The Time of Joseph's Testing in Ps 105:18-19
Introduction
The Hebrew text of Ps. 105:18-19 in the MT reads as follows:[1]
- עִנּ֣וּ בַכֶּ֣בֶל רַגְל֑וֹ בַּ֝רְזֶ֗ל בָּ֣אָה נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
- עַד־עֵ֥ת בֹּֽא־דְבָר֑וֹ אִמְרַ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה צְרָפָֽתְהוּ׃
There is a cluster of related questions about v. 19 in view here: First, who does the 3ms pronominal suffix הוּ ("him") in v. 19b refer to (Pharaoh or Joseph)?[2] Second, is עַד elided in the second clause of v. 19b? Third, what does צרף mean? And fourth, what is the timeframe for "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proving" (צרף; or "testing/refining") Joseph? Does v. 19 imply that "YHWH's word" tested Joseph only until Pharaoh released Joseph from prison and exalted him (Gen 40; cf. 41:9-45)? Or did "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) test Joseph until the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine that he had predicted came to pass? Or did "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) test Joseph all the way up until his family paid homage to him by living under his lordship (Gen 42:6; 45:4-13; 46:29-47:12, 27-31) according to Joseph's dream-predictions (Gen 37:5-10)? Modern translations render vv. 18-19 in a manner that accommodates the different readings, hence the ambiguity of the exact timeframe being referred to, which this exegetical exploration endeavors to shed light on.
Argument Maps
The Referent for the Pronominal Suffix (הוּ) in V. 19b
Joseph is the Referent for the Pronominal Suffix (הוּ) (preferred)
The pronominal suffix that is attached to the verb צרף refers to Joseph and is the object of the verb.
===
model:
removeTagsFromText: true
shortcodes:
":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}
":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}
":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}
selection:
excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
graphVizSettings:
concentrate: true
ranksep: 0.2
nodesep: 0.2
===
[Joseph is "him"]: The pronominal suffix in v. 19b (צרפתהו) refers to Joseph.
+ <Refinement>: It makes sense to identify Joseph as the one who was ‘refined’ by YHWH’s word.
+ <Joseph's Behavior>: "There appears to be some development in Joseph's character from \[Gen 37:5-11\] (when he seems at best stupid) to the time he shows some magnanimity toward his brothers: some refining has taken place" (Goldingay 2008, 210).
+ <Antecedent>: Reference is made to Joseph immediately preceding v. 19 both in v. 17 and v. 18. Pharaoh is not an active participant in the story until the next verse.
+ [Psalm 105:17-18]: "he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron" (NRSV).
Pharaoh is the Referent for the Pronominal Suffix (הוּ)
Some think that the pronominal suffix that is attached to the verb צרף refers to Pharoah and indicates the agent of צרף.[3]
===
model:
removeTagsFromText: true
shortcodes:
":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}
":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}
":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}
selection:
excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
graphVizSettings:
concentrate: true
ranksep: 0.2
nodesep: 0.2
===
[Pharaoh is "him"]: The pronominal suffix in v. 19b (צרפתהו) refers to Pharaoh.#dispreferred
+ <V. 20>: "Pharaoh ... is mentioned in the next verse" (Dahood 1970, 58 :C:).#dispreferred
+ [Psalm 105:20]: "The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free" (NRSV)#dispreferred
<_ <Cataphoric>: A cataphoric reference to Pharaoh is less likely than an anaphoric reference to Joseph.
+ <Pharaoh "Proved" YHWH's Word>: Pharaoh is the one who exalted Joseph from the prison to his position of power in Egypt; thus, "YHWH's promise" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) to Joseph (Gen 37:5-11) was "proved" (צרף) by Pharaoh (Dahood 1970, 50, 58 :C:).#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 41:39-45]: "So Pharaoh said to Joseph ... You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt" (Gen 41:39-41; NRSV).#dispreferred
<_ <Grammar>: In v. 19b, the subject of the verb "proved" is "YHWH's word," and the pronominal suffix הו is the object, not the subject.
