The Time of Joseph's Testing in Psalm 105:18-19

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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? E.g.,

"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).

Or should עַד־עֵת only modify v. 19a? E.g.,

"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).

Third, what does צרף in v. 19b mean? Is it "purge"? E.g.,

"Until his prediction came true the decree of the LORD purged him" (JPS85).

Or does צרף mean "test?" E.g.,

"Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character" (NLT).

Or might צרף mean "prove right/true"? E.g.,

"The word of the Lord proved him right" (GNT).

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.


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[Joseph is "him"]: The pronominal suffix in v. 19b (צרפתהו) refers to Joseph.
 + <Proven Right>: It makes sense to identify Joseph as the one who was ‘proved right’ by YHWH’s word because YHWH promised to exalt Joseph through Joseph's dreams. Also, YHWH enabled Joseph to interpret the two prisoners' dreams even as Joseph affirmed his innocence.
  + [Joseph Is Proven]: Compare Genesis 37:5-11 (Joseph's dreams of exaltation) with Genesis 41:4-45 (Pharaoh's release and exaltation of Joseph) and 42:6 (Joseph's brothers bow down to him). Also, see Genesis 40:21-22  for how Joseph's interpretations of the cupbearer's and baker's dreams are proven right.
 + <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).


Argument Mapn0Joseph is "him"The pronominal suffix in v. 19b (צרפתהו) refers to Joseph.n1Joseph Is ProvenCompare Genesis 37:5-11 (Joseph's dreams of exaltation) with Genesis 41:4-45 (Pharaoh's release and exaltation of Joseph) and 42:6 (Joseph's brothers bow down to him). Also, see Genesis 40:21-22  for how Joseph's interpretations of the cupbearer's and baker's dreams are proven right.n3Proven RightIt makes sense to identify Joseph as the one who was ‘proved right’ by YHWH’s word because YHWH promised to exalt Joseph through Joseph's dreams. Also, YHWH enabled Joseph to interpret the two prisoners' dreams even as Joseph affirmed his innocence.n1->n3n2Psalm 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).n4AntecedentReference 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.n2->n4n3->n0n4->n0


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]


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[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


Argument Mapn0Pharaoh is "him"The pronominal suffix in v. 19b (צרפתהו) refers to Pharaoh.n1Psalm 105:20"The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free" (NRSV)n3V. 20"Pharaoh ... is mentioned in the next verse" (Dahood 1970, 58 🄲).n1->n3n2Genesis 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).n5Pharaoh "Proved" YHWH's WordPharaoh 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 🄲).n2->n5n3->n0n4CataphoricA cataphoric reference to Pharaoh is less likely than an anaphoric reference to Joseph.n4->n3n5->n0n6GrammarIn v. 19b, the subject of the verb "proved" is "YHWH's word," and the pronominal suffix הו is the object, not the subject.n6->n5n7RevocalizationThe 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 🄲).n7->n6


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 from the second clause. They either render the v. 19a as a temporal frame setter for v. 19b (e.g., NLT: “Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character”). Or they render v. 19b independently of v. 19a, with 19a setting the time limit for the action of v. 18 (e.g., NET "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").


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[Not Elided]: The preposition עַד is not elided from v. 19b.#dispreferred
 + <Unnecessary>: The meaning of v. 19b in isolation does not require עַד to make sense. Neither does the context of vv. 18-19 demand that עַד do double duty for v. 19b to relate it to v. 18 as 19a may be.#dispreferred
  <_ <Semantic Rhythm>: There is synonymous parallelism operating in each verse from about v. 13 through v. 18, and then following after v. 19 in vv. 20-21. This wider context, in which v. 19 appears, generates an expectation that v. 19a and v. 19b are also dual descriptions of the same scenario, with a development in the second repetition. This semantic rhythm presumes elision.
 + <Different Referents>: The referent of אמרת יהוה is different to that of דברו, the former which refers to YHWH's promise to exalt Joseph, whereas דברו refers to Joseph's interpretations of the cupbearer's and baker's dreams.#dispreferred 
  - <Semantic Rhythm>:  Synonymous parallelism is the norm before and after v. 19 (e.g., vv. 13–18, vv. 20-21). This wider context, in which v. 19 appears, generates an expectation that v. 19a and v. 19b are also synonymous. The synonymous parallelism suggests that עַד in the a-line is elided in the b-line.


