The Syriac Peshiṭta Bible with English Translation: Judges 9781463205553, 1463205554
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THE ANTIOCH BIBLE
The Syriac Peshiṭta Bible with English Translation
Judges
Ṣurath Kthobh
Editors George A. Kiraz Andreas Juckel
The Syriac Peshiṭta Bible with English Translation
Judges
English Translation by
Donald M. Walter Gillian English Translation by
Greenberg Text Prepared by
Donald M. Walter
George A. Kiraz
Text Prepared by Gillian Greenberg Joseph Bali George Anton Kiraz
Joseph Bali
9
34 2015
Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com Copyright © 2015 by Gorgias Press LLC
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC.
2015
ܘ
ISBN 978-1-4632-0555-3
Printed in the United States of America
9
Piet B. Dirksen
Who because he worked on Judges I worked on 2nd Kings And at his invitation revised and extended my work to 1st Kings
Donald M. Walter
Marion and Henrik Wulff
With thanks for 60 years of friendship
Gillian Greenberg
TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents .................................................................................. vii Foreword to the Edition ........................................................................ ix By George A. Kiraz Making of the Text .................................................................................. ix Orthographic Diversions from Mosul ................................................... x Text Organization ................................................................................... xii Acknowledgements................................................................................. xii
Abbreviations ......................................................................................... xv Introduction to the Translation ......................................................... xvii By Donald M. Walter and Gillian Greenberg The Peshiṭta ........................................................................................... xvii The Book of Judges ............................................................................. xviii Notes ....................................................................................................... xix Translation Technique........................................................................... xix Addenda ................................................................................................. xxv Addendum 1: Mistranslation ............................................................... xxv Addendum 2: Inner-Syriac Corruptions .......................................... xxvii Addendum 3: Deliberate changes introduced by P ......................... xxix
Appendix 1: Versification .................................................................. xxxi Appendix 2: Variant Readings ........................................................ xxxiii Appendix 3: Names .............................................................................. xlv Common Syriac proper names............................................................. xlv Replacements .......................................................................................... xlv Initial Locations .................................................................................... xlvi Medial Locations .................................................................................. xlvii Transpositions ..................................................................................... xlviii Final Locations .................................................................................... xlviii Translation ............................................................................................. xlix Transliterations ...................................................................................... xlix
Bibliography .............................................................................................. li Lexica and Dictionaries ............................................................................ li Reference Texts ......................................................................................... li
VII
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Table of Contents Reference Commentaries ......................................................................... li General Interest ........................................................................................ li
Text and Translation ............................................................................... 1
FOREWORD TO THE EDITION BY GEORGE A. KIRAZ The primary objective of this edition is twofold: to provide a reliable text for scholars and students who are looking for a fully vocalized Syriac text, and to make available to religious communities, for whom this text is sacred, an English translation that can be used in various religious and cultural settings. As such, one had to navigate carefully between rigid scholarly principles and practical editorial choices. Making of the Text The current edition provides a West Syriac version of the 1887–91 Peshiṭta Mosul text. 1 While the Mosul text was prepared based on second millennium manuscripts, its text is substantially attested by manuscripts belonging to the first millennium. As ancient MSS are hardly vocalized, our text relies on the vocalization of the Mosul edition. In addition to full vocalization, our text is supplemented with complete Rukkākhā and Quššāyā pointing and other orthographic markings, keeping in mind the general orthographic principles adopted by Pusey and Gwilliam in their 1901 Tetraeuangelium. 2 Hence, while the consonantal tier is substantially ancient, the vocalism and orthographic tiers are quite late. When the consonantal orthography, and in many cases the vocalic orthography, of East and West Syriac diverged, use was made of Lee’s 1823 edition 3 as well as linguistic resources including Audo, 4 Brockelmann, 5 1 Clemis Joseph David (ed.), The Syriac Bible According to the Mosul Edition, 3 volumes, with an introduction by Sebastian P. Brock (Piscataway, NJ, 2010), a reprint of the Mosul 1887–91 edition titled ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܐܝܟ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܕܡܬܩܪܝܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ. 2 P. E. Pusey and G. H. Gwilliam, Tetraeuangelium Sanctum, the Fourfold Holy Gospel in the Peshitta Syriac Version with Critical Apparatus, with an introduction by Andreas Juckel (Piscataway, NJ, 2003), a reprint of the 1901 edition. 3 S. Lee, Vetus et Novum Testamentum Syriace (London, 1823). 4 T. Audo, ( ܣܝܡܬܐ ܕܠܫܢܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܐMosul, 1897). 5 C. Brockelmann, Lexicon Syriacum (Halle, 1928).
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Foreword to the Edition
X
Margoliouth, 6 and Smith. 7 As the Mosul edition did not fully mark Rukkākhā and Quššāyā, these points were added using a semi-automated method that makes use of regular expressions; 8 the result was then proofed and corrected. Analogies were also made internally within other Mosul readings, and externally with the Pusey and Gwilliam New Testament text, making use of my Concordance 9 as a tool and the guidelines presented in my introduction to spirantization. 10 The Mbaṭṭlānā and Marhṭānā were added systematically following current orthographic conventions, but the Mhaggyānā, Nāgudā, and Mṭappyānā, all ubiquitous in the Mosul text, were removed as they are alien to West Syriac orthography. 11 The text was then collated against the Leiden apparatus. It was interesting to note how close the Mosul text was to the readings of the manuscripts of the first millennium, in itself a testimony to the faithfulness of second millennium manuscripts, upon which Mosul was based, to the earlier text. Leiden and Mosul differed in ca. 250 readings; i.e., ca. 12 variants per chapter. In other words, 97% of the Mosul readings are identical with the readings of Leiden. As for the variant readings, in 74% of the time, the Mosul text was supported by a reading from the first millennium. Appendix 2 gives the variants of our text against the Leiden edition. Orthographic Diversions from Mosul In terms of the consonantal tier, the present text differs orthographically from the Mosul text in two ways. Firstly, it intentionally replaces early Syriac J. P. Smith (Mrs. Margoliouth), A Compendious Syriac Dictionary Founded upon the Thesaurus Syriacus (Oxford, 1903). 7 P. Smith, Thesaurus Syriacus (Oxford, 1818–1895). 8 In computing, a regular expression provides a mechanism with which strings of text can be matched with a search criterion. In most notations, a bracket expression matches a single character inside that bracket (e.g., [ab] matches a single a or b). The exclamation mark denotes negation. Hence, the expression [bgdkpt][!RQ] (where R and Q represent the Rukkākhā and Quššāyā points, respectively) will match a single bgādkpāt letter that is not followed by a Rukkākhā or Quššāyā point. When this search fails, all bgādkpāt letters have been pointed (regardless of accuracy of course). 9 G. A. Kiraz, A Computer Generated Concordance to the Syriac New Testament, 6 volumes (Leiden, 1993). 10 G. A. Kiraz, Introduction to Syriac Spirantization, Rukkâḵâ and Quššâyâ (Losser, 1995). 11 On these symbols, see C. J. David, Grammaire de la Langue Araméenne, 2 volumes, (Mosul, 2nd ed., 1896) §62, §67; G. Kiraz, Tūrrāṣ Mamllā, A Grammar of the Syriac Language, Volume I Orthography (Gorgias Press, 2012) §§205–208. 6