- <Revocalization>: The verb צרפתהו should be revocalized as a qal passive (צְרֻפָּתהוּ), and the הו suffix interpreted as "the dative suffix of agency: "YHWH's word was proved by him" (Dahood 1970, 58 :C:).#dispreferred
עַד in the Second Clause of V. 19b
עַד is not elided in the second clause of v. 19b
Most modern translations do not translate v. 19 as if עַד is elided in the second clause and so make the temporal clause of v. 19a dependent on v. 19b. E.g., NLT: “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.”
===
model:
removeTagsFromText: true
shortcodes:
":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}
":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}
":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}
selection:
excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
graphVizSettings:
rankdir: LR
concentrate: true
ranksep: 0.2
nodesep: 0.2
===
[Not Elided]: The preposition עַד is not elided in v. 19b.
+ <>:
+ <>:
עַד is elided in the second clause of v. 19b
If עַד is elided in the second clause of v. 19b, it means that Joseph's feet were bound with fetters and his neck was in an iron collar until the actions of v. 19b took place. E.g., the NIV: “till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true.”
The Meaning of צרף
צרף Means "Refine"
צרף Means "Vindicate"
The Time Frame for צרף
Until Joseph is Released from Prison and Exalted by Pharaoh (Preferred)
The time frame for "YHWH's word' (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proving" or "testing/refining" Joseph concludes as he is set free from the Egyptian prison and exalted by Pharaoh (Gen 41:14-45).
===
model:
removeTagsFromText: true
shortcodes:
":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}
":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}
":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}
selection:
excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
graphVizSettings:
rankdir: LR
concentrate: true
ranksep: 0.2
nodesep: 0.2
===
[Earlier Time]: "YHWH's word' (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) vindicated (proved) Joseph when he was set free from the Egyptian prison; or, if צרף is rendered as "refined/tested," Joseph was subject to this only until he was set free from prison.
+ <Context>: The events immediately surrounding v. 19 in the narrative of Psalm 105 relate how Joseph was “sent” to Egypt (v. 17), imprisoned (v. 18), and then how Pharaoh freed and exalted him (v. 20-22). This, along with the temporal adverbial phrase עַד־עֵת בֹּא־דְבָרוֹ in v. 19a, suggests that v. 19 specifically refers to how "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) tested Joseph through his imprisonment (v. 18). When Joseph was freed, the particular means of testing referred to in v. 19b was complete.
+ <Sequence of Events>: V. 19 aside, the rest of the sequence of events in Psalm 105:12-26 correspond to the sequence of events in Genesis chs. 39-41.
+ [Psalm 105:20-22]: "The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions, to instruct his officials at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom" (ESV).
+ [Psalm 105:17-18]: "\[YHWH\] had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron" (NRSV).
<_ <Not Chronological>: In poetry, historical events do not need to be presented chronologically. Thus, the sequence of events in Psalm 105 need not correspond to the sequence of events in Genesis chs. 39-41.#dispreferred
+ [Exodus 10:21-23]: Darkness, presented as the ninth plague in Exodus, is presented first in Psalm 105:28.#dispreferred
<_ <Sequence of Events>: V. 19 aside, the rest of the sequence of events in Psalm 105:12-26 correspond to the sequence of events in Genesis chs. 39-41.
+ <Refinement>: "\[T\]he reference to refining implies that 'Yhwh's saying' \[אִמְרַת יְהוָה\] denotes a word Yhwh uttered before Joseph was in prison (there is no time for refining after Gen. 40-41)" (Goldingay 2008, 210 :C:). Thus, Joseph's enslavement and imprisonment are conditions in his "testing/refinement" that end when Pharaoh exalts him in fulfillment of "YHWH's word" (Gen 37:5-11).