Argument Mapn0Not ElidedThe preposition עַד is not elided from v. 19b.n1UnnecessaryThe meaning of v. 19b in isolation does not require עַד to make sense. Neither does the context of vv. 18-19 demand that עַד do double duty for v. 19b to relate it to v. 18 as 19a may be.n1->n0n2Semantic RhythmSynonymous parallelism is the norm before and after v. 19 (e.g., vv. 13–18, vv. 20-21). This wider context, in which v. 19 appears, generates an expectation that v. 19a and v. 19b are also synonymous. The synonymous parallelism suggests that עַד in the a-line is elided in the b-line.n2->n1n3Different ReferentsThe referent of אמרת יהוה is different to that of דברו, the former which refers to YHWH's promise to exalt Joseph, whereas דברו refers to Joseph's interpretations of the cupbearer's and baker's dreams.n2->n3n3->n0


עַד is elided from the second clause of v. 19b (preferred)

Some translations treat עַד as elided from the second clause of v. 19b, which 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.”


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[Elided]: The preposition עַד is elided from v. 19b.
 + <Combined>: Vv. 5-6, 8-11, 12-15, and 21-22 are all joined in a way that implies vv. 18-19 should be considered as a unit that is grammatically joined. 
 + <Structure>: The preposition עַד is fronted in v. 19, suggesting a grammatical relation to v. 18, and it does double duty in v. 19b despite its absence because the two clauses of v. 19 are in parallel.
 - <Unnecessary>: Ellipsis is unnecessary to explain v. 19b because 19b is a complete clause with a subject, object, and verb, none of which require עַד for intelligibility.#dispreferred  
 + <Co-Referential>: The referent of אמרת יהוה is co-referential with that of דברו, and both refer to YHWH's promise to exalt Joseph. Therefore, elision of עַד in v. 19b is implied.   
  + <Semantic Rhythm>: Synonymous parallelism is the norm before and after v. 19 (e.g., vv. 13–18, vv. 20-21). This wider context, in which v. 19 appears, generates an expectation that v. 19a and v. 19b are also synonymous.


Argument Mapn0ElidedThe preposition עַד is elided from v. 19b.n1CombinedVv. 5-6, 8-11, 12-15, and 21-22 are all joined in a way that implies vv. 18-19 should be considered as a unit that is grammatically joined. n1->n0n2StructureThe preposition עַד is fronted in v. 19, suggesting a grammatical relation to v. 18, and it does double duty in v. 19b despite its absence because the two clauses of v. 19 are in parallel.n2->n0n3UnnecessaryEllipsis is unnecessary to explain v. 19b because 19b is a complete clause with a subject, object, and verb, none of which require עַד for intelligibility.n3->n0n4Co-ReferentialThe referent of אמרת יהוה is co-referential with that of דברו, and both refer to YHWH's promise to exalt Joseph. Therefore, elision of עַד in v. 19b is implied. n4->n0n5Semantic RhythmSynonymous parallelism is the norm before and after v. 19 (e.g., vv. 13–18, vv. 20-21). This wider context, in which v. 19 appears, generates an expectation that v. 19a and v. 19b are also synonymous.n5->n4


The Meaning of צרף

צרף Means "Refine/Purge"

The verb צרף in v. 19b means "purge" or "refine." E.g., JPS85: "Until his prediction came true the decree of the LORD purged him."