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orthographic conventions, most of which are also preserved in the East Syriac Mosul text, with West Syriac ones. 12 Secondly, as one of the objectives of the present edition is to provide a functional text for religious communities, it was necessary to be systematic and to provide the reader with a standardized orthography. Hence, many contractions were systematically separated. MS evidence and/or Lee’s edition and the Urmia edition give support to most, if not all, of these changes. As for the vocalic tier, the present text differs from the Mosul text in a number of ways. ܿ ܰ E. Syr. ◌ܼ was generally converted to the corresponding W. Syr. ◌ except in lexemes where the E. and W. Syriac orthographies vary. ܵ ܳ E. Syr. ◌ was generally converted to W. Syr. ◌ except when followed ܰ by ܘin which case it became ◌. This also applies to nominal forms when followed by an enclitic demonstrative pronoun. ܶ E. Syr. ◌ܸ was generally converted to W. Syr. ◌ except in lexemes where the E. and W. orthographies vary. ܺ ܶ E. Syr. ◌ܹ was mapped to either ◌ or ◌ depending on the phonoܶ logical, morphological or lexical context. Additionally, a ◌ was added in medial ܐpositions marked in Mosul with a Mhaggyānā. ܺ ܿ E. Syr. ܼܝwas converted to W. Syr. ◌ܝ, while E. Syr. ܘand ܼܘwere ܽ collapsed into W. Syr. ◌ܘ. The choice was made to place the vowel on the consonant preceding the matres lectionis. Metathesis was applied to the sequence ‚V resulting in V‚. In C‚Vinitial stems prefixed with bdwl letters, this led to further vocalization changes on the prefixes. In some cases, this even leads to changes in fricatization. In a few cases, we departed from the BFBS edition regarding ܳ ݁ ܰܣand ܰܪ ݁ܒ, all presented here with Qūššāyā against the fricatization: ܝܦܐ BFBS edition. In such cases, MSS of the Mašlmānūthā were our guide. The Mbaṭṭlānā was applied in the present text following the Pusey and Gwilliam tradition but with further extensions following contemporary orthographic conventions. On orthography, see L. Van Rompay, ‘Some Preliminary Remarks on the Origins of Classical Syriac as a Standard Language. The Syriac Version of Eusebius of Caesarea’s Ecclesiastical History’, in G. Goldenberg and S. Raz (eds.), Semitic and Cushitic Studies (Wiesbaden, 2004), 70–89; S. P. Brock, ‘Some Diachronic Features of Classical Syriac’, in M. F. J. Baasten and W. Th. Van Peursen (eds.), Hamlet on the Hill. Semitic and Greek Studies Presented to Professor T. Muraoka on the Occasion of his Sixty-Fifth Birthday (Louvain, 2003), 95– 111. 12
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With regards to the vocalization of proper nouns, the BFBS was followed whenever possible. For cases not found in the BFBS, the vocalization was based first on MSS of the Mašlmānūthā (primarily BL Add 12,178) and then on the Walton polyglot. In cases when Mosul does not have support and the Maš and Leiden agree (with no variants indicated), we follow the Maš-Leiden reading. As such, the following proper names were changed: Here M ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ݁ 13 7:22 ܘ�ܨ ܕ݂ܕܬ ܰܘ�ܨ ܕܪܬ ܽ 8:27 ܠ ݁ܘܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܽܥ ݁ܘܦ ܳܪ ܐ 9:28 ܳܙ ܳܟܠ ܳܙ ܳܒܠ ܺ 15:14 ܠܝܚ ܠ ܺܚܝ Only the following reading in Mosul was rejected, a typographical error: Here M ܶ ܰ ܰ 10:8 ܘܐܠܨ ̱ܘ ܰܘܐܠܨ ̱ܘ Text Organization The division of the text into chapters and verses is a recent Western phenomenon. Early manuscripts divided the texts into chapters, called in Syriac ܩܦ�ܘܢ, abbreviated ܩܦ, or ܨܚܚܐ, abbreviated ܨܚ. Having said that, ancient manuscripts do not always follow a systematic approach in these chapter divisions. The present text follows the recent Western division of chapters, naming each chapter in Syriac ܩܦ�ܘܢ. Ancient Syriac chapter divisions are given in the outer margin preceded by the abbreviation ܨܚfor ܳ (they correspond to Roman numerals in the English translation). ܨܚ ܳܚܐ These were provided by Adam Kane from MS Pocock 391 (Oxford). The present edition follows the Mosul versification. Ancient manuscripts vary in the application of punctuation marks. The punctuation presented here follows the Mosul punctuation faithfully. Acknowledgements
Andreas Juckel, my co-editor in the Ṣurath Kthob series, played a major role in setting the textual policies of the edition. I am personally grateful to my wife Christine and three children: Tabetha Gabriella, Sebastian Kenoro, and Lucian Nurono. 13
Such is the fricatization in Mašlmānūthā MSS.
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It is hoped that the current edition will be a motivation for further texts and translations of the Syriac Biblical tradition, and will stimulate the use of the Peshiṭta in educational and religious settings.
ABBREVIATIONS ASV BCE CE com. ed. e.g. fem. i.e. IHC IO IN ISC lit. M masc. MS MSS MT om. P part. pl. pr. sing. v. vol.
American Standard Version (1901) Before the Common Era Common Era common editor, edition exempli gratia feminine id est Inner-Hebrew Corruption Index Orthographicus Index Nominum Inner-Syriac Corruption literally Mosul masculine manuscript manuscripts Masoretic Text omit Peshiṭta participle plural prior, before singular verse volume
√
Root (see the appropriate dictionary listed in the Bibliography for citations such as √II)
1st 2nd 3rd
first person second person third person
XV
INTRODUCTION TO THE TRANSLATION BY DONALD M. WALTER AND GILLIAN GREENBERG The Peshiṭta
The Peshiṭta, the Syriac translation of the Hebrew Bible, was made in Edessa in the second century CE. Most students of this text believe that it was translated not by a single man but by members of a ‘Peshiṭta school’. These translators wrote for Syriac speakers who wanted to read the Bible in their own tongue: so their task was to produce a text which read well, not as a stilted literal rendering of the source document, but which was at the same time a faithful translation of the Hebrew Vorlage. Whether the translators were Jews or Christians is a much debated question to which there is as yet no universally accepted answer. Some modern scholars believe that both Jews and Christians were involved: according to this theory, the work began at a time when the community in which the Peshiṭta school was based was still Jewish. Soon, however, the young Christian church in the area gained strength and followers, with the result that the community converted to Christianity: thus it is possible that the work was begun by Jews and completed by Christians. Even if a number of translators were involved, a work of this length and importance must have taken many decades to complete, so such a development is plausible. Whatever the uncertainties, one thing is clear: the Peshiṭta has stood the test of time. We hope that our work will make the pleasure of reading it available to yet more readers. In our Introductions to our earlier translations in the Antioch Bible we have given a brief discussion of the Peshiṭta and an account of our translation policy. The translation policy of the Peshiṭta as a whole is widely discussed in published works (see for instance Greenberg, Translation Technique, chapters 3, 4, and 7.) The Peshiṭta of Judges conforms to this general picture, being, so far as it possible to determine, a fairly literal rendering of the Hebrew source document.