- <Historical Events>: The Genesis account of Joseph that Psalm 105 summarizes presents Joseph as undergoing testing/refinement (צרף) even after his release from prison. Joseph was "refined" by "YHWH's word" (Gen 37:5-11) through suffering estrangement from his family after Pharaoh released him from prison and exalted him (Gen 40-41).#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 42:24]: "\[Joseph\] turned away from \[his brothers\] and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. And he picked out Simeon and had him bound before their eyes" (NRSV)#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 43:30]: "Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for \[Benjamin\], and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there" (NRSV)#dispreferred
- <Historical Events>: The Genesis account of Joseph that Psalm 105 summarizes presents Joseph as undergoing testing/refinement (צרף) even after his release from prison. Joseph was "refined" by "YHWH's word" (Gen 37:5-11) through suffering estrangement from his family after Pharaoh released him from prison and exalted him (Gen 40-41).#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 42:24]: "\[Joseph\] turned away from \[his brothers\] and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. And he picked out Simeon and had him bound before their eyes" (NRSV)#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 43:30]: "Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for \[Benjamin\], and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there" (NRSV)#dispreferred
Until Joseph is Honored by His Family in Egypt
The time frame for "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proving" or "testing/refining" Joseph lasted until Joseph's dream-predictions about his family paying homage to him (Gen 37:5-10) came true: his brothers bowed down to him (42:6) and then his extended family relocated to Egypt to live under his lordship (Gen 45:4-13; 46:29-47:12, 27-31).
===
model:
removeTagsFromText: true
shortcodes:
":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}
":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}
":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}
selection:
excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
graphVizSettings:
rankdir: LR
concentrate: true
ranksep: 0.2
nodesep: 0.2
===
[Later Time]: "YHWH's word' (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "refined/tested" Joseph until his dream-predictions about his family paying homage to him (Gen 37:5-10) came true (Gen 42:6; 46:29-31; 47:12).#dispreferred
+ <Parenthetic Comment>: V. 19 is a parenthetical aside (a theological comment) that steps outside of the sequence of events in Joseph's life, like in vv. 27 and 43 when the psalmist summarizes aspects of the Genesis and Exodus narratives that have not yet, or already, happened in the sequence of Psalm 105.#dispreferred
<_ <Pharaoh's Dreams>: The time frame for "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proving" or "testing/refining" Joseph concluded when Joseph's predictions about Pharaoh's dreams (Gen 41) came to pass regarding the 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine (Gen 41:53-54; 45:6). This was after Joseph's family paid him homage as their lord.
+ [Psalm 105:27]: "They performed his signs among them, and miracles in the land of Ham" (NRSV).#dispreferred
+ [Psalm 105:43]: "So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing" (NRSV).#dispreferred
+ <Not Chronological>: In poetry, historical events do not need to be presented chronologically. Thus, the sequence of events in Psalm 105 need not correspond to the sequence of events in Genesis chs. 39-41.#dispreferred
+ [Exodus 10:21-23]: Darkness, presented as the ninth plague in Exodus, is presented first in Psalm 105:28.#dispreferred
<_ <Sequence of Events>: The sequence of events in Psalm 105:12-26 correspond to the sequence of events in Genesis chs. 39-41.
- <Context>: The events immediately surrounding v. 19 in the narrative of Psalm 105 relate how Joseph was “sent” to Egypt (v. 17), imprisoned (v. 18), and then how Pharaoh freed and exalted him (v. 20-22). This, along with the temporal adverbial phrase עַד־עֵת בֹּא־דְבָרוֹ in v. 19a, implies that the time frame in view for "YHWH's word' (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "refines" Joseph (v. 19b) until his release and exaltation. In Psalm 105 there is no mention of Joseph's family bowing down to him according to Joseph's dream-predictions (Gen 37:5-10). Thus, דְבָרוֹ probably refers to Joseph's exaltation in a general way or to his interpretations of the cupbearer's and baker's dreams in the Egyptian prison (Gen 40).
+ [Psalm 105:17-18]: "\[YHWH\] had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron" (NRSV).
