Psalm 78/Diagrams/Placeholders/25

v. 25 - Preferred

(Preferred, but not confirmed); edit diagram

SimpleGrammar
DiscourseUnit [v. 25]
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            noun: אִישׁ man >> people
          Predicate
            verb: אָכַל ate
            Object
              ConstructChain
                noun: לֶחֶם bread
                noun: אַבִּירִים angels
      Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: שָׁלַח he sent
            Object
              noun: צֵידָה provisions
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לָ to
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
            Adverbial <gloss="until they were satisfied">
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לָ to
                Object
                  noun: שֹׂבַע satiation

Diagram Code

 DiscourseUnit [v. 25]
      Fragment
        Clause
          Subject
            noun: אִישׁ man >> people
          Predicate
            verb: אָכַל ate
            Object
              ConstructChain
                noun: לֶחֶם bread
                noun: אַבִּירִים angels
      Fragment
        Clause
          Predicate
            verb: שָׁלַח he sent
            Object
              noun: צֵידָה provisions
            Adverbial
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לָ to
                Object
                  suffix-pronoun: הֶם them
            Adverbial <gloss="until they were satisfied">
              PrepositionalPhrase
                Preposition
                  preposition: לָ to
                Object
                  noun: שֹׂבַע satiation

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 {{Diagram/Display | Chapter=78|DiagramID=v-25-None }}

Grammar Notes

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Lexical Notes

Lexical Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 25

v. 25 – This is a unique instance of אַבִּיר as "angel" in the Bible (so, the LXX), though see also Ben Sira (B) 43:5. Cf. also Ps 103:20, where angels are referred to as גִּבֹּ֣רֵי כֹ֭חַ. On the other hand, the precise phrase is most likely also read in Ben Sira (A) 7:31, in the context of contributions to the priests.^[1]

Phrase-Level

Phrasal Notes for this diagram

Note for v. 25

v. 25 – See the lexical notes on לֶ֣חֶם אַ֭בִּירִים, with the result that the construction chain should probably be read as a relationship of possession-possessor. For a similar construction, though indicating the source, see Ps 105:40's (cf. Exod 16:4) לֶחֶם שָׁמַיִם "bread from heaven" and the preceding clause's דְגַן שָׁמַיִם. Alternatively, דבר אחר לחם אבירים שנעשו מלאכים "Another says of לחם אבירים that it was made by angels" (Midrash Tehillim).

Verbal Notes

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Textual Notes

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Add Exegetical Note

↑ Although the LXX and Syr. have "bread of angels" (ἀγγέλων, ܕܡܠܐ̈ܟܐ), Hebr. prefers "of mighty ones" (fortium), similar, too, to Aquila (δυναστῶν), Symmachus (μεγάλων), Quinta and Theodotion (δυναστῶν). TgPs provides the periphrastic מזון דנחת ממדור מלאכיא "food that came down from the dwelling place of the angels" (Stec 2004, 152). This expansion probably grasps the sense well in light of the previous clause: וּדְגַן־שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ "grain of/from heaven he gave them" (24b), since he caused it to "rain" upon them (23-24a). The angels (or mighty ones), then, are construed as those dwelling in heaven (so Briggs & Briggs 1906-7, 185: "probably of the angels, conceived as having their food in this divine ambrosia"). See also Goldingay (2006, 495): "the link with v. 24 suggests that bread from the heavens is the food of the impressive beings who live in the heavens."

[1] Although the LXX and Syr. have "bread of angels" (ἀγγέλων, ܕܡܠܐ̈ܟܐ), Hebr. prefers "of mighty ones" (fortium), similar, too, to Aquila (δυναστῶν), Symmachus (μεγάλων), Quinta and Theodotion (δυναστῶν). TgPs provides the periphrastic מזון דנחת ממדור מלאכיא "food that came down from the dwelling place of the angels" (Stec 2004, 152). This expansion probably grasps the sense well in light of the previous clause: וּדְגַן־שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם נָ֣תַן לָֽמוֹ "grain of/from heaven he gave them" (24b), since he caused it to "rain" upon them (23-24a). The angels (or mighty ones), then, are construed as those dwelling in heaven (so Briggs & Briggs 1906-7, 185: "probably of the angels, conceived as having their food in this divine ambrosia"). See also Goldingay (2006, 495): "the link with v. 24 suggests that bread from the heavens is the food of the impressive beings who live in the heavens."

[1]