The Meaning of ענותו in Ps. 132:1: Difference between revisions
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=Argument Map(s)= | =Argument Map(s)= | ||
==Reading 1== | |||
The first interpretive option takes the word as a noun, ''humility'', ''meekness''. This reading is reflected in the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible: "O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness." | |||
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=== | |||
[The text should be repointed to the nominal form עַנְוָתוֹ]: Instead of MT pu. inf. constr., the noun form ('humility', 'meekness') is the correct reading. | |||
+ <Ancient versions>: This reading is supported by the LXX and Syriac. | |||
+ [Evidence for supporting argument]: Evidence. | |||
+ <Ideological consistency>: The quality of humility is stressed throughout the Psalter, and is demonstrated here in David's determination to find an appropriate home for the ark (Johnson, 18 :M:). | |||
<_ <Undercutting argument>: This is an undercutting argument. #dispreferred | |||
- <Refuting argument>: refuting. #dispreferred | |||
+ [Evidence for refuting argument]: This is evidence for the refuting argument. #dispreferred | |||
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==Reading 2== | |||
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=== | |||
[Reading 2]: Statement. | |||
+ <Supporting argument>: Explanation. | |||
+ [Evidence for supporting argument]: Evidence. | |||
<_ <Undercutting argument>: This is an undercutting argument. #dispreferred | |||
- <Refuting argument>: refuting. #dispreferred | |||
+ [Evidence for refuting argument]: This is evidence for the refuting argument. #dispreferred | |||
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==Reading 3== | |||
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=== | |||
[Reading 3]: Statement. | |||
+ <Supporting argument>: Explanation. | |||
+ [Evidence for supporting argument]: Evidence. | |||
<_ <Undercutting argument>: This is an undercutting argument. #dispreferred | |||
- <Refuting argument>: refuting. #dispreferred | |||
+ [Evidence for refuting argument]: This is evidence for the refuting argument. #dispreferred | |||
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=Conclusion= | =Conclusion= |
Revision as of 18:26, 20 September 2023
Note: This is a draft form of this exegetical issue. It has not been reviewed and is not ready for use.
Introduction
Psalm 132 begins with a petition for YHWH to remember, but the difficult word ענותו makes the precise content of this remembrance challenging to understand.
"Remember, YHWH, for David’s sake, __ כָּל־עֻנּוֹתֽוֹ __!"
The main options for what exactly the psalmist asks YHWH to remember are as follows:
- all David's afflictions (external opposition)
- all David's self-inflicted hardship
- all David's humility or meekness
There are several related issues including:
- Establishing the text (MT or emendation?)
- The sense of the Hebrew infinitive from ענה
- Allusion to other traditions in the Hebrew Bible relating to bringing the ark to Jerusalem
Argument Map(s)
Reading 1
The first interpretive option takes the word as a noun, humility, meekness. This reading is reflected in the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible: "O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness."
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===
[The text should be repointed to the nominal form עַנְוָתוֹ]: Instead of MT pu. inf. constr., the noun form ('humility', 'meekness') is the correct reading.
+ <Ancient versions>: This reading is supported by the LXX and Syriac.
+ [Evidence for supporting argument]: Evidence.
+ <Ideological consistency>: The quality of humility is stressed throughout the Psalter, and is demonstrated here in David's determination to find an appropriate home for the ark (Johnson, 18 :M:).
<_ <Undercutting argument>: This is an undercutting argument. #dispreferred
- <Refuting argument>: refuting. #dispreferred
+ [Evidence for refuting argument]: This is evidence for the refuting argument. #dispreferred
Reading 2
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[Reading 2]: Statement.
+ <Supporting argument>: Explanation.
+ [Evidence for supporting argument]: Evidence.
<_ <Undercutting argument>: This is an undercutting argument. #dispreferred
- <Refuting argument>: refuting. #dispreferred
+ [Evidence for refuting argument]: This is evidence for the refuting argument. #dispreferred
Reading 3
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[Reading 3]: Statement.
+ <Supporting argument>: Explanation.
+ [Evidence for supporting argument]: Evidence.
<_ <Undercutting argument>: This is an undercutting argument. #dispreferred
- <Refuting argument>: refuting. #dispreferred
+ [Evidence for refuting argument]: This is evidence for the refuting argument. #dispreferred
Conclusion
Research
Translations
Ancient
- LXX: Μνήσθητι, κύριε, τοῦ Δαυιδ καὶ πάσης τῆς πραΰτητος αὐτοῦ (Lord, remember David, and all his meekness [Brenton LXX Translation]
- Syriac: עַנְוָתוֹ (his humility)
- Vul.: Memento Domine David et omnis adflictionis eius (Remember, Lord, David and all the affliction of him)
Modern
Humility
- Douay-Rheims Bible: O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness.
External Opposition
- KJV: LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions:
- ESV: Remember, O LORD, in David’s favor, all the hardships he endured,
- NLT: LORD, remember David and all that he suffered.
- CEB: LORD, remember David— all the ways he suffered.
- NBS: Seigneur, souviens-toi de David, de toutes ses afflictions!
- BDS: O Eternel, souviens-toi de David et de toutes ses peines;
- PDV2017: Seigneur, souviens-toi de David et de toutes ses souffrances.
- Lutherbibel 2017: Gedenke, HERR, an David und all seine Mühsal,
Self-inflicted Hardships
- NIV: LORD, remember David and all his self-denial.
- NET: O LORD, for David's sake remember all his strenuous effort,
- Hfa: HERR, erinnere dich doch, welche Mühe David auf sich nahm!
- NGÜ: Denke an all die Mühe, HERR, die David auf sich genommen hat!
Secondary Literature
"Remember, Yahweh, in David’s favor, all his painstaking effort." MT ענותו is a pual inf. const. (GKC §75aa) with a suf. and connotes self-affliction (cf. Lev 23:27, 29) and so voluntary effort; cf. 1 Chr 22:14, where David’s preparations for the temple are associated with 'affliction' (עני)." (Allen, Psalms 101–150 [Revised], vol. 21, WBC [Dallas: Word 2002], 263; emphasis added)
"The hymn begins with a striking appeal to Yahweh to remember on David's behalf 'all his humility'. This is a quality which we find stressed repeatedly in the Psalter as the characteristic attitude which Yahweh requires of all His followers, king and subjects alike; and its use in the present connexion is then explained in terms of David's reverent concern for the Ark and his untiring determination to find a suitable home for this important cultic object, which was the guarantee of Yahweh's presence with His people . . ." (Johnson, Aubrey. Sacral Kingship in Ancient Israel. P. 18)
References
132:1