Psalm 20/Notes/Grammar.v. 6.150957

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  • May we array ourselves with banners (נִדְגֹּ֑ל): The MT reading נִדְגֹּ֑ל (Qal verb from the root דָּגַל[1] - "to array oneself with banners"[2]) is disputed. Some translations emend נִדְגֹּל to either נִגְדַּל (Qal verb from the root גדל - "to magnify"[3] or נָגִיל (Hiphil yiqtol of גיל - "to rejoice"[4]). In addition, the BHS suggests either נַגְדִּל (Hiphil yiqtol of גדל - "to make great, to magnify, to do great things"[5]) or נְגַדֵּל (Piel yiqtol of גדל - "to cause to grow, bring up children"[6]), but these options are unlikely.[7] See The Text of Psalm 20:6b for a detailed discussion of the issue. In short, we follow the MT reading נִדְגֹּל. This reading is represented by virtually all Hebrew manuscripts (as well as Symmachus and the Targum) and is most likely the earlier reading. Moreover, נִדְגֹּל fits the context of prayer for military victory, and its use supplies the Psalm with rich imagery of triumphant celebration at the victory of YHWH. The people expect to raise banners which identify them as YHWH's people while announcing to their enemies that YHWH is the one who wins victory. The alternative readings are represented in blue in the grammatical diagram.
  1. ↑ The verbal use of דָּגַל is rare occurring only in Ps 20:6 (as Qal yiqtol), in Song 5:10 (as Qal participle) and in Song 6:4, 10 (as Niphal participle).
  2. ↑ SDBH. The Hebrew verb דָּגַל is a denominative verb from the noun דֶּגֶל, which has several possible glosses in English such as banner, flag, and standard. These terms are all synonymous and are used to represent the symbol of allegiance raised by a group of people. They usually depicted the ruling authority or family whom the people served. Furthermore, they could be used before battle to organize men into companies, and they could be waved afterward to celebrate a victory. Since the Hebrew verb is based on a noun, translators must give the noun its verbal form. This can cause some differences in translation such as set up, lift up, and raise up banner (TWOT and BDB), but the meaning will be the same.
  3. ↑ LXGRCANLEX — Brannan, Rick. The Lexham Analytical Lexicon to the Greek New Testament. Bellingham: Lexham Press, 2011.
  4. ↑ BDB
  5. ↑ BDB
  6. ↑ BDB
  7. ↑ The BHS apparatus suggests that the LXX is perhaps reading נַגְדִּל (Hiphil yiqtol of גדל - "to make great, to magnify, to do great things" (BDB)) or נְגַדֵּל (Piel yiqtol of גדל - "to cause to grow, bring up children" (BDB)) instead of the MT reading נִדְגֹּל (Qal yiqtol of דגל - "to array oneself with banners" (SDBH)). However, this suggestion does not have strong scholarly support and so was not covered on the exegetical issue page, The Text of Psalm 20:6b. According to Hatch and Redpath, the LXX translates μεγαλυνθησόμεθα from the Hebrew נִגְדַּל (Qal yiqtol of גדל - "to magnify" (LXGRCANLEX)) (cf. Hatch and Redpath, 902(2a), see also T. Muraoka, A Greek-Hebrew/Aramaic Two-Way Index to the Septuagint, Peeters: Belgium, 2010, 77).