן (v. 6), כנף (v. 8), אישון (v. 8), and חלב (v. 10).#dispreferred
  <_ <Not a Body Part>


Argument Mapn0Our steps (אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ)The earlier reading is אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps").n1Examples of Accusative of Member"he will crush your head (יְשׁוּפְךָ רֹאשׁ), and you will strike his heel (תְּשׁוּפֶנּוּ עָקֵֽב)” (Gen 3:15, NIV); cf. Pss 3:8; 22:17; cf. Ps 73:2 (Delitzsch 1883, 299 🄲).n9An Accusative of MemberThe phrase אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps"), is "an accusative of member" which employs a particular body part ("feet") in association with the 1cp suffix on סְבָבוּנוּ (Barthélemy 2005, 74-75 🄲; Delitzsch 1883, 299 🄲; Perowne 1870, 195 🄲).n1->n9n2Precedent for a Body PartPass 37:31; 40:3; 73:2n13Precedent for a Body PartOther occurrences of אַשֻּׁר in Psalms are "often used in parallel with a part of the body" and so it seems probable that אַשֻּׁר "refers to some part of the body, feet, or legs" (TWOT, 81 🄳).n2->n13n3Manuscript EvidenceMT: אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ (so most Hebrew manuscripts; see Kennicott 1776, 317); Targum: אסתוורנא.n14Manuscript EvidenceMost Hebrew manuscripts, along with the Targum, read אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ.n3->n14n411Q711Q7: גרשׁוני n15Quality Not QuantityThe proliferation of the reading אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ in the textual tradition of the MT merely evinces a sequence of dependence within a particular (proto-Masoretic) stream of the broader textual history in which Psalm 17 is situated. This means that citing the sheer quantity of manuscripts attesting this reading is not a sufficiently weighty premise from which to argue that אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ is, therefore, the best reading. What is arguably the oldest known variant (11Q7) in Hebrew is corroborated by the LXX and differs from the MT. In terms of extant textual evidence, such an alternative is equally plausible. n4->n15n5The LXXἐκβάλλοντές με.n5->n15n6Body Part Imageryעין (vv. 2, 6, 11), פה (vv. 3, 10), ימין (v. 7), בטן (v. 14), אזן (v. 6), כנף (v. 8), אישון (v. 8), and חלב (v. 10).n17Body Part ImageryBody part imagery is a pervasive motif of Psalm 17 (Goldingay 2006, 237 🄲).n6->n17n7ConfusingThe reading אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ ("our steps") is difficult to make sense of (Briggs 1906, 131 🄲).n7->n0n8The Difficult ReadingThe more difficult reading is often the earlier reading, since scribes were more likely to make the text easier to read.n8->n7n9->n7n10Word OrderIt is highly unlikely that the accusative of member would precede both the verb and the adverbial עַתָּה as it would have to do according to this interpretation (Barthélemy 2005, 75 🄲).n10->n9n11Pronominal SuffixIn these examples, with the possible exception of Ps 22:17 (which is textually problematic), the accusative of member does not have a pronominal. By contrast, אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ has a pronominal suffix (cf. Barthélemy 2005, 75 🄲).n11->n1n12Not a Body PartThe term (either אֲשׁוּר and/or אַשֻּׁר - "step, going") does not denote a body part (Delitzsch 1883, 299 🄲; BDB).n12->n9n12->n17n13->n12n14->n0n15->n3n16אֲשׁוּר v. 5The reading of MT (אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ—'our footsteps') probably arose due to the influence of the same word אֲשׁוּר ('footstep') in v. 5 (cf. Barthélemy 2005,75 🄼).n16->n3n17->n0


They Attack Me (אִשְּׁרוּנִי) (preferred)

Other interpreters read the text as אִשְּׁרוּנִי (a 3cp verb with a 1cs pronominal suffix). Translations differ as to how this verb should be translated (e.g., "tracking," "hunting," "advancing against," "attacking," etc.). The following argument map will not explore every possible meaning, but will limit itself to the question of whether or not אִשְּׁרוּנִי is the earlier reading.


