Psalm 88/Notes/Lexical.V. 7.722250

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  • v. 7: The meaning of תַּחְתִּיּוֹת
The substantivized adjective תַּחְתִּי, always in abstract feminine form (either singular or plural) is a superlative of place: “the bottom of” (lit. “the lowest/deepest place of”), e.g. תַחְתִּית הָהָר “the foot of the mountain”, Exod 19:17. In our verse it may be understood as “a pit which is situated at the lowest places”. This phrase, as well as the similar אֶרֶץ תַּחְתִּית orאֶרֶץ תַּחְתִּיּוֹת is often a synonym of the Sheol. In Ezek 31:14 the latter stands parallel to יוֹרְדֵי בוֹר (cf. vs. 5).