Introduction[ ]

The Hebrew text of Ps. 40:8 reads as follows:

אָ֣ז אָ֭מַרְתִּי הִנֵּה־בָ֑אתִי בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵ֝֗פֶר כָּת֥וּב עָלָֽי׃

There are multiple questions with the verse's final two phrases (בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵ֝֗פֶר and כָּת֥וּב עָלָֽי). The difficulty of the second half of Ps 40:8 led the translators of the NEB to omit it as a later scribal insertion.

However, most translations interpret מְגִלַּת־סֵ֝֗פֶר either as a reference to an unspecified book or to the Torah.

Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: (ESV; cf., NIV, NASB, NET, Luther 2017)
And so I answered, “Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law. (GNT; cf., HFA, NGÜ, GNB)

The verse's last two words (כָּת֥וּב עָלָֽי) are also understood differently.

Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- it is written about me in the scroll. (NIV; cf., NLT, ESV, NRSV)
and so I answered, “Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law. (GNT; cf., NFC, PDV)

Argument Maps[ ]

The Scroll of the Book[ ]

Many modern translations render מגלת ספר as a "scroll" (cf., NIV, NET) or "scroll of the book" (ESV, NASB, NRSV).


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[Scroll]: מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר refers to a scroll, but not to any specific scroll. #dispreferred
 + <Usage>: Elsewhere, the phrase מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר is a generic reference to a piece of writing (Kraus 2019, 121-122 :A:). #dispreferred
  + <Baruch's writing for Jeremiah>: Jer 36:2, 4, 6 uses the phrase for the words Baruch writes for Jeremiah (Kraus 2019, 121-122 :A:). #dispreferred
   + [Jer 36:2]: "Take a scroll (מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר) and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations" (NRSV) #dispreferred
  + <References in Ezekiel>: Ezek 2:9; 3:1–3 uses the phrase to refer to a document Ezekiel eats (Kraus 2019, 121-122 :A:). #dispreferred
   + [Ezek 2:9]: I looked, and a hand was stretched out to me, and a written scroll was in it. #dispreferred
 + <The LXX Translation>: The LXX translation (κεφάλις βιβλίου, "in a scroll of a book" \[NETS\]) uses a general term of a scroll and does not refer to the Torah specifically (cf. Kraus 2019, 125-126 :A:). #dispreferred
  + <Use in Ezek 2:9>: The Septuagint uses the same phrase in Ezek 2:9 in a reference to a (non Torah) scroll. #dispreferred
    + [Ezek 2:9 LXX]: And I saw and, behold, a hand stretched out to me, and in it was a scroll of a book (κεφαλὶς βιβλίου). (NETS). #dispreferred
 + <Indefiniteness>: The lack of the article indicates this is not about a singular book (Kirkpatrick 1897, 211 :C:). #dispreferred
  <_ <Generic to specific>: Hebrew poetry characteristically moves from a general concept or term to a more specific one (cf., Alter 2011, 75-80 :M:). Thus, although the scroll is described in a generic way in v. 8 ("book" or "scroll"), the actual referent is more clearly defined in v. 9 as YHWH's Torah (תוֹרָתְךָ).
   _> <Usage>
   _> <The LXX Translation>

The Book of the Law (preferred)[ ]

Some translations interpret בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר as a reference to the Torah (cf., GNT, NGÜ, etc.).


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[Torah]: The phrase בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר refers to the Torah.
 + <סֵפֶר for Torah>: In 2 Kgs 22, the word סֵפֶר ("scroll" or "book") refers to the Torah.
  + [2 Kgs 22:10]: "The priest Hilkiah has given me a book (סֵפֶר)" (NRSV)
 + <Parallelism>: בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר is in parallel with תוֹרָתְךָ in v. 9b (Craigie 2004, 315 :C:). Thus, according to the way in which Hebrew poetry moves from a general concept to a more specific one (cf., Alter 2011, 75-80 :M:), a seemingly generic "scroll" is further specified in v. 9b as the Torah. 
 + <Reference to Deut 17:14-20>: The phrase בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר refers specifically to the law of kings in Deut 17:14-20 (Craigie 2004, 315 :C:).
  + [Deut 17:14-20]: 18 When he has taken the throne of his kingdom, he shall have a copy of this law written for him in the presence of the levitical priests. 19 It shall remain with him and he shall read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, diligently observing all the words of this law and these statutes (NRSV)
  + <Royal psalm>: Psalm 40 is a royal psalm, spoken by a king.
   + [Psalm of David]: The superscription identifies Psalm 40 as "a psalm of David," who was a king (cf. Craigie 2014, 315 :C:).
   - <No royal themes>: There are no explicitly royal themes in Ps 40 (cf., Sweeney 2008, 235 :D:). #dispreferred
  - <No connection to Deut 17:14-20>: There are no allusions to Deut 17:14-20.#dispreferred
 + <Targum>: The Targum explicitly identifies מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר as a reference to the Torah.
  + [Targum]: "Then I said, 'Behold, I have entered eternal life when I am occupied with the scroll of the book of the Law (במגילת סיפרא אוריתא), which was written for my sake" (Stec 2004, 85 :M:).