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The Book of Judges
Introduction to the Translation
The book describes the history of the time between the death of Joshua and the rise of Samuel. The judges were the succession of leaders and defenders of Israel during that period: as such, their role included that of judgment but was much wider than that understood by the English term ‘judge’: their primary role was often to lead the people in battle. The background to these battles is given in the first two chapters which tell of the surviving Canaanite settlements, and of the passing of those generations of Israelites who ‘knew the Lord’: the people now no longer serve God as they had done during Joshua’s lifetime. Judges 2:13 succinctly notes their apostasy. The book then recounts the numerous occasions when God raised up the judges to save the people from their enemies, these deliverers being identified in crisis after crisis despite the Israelites’ recidivism. They include Othniel (3:10); Tola (10:2); Naphthah (the Hebrew is usually transliterated in English translations as Jephthah) (11:8); and Samson (13:5). Some of the judges did have charismatic qualities, as evidenced by the accounts of Deborah to whom the people brought their problems (4:4,5) and whose support inspired Barak (4:8–14). The stories of others emphasize other qualities, notably a willingness to use force to achieve their ends. For instance, Chapter 9 tells of Abimelech, the son of Gideon (8:30,31); his fratricide, his stormy period in power, and his violent death, are described, and here and repeatedly elsewhere the writer points out that neither a distinguished ancestry nor the practice of extreme brutality guarantee a trouble-free existence. The book comprises three principal parts: chapters 1:1–2:5 which give an account of the Israelite conquests and settlements in Canaan; chapters 2:6–16:31 which are made up of a collection of individual stories which describe the Israelite history of the time and show that unfaithfulness to God is always punished; and the appended chapters 17–21 which give the two additional stories, that of Micah and the foundation of the tribal sanctuary at Dan (perhaps told from the viewpoint of a hostile royal cult of the golden calf in Israel), and that of the violence of the inhabitants of Gibeah and the near extermination of the tribe of Benjamin. The stories told in these closing chapters include accounts of theft by a son from his mother (17:2), of idolatry (17:5) and of condoned gang rape (19:24). The disorganised nature of the society is made clear, perhaps deliberately emphasized, by the literary character of the book: the Judges did not establish dynasties, and the history as presented is largely a series of disjointed stories with only occasional attempts to establish continuity. The attitude in the book as a whole towards the establishment of the monarchy
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includes contradictory elements: the story of Abimelech leads into the Jotham fable (9:8–15) which is clearly anti-monarchical, yet the closing verse of the book which sums up: ‘In those days there was no king in Israel. Each man did what seemed right to him’ seems to give an opposing message. Presumably the development is deliberate, intended to modify the reader’s initial response: the compiler of the book, assembling these stories of a chaotic and brutal society, meant to encourage the reader to accept the establishment of the monarchy which is described in the succeeding books. Notes The notes in the main text have two main purposes: (i) At passages where a rendering close to the Syriac text would have given unacceptable English, we have given a comparatively free rendering in the verse and a literal translation in the notes, e.g. − 1:6. ‘ ܘܦܣܩܘ ܟ�ܘܬܐ ܕܐܝ̈ܕܘܗܝ ܘܕ�ܓܠܘܗܝThey cut off his thumbs and big toes’: lit. ‘the thumbs of his hands and of his feet’. ܿ − 1:8. ‘ ܘܡܚܐܘܗ ܒܦܘܡܐ ܕܚܪܒܐthey put (the people) to the sword’: lit. ‘they struck it with the mouth of the sword’. (ii) Sometimes, more than one translation is equally correct; here we have given the alternative in the notes, e.g. ܿ − 1:5. ‘ ܡܪܗ ܕܒܙܩlord of Bezek’ or ‘Adoni-bezek’. ̈ − 6:31. ��‘ ܐܢܬܘܢ ܕܝܢܝܢ ܐܢܬܘܢ ܥ�ܦܝ ܒDo you plead on behalf (face) of Baal’ or ‘pronounce judgment on Baal’. Translation Technique 1. Additions. Some words in our translation have no equivalent in the Syriac text. We have added these to make better sense; they are indicated by parentheses, e.g. ܿ − 1:8. ‘ ܘܡܚܘܗ ܒܦܘܡܐ ܕܚܪܒܐthey put (the people) to the sword’: lit. ‘they struck it with the mouth of the sword’. − 2:6. ‘ ܘܫܕܪ ܝܫܘܥ ܠܥܡܐJoshua sent the people (away)’. 2. Consistency. We have given consistent translations wherever possible, but some exceptions were enforced either by the context or by differences between the range of meanings of some words in the two languages. (i) More than one English word correctly translates one Syriac word, e.g. ‘ ܐܢܬܬܐwoman/wife’. ܿ ̈ ܐܢܬܬܐ ܚܙܝܬ ܒܬܡܢܬ ܡܢ ̈ܒܢܬ − 14:2. ܦ�ܫܬܝܐ ܗܫܐ ܣܒܘܗ ܠܝ ‘ ܐܢܬܬܐI saw a Philistine woman in Timnath — now take her for me, as a wife’. ‘ ܒܪson/child/tribal identity’.
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1:1. ‘ ܒܢܝ ܝܣܪܝܠchildren of Israel’; ‘sons of Israel’ would be equally correct. ̈ − 2:6. ‘ ܒܢܝ ܝܣܪܝܠIsraelites’. Our usual translation for the members of a tribe or kingdom is of the form ‘Israelites’, ‘Benjaminites’, ‘Moabites’. We also use ‘Judeans’. √‘ ܗܦܟrelapse/return’. − 2:19. ‘ ܘܟܕ ܡܝܬܘ ܕܝ̈ܢܐ ܗܦܟܘBut when the judges died, they relapsed’. − 7:3. ‘ ܘܢܗܦܘܟ ܡܢ ܛܘܪܐ ܕܓܠܥܕLet them return from Mount Gilead’. �‘ ܚܝarmy/host’. − 4:2. ‘ ܘܪܒ ܚܝܠܗ ܣܝܣܪܐThe captain of his army was Sisera’. ̈ − 5:22. ܕܬܩܝܦܘܗܝ �‘ ܚܝthe host of his mighty ones’. √‘ ܚܪܡto destroy completely/to devote to God’. ܿ − 1:17. ‘ ܘܐܚܪܡܘܗput … under the ban’ or ‘completely destroyed it’. √‘ ܛܥܐto go astray/to be ̈ lost’. − 2:17. ‘ ܡܛܠ ܕܛܥܘ ܒܬܪ ܐܠܗܐ ܐܚ�ܢܐfor they went astray after other gods’. − 21:17. ‘ ܘ� ܢܬܛܥܐ ܫܒܛܐ ܡܢ ܝܣܪܝܠno tribe of Israel shall be lost’. √‘ ܝܪܬto inherit/possess/take possession of’. − 2:6. ‘ ܓܒܪ ܠܝܪܬܘܬܗ ܠܡܐܪܬ ܐܪܥܐeach to his own inheritance, to possess the land’. ̈ − 3:13. �‘ ܘܝܪܬܘ ܩܪܝܬܐ ܕܕܩand took possession of the city of the palm trees’. �‘ ܢܚvalley/river’. − 4:7. ‘ ܘܢܐܬܘܢ ܥܡܟ ܠܢܚ� ܕܩܝܫܘܢThey will come with you to the valley of Kishon’. − 5:21. ‘ ܓܪܦ ܐܢܘܢ ܢܚ� ܕܩܝܫܘܢThe river of Kishon swept them away’. √‘ ܦܪܥto reward/take vengeance’. − 5:2. ‘ ܒܦܘܪܥܢܘܬܐ ܕܐܬܦܪܥ ܝܣܪܝܠfor the vengeance with which Israel was rewarded’. ‘ ܩܕܡbefore/in the presence of’. − 2:11. ‘ ܘܥܒܕܘ ܒ ̈ܢܝ ܝܣܪܝܠ ܕܒܝܫ ܩܕܡ ܡܪܝܐThe Israelites did evil before the Lord’. − 5:5. ‘ ܘܛܘ�ܐ ܕܠܘ ܩܕܡ ܡܪܝܐThe mountains quaked in the presence of the Lord’. √‘ ܫܡܥhear/obey/listen to’. − 2:18. ‘ ܫܡܥ ܗܘܐ ܡܪܝܐ ܐܢܩܬܗܘܢthe Lord heard their groans’. −
̈
Introduction to the Translation
e.g.
