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Exegetical Note +
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* The word translated here as '''darkness … </br>* The word translated here as '''darkness''' (צַלְמָוֶת) is disputed. For an in-depth discussion of the issue, see %5B%5BThe Meaning of צלמות in Ps 23:4%5D%5D. In short, some interpreters understand צַלְמָוֶת to be a compound noun of צֵל (shadow) and מָוֶת (death), translated as "shadow of death" (cf. ESV, KJB, NASB). Alternatively, צַלְמָוֶת has been interpreted as a compound noun in which the ending מָוֶת does not refer literally to "death;" instead, it functions as a superlative (e.g., "a valley dark as death"'"`UNIQ--ref-00000000-QINU`"'; "a valley of deepest darkness"'"`UNIQ--ref-00000001-QINU`"'; etc.). Other interpreters understand צַלְמָוֶת to be a noun for "darkness" derived from the root צלם (”to be dark”). Some scholars who prefer this option suggest the MT צַלְמָוֶת should be revocalized to either צַלְמוּת'"`UNIQ--ref-00000002-QINU`"' ("darkness") or צַלְמוֹת'"`UNIQ--ref-00000003-QINU`"' ("darkness"). However, other scholars suggest the MT vocalization should be maintained.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000004-QINU`"' We favored the final position, namely, that צַלְמָוֶת is a noun for "darkness" derived from the root צלם ("to be dark") and originally pronounced צַלְמוּת. The change to צַלְמָוֶת probably occured as the form was reanalyzed as a compound noun by a process of folk etymology. This word tends to be associated with darkness in the Bible and is sometimes parallel to words belonging to the semantic domain of "darkness." This interpretation fits well in the context of Psalm 23. The valley of "darkness" depicts the dangerous places where the psalmist may walk. Yet, the psalmist asserts that he will not fear harm because YHWH is with him.</br>* The verb '''יָרֵא''' ("to fear") is regarded as a transitive verb.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000005-QINU`"' </br>* The Hebrew word '''רָע''' ("harm") can function either as an adjective or a noun. BDB, for example, analyzes it as a noun in v. 4 (for similar cases, cf. Pss 34:17 and 36:5). David fears no harm because YHWH is with him. Here the psalm shifts from talking about YHWH to talking directly to YHWH ("you are with me"). Since YHWH is omnipresent (cf. Ps 139:7-12), the statement "you are with me" may be meant to signify YHWH's action on David's behalf rather than his location (e.g., Isa 41:10). In other words, YHWH "intervenes in %5BDavid’s%5D life for protection as well as provision."'"`UNIQ--ref-00000006-QINU`"'</br>* '''שִׁבְטְךָ֥ וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ''' ("your rod and your staff"): In Ps 23:6, the rod and staff symbolize YHWH's presence, protection, and guidance.'"`UNIQ--ref-00000007-QINU`"'</br>** '''שִׁבְטְךָ֥''' ("your rod"): A "rod" was an "attribute of a shepherd or a ruler, but also used for other purposes, such as beating, walking, fighting, etc.; ≈ associated with shepherding, authority, punishment."'"`UNIQ--ref-00000008-QINU`"' "The 'rod' was a clublike weapon used to defend a flock against predators; the same word is used for a royal 'scepter' %5Bcf. Ps 2:9 - the Davidic ruler will crush the nations with a scepter%5D."'"`UNIQ--ref-00000009-QINU`"' The rod was also the object with which YHWH "punishes Judah (Isa. 10:5), and with which a man might strike his servant so hard that he kills him (Exod. 21:20). The shepherd would carry one attached to his belt as the weapon with which to attack animals and thus protect the sheep."'"`UNIQ--ref-0000000A-QINU`"' Therefore, a shepherd could use a rod "for disciplining a wandering sheep, encircling a sheep’s neck or belly to rescue it from a gully and laying across the backs of sheep for purposes of counting (the so called rodding of the sheep) as they entered the sheepfold (Lev 27:32; Ezek 20:37)."'"`UNIQ--ref-0000000B-QINU`"'</br>** '''וּ֝מִשְׁעַנְתֶּ֗ךָ''' ("and your staff"): A "staff" was "used for walking or as attribute of a ruler, shepherd, or prophet; gives support to the sick and elderly; ≈ associated with authority and support."'"`UNIQ--ref-0000000C-QINU`"' The staff is "the cane on which %5Bthe shepherd%5D might lean for support (e.g., Zech. 8:4), though it is also the means by which a shepherd might keep the sheep in order and knock down olives for them to eat."'"`UNIQ--ref-0000000D-QINU`"' The staff was also "used to prod sheep in the right direction."'"`UNIQ--ref-0000000E-QINU`"'</br>* '''הֵ֣מָּה יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי''' ("they comfort me"): Instead of reading הֵ֣מָּה ("they") as the 3mp personal pronoun, Dahood identifies "''hēmmāh'' with the Ugaritic interjection ''hm'', 'behold'."'"`UNIQ--ref-0000000F-QINU`"' Moreover, for יְנַֽחֲמֻֽנִי ("they comfort me" - piel yiqtol 3mp from נחם with 1cs suffix pronoun), Dahood suggested reading יַנְחֻנִי ("they will lead me" - hiphil yiqtol 3ms from נחה with 1cs suffix pronoun). This alternative reading is also mentioned in the BHS apparatus, and it is represented (in blue) in the diagram above. According to Dahood, "The consonantal cluster ''ynhmny'' may well contain an internal 'enclitic' ''mem'' which follows the root and precedes the pronominal suffix. Hence the verb is ''nāhāh'', 'to lead,' found in vs. 3 and in the cognate context of Ps. xliii 3."'"`UNIQ--ref-00000010-QINU`"' Neither of Dahood's suggestions is reflected in the ancient versions; therefore, we prefer the MT readings.</br>ions; therefore, we prefer the MT readings.
V. 4 +
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14:39:26, 29 April 2025 +
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