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[צרף Means "Purge"]: The verb צרף means "refine/purge."#dispreferred 
 + <Character Development>: "There appears to be some development in Joseph's character from that moment \[Gen 37:5-11\] (when he seems at best stupid) to the time he shows some magnanimity toward his brothers; some refining has taken place" (Goldingay 2008, 210 :C:).#dispreferred 
  <_ <Righteous Joseph>: The Genesis account may depict Joseph as naive, but it does not portray him as in need of moral refinement, which is what the verb צרף would imply. 
   + <Moral Refinement>: Elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, when צרף is used to denote "refinement" it pertains to moral refinement or the eradication of wickedness. 
    + [Jeremiah 9:5-7 [9:4-6]]: "Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity. Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.	Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Behold, I will refine (צרף) them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people?'" (ESV). Also see Isa 1:25; 48:10; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2; Dan 11:35; 12:10.
    <_ <Testing>: The verb צרף in v. 19b means "test," as in, "to assess quality." The verb צרף need not imply that Joseph was immoral, only that YHWH was assessing his faith (DCH :L:).#dispreferred 
   - <Testing>: The verb צרף in v. 19b means "test," as in, "to assess quality." The verb צרף need not imply that Joseph was immoral, only that YHWH was assessing his faith (DCH :L:).#dispreferred 
 + <Common Meaning>: In the Hebrew Bible, the verb צרף in the Qal most often carries the connotation of "refining" or "purging" (HALOT :L:; NIDOTTE :D:).#dispreferred 
  + [Isaiah 48:10]: "Behold, I have refined (צרף) you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction" (ESV). See Isa 1:25; Jer 9:5; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2; Ps 12:7; Dan 11:35; 12:10. Also see references to gold/silversmiths (e.g., Judges 17:4 Isa 40:19; 41:7; 46:6; Jer 10:9).#dispreferred  
 + <Ancient versions>: Some of the ancient versions understood the verb to refer to purification or refinement. #dispreferred 
  + [LXX]: τὸ λόγιον κυρίου επύρωσεν αυτόν "the saying of the Lord purified him" (NETS).#dispreferred   
  + [Targum]: מימרא דייי סנין יתיה "the word of the LORD refined him" (Stec 2004, 190-191).#dispreferred 


Argument Mapn0צרף Means "Purge"The verb צרף means "refine/purge."n1Jeremiah 9:5-7 [9:4-6]"Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity. Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Behold, I will refine (צרף) them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people?'" (ESV). Also see Isa 1:25; 48:10; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2; Dan 11:35; 12:10.n7Moral RefinementElsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, when צרף is used to denote "refinement" it pertains to moral refinement or the eradication of wickedness. n1->n7n2Isaiah 48:10"Behold, I have refined (צרף) you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction" (ESV). See Isa 1:25; Jer 9:5; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2; Ps 12:7; Dan 11:35; 12:10. Also see references to gold/silversmiths (e.g., Judges 17:4 Isa 40:19; 41:7; 46:6; Jer 10:9).n9Common MeaningIn the Hebrew Bible, the verb צרף in the Qal most often carries the connotation of "refining" or "purging" (HALOT 🄻; NIDOTTE 🄳).n2->n9n3LXXτὸ λόγιον κυρίου επύρωσεν αυτόν "the saying of the Lord purified him" (NETS).n10Ancient versionsSome of the ancient versions understood the verb to refer to purification or refinement. n3->n10n4Targumמימרא דייי סנין יתיה "the word of the LORD refined him" (Stec 2004, 190-191).n4->n10n5Character Development"There appears to be some development in Joseph's character from that moment [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 🄲).n5->n0n6Righteous JosephThe Genesis account may depict Joseph as naive, but it does not portray him as in need of moral refinement, which is what the verb צרף would imply. n6->n5n7->n6n8TestingThe verb צרף in v. 19b means "test," as in, "to assess quality." The verb צרף need not imply that Joseph was immoral, only that YHWH was assessing his faith (DCH 🄻).n8->n6n8->n7n9->n0n10->n0


צרף Means "Test"

The verb צרף in v. 19b means "test," as in, "to assess quality." E.g., ESV: "until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him."