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[Verb (אִשְּׁרוּנִי)]: The earlier reading is אִשְּׁרוּנִי (a 3cp verb with a 1cs pronominal suffix). 
 + < אשר as A Verb>: Some ancient witnesses read אשׁר verbally.
  + [Textual Evidence]: Symmachus: μακαρίζοντές με; Jerome: incedentes adversum me; Peshitta: ܫܒܚܘܢܝ; one medieval Hebrew manuscript: אשרוני (see BHS). 
 + <Verb + Adverb>: That the adverb (עַתָּה) follows immediately after the constituent "is in favour of a verb rather than a noun" (Kissane 1953, 70 :C:).
  <_ <Alternative>: What is arguably the oldest known variant (11Q7) in Hebrew is verbal, though not אשׁר, and is corroborated by the LXX. Such an alternative is equally plausible before the adverb עַתָּה.#dispreferred 
   + [11Q7]: 11Q7: גרשׁוני#dispreferred 
   + [The LXX]: ἐκβάλλοντές με#dispreferred
 - <Transitivity>: "The verb (אשׁר) is not used with the accusative elsewhere" (Kissane 2008, 105-106 :C:).#dispreferred
 + <Poetic Development>: The reading אִשְּׁרוּנִי fits well within the poetic sequence of v. 11: first, the enemies advance, then they surround, then they keep watch throughout the land (Briggs 1906, 131 :C:).
  + [v. 11]: אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ עַתָּה סְבָבוּניּ עֵינֵיהֶם יָשִׁיתוּ לִנְטוֹת בָּאָרֶץ
  + <The Meaning of אשׁר>: When אשׁר is used in the Piel elsewhere in the OT it denotes advancement in an emphatic sense, whether used as a positive injunction to avoid wickedness/do justice/be wise or in negative description of the wicked. In light of the context here, wherein David is recounting the hostility of his enemies (vv. 9-12) and אָשַׁר takes a 1cs pronominal suffix, it seems likely that David's enemies "advance" on him threateningly or forcibly lead/direct him in some way.
   + [The Meaning of אשׁר]: Isa 1:17; 3:12; 9:15; Prov 4:14; 9:6; 23:19. Jerome (incedentes adversum me).
 + <Consistency of 1cs Language>: The singular pronominal suffix in אִשְּׁרוּנִי (vs the plural suffix in אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ) fits well in light of the first person singular voice that pervades the whole psalm (Kidner 2008, 105-106 :C:). 
  + [Consistency of 1cs Language]: Vv. 1bc, 2a, 3ac, 4b, 5ab, 6ab, 8ab, 9ab, 11a, 13b, 15ab.
 + <Anticipates v. 12>: The verbal sense of "tracking/hunting/advancing (against)" (NRSV, NIV, NLT, CEV) fits well in light of the following verse which compares David's enemy to a ravenous lion (Dahood 1966, 98 :C:).
  + [v. 12]:  דִּמְיֹנוֹ כְּאַרְיֵה יִכְסוֹף לִטְרוֹף וְכִכְפִיר יֹשֵׁב בְּמִסְתָּרִים
  + <The Meaning of אשׁר>: When אשׁר is used in the Piel elsewhere in the OT it denotes advancement in an emphatic sense, whether used as a positive injunction to avoid wickedness/do justice/be wise or in negative description of the wicked. In light of the context here, wherein David is recounting the hostility of his enemies (vv. 9-12) and אשׁר takes a 1cs pronominal suffix, it seems likely that David's enemies "advance" on him threateningly or forcibly lead/direct him in some way. 
   + [The Meaning of אשׁר]: Isa 1:17; 3:12; 9:15; Prov 4:14; 9:6; 23:19.
   + [Jerome's Translation]: Jerome has *incedentes adversum me*. 


