John T. Strong, «Verb Forms of sm( in Ezekiel and Lamentations», Vol. 88 (2007) 546-552
Verb forms from the root sm( are defined in the lexicons as 'to dim, darken,'
drawing upon Arabic for guidance. This definition, however, does not allow for
a consistent translation in the texts where these verb forms appear. It is proposed
here that the verb forms be understood as denominatives from the common noun
s(a and the preposition s(i, which are a part of the semantic family, indicating an
agnate relationship. This understanding is applied to the four instances in the
Hebrew Bible where these verb forms appear: Ezek 28,3; 31,8; Ezek 32,19; and
Lam 4,1. Each verse addresses a question of association or belonging. The
development of these denominative forms reflects concerns over the issue of
status for the Judean exiles in the sixth century BCE.
552 John T. Strong
the priestly nation (Exod 19,6), it was through them that the nations would be
blessed (Gen 12,1-3). The shock of the destruction of the temple and of
Jerusalem went beyond the personal; it touched a theological doctrine that
shaped their view of the cosmos. Such shock could not be more pointedly and
powerfully expressed than in the succinct cry of Lam 4,1, bhz µ[wy hkya, “Alas!
Gold has been reckoned to be like all other metals!†Ironically, the persistence
of this little nation’s belief in its role in the cosmic order, as it turned out,
proved to be more powerful than the external destruction it faced, so that these
views of Israel’s unique status endured beyond the Babylonians, beyond the
Persians, and eventually beyond the Greeks and the Romans as well.
Missouri State University John T. STRONG
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Springfield, MO 65897; USA
SUMMARY
Verb forms from the root µm[ are defined in the lexicons as “to dim, darken,â€
drawing upon Arabic for guidance. This definition, however, does not allow for
a consistent translation in the texts where these verb forms appear. It is proposed
here that the verb forms be understood as denominatives from the common noun
µ[' and the preposition µ[i, which are a part of the semantic family, indicating an
agnate relationship. This understanding is applied to the four instances in the
Hebrew Bible where these verb forms appear: Ezek 28,3; 31,8; Ezek 32,19; and
Lam 4,1. Each verse addresses a question of association or belonging. The
development of these denominative forms reflects concerns over the issue of
status for the Judean exiles in the sixth century BCE.