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[צרף Means "Test"]: The verb צרף means "test" (DCH :L:).#dispreferred
 + <Common Meaning>: Elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, where context fits the meaning, the verb צרף means "test."#dispreferred
  + [Judges 7:4]: "And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test (צרף) them for you there..." (ESV).#dispreferred 
  + [Psalm 17:3]: "You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested (צרף) me, and you will find nothing" (ESV).#dispreferred
  <_ <"Refine">: Wherever the verb צרף can be rendered as "test," the context and the Hebrew enable צרף to be translated as "refine" as well. The difference is arguable (DCH :L:).
   + [Judges 7:4 Translations]: "There are still too many soldiers," the LORD told Gideon. "Bring them down to the water and I'll refine (צרף) them for you there" (ISV); cf. "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test (צרף) them for you there..." (ESV) 
   + [Psalm 17:3 Translations]: "Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast refined me and hast found no iniquity..." (Jubilee Bible 2000); cf. "You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested (צרף) me, and you will find nothing" (ESV).
 + <Fitting Meaning>: The notion of "testing" fits the experience of suffering in prison in light of a promise to be exalted. Joseph would have been tempted to disbelieve YHWH's promise, and so his faith was "tested" by it amidst his hardships (cf. TWOT :D:).#dispreferred
  + [Genesis 37:5-11]: Joseph dreams that his family will bow down to him.#dispreferred
  + [Genesis 37:26-28, 36; 39:11-20]: Joseph is sold into slavery and then falsely accused and imprisoned while in Egypt.#dispreferred
  + <Abraham>: Such a "test" of Joseph's faith is analogous to Abraham's test of faith in Genesis 22. And Abraham looms large in the background of Psalm 105 as the one with whom God made a covenant.#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0צרף Means "Test"The verb צרף means "test" (DCH 🄻).n1Judges 7:4"And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test (צרף) them for you there..." (ESV).n7Common MeaningElsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, where context fits the meaning, the verb צרף means "test."n1->n7n2Psalm 17:3"You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested (צרף) me, and you will find nothing" (ESV).n2->n7n3Judges 7:4 Translations"There are still too many soldiers," the LORD told Gideon. "Bring them down to the water and I'll refine (צרף) them for you there" (ISV); cf. "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test (צרף) them for you there..." (ESV) n8"Refine"Wherever the verb צרף can be rendered as "test," the context and the Hebrew enable צרף to be translated as "refine" as well. The difference is arguable (DCH 🄻).n3->n8n4Psalm 17:3 Translations"Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast refined me and hast found no iniquity..." (Jubilee Bible 2000); cf. "You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested (צרף) me, and you will find nothing" (ESV).n4->n8n5Genesis 37:5-11Joseph dreams that his family will bow down to him.n9Fitting MeaningThe notion of "testing" fits the experience of suffering in prison in light of a promise to be exalted. Joseph would have been tempted to disbelieve YHWH's promise, and so his faith was "tested" by it amidst his hardships (cf. TWOT 🄳).n5->n9n6Genesis 37:26-28, 36; 39:11-20Joseph is sold into slavery and then falsely accused and imprisoned while in Egypt.n6->n9n7->n0n8->n7n9->n0n10AbrahamSuch a "test" of Joseph's faith is analogous to Abraham's test of faith in Genesis 22. And Abraham looms large in the background of Psalm 105 as the one with whom God made a covenant.n10->n9


צרף Means "Prove True/Right" (preferred)

The verb צרף in v. 19b means "prove right/true." E.g., NJB: "In due time his prophecy was fulfilled, the word of Yahweh proved him true."