About Me[ ]

Some translations interpret the prepositional phrase as a reference to the scroll's content (i.e., about the psalmist).

Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: (NLT)


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["About me"]: The prepositional phrase עָלָי identifies the subject discussed in the scroll: "about me." #dispreferred
 + <Usage>: In Esther 8:8, the collocation עַל + כָּתַב identifies the subject discussed in the writing. #dispreferred
   + [Esther 8:8]: You may write as you please with regard to the Jews (כִּתְבוּ עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים)(NRSV). #dispreferred
 - <No reference to David>: The Torah does not speak "about" David (Jamieson 1997, 359 :C:).
  <_ <Law of the King>: The fact that the Torah does not allude to David specifically does not preclude him from reading Deuteronomy 17 as binding for him. #dispreferred
  - <Other Royal Allusions>: David may have understood Jacob's royal prophecy about Judah as a reference to him.#dispreferred
   + [Gen 49:10]: "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and the obedience of the peoples is his" (NRSV) #dispreferred
 + <A votive offering>: The phrase בִּמְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר ("scroll") probably refers to a votive offering, in which case the prepositional phrase עָלַי identifies the contents of the scroll ("about me"). #dispreferred
  + <ANE Practices>: People in the ANE sometimes offered "written accounts of their narratives in place of sacrifices" (Jacobson 2014, 378-379 :C:). #dispreferred
  + <Context supports votive offering>: If YHWH does not want sacrifices, it makes sense for the psalmist to offer something different in their place (Jacobson 2014, 378-379 :C:). #dispreferred

Instructions for Me (preferred)[ ]

Some modern translations understand the prepositional phrase as an indication of the obligations the psalmist must fulfill.

and so I answered, “Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law. (GNT)


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[עָלָי refers to instructions]: The prepositional phrase עָלָי refers to instructions the psalmist must follow.
 + <Usage>: The preposition על can communicate the idea of obligation (BDB :L:; Alexander 1864, 188 :C:; cf. Keil and Delitzsch 1996, 302 :C:)
  + [2 Kgs 22:13]: "We have not been doing everything it says we must do (כְּכָל־הַכָּתוּב עָלֵינוּ)” (NLT).
  + [Gen 2:16]: "And the LORD God commanded the man (וַיְצַו֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים עַל־הָֽאָדָ֖ם)" (NRSV).
 + <Context>: The context implies obligation. In v. 9, the psalmist focuses on his actions.
  + [Ps 40:9]: "I delight to do your will (לַעֲשֹׂות־‬רְצֹונְךָ), O my God; your law is within my heart."
 + <Allusion to 1 Sam 15:22>: Ps 40:8 alludes to 1 Sam 15:22, which focuses on obedience over sacrifice.
  + [1 Sam 15:22; Ps 40:6(7)]: 1 Sam 15:22 "And Samuel said, 'Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the LORD? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams'" (NRSV). Ps 40:6(7) Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.

Conclusion (B)[ ]

The GNT offers the most probable interpretation of this verse:

And so I answered, “Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law. (GNT)

Although מְגִלַּת־סֵפֶר is not a common way to refer to the Torah, (1) the phrase functions as a synonym to תֹורָתְךָ in v. 9b, and (2) the psalmist's focus immediately shifts to his delight in doing what pleases YHWH (v. 9a). Additionally, while ספר can refer to a generic book, it can also clearly refer to the Torah even if used without a definite article (cf., 2 Kgs 22:10). Finally, the Targum offers an interpretive tradition that understood the phrase as a reference to the Torah.

The prepositional phrase (עָלָי) likely indicates the obligations placed on the psalmist by the contents of the scroll (מגלת ספר). Two pieces of evidence support this position. First, the phrase is used similarly in 2 Kgs 22:13. Second, Ps 40:8 alludes to 1 Sam 15:22 where Samuel rebukes Samuel for relying on sacrifices rather than obedience.