Argument Mapn0Verb (אִשְּׁרוּנִי)The earlier reading is אִשְּׁרוּנִי (a 3cp verb with a 1cs pronominal suffix). n1Textual EvidenceSymmachus: μακαρίζοντές με; Jerome: incedentes adversum me; Peshitta: ܫܒܚܘܢܝ; one medieval Hebrew manuscript: אשרוני (see BHS). n9 אשר as A VerbSome ancient witnesses read אשׁר verbally.n1->n9n211Q711Q7: גרשׁוניn11AlternativeWhat is arguably the oldest known variant (11Q7) in Hebrew is verbal, though not אשׁר, and is corroborated by the LXX. Such an alternative is equally plausible before the adverb עַתָּה.n2->n11n3The LXXἐκβάλλοντές μεn3->n11n4v. 11אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ עַתָּה סְבָבוּניּ עֵינֵיהֶם יָשִׁיתוּ לִנְטוֹת בָּאָרֶץn13Poetic DevelopmentThe reading אִשְּׁרוּנִי fits well within the poetic sequence of v. 11: first, the enemies advance, then they surround, then they keep watch throughout the land (Briggs 1906, 131 🄲).n4->n13n5The Meaning of אשׁרIsa 1:17; 3:12; 9:15; Prov 4:14; 9:6; 23:19.n14The Meaning of אשׁרWhen אשׁר is used in the Piel elsewhere in the OT it denotes advancement in an emphatic sense, whether used as a positive injunction to avoid wickedness/do justice/be wise or in negative description of the wicked. In light of the context here, wherein David is recounting the hostility of his enemies (vv. 9-12) and אשׁר takes a 1cs pronominal suffix, it seems likely that David's enemies "advance" on him threateningly or forcibly lead/direct him in some way. n5->n14n6Consistency of 1cs LanguageVv. 1bc, 2a, 3ac, 4b, 5ab, 6ab, 8ab, 9ab, 11a, 13b, 15ab.n15Consistency of 1cs LanguageThe singular pronominal suffix in אִשְּׁרוּנִי (vs the plural suffix in אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ) fits well in light of the first person singular voice that pervades the whole psalm (Kidner 2008, 105-106 🄲). n6->n15n7v. 12דִּמְיֹנוֹ כְּאַרְיֵה יִכְסוֹף לִטְרוֹף וְכִכְפִיר יֹשֵׁב בְּמִסְתָּרִיםn16Anticipates v. 12The verbal sense of "tracking/hunting/advancing (against)" (NRSV, NIV, NLT, CEV) fits well in light of the following verse which compares David's enemy to a ravenous lion (Dahood 1966, 98 🄲).n7->n16n8Jerome's TranslationJerome has incedentes adversum me . n8->n14n9->n0n10Verb + AdverbThat the adverb (עַתָּה) follows immediately after the constituent "is in favour of a verb rather than a noun" (Kissane 1953, 70 🄲).n10->n0n11->n10n12Transitivity"The verb (אשׁר) is not used with the accusative elsewhere" (Kissane 2008, 105-106 🄲).n12->n0n13->n0n14->n13n14->n16n15->n0n16->n0


They Drove/Cast Me Out (גרשוני)

Though this option is not attested by any modern translations, it does have the support of the two oldest witnesses to the text of Psalm 17:11a. The 11Q7 scroll from Qumran has גרשוני ("They drove me out") and the LXX has ἐκβάλλοντές με ("Casting me out").[4]


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[They Drove Me Out (גרשוני)]: The earlier reading is גרשוני ("they drove me out").#dispreferred
 + <Syntactic context>: The verb גרש fits the syntactic context, where it is has a pronominal suffix as a direct object and is followed by an adverb (עַתָּה).#dispreferred 
 + <Historical Coherence>: Davidic authorship for Psalm 17 is credible and, historically, David experienced being "driven out" and "surrounded" at different points in his life. In 11b, David refers to how his enemies “set their eyes to scan the land” which corresponds to how, after being driven out by Saul, David was hounded by Saul who was searching for him.#dispreferred 
  + [David "Driven out" and "Surrounded"]: 1 Sam chs. 19-24, 27; 2 Sam 15-16#dispreferred
 + <Poetic Coherence>: To complain of being "driven out" and then "surrounded" (Ps 17:11a) makes sense in the poetic context (the verbs comprise a "structure of intensification") (Alter 2000, ch. 3 :M:). Immediately after (v. 11b), David refers to how his enemies "set their eyes to scan the land" which coheres with the development of the threat: David is not only "driven out," but then pursued ("surrounded" 11a) and, when/if he successfully escapes, his enemies scour the land for him (11b) (e.g., 1 Sam 23:15, 19-26; 24:1-2 26:1-4; 27:1).#dispreferred 
 + <Textual Evidence>: What is likely the oldest textual witness reads גרשוני, and another old witness (the LXX) corroborates this reading.#dispreferred
  + [11Q7]: 11Q7: גרשׁוני#dispreferred 
  + [The LXX]: ἐκβάλλοντές με.#dispreferred 