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[צרף Means "Prove True/Right"]: The verb צרף means "prove true/right" (see no. 3 in BDB :L:).
 + <Co-Referential>: The referent of אִמְרַת יְהוָה is the same as that of דְבָרוֹ, and both refer to YHWH's promise to exalt Joseph. This means that עַד־עֵת is elided from v. 19b and so Joseph was imprisoned "until" YHWH's promise to exalt him was fulfilled. Thus, צרף denotes YHWH's promise proving Joseph true/right.
  - <Human and Divine Referents>: "The verse is a reference to the tradition of Joseph’s gift of interpreting dreams and the story that he languished in prison until the time came when his word was fulfilled. There is a "deliberate double entendre. In the first phrase, the word is Joseph’s and it comes to be; in the second phrase the word belongs to the LORD, and it refines Joseph. There is deliberate ambiguity—the distinction between the prophetic word as 'divine' and as 'prophetic' is always a matter of ambiguity" (Tanner and Jacobson 2014, 790–791).#dispreferred
  - <Joseph's Interpretations>: "The reference in v 19a is to Joseph’s prophetic dreams (Gen 37:5–11) and to his interpretations of his fellow prisoners’ dreams (Gen 40:5–23); v 19b refers to Joseph’s interpretations of Pharaoh’s dreams (Gen 41:1–32, esp. vv 25, 28)" (Allen 2002, 58).#dispreferred
 - <Exceptional>: The verb  only means "prove true/right" in the Hebrew Bible when it is applied to YHWH's word/promise (אִמְרַת יְהוָה).#dispreferred
 + <Psalm 105's Themes>: Psalm 105 does not emphasize the testing or purgation of YHWH's people, but it does emphasize YHWH's faithfulness and the surety of YHWH's promise. In light of this, it is likely that  means YHWH's word (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proved" Joseph's faith was rightly placed in YHWH. 
 + <Genesis Narrative>: It makes sefnse within Joseph's narrative for  to mean "prove true/right" in v. 19b. In Genesis, YHWH's word about Joseph's exaltation (a message Joseph had witnessed to) came about when he was released from prison. Thus, Joseph was proved right by, and about, YHWH's word.
 + <Semantic Association>: The context includes reference to "YHWH/God's word" regarding Joseph and, elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, when צרף is used in connection with YHWH's word (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) it means "proved true/right" (TDOT :D:).
  <_ <Exceptional>: The verb  only means "prove true/right" in the Hebrew Bible when it is applied to YHWH's word/promise (אִמְרַת יְהוָה).#dispreferred
  + [Proverbs 30:5a]: "Every word of God (אִמְרַת אֱלוֹהַּ) proves true (צרף)" (ESV).
  + [2 Samuel 22:31b/Psalm 18:30b]: "the word of the LORD (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) proves true (צרף)" (ESV).
  + [Psalm 119:140a]: "Your (YHWH) promise (אִמְרָתְךָ) is well tried (צרף)" (ESV).
  <_ <Passive Participle>: When  is used in connection with YHWH's word/promise (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible it is in the form of a Qal passive participle (צְרוּפָה) (Tanner and Jacobson 2014, 791). In Psalm 105:19b, צרף is a Qal qatal.#dispreferred
  <_ <צרף as "Refined">: The verb  means "refined" when used in connection with "YHWH's word/promise" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.#dispreferred
   + [Psalm 12:7]: "The words of the LORD (אִמֲרוֹת יְהוָה) are pure words, like silver refined (צרף) in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times" (ESV).#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0צרף Means "Prove True/Right"The verb צרף means "prove true/right" (see no. 3 in BDB 🄻).n1Proverbs 30:5a"Every word of God (אִמְרַת אֱלוֹהַּ) proves true (צרף)" (ESV).n11Semantic AssociationThe context includes reference to "YHWH/God's word" regarding Joseph and, elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, when צרף is used in connection with YHWH's word (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) it means "proved true/right" (TDOT 🄳).n1->n11n22 Samuel 22:31b/Psalm 18:30b"the word of the LORD (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) proves true (צרף)" (ESV).n2->n11n3Psalm 119:140a"Your (YHWH) promise (אִמְרָתְךָ) is well tried (צרף)" (ESV).n3->n11n4Psalm 12:7"The words of the LORD (אִמֲרוֹת יְהוָה) are pure words, like silver refined (צרף) in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times" (ESV).n13צרף as "Refined"The verb  means "refined" when used in connection with "YHWH's word/promise" (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.n4->n13n5Co-ReferentialThe referent of אִמְרַת יְהוָה is the same as that of דְבָרוֹ, and both refer to YHWH's promise to exalt Joseph. This means that עַד־עֵת is elided from v. 19b and so Joseph was imprisoned "until" YHWH's promise to exalt him was fulfilled. Thus, צרף denotes YHWH's promise proving Joseph true/right.n5->n0n6Human and Divine Referents"The verse is a reference to the tradition of Joseph’s gift of interpreting dreams and the story that he languished in prison until the time came when his word was fulfilled. There is a "deliberate double entendre. In the first phrase, the word is Joseph’s and it comes to be; in the second phrase the word belongs to the LORD, and it refines Joseph. There is deliberate ambiguity—the distinction between the prophetic word as 'divine' and as 'prophetic' is always a matter of ambiguity" (Tanner and Jacobson 2014, 790–791).n6->n5n7Joseph's Interpretations"The reference in v 19a is to Joseph’s prophetic dreams (Gen 37:5–11) and to his interpretations of his fellow prisoners’ dreams (Gen 40:5–23); v 19b refers to Joseph’s interpretations of Pharaoh’s dreams (Gen 41:1–32, esp. vv 25, 28)" (Allen 2002, 58).n7->n5n8ExceptionalThe verb  only means "prove true/right" in the Hebrew Bible when it is applied to YHWH's word/promise (אִמְרַת יְהוָה).n8->n0n8->n11n9Psalm 105's ThemesPsalm 105 does not emphasize the testing or purgation of YHWH's people, but it does emphasize YHWH's faithfulness and the surety of YHWH's promise. In light of this, it is likely that  means YHWH's word (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proved" Joseph's faith was rightly placed in YHWH. n9->n0n10Genesis NarrativeIt makes sefnse within Joseph's narrative for  to mean "prove true/right" in v. 19b. In Genesis, YHWH's word about Joseph's exaltation (a message Joseph had witnessed to) came about when he was released from prison. Thus, Joseph was proved right by, and about, YHWH's word.n10->n0n11->n0n12Passive ParticipleWhen  is used in connection with YHWH's word/promise (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible it is in the form of a Qal passive participle (צְרוּפָה) (Tanner and Jacobson 2014, 791). In Psalm 105:19b, צרף is a Qal qatal.n12->n11n13->n11