+ [Psalm 105:20-22]: "He \[YHWH\] sent a king \[Pharaoh\], and he released him \[Joseph\]; \[YHWH sent\] a ruler of peoples and he freed him \[Joseph\]. He appointed him \[Joseph\] as lord over his household and ruler over all of his property so that he \[Joseph\] instructed his princes as he desired and \[so that Joseph\] would impart wisdom to his elders."
+ [Genesis 37:5-10]: Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” .... Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”
+ <Historical Events>: The Genesis account of Joseph, summarized in Psalm 105, presents Joseph as undergoing trials of testing (צרף) even after his release from prison. Joseph was "refined" by "YHWH's word" (Gen 37:5-11) through suffering estrangement from his family even after his release from prison and exalted by Pharaoh (Gen 40-41).#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 42:24]: "\[Joseph\] turned away from \[his brothers\] and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. And he picked out Simeon and had him bound before their eyes" (NRSV)#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 43:30]: "Joseph hurried out, because he was overcome with affection for \[Benjamin\], and he was about to weep. So he went into a private room and wept there" (NRSV)#dispreferred
<_ <Context>: The events immediately surrounding v. 19 in the narrative of Psalm 105 relate how Joseph was “sent” to Egypt (v. 17), imprisoned (v. 18), and then how Pharaoh freed and exalted him (v. 20-22). This, along with the temporal adverbial phrase עַד־עֵת בֹּא־דְבָרוֹ in v. 19a, implies that the time frame in view for "YHWH's word' (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "refines" Joseph (v. 19b) until his release and exaltation. In Psalm 105 there is no mention of Joseph's family bowing down to him according to Joseph's dream-predictions (Gen 37:5-10). Thus, דְבָרוֹ probably refers to Joseph's exaltation in a general way or to his interpretations of the cupbearer's and baker's dreams in the Egyptian prison (Gen 40).
Until Joseph's Interpretations of Pharaoh's Dreams Were Fulfilled
The time frame for "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proving" or "testing/refining" Joseph concluded when the 7 years of plenty and the 7 years of famine that Joseph had predicted as an interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams (Gen 41; 45:6) took place.
===
model:
removeTagsFromText: true
shortcodes:
":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}
":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}
":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}
selection:
excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
graphVizSettings:
rankdir: LR
concentrate: true
ranksep: 0.2
nodesep: 0.2
===
[Latest Time]: The time frame for "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proving" or "testing/refining" Joseph concluded when Joseph's predictions about Pharaoh's dreams (Gen 41) came to pass (Gen 41:53-54; 45:6).#dispreferred
+ <Context>: Mention of Joseph's imprisonment in v. 18 imply that דְבָרוֹ is a reference to "Joseph's word" which, in the context of Joseph's story in Genesis, suggests Joseph's interpretation of dreams (first the cupbearer's and baker's dreams \[Gen 40\], and then Pharaoh's dreams \[Gen 41\]).#dispreferred
+ [Genesis 40:21-22]: "\[Pharaoh\] restored the chief cupbearer to his cupbearing, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand; but the chief baker he hanged, just as Joseph had interpreted to them" (NRSV). #dispreferred
+ [Genesis 41:12-14]: "A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each according to his dream. As he interpreted to us, so it turned out; I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged. Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was hurriedly brought out of the dungeon. When he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh" (NRSV).#dispreferred
- <V. 20-22>: The events immediately following v. 19 in the narrative of Psalm 105 relate how Joseph was freed from prison and exalted by Pharaoh (v. 20-22). This suggests that v. 19 specifically refers to how "YHWH's word" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) tested Joseph through his imprisonment (v. 18) rather than the 14 year period of time that followed his release from prison.
+ [Psalm 105:20-22]: "The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions, to instruct his officials at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom" (ESV).
