A Cryptic Phrase in Haggai 2: 6
This article reexamines the problematic phrase ʿôd aḥt mʿṭ hî in Hag 2:6 with a view to proposing a philologically and exegetically satisfying analysis of the MT. The phrase is universally understood as an adverbial modifier of the following participial clause referring to YHWH's shaking of t...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Scholar's Press
[2017]
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| In: |
Journal of Biblical literature
Year: 2017, Volume: 136, Issue: 3, Pages: 585-592 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Haggai 2,6
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| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
BIBLE. Haggai
B Hebrew language Terms & phrases B Grammar B Philology B CLAUSES (Grammar) |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This article reexamines the problematic phrase ʿôd aḥt mʿṭ hî in Hag 2:6 with a view to proposing a philologically and exegetically satisfying analysis of the MT. The phrase is universally understood as an adverbial modifier of the following participial clause referring to YHWH's shaking of the cosmos. Scholarly opinion is divided as to whether the Hebrew expression indicates a temporally imminent event (yet a little while), repetition of an event (yet once more), or a combination of the two. A closer grammatical examination indicates that none of these solutions is adequate. It is argued that ʿôd aḥt mʿṭ hî is best understood as a verbless clause, with ʿôd aḥt (one more thing) as the subject, mʿṭ (a little thing) as the predicate, with hî functioning as a copula. Accordingly, I propose that the clause be translated, One more thing is a small matter. In the context of Hag 2, the utterance functions as part of a greater-to-lesser argument as the prophet urges the people to give generously to the rebuilding of the temple despite their impoverished circumstances. Verse 5 reminded the people of YHWH's power displayed in the deliverance from Egypt, and verse 6 assures them that it will be a small, trifling matter for him to do one more thing, namely, to exert his power and bring the desirable things of the nations into the temple (vv. 7-8) so that it can be rebuilt. |
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| ISSN: | 1934-3876 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of Biblical literature
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.15699/jbl.1363.2017.199047 |