Conclusion (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)

It seems best to treat עַד as elided from the second clause in v. 19 because of the semantic rhythm produced by the surrounding context (vv. 13-18 and vv. 20-21). The preposition, עַד, applies to v. 19b because אִמְרַת יְהוָה is co-referential with דְבָרוֹ. (C rating)

The verb צרף means that YHWH's word/promise (אִמְרַת יְהוָה) "proved" Joseph's faith was rightly placed in YHWH. This is supported by both the semantic parallelism between v. 19a and 19b, as well as the focus throughout Psalm 105 on YHWH's faithfulness to Israel emphasized by the surety of YHWH's promises. By contrast, the psalm does not emphasize either the testing or purgation of YHWH's people. Moreover, in Genesis, YHWH's word about Joseph's exaltation (a message Joseph had testified about) came to be when he was released from prison. Thus, Joseph was proved right by, and about, YHWH's word in the story to which the psalm refers. The Psalmist portrays Pharaoh's actions as the fulfillment of "YHWH's word" (Gen 37:5-11) which proves Joseph's faith in YHWH to be right. (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

עַד־עֵת Elided from v. 19b
צרף as "Prove Right/True"
  • 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)
  • 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 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
צרף as "Test"
  • 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)
  • 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)
עַד־עֵת not elided from v. 19b
צרף as "Prove Right/True"
  • 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)
  • 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 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)
  • 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)
צרף as "Test"
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
צרף as "Purge"
  • 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)
  • 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)
צרף as "Help to Overcome"
  • 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)

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

Choose a PsalmNavigate Psalm 105

105:18-19

  1. Hebrew text from OSHB.
  2. 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).
  3. E.g., Dahood 1970, 58.
  4. Rahlfs 1931.
  5. NETS.
  6. CAL
  7. Taylor 2020, 433.
  8. CAL.
  9. Stec 2004, 190-191.
  10. Weber-Gryson 5th edition.