XXI
− 2:20. ‘ ܘ� ܫܡܥܘ ܒܩܠܝand have not obeyed my voice’. − 6:10. ‘ ܘ� ܫܡܥܬܘܢ ܒܩܠܝbut you did not listen to my voice’. (ii) One English word correctly translates more than one Syriac word, ‘attack’ translates ܐܙܠ, ܟܬܫ, or ܡܚܐ: − 1:11. ‘ ܘܐܙܠܘ ܡܢ ܬܡܢ ܥܠ ܝ̈ܬܒܝ ܕܒܝܪThey went from there to attack the inhabitants of Debir’: ‘attacked’: lit. ‘went against’. − 1:25. ‘ ܘܡܚܘ ܠܩܪܝܬܐand they attacked the city’. ̈ − 11:4 ‘ ܐܬܟܬܫܘ ܒܢܝ ܥܡܘܢ ܥܡ ܝܣܪܝܠthe Ammonites attacked Israel’. ‘cried out’ translates ܩܥܐand ܩܪܐ: − 7:20. ‘ ܘܩܪܘthey cried out’. − 7:23. (‘ ܘܩܥܘthey) cried out’. ‘destroy’ translates ܐܒܕand ܚܪܡ: ܿ − 1:17. ‘ ܘܐܚܪܡܘܗput … under the ban’ or ‘completely destroyed it’. − 1:32. ‘ ܕ� ܐܘܒܕ ܐܢܘܢhe did not destroy them’. ‘elder’ translates ܣܒܐand ܩܫܝܫܐ: ܿ ̈ ‘the elders (of Succoth)’. − 8:14. ܩܫܝܫܝܗ ̈ − 8:16. ‘ ܣܒܐthe elders’. ‘deliver’ translates ܦܨܐand ܫܠܡ: ̈ − 10:7. ܕܦ�ܫܬܝܐ ‘ ܘܐܫܠܡ ܐܢܘܢ ܒܐܝܕܐhe delivered them into the hand(s) of the Philistines’. − 10:15. ‘ ܒܠܚܘܕ ܦ� ܝܘܡܢܐonly deliver us today!’ ‘drive out/away’ translates ܐܘܒܕand ܛܪܕ: − 2:3. ‘ ܕ� ܐܘܒܕ ܐܢܘܢ ܡܢ ܩܕܡܝܟܘܢI will not drive them out from your presence’. − 11:7. ‘ ܘܛܪܕܬܘܢܢܝ ܡܢ ܒܝܬ ܐܒܝdrive me away from my father’s house’. ‘slaughter’ translates ܐܒܕ, ܢܟܣand ܩܛܠ: ̈ − 1:33. �ܝܬܒܝ ܒܝܬ ܫܡܫ ‘ � ܐܘܒܕdid not slaughter the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh’. − 8:17. ‘ ܘܩܛܠ �ܢ̈ܫܝ ܩܪܝܬܐand slaughtered the men of the city’. − 12:6. ‘ ܘܢܟܣܘܗܝ ܥܠ ܡܥܒܪܬܐ ܕܝܘܪܕܢܢand slew him at the ford over the Jordan’. ‘withdraw’ translates ܦܪܩand ܫܡܛ: − 3:19. ‘ ܘܦܪܩܘ ܠܗܘܢ ܟܠܗܘܢ ܐܝܠܝܢ ܕܩܝܡܝܢ ܗܘܘ ܠܘܬܗthen all these who were standing by him withdrew’. − 3:22. ‘ ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܫܡܛܗ ܣܝܦܐ ܡܢ ܟܪܣܗfor he did not withdraw the sword from his belly’.
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Introduction to the Translation
3. Syriac Usages. (i) singular and plural: (a) English plural for Syriac singular, e.g: − 2:4. ‘ ܐܪܝܡܘ ܥܡܐ ܟܠܗ ܩܠܗܘܢall the people lifted up their voice(s)’. ̈ − 2:14. ‘ ܘܐܫܠܡ ܐܢܘܢ ܒܐܝܕܐ ܕܒܥܠܕܒܒܝܗܘܢhe delivered them into the hand(s) of their enemies’. − 11:3. ‘ ܘܐܬܠܩܛܘ ܠܘܬ ܢܦܬܚ ܐܢܫܐ ܣ�ܝܩܐWorthless men gathered to Naphthah’: collective noun, with plural adjective. (b) English singular for Syriac plural, e.g: ̈ − 4:19. ‘ ܩܠܝܠ ܡܝܐa little water’. (ii) Syriac infinitive rendered with English perfect, e.g: ̈ − 2:19. ‘ ܠܡܙܠ ܒܬܪ �ܗܐ ܐܚ�ܢܐto go after other gods’ rendered as ‘they went …’. (iii) Syriac infinitive rendered with English imperfect, e.g: − 3:1. ܫܒܩ ܡܪܝܐ ܠܡܢܣܝܘ ݂ܒܗܘܢ �ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ ‘ ݂ܕwhom the Lord had left to test with them Israel’ rendered as ‘… so that with them he might test Israel’. (iv) Syriac infinitive rendered with English participle, e.g: − 11:27. ‘ ܘܐܢܬ ܥܒܕ ܐܢܬ ܥܡܝ ܒܝܫܬܐ ܠܡܬܟܬܫܘ ܥܡܝyet you do evil to me, to fight against me’ rendered as ‘… fighting against me’. (v) Syriac perfect rendered with English present, e.g: ̈ − 4:19. ‘ ܐܫܩܐܝܢܝ ܩܠܝܠ ܡܝܐ ܡܛܠ ܕܨܗܝܬGive me a little water to drink, for I have thirsted’ rendered as ‘… for I am thirsty’. (vi) Syriac perfecẗ rendered with English imperfect, e.g: ݁ ܡܛܠ ݁ܕܐܫܠlit. ‘for I have delivered it into − 7:9. ܡܬ ̇ܗ ܒܐܝܕܝܟ your hands’ rendered as ‘for I shall deliver it into your hands’. This is an example of the use of the ‘prophetic perfect’ which uses the perfect to describe an event which is certain to happen. (vii) Syriac imperfect rendered with English participle, e.g: ̈ ‘ ܘܬܕܒܪ ܥܡܟ ܥܣܪܐand you should/shall − 4:6. �ܦܝܢ ܓܒ�ܝܢ take with you ten thousand men’ rendered as ‘taking with you …’. (viii) Syriac imperfect rendered with English infinitive, e.g: − 14:15. ‘ ܕܢܘܕܥܢ ܐܘܚܕܬܗthat he may make known to us (the answer to) his riddle’ rendered as ‘to tell us …’. (ix) Syriac participle rendered with English perfect, e.g: − 8:23. ‘ ܐܡܪ ܠܗܘܢ ܓܕܥܘܢGideon says to them’ rendered as ‘Gideon said to them’. The Syriac participle may often be
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XXIII
rendered with an English imperfect, as in the examples below, but occasionally is better treated as here, with a perfect. This is particularly true of √ ܐܡܪthough it is sometimes the case with other verbs, as the following examples show. − 1:14. �‘ ܘܟܕ ܥܐWhen she comes’ rendered as ‘When she came’. − 3:24. ‘ ܘܚܙܝܢ ܬ�ܥܐ ܕܥܠܝܬܐ ܛܦܝܢand seeing that the doors of the upper room …’ rendered as ‘and saw …’. (x) Syriac participle rendered with English imperfect, e.g: − 4:5. ‘ ܕܒܘܪܐ ܝܬܒܐ ܗܘܬDeborah was sitting’ rendered as ‘Deborah would sit’. − 6:23. ‘ � ܡܐܬ ܐܢܬyou are not dying’ rendered as ‘you will not die’. (xi) Syriac participle rendered with English present, e.g. − 1:7. ‘ ܡܠܩܛܝܢ ܗܘܘ ܠܚܡܐgather (scraps of) food’. This construction, a Syriac participle together with the perfect of √ ܗܘܐis usually rendered in the continuous past, but because it seems probable that Adoni-bezek would have used the present tense in this account of how he humiliated those he had defeated, we have done so too. (xii) Syriac finite verb with dālath rendered with English infinitive, e.g: − 3:2. ‘ ܡܛܠ ܕܢܕܥܘܢ … ܕܢܐܠܦܘܢ ܩܪܒܐwould know … that they would learn war’ rendered as ‘… know how to make war’. (xiii) √‘ ܝܣܦagain/to add’, e.g: ̈ − 3:12. ‘ ܘܐܘܣܦ ܒܢܝ ܝܣܪܝܠ ܠܡܥܒܕ ܕܒܝܫ ܩܕܡ ܡܪܝܐAgain the Israelites did evil before the Lord’. (xiv) ‘ ܡܢܐ ܠܟwhat to you’, e.g: − 1:14. ‘ ܡܐ ܠܟܝ ܒܪܬܝWhat do you want, my daughter’: lit. ‘What to you, my daughter’. − 18:23. ‘ ܡܐ ܠܟ ܕܩܥܐ ܐܢܬWhat is the matter with you’: lit. ‘What to you that you cry out’. (xv) ܗܟܢܐ. This adverb is often used to introduce a report of the word of God, as in 2:1 ‘ ܗܟܢܐ ܐܡܪ ܡܪܝܐThus says the Lord’. In this context, we have translated it as ‘thus’: although ‘thus’ is antiquated, it is acceptable in this familiar phrase. There are other passages where ‘thus’ would not fit the context, and we have translated differently, as in 15:11 … ܡܛܠ ܡܢܐ ܥܒܕܬ ܠܢ ܗܟܢܐ ‘ ܗܟܢܐ ܥܒܕܬ ܠܗܘܢWhy have you done this to us? … so I have done to them’. (xvi) Waw ܘ. This conjunction has a wide range of meanings and usages, e.g:
XXIV
Introduction to the Translation
