Psalm 78/Notes/Lexical.v. 25.480527

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]

↑ 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."

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