Argument Mapn0They Drove Me Out (גרשוני)The earlier reading is גרשוני ("they drove me out").n1David "Driven out" and "Surrounded"1 Sam chs. 19-24, 27; 2 Sam 15-16n5Historical CoherenceDavidic authorship for Psalm 17 is credible and, historically, David experienced being "driven out" and "surrounded" at different points in his life. In 11b, David refers to how his enemies “set their eyes to scan the land” which corresponds to how, after being driven out by Saul, David was hounded by Saul who was searching for him.n1->n5n211Q711Q7: גרשׁוניn7Textual EvidenceWhat is likely the oldest textual witness reads גרשוני, and another old witness (the LXX) corroborates this reading.n2->n7n3The LXXἐκβάλλοντές με.n3->n7n4Syntactic contextThe verb גרש fits the syntactic context, where it is has a pronominal suffix as a direct object and is followed by an adverb (עַתָּה).n4->n0n5->n0n6Poetic CoherenceTo complain of being "driven out" and then "surrounded" (Ps 17:11a) makes sense in the poetic context (the verbs comprise a "structure of intensification") (Alter 2000, ch. 3 🄼). Immediately after (v. 11b), David refers to how his enemies "set their eyes to scan the land" which coheres with the development of the threat: David is not only "driven out," but then pursued ("surrounded" 11a) and, when/if he successfully escapes, his enemies scour the land for him (11b) (e.g., 1 Sam 23:15, 19-26; 24:1-2 26:1-4; 27:1).n6->n0n7->n0


- <Different Consonants>: Most Hebrew manuscripts have אשׁר in some form. It is possible for a scribe to have anomalously produced גרש from אשר, seeing as how there are two shared consonants and *gimel* could be taken from a messy/obscured *aleph*. However, it seems unlikely that a scribal error in the other direction would produce the current state of manuscript evidence. In other words, a singular (extant) scribal confusion of גרש for אשׁר would probably not lead to every other extant manuscript attesting the consonants א-שׁ-ר in some form.

Conclusion

By a slim margin the preferred reading is אִשְּׁרוּנִי (option #2), understood as "they have track me down" (NIV; cf. NRSV, NLT, CEV, NJB). This option best the poetic sequence of v. 11. It also fits well with the following verse which compares David's enemy to a ravenous lion. The reading also has support from the translations of Symmachus, the Peshitta, and Jerome. Finally, the 1cs pronominal suffix with the verb matches the first-person voice of the whole psalm. The significance of this option is in how it suggests the real possibility that David is already under attack when voicing this psalm and thus can provide a backdrop that mitigates its strident self-righteous rhetoric (vv. 1-5).

Research

Translations

Ancient

  • The LXX: ἐκβάλλοντές με νυνὶ περιεκύκλωσάν με,[5]
    • "Casting me out, they then encircled me;"[6]
  • Symmachus: μακαρίζοντές με παραχρῆμα περιεκύκλουν με,[7]
    • "As they were blessing me, immediately they were surrounding me"
  • Jerome (IUXTA HEBR.): incedentes adversum me nunc circumdederunt me[8]
    • "marching against me, they now surround me"
  • Peshitta: ܫܒܚܘܢܝ ܘܗܫܐ ܟܪܟܘܢܝ[9]
    • “They praised me, but now they have surrounded me.”[10]
  • Targum: אסתוורנא השתא חזרו[11]
    • “They have now surrounded us in our steps”[12]

Modern

"Our steps" (אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ)

Spanish
  • Han cercado ahora nuestros pasos; (RVR95)
  • han seguido de cerca mis pasos (DHH)
  • En nuestros pasos nos han cercado ahora; (BTX4)
  • Vigilan de cerca mis pasos,[13] (NVI)
French
  • Les voici sur nos talons; maintenant ils m’entourent, (TOB)
  • Ils sont sur nos pas, déjà ils nous entourent, (NVSR)
  • ils sont sur nos pas, déjà ils nous entourent, (NBS)
  • Ils sont sur mes pas. Déjà, ils m’encerclent, (BDS)
  • Ils ont suivi mes pas, les voilà qui m'entourent (NFC)
  • Ils sont sur nos pas, déjà ils nous entourent, (S21)
English
  • They have now surrounded our steps; (ESV)
  • now they hem our feet in on every side; (JPS 1985)
German
  • So eng hat der Feind uns umzingelt, dass wir keinen Schritt mehr ungehindert gehen können (NGÜ)
  • Unsere Schritte – jetzt haben sie uns umringt (ELB)[14]
  • Auf Schritt und Tritt haben sie mich jetzt umzingelt,[15] (EÜ)
  • Sie sind mir auf den Fersen, schon haben sie mich umstellt,[16] (ZÜR)

Verb (אִשְּׁרוּנִי)

French
  • Ils me suivent de très près, maintenant, ils m’entourent, (PDV)
English
  • They have tracked me down, they now surround me, (NIV)
  • They track me down and surround me, (NLT)
  • They track me down; now they surround me; (NRSV)
  • They have caught up with me! (CEV)
  • They attack me, now they surround me; (NET)
  • they press me hard, now they hem me in, (REB)[17]
  • They are advancing against me, now they are closing in, (NJB)[18]