a. Used as an introduction to a verse or a phrase. This usage would often read awkwardly in English and is therefore commonly omitted in our translation: − 1:1,2. ܘܡܢ ܒܬܪ ܕܡܝܬ ܝܫܘܥ ܒܪܢܘܢ ܥܒܕܗ ܕܡܪܝܐ … ܘܐܡܪ ܡܪܝܐ rendered as ‘After Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, had died … The Lord said’. b. ‘yet’: − 9:18. ‘ ܘܐܢܬܘܢ ܩܡܬܘܢ ܥܠ ܒܝܬ ܐܒܝYet you have opposed (lit. ‘stood against’) my father’s house’. c. ‘or’: ̈ ̈ − 1:30. ܘ�ܝܬܒܝ ܝܗܠܝܠ �ܝܬܒܝ ܩܛܪܘܢ ܘܙܒܘܠܘܢ � ܐܘܒܕ ‘Zebulun did not slaughter the inhabitants of Kitron or the inhabitants of Jahlil’. − 6:4. ‘ ܕܢܚܘܢ ܬܘ�ܐ ܘܐܡ�ܐ ܘܚܡ�ܐto preserve oxen, sheep, or asses’. d. ‘so that’: − 6:17. ‘ ܘܐܕܥ ܕܐܢܬ ܡܡܠܠ ܥܡܝso that I may know that you are speaking to me’. e. ‘nor’: ̈ ‘ ܘ� ܒܨܪܘ ܡܢ ܥܒܕܝ̈ܗܘܢ ܘܡܢ ܐܘ�ܚܬܗܘܢThey did not − 2:19. ܒܝܫܬܐ amend (lit. ‘diminish’) their deeds, nor (depart) from their evil ways’. f. ‘but’. − 8:8. ܘܐܝܟ ܕܥܢܐܘܗܝ ܐܢ̈ܫܝ ܣܟܘܬ ܗܟܢܐ ܥܢܐܘܗܝ ܐܦ ܐܢ̈ܫܝ ܦܢܘܐܝܠ ‘but as the men of Succoth had answered him, so the men of Penuel answered him’. g. ‘when’. − 2:21. ‘ ܕܫܒܩ ܝܫܘܥ ܘܡܝܬwhom Joshua had left when he died’. h. ‘for’. ̈ ̈ − 8:10. ܫܡܛܝ ܣܝܦܐ �ܦܝܢ ܓܒ�ܝܢ ‘ ܘܕܢܦܠܘ ܡܐܐ ܘܥܣܪܝܢfor one hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had fallen’. i. ‘then’. ̈ − 15:11. �ܦܝܢ ݁ܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢ ܡܢ ܝܗܘܕܐ ‘ ܘܢܚܬܘ ܬܠܬܐThen three thousand men of Judah went down’. (xvii) ܕܠܡܐ: a composite of ܕ, ܠ, and ܡܐmeaning ‘lest’, also used as an interrogative particle introducing a question to which a negative answer is expected, e.g. − 11:25. ‘ ܕܠܡܐ ܡܬܚܪܝܘ ܐܬܚܪܝ ܗܘܐ ܥܡ ܝܣܪܝܠDid he (ever) dispute with Israel’. (xviii) Ethical dative: − 7:3. ‘ ܡܢ ܕܕܚܝܠ ܘܪܬܝܬ ܢܦܘܫ ܠܗwhoever is afraid and trembling, let him leave (‘leave’: lit. ‘cease for himself’)’.
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Neither the lāmadh nor the objective suffix can be rendered in acceptable English. (xvix) Negative imperative: − 4:18. ‘ ܣܛܝ ܡܪܝ ܣܛܝ ܠܘܬܝ ܘ� ܬܕܚܠCome here, my lord, come here to me, and do not fear’: or ‘ … and you will not fear’. The imperfect together with the negative � may function as a negative imperative. (xx) Questions: Syriac sometimes lacks a suitable interrogative particle, and has no equivalent of the particle he with which Hebrew often prefaces a question. In such cases P writes a statement and leaves it to the reader to interpret correctly, e.g: − 11:23. ܘܗܫܐ ܡܪܝܐ �ܗܐ ܐܘܒܕ �ܡܘ�ܝܐ ܡܢ ܩܕܡ ܥܡܗ ܝܣܪܝܠ ‘ ܘܐܢܬ ܝܪܬ ܐܢܬ ܠܗܘܢNow the Lord God has destroyed the Amorites before his people Israel — should you take possession of them?’: lit. ‘… you take possession of them’. − 11:25. ܗܫܐ ܡܛܒ ܛܒ ܐܢܬ ܡܢ ܒܠܩ ܒܪ ܨܦܘܪ ܡܠܟܐ ܕܡܘܐܒ ‘Now, are you any better than Balak son of Zippor king of Moab?’: lit. ‘Now you are better than Balak son of Zippor king of Moab’. (xxi) √ܐܙܠ: − 5:30. ‘ ܟܒܪ ܐܙܠ ܘܐܫܟܚ ܒܙܬܐ ܣܓܝܐܬܐPerhaps he goes to find a great quantity of booty’: ‘he goes to find’: lit. ‘goes and has found’. √ ܐܙܠif directly preceding another verb signifies intention. Addenda
There are many passages where the meaning of MT is not precisely rendered in P. Apart from differences imposed by the different idioms of the two languages, there are four main explanations of these discrepancies: (i) error, (ii) Hebrew meaning obscure, (iii) inner-Syriac corruption, (iv) deliberate interpretative change. Groups (i) and (ii) are covered in Addendum (1), group (iii) in Addendum 2, and group (iv) in Addendum 3. There is inevitably a subjective element in this classification. Addendum 1: Mistranslation
‘Mistranslation’ is used rather freely as a category, and includes examples where MT may have been ambiguous. We have sought to explain P’s readings, though we have not been able to in every case. The references to Hebrew roots are all to Koehler Baumgartner (1994), The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament.
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1:23 3:17
5:2
5:7
5:8
5:11
5:14
5:15
5:16
ܘܦܫܘ
‘remained’. MT ‘ ויתירוto spy out’. P has derived the verb from the root ‘ יתרremain over’ rather than ‘ תורseek out/explore’. ‘ ܒܪܝܪsimple/stupid’. MT בריאP apparently did not recognized the infrequently used √II בראand guessed, using a Syriac root with two radicals in common but with a different meaning. ‘ ܒܦܘܪܥܢܘܬܐ ܕܐܬܦܪܥ ܝܣܪܝܠthe vengeance with which Israel was rewarded’. MT בפרע פרעות בישראלis uncertain, perhaps ‘for the leading of the leaders in Israel’ or a reference to allowing the hair to remain uncovered in battle. P has taken another, less frequently used, meaning of √פרע, his choice probably influenced by the presence of the cognate with that meaning in Syriac. ‘ ̈ܫܛܚܐopen spaces’. MT פרזוןpossibly ‘rural population’ from the noun ‘ פרזהopen region’ or ‘hamlet’; the meaning is uncertain. Perhaps by metonymy, P has given a reasonable rendering. ‘ ܘܗܝܕܝܢ ܠܚܡܐ ܕܣܥܪܐthen (there will be) barley bread’. MT אז לחם שעריםis obscure. The translation depends in part on which root was thought to give לחם, whether √I ‘to fight’ or √II, which P understood, ‘to feed (with meat)’, and in part on whether the first letter of שעריםwas taken to be shin or sin. P understood sin; a reading of shin would have given ‘gates’. ̈ �‘ ̈ܡthe words of those who enquire, who are ܕܒܨܘܝܐ ܕܒܝܢܬ ̈ܡܠܦܢܐ among the teachers’. MT מקול מחצצים בין משאביםperhaps ‘than/from the voice of those distributing (Piel participle √‘ חצץto divide’) (water), among the places where water is drawn’. P has apparently equated ‘words’ with ‘voice’; in משאביםhe has perhaps mistakenly read not √ שאבbut √‘ שאלto ask’, which led to ‘teachers’ and following that theme reached, with no clear basis in the text ‘those who enquire’ for מחצצים. ‘ ܒܚܘܒܟin/with your love’ or ‘in/with your debt’. MT בעממיך ‘with/among your peoples’. The difficult Hebrew context lists groups of people, so the obvious rendering would have been the literal ‘with/among your peoples’. See the next item. ̈ ‘among the peoples’. This has no equivalent in MT. The ܒܥܡܡܐ phrase may have been accidentally omitted by P from 5:14 and entered in 5:15. �‘ ̈ܫܒܝhighways’. MT המשפתים, of uncertain meaning, possibly ̈ is ‘sheepfolds’. P may have remembered Genesis 49:14 where �ܫܒܝ also given for the same MT found here.