<_<Parenthetic Comment>: V. 19 is a parenthetical aside (a theological comment) that steps outside of the sequence of events in Joseph's life, like in vv. 27 and 43 when the psalmist summarizes aspects of the Genesis and Exodus narratives that have not yet, or already, happened in the sequence of Psalm 105.#dispreferred
+ <Parenthetic Comment>: V. 19 is a parenthetical aside (a theological comment) that steps outside of the sequence of events in Joseph's life, like in vv. 27 and 43 when the psalmist summarizes aspects of the Genesis and Exodus narratives that have not yet, or already, happened in the sequence of Psalm 105.#dispreferred
<_ <Joseph's Dreams>: "YHWH's word' (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "refined/tested" Joseph until his dream-predictions about his family paying homage to him (Gen 37:5-10) came true (Gen 42:6; 46:29-31; 47:12).
+ [Psalm 105:27]: "They performed his signs among them, and miracles in the land of Ham" (NRSV).#dispreferred
+ [Psalm 105:43]: "So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing" (NRSV).#dispreferred
+ <Not Chronological>: In poetry, historical events do not need to be presented chronologically. Thus, the sequence of events in Psalm 105 need not correspond to the sequence of events in Genesis chs. 39-41.#dispreferred
+ [Exodus 10:21-23]: Darkness, presented as the ninth plague in Exodus, is presented first in Psalm 105:28.#dispreferred
<_ <Sequence of Events>: The sequence of events in Psalm 105:12-26 correspond to the sequence of events in Genesis chs. 39-41.
Conclusion (A, C)
The pronominal suffix (הוּ) in v. 19b likely refers to Joseph rather than Pharaoh. Reference is made to Joseph in vv. 17-18 and Pharaoh is not an active participant in the story until v. 20. A cataphoric reference to Pharaoh is less likely than an anaphoric reference to Joseph. (A rating)
The time-frame in view in v. 19, in which “YHWH’s word” (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) “refined [Joseph]” (צְרָפָתְהוּ), probably concludes when Joseph is set free from the Egyptian prison/exalted by Pharaoh. The events immediately surrounding v. 19 in the narrative of Psalm 105 relate Joseph’s enslavement (v. 17), imprisonment (v. 18), and then his emancipation and exaltation (v. 20-22). The temporal adverbial phrase (עַד־עֵת בֹּא־דְבָרוֹ) relates to and qualifies v. 18 and/or v. 19b, and Joseph's enslavement and imprisonment are obvious conditions/means of his refinement that are mentioned in the psalm. These come to an end in v. 20 when Pharaoh frees and exalts Joseph. This suggests that the Psalmist is portraying Pharaoh's actions as the fulfillment of "YHWH's word" (Gen 37:5-11). (C rating)
Research
Translations
Ancient
- LXX: εταπείνωσαν ἐν πέδαις τοὺς πόδας αυτοῦ, σίδηρον διήλθεν ἡ ψυχή αυτοῦ μέχρι τοῦ ελθείν τὸν λόγον αυτοῦ, τὸ λόγιον κυρίου επύρωσεν αυτόν[4]
- "They debased his feet with fetters; his soul passed through iron until what he had said came to pass; the saying of the Lord purified him."[5]
- Peshitta: ܘܐܣܪ ܒܣܘ̈ܛܡܐ ܪ̈ܓܠܘܗܝ ܘܒܦܪ̈ܙܠܐ ܥܠܬ ܢܦܫܗ ܥܕܡܐ ܕܫܪܬ ܡܠܬܗ ܡܐܡܪܗ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܒܩܝܗܝ[6]
- "They bound his feet with shackles; he was put in irons, until his word was proven correct. The word of the Lord approved him."[7]
- Targum: עניאו בשושילתא ריגלוי שיר דפרזל עלת בנפשיה׃ עד עידן דאתא פתגמיה מימרא דיהוה סנין יתיה׃[8]
- "They hurt his feet with a chain; his neck entered a collar of iron, until the time when his word came to pass, the word of the LORD refined him."[9]
- Jerome: adflixerunt in conpede pedes eius in ferrum venit anima eius; usque ad tempus donec veniret sermo eius eloquium Domini probavit eum[10]
- They afflicted his feet with shackles; his soul went into iron; until the time when his word came about, God's utterance tested him.