Ambiguous

English
  • They are around me now, wherever I turn, (GNT)
German
  • Wo wir auch gehen, da umgeben sie uns; (Luther 2017)
  • Wohin ich auch gehe – überall umringen sie mich (HFA)
  • Jetzt umzingeln sie mich;[19] (GNB)

Secondary Literature

Barthélemy, Dominique. 2005. Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament. Tome 4: Psaumes. Fribourg: Academic Press.
Briggs, Charles A., and Emilie Briggs. 1906. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. Vol. 1. ICC. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
Craigie, Peter C. and Marvin E. Tate. 1983. 2nd ed. Psalms 1-50. Vol. 19. WBC. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic.
Dahood, Mitchell. 1966. Psalms. Vol. 1. Anchor Bible Commentary. New York: Doubleday.
Delitzsch, Franz. 1883. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms. Vol. 1. trans. Eaton David. New York: Funk and Wagnalls.
Goldingay, John. 2006. Psalms: Psalms 1–41. Vol. 1. BCOT. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
Kissane, Edward. 1953. The Book of Psalms. Vol. 1. Westminster: The Newman Press.
Perowne, J. J. Stewart. 1870. The Book of Psalms: A New Translation, with Introductions and Notes Explanatory and Critical. London: Bell.

References

17:11

  1. Hebrew text from OSHB. The word סְבָבוּניּ represents a ketiv-qere, a point at which the text is read (qere) in a way that does not correspond to the way in which it is written (ketiv).
  2. If אַשֻּׁר (n.) is rendered verbally with the consonants אשׁר (option #2) translators are faced with a further choice concerning verbal nuance (e.g., "tracking/hunting" [e.g., NRSV, NIV, NLT, CEV] or "advancing against/attacking" [e.g., Jerome, NJB, NET REB]). Also, there is another verbal option which is attested in a footnote of the ELB ("Sie spähen mir nach, jetzt haben sie mich umringt"). This is not a revocalization, but rather an emendation of the word in question (from אַשֻּׁר [n.] to שׁוּר [v.]). Though some commentators have opted to read שׁוּר (v.) for the אַשֻּׁר (n.) of the MT, hence the ELB footnote, this reading does not feature in the main text of any notable modern Bible translation (Delitzsch 1883, 299). In light of its tenuous attestation, the option of emending אַשֻּׁר (n.) to שׁוּר (v.) is not presented for consideration in the argument maps of this page. The NVI also uses a verb of "watching/peering" ("Vigilan") in translation, however, the noun of the MT (אַשֻּׁר) has clearly been retained, while the 1cp pronominal suffix has been emended to a 1cs ("mis pasos"). It seems that the NVI translators rendered the verb סבב rather freely as "Vigilan" in light of the remainder of the verse (עֵינֵיהֶם יָשִׁיתוּ לִנְטוֹת בָּאָרֶץ) with its reference to eyes.
  3. Additionally, there are choices to be made concerning the pronominal suffixes which are attested diversely in various translations, irrespective of whether they opt for option #1 or #2. This aspect of the discussion will be subsumed in the focus on the two main options concerning אַשֻּׁרֵינוּ. This is due to the unwieldy number of combinations possible. As there are two main options with regard to אַשֻּׁר and four subsidiary options for each main option with regards to the pronominal suffixes, there is a total of eight unique renderings possible. Covering such extensive variations does not seem necessary and would require more space than is afforded here. Furthermore, all the translations that unambiguously choose option #2 (NIV, NLT, NRSV, CEV, NET, REB, NJB; PDV) take both pronominal suffixes as 1cs and this is permissible for option #1 as well (Delitzsch 1883, 300).
  4. NETS
  5. Ralfs 1931.
  6. NETS
  7. Göttingen Hexapla Database
  8. Vulgate Weber-Gryson 5th Edition
  9. CAL.
  10. A footnote for v. 11 from Taylor's translation: "The Hebrew text is difficult. The context seems to call for a verb or verbal rather than a noun." Psalms Taylor 2020, 51.
  11. CAL.
  12. Stec 2004, 48
  13. Though this rendering is verbal it opts to go with a verb of seeing and so is different from all the others. However, see footnote for ELB.
  14. In a footnote: "Sie spähen mir nach, jetzt haben sie mich umringt."
  15. In a footnote: "unsere Schritte"
  16. In a footnote: "Unsere Schritte - nun haben sie mich"
  17. In a footnote: "they press me hard; prob. rdg; Heb. our footsteps."
  18. In a footnote: "They are advancing against me."
  19. In a footnote: "Unsere Schritte jetzt."