Introduction to the Translation 6:26
7:23
8:27
9:46
12:1 12:4
20:16
XXVII
‘ ܒܣܕܪܐin order’. MT ‘ במערכהin a row/rank’. MT makes poor sense
in this context; P gives a close approximation to the Hebrew which appears similarly inappropriate. ‘ ܘܩܥܘ ̈ܒܢܝ ܝܣܪܝܠThe Israelites cried out’ or ‘sounded (trumpets). MT ‘ ויצעק איש־ישראלThe Israelites were mustered’. P has rendered not the correct Niphal but the Qal. So too 7:24; 12:1. ‘ ܥܘܦܪܐsacerdotal vestment’. MT ‘ אפודephod’, usually rendered by P as ܦܕܛܐ. Perhaps P was tempted by the possibility of word-play with Ophrah to give an unusual rendering; but ‘vestment’ makes poor sense in the light of the rest of the verse. ܠܡܦܣܩ ܒܒܝܬ ܐܝܠ ܩܝܡܐperhaps ‘to make a covenant in Bethel’. MT אל־צריח בית אל בריתis difficult, perhaps ‘to the vault/hall of the temple/house of El-berith/God of the covenant’. P has based his rendering on ברית, reading this not as part of the name of a god, but in its meaning ‘covenant’: in this context √ ܦܣܩcan mean ‘to make’. ‘ ܘܩܥܘcried out’ or ‘sounded (trumpets)’. MT ‘ ויצעק איש אפריםThe Ephraimites were mustered’. See entry to 7:23. ‘ ܕܐܦ�ܝܡܝܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܕܒܝܬ ܐܦܪܝܡ ܘܡܢܫܐܘThey are Ephraimites of the house of Ephraim and Manasseh’ makes poor sense here. MT פליטי אפרים ‘ אתם גלעד בתוך אפרים בתוך מנשהYou of Gilead are outcasts of Ephraim, among Ephraim and among Manasseh’ makes better sense. P does not refer to the Gileadites: this could have been accidentally omitted during translation. The change from the second person pronoun in the reported speech in MT to a third person pronoun follows from this: there are no Gileadites to address. ܕܒܝܬdoes not translate בתוך, which requires ܒܝܢܬ, but could be original, as in the absence of any reference to the Gileadites it makes rather better sense than would ‘that is/are among’; (it could also result from ISC of an original )ܕܒܝܢܬ. But these two other principal differences from MT would not have been made at the same time as the accidental omission, as the need for them would only be apparent on reading through the whole verse, and on doing that P would have noticed that first error; they were probably introduced by a later scribe/editor. ��‘ ܠܥܠin a storm wind’. MT ‘ אל־השׂערהat a hair’. P perceived not √I ‘ שׂערto be hairy’, but √II ‘ שׂערto blow away’.
Addendum 2: Inner-Syriac Corruptions 3:3
̈ ‘ ܘܡܢ ܛܘܪfrom the mountain of the children of Hermon’. ܕܒܢܝ ܚܪܡܘܢ
MT ‘ מהר בעל חרמוןfrom mount Baal-hermon’. At some stage, ̈ . perhaps as a result of ISC, ܒܥܠhas become ܒܢܝ
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5:12
Introduction to the Translation
ܐܬܬܥܝܪܝ ܐܬܬܥܝܪܝ … ܐܬܬܥܝܪܝ ܘܐܬܝܕܝ
‘Awake, awake … awake, give praise’. MT ‘ עורי עורי … עורי עוריAwake, awake … awake, awake’. An original ܐܬܢܕܝhas possibly been corrupted to give the present form: but given that MT has four identical verbs it is difficult to see why P decided to give a different rendering at the fourth, apparently changing from √‘ ܥܘܪto wake’ to √‘ ܢܕܐto break forth’. 6:3 ‘ ܪܩܡRakem’. MT ‘ קדםeast’. An original ܩܕܡmay have been corrupted to the present form. The entire phrase מדין ועמלק ובני־קדם ‘Midian, Amalek, and the children of the east’ also occurs (in almost exactly the same form) at 6:33 and at 7:12, where each time קדםis rendered as ܪܩܡ. It is unlikely that the same ISC would have occurred at those points too: possibly, the original renderings at these latter passages were deliberately changed by a later scribe/editor to maintain consistency. 6:31 ‘ ܕܥܒܪwho passed by’. MT ‘ כי נתץfor he broke down’. An original ‘ ܕܥܩܪwho demolished’ may have been changed by ISC to the present form. ܿ 9:37 ‘ ܬܘܩܢܗ ܕܐܪܥܐcultivated field’ or ‘cultivated piece of land’: lit. ‘husbandry’. MT ‘ טבור הארץhighest part/center of the land’. Trying to make good sense of the uncommon Hebrew term טבור, P may have originally written the idiomatic Syriac phrase ‘ ܬܩܢܐ ܕܛܘܪܐtableland’, i.e., a flat part in a mountainous area; this made good sense in the context. By ISC ܬܩܢܐmay have been changed to ܬܘܩܢܐ, the possessive suffix added for precision, and at some stage ܐܪܥܐ deliberately substituted for ܕܛܘܪܐto give the existing wording, which also is idiomatic Syriac. More likely P simply guessed. 9:44 ‘ ܕܒܡܕܒܪܐthose in the wilderness’. MT ‘ אשר בשׂדהthose in the field’. An original ‘ ܕܒܕܒܪܐthose in the field’ may have been corrupted to the present form. 9:45 ‘ ܡܠܘܚܐsea-purslane’. MT ‘ מלחsalt’. An original ‘ ܡܠܚܐsalt’ may have been corrupted to the present form. ̈ ̈ 18:21 ‘ ܢܩܘܬܐsheep’. MT ‘ הטףthe young children’. An original ܝܢܩܬܐ ‘sucklings’ has probably been changed to the present form by ISC. ̈ ‘ ݁ܕ ݂ܦThe right 20:16 ܡܦܝܫ ݂ � ݁ܟܠ ݁ܕܫ ݂ܕܐ ݂ܒܩܠܥܐ ܠܥܠ�� ܘ:ܫܝ ݂ܓܢ ܐܝ ̈ ݂ܕܝܗܘܢ ݁ܕܝܡܝܢܐ hands of all those who throw (stones) with a sling, in a storm wind yet not miss, were maimed’. This verse, quoted in entirety, seems disconnected to its context. Moreover P fails to render the portion of MT 20:16 found in the following citation: MT שבע מאות איש בחור ( מכל העם הזה שבע מאות איש בחור15) ‘seven hundred chosen men (16) Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men’. Either P skipped from the first occurrence of ‘seven hundred chosen
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men’ to the second occurrence in the process of translation, or early in the transmission of the Syriac text the loss occurred mechanically by ‘eye-skip’ (which would make this an ISC). 20:42 ‘ ܘܕܒܩܕܡܝܬܐ ܥܒܕܘ ܐܢܘܢ ܒܡܨܥܬܐvanguard they put into the center’: lit. ‘those who were in the first they made them in the middle’. Hebrew ‘ ואשר מהערים משחיתים אותו בתוכוand those from the cities destroyed him/them in its midst’. P presumably originally had ‘ ܘܕܒܩܪܝܬܐand those in the city’, and ܐܘܒܕܘthey destroyed’; by ISC the present text was reached. Addendum 3: Deliberate changes introduced by P A few changes from the Hebrew have been deliberately made by P. A treatment of such changes in detail is inappropriate for this work, but a limited selection of some examples may show the care P took to improve the text he was presenting. 1:34
2:3
5:2
5:8
ܘܐܪܚܩܘ ܐܢܘܢ �ܡܘ�ܝܐ ̈ܒܢܝ ܕܢ ܠܛܘܪܐ ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܫܒܩܘ ܐܢܘܢ ܠܡܚܬ ‘ ܠܥܘܡܩܐThe children of Dan left (intransitive verb) the Amorites,