A final question remains about the meaning of this verse: why use an ambiguous term as a reference to the Torah? As discussed in the argument map above, Hebrew poetry frequently moves from a generic concept to a more specific example. Robert Alter refers to this as intensification (Alter 2011, 75-80). By delaying an explicit reference to the Torah, David poetically emphasizes his desire to obey YHWH. It is not just any book of instruction, it is YHWH's Torah! Furthermore, the Torah is not simply concerned with sacrifices. It is also filled with obligations for ethical living.

Research[ ]

Translations[ ]

Ancient[ ]

LXX: τότε εἶπον Ἰδοὺ ἥκω, ἐν κεφαλίδι βιβλίου γέγραπται περὶ ἐμοῦ,^[1]
- "Then I said, 'Look! I have come; in a scroll of a book it is written of me.'"^[2]
Aquila: ἐν εἰλήματι βιβλίου^[3]
Symmachus: ἐν τῷ τεύχει τοῦ ὁρισμοῦ σου^[4]
Quinta: ἐν τόμῳ βιβλίου^[5]
Peshitta: ܗܝܕܝܢ ܐܡܪܬ ܕܗܐ ܐܬܝܬ܂ ܕܒܪܝܫ ܟܬ̈ܒܐ ܟܬܝܒ ܥܠܝ܂^[6]
- "Then I said, ‘Look, I have come. In the beginning of the books it is written concerning me.'" ^[7]
Jerome (iuxta LXX): tunc dixi ecce venio in capite libri scriptum est de me
Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): tunc dixi ecce venio in volumine libre scriptum est de me
Targum:הידין אמרית הא עלית לחיי עלמא כד אעסוק במגילת סיפרא אוריתא דאכתיב אמטולתי׃ ^[8]
- "Then I said, 'Behold, I have entered eternal life when I am occupied with the scroll of the book of the Law, which was written for my sake.'"^[9]

Modern[ ]

Omits Ps 40:8b[ ]

I would have said, “Here I am” (NEB)

Follows the LXX[ ]

Entonces dije: He aqui, vengo! En la cabecilla del rollo esta escrito acerca de mi: (S21)

Scroll of the Book[ ]

Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- it is written about me in the scroll. (NIV)
Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: (ESV)
Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. (NASB)
Then I say, "Look! I come! What is written in the scroll pertains to me. (NET)
Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. (NRSV)
Then I said,“See, I will bring a scroll recounting what befell me.” (JPS 1985)
Da sprach ich: Siehe, ich komme; im Buch ist von mir geschrieben: (Luther 2017)
Da sprach ich: Siehe, ich komme; in der Rolle des Buches steht über mich geschrieben. (ELB)
Da habe ich gesagt: Siehe, ich komme. In der Buchrolle steht es über mich geschrieben. (EÜ)
Da sprach ich: Sieh, ich bin gekommen, in der Schriftrolle steht geschrieben, was für mich gilt. (ZÜR)
Alors j'ai dit : Je viens avec le livre-rouleau écrit pour moi. (NBS)
Alors je dis : Voici je viens Avec le rouleau du livre écrit pour moi (NVSR)
Alors j’ai dit : Voici, je viens, dans le rouleau du livre, il est question de moi. (BDS)
Alors j’ai dit : « Me voici, je viens à toi. Dans le rouleau d’un livre , je trouve écrit ce que je dois faire. » (PDV)
Alors j'ai dit : « Je viens moi-même à toi. Dans le livre je trouve écrit ce que je dois faire. » (NFC)
Alors j’ai dit: «Me voici, je viens – dans le rouleau du livre il est écrit à mon sujet – (S21)
Entonces dije: «He aquí, vengo; en el rollo del libro está escrito de mí; (RVR)
Por eso dije: «Aquí me tienes —como el libro dice de mí—. (NVI)
Por eso he dicho: Aquí estoy, tal como el libro dice de mí. (DHH)

Book of the Law[ ]

Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: (NLT)
And so I answered, “Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law. (GNT)
Da habe ich gesagt: »Hier bin ich! Im Buch des Gesetzes ist von mir die Rede. (NGÜ)
Darum sage ich: Mein Gott, ich bin bereit, zu tun, was du von mir erwartest, so wie es für mich aufgeschrieben ist im Buch des Gesetzes. (GNB)

About Me[ ]

Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- it is written about me in the scroll. (NIV)
Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: (NLT)
Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: (ESV)
Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. (NASB)
Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. (NRSV)
Then I say, "Look! I come! What is written in the scroll pertains to me. (NET)
Then I said,“See, I will bring a scroll recounting what befell me.” (JPS 1985)
Da sprach ich: Siehe, ich komme; im Buch ist von mir geschrieben: (Luther2017)
Da habe ich gesagt: »Hier bin ich! Im Buch des Gesetzes ist von mir die Rede. (NGÜ)
Da sprach ich: Siehe, ich komme; in der Rolle des Buches steht über mich geschrieben. (ELB)
Da habe ich gesagt: Siehe, ich komme. In der Buchrolle steht es über mich geschrieben. (EÜ)
Da sprach ich: Sieh, ich bin gekommen, in der Schriftrolle steht geschrieben, was für mich gilt. (ZÜR)
Alors j'ai dit : Je viens avec le livre-rouleau écrit pour moi. (NBS)
Alors je dis : Voici je viens Avec le rouleau du livre écrit pour moi (NVSR)
Alors j’ai dit : Voici, je viens, dans le rouleau du livre, il est question de moi. (BDS)
Alors j’ai dit: «Me voici, je viens – dans le rouleau du livre il est écrit à mon sujet – (S21)
Entonces dije: «He aquí, vengo; en el rollo del libro está escrito de mí; (RVR)
Por eso dije: «Aquí me tienes —como el libro dice de mí—. (NVI)
Por eso he dicho: Aquí estoy, tal como el libro dice de mí. (DHH)
Entonces dije: He aqui, vengo! En la cabecilla del rollo esta escrito acerca de mi: (S21)

Instructions for Me[ ]

And so I answered, “Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law. (GNT)
Deshalb antworte ich: »Herr, hier bin ich! Was im Buch des Gesetzes steht, das gilt mir. (HFA)
Darum sage ich: Mein Gott, ich bin bereit, zu tun, was du von mir erwartest, so wie es für mich aufgeschrieben ist im Buch des Gesetzes. (GNB)
Alors j’ai dit : « Me voici, je viens à toi. Dans le rouleau d’un livre , je trouve écrit ce que je dois faire. » (PDV)
Alors j'ai dit : « Je viens moi-même à toi. Dans le livre je trouve écrit ce que je dois faire. » (NFC)

Secondary Literature[ ]

Alexander, Joseph Addison. 1864. Commentary on Psalms. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications.

Alter, Robert. 2011. The Art of Biblical Poetry. Philadelphia, PA: Basic Books.

Craigie, Peter C. 1983. Psalms 1–50. WBC 19. Waco, TX: Word.

DeClaissé-Walford, Nancy L., Rolf A. Jacobson, and Beth LaNeel Tanner. 2014. The Book of Psalms. The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Delitzsch, Franz. 1883. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms: Vol. 1. Translated by Eaton David. Vol. 1. New York: Funk and Wagnalls.

Jamieson, Robert. n.d. A Commentary Critical, Practical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. New York: F. H. Revell.

Kirkpatrick, Alexander Francis. 1897. The Book of Psalms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Kraus, Wolfgang. 2019. “Psalm 40(39):7–9 in the Hebrew Bible and in the Septuagint, with Its Reception in the New Testament (Heb 10:5–10).” In XVI Congress of the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, edited by Wolfgang Kraus, Gideon R. Kotzé, and Michaël N. van der Meer, 119–32. :Stellenbosch, 2016. Society of Biblical Literature.

NETS of Ezekiel

References[ ]

40:8

[1] Rahlfs 1931.

[2] NETS

[3] Göttingen Hexapla Database.

[4] Göttingen Hexapla Database.

[5] Göttingen Hexapla Database.

[6] CAL.

[7] Taylor 2020, 155.

[8] CAL.

[9] Stec 2004, 85.

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The Meaning of Psalm 40:8

Contents

Introduction[ ]

Argument Maps[ ]

The Scroll of the Book[ ]

The Book of the Law (preferred)[ ]

About Me[ ]

Instructions for Me (preferred)[ ]

Conclusion (B)[ ]

Research[ ]

Translations[ ]

Ancient[ ]

Modern[ ]

Omits Ps 40:8b[ ]

Follows the LXX[ ]

Scroll of the Book[ ]

Book of the Law[ ]

About Me[ ]

Instructions for Me[ ]

Secondary Literature[ ]

References[ ]