Now it will come about that instead of balsam oil there will be a stench; Instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; instead of fine clothes, a robe of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. Isaiah 3:24 NASB Branding instead of – Something is missing from the Masoretic text, and because something is missing,…
If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. Exodus 21:10 NASB (first published in February 2014, with additions) Conjugal rights – If you were ever to doubt the upside-down nature of the Hebraic view of the role of women, this verse would surely seem to…
Stripped and distraught and despoiled, fainting heart and buckling knees and shuddering in all loins, and all faces lose their luster. Nahum 2:11 Robert Alter Four in One Do you know the story behind Nahum? Probably not. It’s one of those short prophetic books that get lost in the splendor of Isaiah and the woes…
Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Genesis 18:12 NASB Pleasure – What did Sarah expect? Or maybe we should ask, “What didn’t she expect?” The translation suggests that she didn’t think “pleasure” was possible at her age. But what did she mean? Orgasm?…
Sarah laughed ]to herself, saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” Genesis 18:12 NASB Pleasure – By this time you know the definition of hapax legomenon. You also know that such words are extremely difficult to translate. Context helps. Guesswork is good. But in the end, we don’t…
But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:6-7 NASB Irreverence…
If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. Exodus 21:10 NASB Conjugal rights – If you were ever to doubt the upside-down nature of the Hebraic view of the role of women, this verse would surely seem to confirm that the Hebrew culture stood…