for the mountain-country, for the Amorites (lit. ‘they’) did not allow them to live (lit. ‘come down’) on the plain’. MT וילחצו האמרי ‘ את־בני־דן ההרה כי־לא נתנו לרדת לעמקThe Amorites confined the children of Dan to the mountain-country for they did not let them go down to the plain/valley’. The original text of P (following MS 9a1 ̈ ܠܒܢܝ ܐܡܘ�ܝܐwhich = MT) corresponded to the Hebrew. A later editor or early copyist intentionally moved the preposition indicating the object, thereby softening the description of the weakness of the children of Dan by replacing the Amorite activity of ‘confining’ them with the simple statement of fact in the first clause that the children of Dan withdrew. The reason for the editor of P’s wish to minimize the description of the weakness of the children of Dan is unclear. ‘ ܘܢܗܘܘܢ ܠܟܘܢ ܠܣܪܝܩܘܬܐthey will be vanity for you’ where ‘vanity’ refers to ‘idol worship’. Another suggestion is ‘you must take no note of them’. MT ‘ והיו לכם לצדיםbut they shall be [as thorns] in your sides’ (ASV). ‘ ܒܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܕܥܡܐwith the praise of the people’. MT בהתנדב עם ‘with the free offering of the people’. P may have deliberately given a free translation, selected to contrast the behaviour of the Israelites with that of their opponents. ‘ ܢܓܒܐ �ܗܐ ܚܕܬܐGod will choose a new (thing)’. MT יבחר אלהים ‘ חדשיםthey chose new gods’. P has made the singular God the
XXX
5:9
5:11
8:16 9:13
14:18
Introduction to the Translation subject, with a singular verb and a singular object, perhaps for theological reasons. ‘ ܦܪܝܫܝܢset apart from’ or ‘dedicated among’. MT ‘ המתנדביםthose who volunteer for war’ or perhaps for service of some other kind: this phrase too is difficult. P has apparently understood the underlying concept of ‘freely giving’ and equated this with the special status of a dedicated person, that is one who is set apart. ‘ ܕܐܣܓܝ ܒܝܣܪܝܠthat he has increased in Israel’. MT פרזונו בישראל perhaps ‘rural population/peasantry in Israel’. Confronted by more difficult text, and judging that his choice for פרזוןin 5:7 did not fit the context here, P may simply have guessed. ‘ ܘܐܫܬܢܕhe tormented’. MT וידעwhich, taking the usual meaning of √‘ ידעto know’ makes poor sense. P, realising this, may have guessed. ‘ ܐܕܫܝfruit’. MT תירושיthis noun is usually understood to mean ‘wine’ but P, perhaps having lexical knowledge of a different meaning, perhaps guessing to fit the context, renders appropriately here and elsewhere. ‘ܫܕܠܬܘܢyou persuaded’. MT ‘ חרשתםyou ploughed’, √חרש, usually understood to be a sexual innuendo. P may have deliberately avoided this, or may have intended the meaning ‘to seduce’ of the Syriac verb in the Pael.
APPENDIX 1: VERSIFICATION Versification, the Mosul text compared with the Leiden Edition. Leiden 3:7 5:11 1 5:14 5:21 6:4 6:35 8:3 8:27 12:6 13:12 13:20 14:9 15:14 16:2 17:11 18:18 20:20 lacking in Leiden (some early MSS resemble the text of Mosul and MT)
Begins with Mosul Last 2 words of 3:6
Last 2 words of 5:13 Last 2 words of 5:20 Last 3 words of 6:3 Last 8 words of 6:34 Second word in 8:3 Fourth word in 8:27 Last 2 words of 12:5 Last 3 words of 13:11 Fifth word of 13:20 Last 6 words of 14:8 Last word of 15:13 Last word of 16:1 Third word of 17:11 Seventh word of 18:18 20:20
1 In MT, 5:10 ends with ש ֹיחו. P has taken this word as the beginning of 5:11 and the Leiden edition has not followed its usual practice of using the versification of MT. Mosul uses the same versification as Leiden.
XXXI
APPENDIX 2: VARIANT READINGS Based on Collations by Donald M. Walter and Morgan Reed The following table gives the variants between Mosul and the Leiden edition of Judges based on 7a1. 1 The fourth column indicates the support for the Mosul reading as follows: early first millennium up to and including the tenth century. late post tenth century making use of the Leiden apparatus. Lee Lee’s edition (1823) agrees with Mosul. Urmia the Urmia edition (1852) agrees with Mosul. no support Mosul’s reading is unique. Place 1:1 1:7
1:14 1:15 1:16 1:17 1:19
Mosul
Leiden 2/7a1 3
lacking
ܘܡܢ ܡܐ
ܘܗܘܐ ܡܢ
ܟܠܒ
ܐܒܘܗ
ܡܛܠ ܕܒܐܪܥܐ ܩܝܢܝ ܘܐܙܠ ܘܝܪܬܘ
ܕܥ�ܪܥܐ ܩܝܢ ܘܐܙܠܘ ܘܐܝܪܬܘ
Ms support for Mosul early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late early Lee, Urmia early (9a1 )ܘܝܪܬ
1 Plurals of ‘flocks’ and ‘asses’ and ‘creeping animals’ where 7a1 lacks seyāme are ignored — treated as orthographic, although there are places Mosul lacks seyāme. Variations in the spelling of ‘Hittites’ are regarded as orthographic. Places such as 11:3 where ‘men’ in 7a1 has a seyāme but Mosul does not are also ignored — being treated as orthographic matters. 2 Since the Leiden Edition usually does not print a diacritical on a 3rd fem. sing. suffix (though it appears in 7a1 itself), such differences between the Edition and Mosul are not cited. 3 Errors in 7a1 are not cited.
XXXIII
Appendix 2: Variant Readings
XXXIV
ܡܛܠ 1:20 1:22 1:24 1:26 2º 1:27 1:33 2:4
ܕܡ�ܟܒܬܐ ܘܩܛܠܘ ܘܐܘܒܕܘ ܘܐܦ ܡܥܠܢܐ
om (except 7a1)
ܡܛܠ ܕܡ�ܟܒܬܐ ܘܩܛܠ ܘܐܘܒܕ om waw
ܡܥܠܢܗ
lacking ܗܘ ܿܫܡܗ ܿ ܫܡܗ ܕܩܪܝܬܐ ̈ lacking ܘܠܝܬܒܝ ܐܒܝܢܥܡ ܿ ܘܠܟܦ�ܘܢܝܗ ܘܝܬܒܘ … ܥܢܬlacking
2:7 2:9 2:10
ܗܠܝܢ ܥܡܐ ܟܠܗ ܟܠܗܘܢ ܕܛܘܪܐ ܘܐܦ
ܗܠܝܢ ܟܠܗܝܢ ܟܠܗ ܥܡܐ
2:12
�ܗܐ ܕܐܒܗܝ̈ܗܘܢ
�ܗܗܘܢ
2:17
ܕܚܕ�ܝܗܘܢ ̈ ܦܘܩܕܢܘܗܝ
ܕܒܚܕ�ܝܗܘܢ ܦܘܩܕܢܗ
ܐܝܠܝܢ ܘܐܡܪ
ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗ
3:19 3:20 3:23 3:24 3:28 4:2 4:3 4:4
ܬ�ܥܐ ܗܘ ̈ ܠܒܥܠܕܒܒܝܟܘܢ ܡܥܒܪܬܐ
lacking
om waw
ܠܛܘܪܐ
lacking
om seyāme pr waw
̈ܒܥܠܕܒܒܝܟܘܢ seyāme
ܒܚܪܫܬ
seyāme
ܘܐܙܥܩܘ
ܘܙܥܩܘ
ܒܩܛܝܪܐ ܗܝ
lacking pr waw
only 7a1 supports Mosul Lee, Urmia early late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late early early late all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early; 7a1 9a1fam support Mosul early early late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early
Appendix 2: Variant Readings 4:21 1º 1º 2º 5:4 5:12 5:13
ܗܘ ܕܡܝܟ ܘܐܦ ܘܐܬܝܕܝ ܗܝܕܝܢ 2ndܢܚܬ ܒܓܢܒ�ܐ
5:22
ܗܝܕܝܢ ̈ ܥܩܒܐ ܕ�ܟܫܗ ܘܡܚܬ ܨܘ�ܐ ܒܛܘ�ܐ
5:26 5:30 6:2 6:4
ܘܐܡ�ܐ ܘܚܡ�ܐ
6:6 6:7 6:14 6:18
ܝܣܪܝܠ ܛܒ ܘܐܙܥܩܘ ܡܛܠ ܕܐܢܬ ܘܐܣܝܡ ܠܗ ܘܩܪܒ ܠܗ
6:19 6:20 6:28 1º 6:34
ܘܣܝܡ ܘܚܙܘ ܡܕܒܚܐ ܘܩܥܘ
6:37
ܐܢ ܢܗܘܐ
4
lacking om waw
ܕܡܟ
ܘܐܬܢܕܝ pr waw
ܕܢܚܬ 7a1 ܓܒܪܐ Leiden pr waw
ܒܓܒܪܐ ̈ ܥܩܒܬܐ
om seyāme om waw om seyāme om seyāme transpose transpose
ܘܙܥܩܘ ܘܐܢܬ
om waw lacking lacking om waw
ܘܚܙܝܢ ܡܕܒܚܗ ܘܩܪܐ ܘܢܗܘܐ
8a1c is treated as ‘late’ in this Appendix.
