Psalm 37/Notes/Lexical.vv. 35-36.145107

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v. 36: The meaning of עבר in v. 36a depends on whether we read אעבר ("I passed by") or יעבר ("he vanished"). See note on grammar. If we adopt the reading אעבר, then it probably means "to pass by (and see) [something]." E.g., Prov 24:30-31—"I passed by (עָבַרְתִּי) the field of a sluggard... and behold (וְהִנֵּה), it was all overgrown with thorns..." (ESV; cf. Ezek 37:2). In Ps 37, the psalmist's use of הִנֵּה invites the addressee to see the surprising situation for himself. Cf. BHRG §40.22.4.1(2): "וְהִנֵּה is used by a narrator (sometimes a speaker) to put the addressee in the perspective of the observing character... Typically, one or another type of movement and/or change of scene is involved so that the the observers are confronted with a new situation which is surprising to them."