Modern
צרף as "Prove" and V. 19b Translated Independently
- The shackles hurt his feet; his neck was placed in an iron collar, until the time when his predictions came true. The Lord’s word proved him right (NET)
- His feet were kept in chains, and an iron collar was around his neck, until what he had predicted came true. The word of the Lord proved him right (GNT)
עַד Translated as Elided in V. 19b
- They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true (NIV)
עַד Not Translated as Elided in V. 19b
- with chains of iron around his legs and neck. Joseph remained a slave until his own words had come true, and the LORD had finished testing him (CEV)
- They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character (NLT)
- His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him (ESV)
- he was kept a prisoner with fetters on his feet and iron collar on his neck. He was tested by the LORD's command until what he foretold came true (NEB)
- His feet were hurt with fetters, his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord kept testing him (NRSV)
- where they thrust his feet into fetters and clamped an iron collar round his neck. He was tested by the LORD’s command until what he foretold took place (REB)
- His feet were subjected to fetters; an iron collar was put on his neck. Until his prediction came true the decree of the LORD purged him (JPS85)
- So his feet were weighed down with shackles, his neck was put in irons. In due time his prophecy was fulfilled, the word of Yahweh proved him true (NJB)
- On chargea ses pieds de chaînes, son cou d’un carcan de fer jusqu’au jour où s’accomplit ce que Joseph avait annoncé. Alors la parole prononcée par l’Eternel montra qu’il avait raison (BDS)
- On lui imposa des chaînes aux pieds, on lui passa le cou dans un collier de fer, jusqu'au moment où la parole qu'il reçut du Seigneur prouva son innocence (NFC)
- On lui entrava les pieds, on lui passa un collier de fer; jusqu‘à l’accomplissment de sa prediction la parole du SEIGNEUR l’éprouva (TOB)
- On a attaché ses pieds avec des chaînes, on a enserré son cou dans du fer, jusqu’au moment où est arrivé ce qu’il avait annoncé et où la parole de l’Eternel l’a justifié (S21)
- On serra ses pieds dans les entraves, on le mit aux fers jusqu'au temps où sa parole se réalisa, et où le décret du Seigneur lui fit surmonter l'épreuve (NBS)
- On serra ses pieds dans les entraves, On le mit aux fers Jusqu'au temps où sa parole s'accomplit, Et où la déclaration de l'Éternel lui fit surmonter l'épreuve (NVSR)
- On lui a attaché les pieds avec des chaînes, on lui a mis un collier de fer autour du cou. Cela a duré un certain temps. Un jour, ce que Joseph avait annoncé est arrivé, et ainsi, le Seigneur a montré qu’il était innocent (PDV)
- Le sujetaron los pies con grilletes, entre hierros aprisionaron su cuello, hasta que se cumplió lo que él predijo y la palabra del Señor probó que él era veraz (NVI)
- Afligieron sus pies con grilletes En hierro fue puesta su alma, Hasta que de cumplió su predicción, El vaticinio de YHVH lo puso a prueba (BTX4)
- Le lastimaron los pies con cadenas; ¡lo aprisionaron con hierros! La palabra del Señor puso a prueba a José, hasta que se cumplió lo que José había anunciado (DHH)
- Afligieron sus pies con grillos; en cárcel fue puesta su persona. Hasta la hora en que se cumplió su palabra, el dicho de Jehová lo probó (RVR95)
- Sie zwangen seine Füße in Fesseln, sein Hals wurde in Eisen gelegt, bis sein Wort eintraf und die Rede des HERRN ihm recht gab (Luther 2017)
- Man band seine Füße mit schweren Ketten und zwängte seinen Hals in einen eisernen Ring. Doch dann traf ein, was Josef vorausgesagt hatte; was der HERR ihm eingab, bewies seine Unschuld (HFA)
- Man zwängte seine Füße in schmerzhafte Fesseln und seinen Hals in eiserne Ketten, bis dann die Zeit kam und Josefs Voraussagen sich erfüllten, bis die Worte des HERRN sich als wahr erwiesen (NGÜ)
- Sie zwängten seine Füße in Fesseln, ⟨in⟩ Eisen kam sein Hals, bis zu der Zeit, da sein Wort eintraf, das Wort des HERRN ihn bestätigte (ELB)
- Man spannte seine Füße in Fesseln und zwängte seinen Hals ins Eisen bis zu der Zeit, als sein Wort sich erfüllte und der Spruch des HERRN ihm Recht gab (EÜ)
- Man zwängte seine Füße in eiserne Fesseln, ein eiserner Ring umschloss seinen Hals, bis dann seine Voraussage sich erfüllte und das Wort des HERRN seine Unschuld erwies (GNB)
- Sie zwangen seine Füsse in Fesseln, in Eisen wurde sein Hals gelegt bis zu der Zeit, da sein Wort sich erfüllte, der Spruch des HERRN ihn läuterte (ZÜR)
Secondary Literature
- Briggs, Charles A., and Emilie Briggs. 1906-1907. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. Vol. 2. ICC. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
- Buttenwieser, Moses. 1969. The Psalms; Chronologically Treated with a New Translation. New York, NY : Ktav Publishing House.
- Allen, Leslie C. 2002. Psalms 101-150 (Revised). Vol. 21. WBC. Dallas: Word Incorporated.
- Dahood, Mitchell. 1970. Psalms. Vol. 4. ABC. New York: Doubleday.
- deClaissé-Walford, Nancy, Rolf A. Jacobson and Beth LaNeel Tanner. 2014. The Book of Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
- Delitzsch, Franz and Carl Friedrich Keil. 1900. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms. Vol. 3. trans. Eaton David. New York: Funk and Wagnalls.
- Goldingay, John. 2008. Psalms: Psalms 90-150. Vol. 3. BCOT. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.
- Hossfeld and Zenger, 2011. Psalms 3: A Commentary on Psalms 101-150. Hermenia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
- Stec, David M. 2004. The Targum of Psalms. Vol. 16. The Aramaic Bible. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press.
- Kiraz, George A. and Andreas Juckel. 2020. The Syriac Peshiṭta Bible with English Translation: Psalms. Translated by Richard A. Taylor. Piscataway, NJ: Georgias Press.
References
105:18-19
- ↑ Hebrew text from OSHB.
- ↑ Some interpreters take דְבָרוֹ as "YHWH's word" (see Buttenwieser 1969, 803, as well as Briggs and Briggs 1906-07, 340, 345; and Dahood 1970, 57). Whether דְבָרוֹ refers to "YHWH's word" or "Joseph's word" is ultimately a distinction without a difference when it comes to meaning because the narrator of Joseph's story in Genesis portrays Joseph's dreams about his future exaltation (Gen 37:5-10), his interpretations of the cupbearer's and baker's dreams in the Egyptian prison (Gen 40), and Pharaoh's dreams (Gen 41:14-32) as originating with YHWH (see Gen 41:15-16, 25) (Hossfeld and Zenger 2011, 71). In other words, דְבָרוֹ is both YHWH's and Joseph's "word." Even so, Joseph is likely meant to be the referent for the pronominal suffix because "[t]he explicit יהוה, 'Yahweh,' differentiates from the suf. דבר)ו), 'his (prediction),' in v 19a and indicates that it refers to Joseph" (Allen 2002, 52). Then again, there may be "deliberate ambiguity" here because "the distinction between the prophetic word as 'divine' and as 'prophetic' is always a matter of ambiguity" (deClaissé-Walford, Jacobson, and Tanner 2014, 791).
- ↑ Dahood 1970, 58.
- ↑ Rahlfs 1931.
- ↑ NETS.
- ↑ CAL
- ↑ Taylor 2020, 433.
- ↑ CAL.
- ↑ Stec 2004, 190-191.
- ↑ Weber-Gryson 5th edition.