XXXV
Lee, Urmia early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul or error early no support no support all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early Urmia Lee, Urmia late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late early late 4 early late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early late early all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul
Appendix 2: Variant Readings
XXXVI
6:39 7:1 7:2 7:5 1º 7:12 7:13 7:14 7:18 7:19
ܗܕܐ ܙܒܢܬܐ ܒܠܚܘܕ ܢܕܘܒܥܝܠ ܕܗܘ ܗܢܐ ܥܡܐ ܕܐܫܠܡ
ܒܠܚܘܕ ܙܒܢܬܐ ܗܕܐ ܢܕܘܒܥܠ ܕܗܘܝܘ
ܐܩܝܡܝܗܝ
ܐܩܝܡ ܐܢܘܢ
ܘܟܠ
ܘܟ�ܝܢܐ
transpose
ܘܐܫܠܡ
ܘܠܗܘܢ
lacking
ܕܡܫܬܥܐ ܚܪܒܗ
ܡܫܬܥܐ ܚܒܪܘ
ܒܫܝܦܘ�ܐ ܠܢܛܘ�ܐ
om seyāme om lāmadh
7:25
ܘܠܨ ܕܪܬ ܘܐܡܪܘ �ܘܪܥܐ ܩܛܠܘ
ܘܠܨ ܕܕܬ ܘܐܡܪ �ܪܥܐ6 ܩܒܪܘ
8:1 8:2
ܒܒܝܬ � ܠܗܘܢ
ܒܝܬ
ܘܡܢܐ
ܘܒܡܢܐ
ܒܩܪܩܒ ܗܢܘܢ ܘܕܝܒܓܗܐ ̈ ܡܠܟܐ
ܒܩܒܪܒ
7:22 7:24
8:3
8:10 8:11 8:12
pr waw
ܠܗܘܢ ܓܕܥܘܢ lacking
ܘܕܢܒܓܗܐ ̈ܡܠܟܝܢ
all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul
in 6:32 7a1 = Mosul 5 late early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul no support (late support to delete )ܐܢܘܢ all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Lee Urmia early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Urmia Urmia all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul
Elsewhere this variant between M and 7a1/L is treated as orthographic. The Leiden Edition fails to mark the text itself with daggers or list 7a1 in the second apparatus — only in the first. 5 6
Appendix 2: Variant Readings 8:14 8:15 8:18
�ܘ�ܒܢܐ ܙܒܚ ܐܝܟܐ
8:23 8:24
ܿ ܪܘ�ܒܢܝܗ ܕܙܒܚ ܐܝܟܢܐ ܐܡܪܝܢ ̈ ܡܠܟܐ ܚܕ ܚܕ ܚܕ ܚܕ
8:35
ܘܦܪܣܘ ܚܕ ܚܕ ܥܡ ܝܣܪܝܐ
ܘܦܪܣ
ܕܡܨܦܝܐ
ܕܒܡܨܦܝܐ
8:25 9:6
9:10 9:12 9:13 9:16 9:19 9:20 9:25 9:26 9:32 9:34 9:39 9:43 9:44 9:46 9:47
ܬܝ ܐܢܬܝ ܬܝ ܐܢܬܝ ܘܕܐܢܫܐ ܕܐܡܠܟܬܘܢ ܥܡ ܢܕܘܒܥܝܐ ܿ ܡ�ܝܗ ܡܢ ܿܘܡ�ܝܗ ܟܡܐܢ̈ܐ ܗܘ ܘܥܒܪܘ ܘܐܬܟܡܢ ܒܕܒܪܐ
pr waw om seyāme
ܐܢܫ ܚܕ ܐܢܫ ܚܕ lacking
ܒܐܝܣܪܝܐ transpose transpose
ܘܐܢܫܐ ܘܐܡܠܟܬܘܢ ܥܡ ܕܒܝܬ ܢܕܘܒܥܝܐ ܿ ܡ�ܝܗ ܡܢ ܒܝܬ ܿܡܢ ܡ�ܝܗ om seyāme lacking
ܘܥܒܪ ܘܐܬܟܡܢܘ ܒܡܕܒܪܐ
ܘܥܡܐ ܟܠܗ ܕܥܡܗ ܕܫܟܝܡ ܘܐܬܟܡܢ ܘܚܙܐ
ܘܟܠܗ ܥܡܐ ܕܥܡܗ ܕܩܪܝܬܐ ܘܐܬܟܡܢܘ ܘܚܙܘ
ܘܬܪܥܐ
seyāme
ܒܒܝܬ ܟܠܗܘܢ
ܒܝܬ
lacking
XXXVII
early early early early early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early late early late all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early late early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early
Appendix 2: Variant Readings
XXXVIII
9:49 9:51 9:52 9:54 9:56 9:57 10:1 10:2 10:4 10:6
10:8
10:9 2º 11:2 11:4 11:5 11:9
11:14 11:18
11:28 11:33 2º 11:37 11:39
ܘܣܡ ܿ ܘܐܘܩܕܗ ܟܠܗܘܢ
ܘܣܡܘ ܿ ܘܐܘܩܕܘܗ
ܘܡܬܟܬܫ
ܘܐܬܟܬܫ
ܫܩܠ
ܕܫܩܠ
ܩܛܠܬܗ
ܩܛܠܬܢܝ
ܠܫܒܥܝܢ ܠܘܛܬܗ
ܫܒܥܝܢ ܠܘܛܬܐ
ܒܫܡܝܪ
ܒܫܡܪܝܢ
ܒܫܡܝܪ
ܒܡܫܝܪ
ܕܒܐܪܥܐ ̈ ܘ��ܗܐ ܕܨܝܕܢ
ܒܐܪܥܐ
lacking
lacking
ܡܢ ܗܝ ܫܢܬܐ
lacking
ܥܡ
ܥܠ
ܐܚܪܬܐ
ܙܢܝܬܐ
ܐܬܟܬܫܘ ܥܡ ܐܬܟܬܫܘ ܩܕܡܝ ܐܓ�ܬܐ ܒܬܚܘܡܐ ̈ ܠܡ�ܘܗܝ ܘܥܕܡܐ ܒܠܚܘܕ ܥܒܕ ܠܝ ܗܕܐ ܘܐܙܠ ܒܝܢܬ
pr waw
̈ ܥܡ ܒܢܝ ܐܬܟܢܫܘ ܒܐܝ̈ܕܝ
om seyāme
ܠܬܚܘܡܐ ̈ ܡ�ܘܗܝ om waw
ܗܕܐ ܒܠܗܘܕ ܥܒܕ ܠܝ om waw
ܒܝܢܝ
Urmia early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early
Appendix 2: Variant Readings 11:40 12:1 12:3 12:5
̈ܝܘܡܝܢ
ܝ�ܚܝܢ
ܥܡ
ܥܠ
ܕܦܪܩ ܘܥܒܪܬ ܠܡܥܒܪܬܐ
ܿܡܢ ܕܦܪܩ ܘܥܒܪܢ seyāme
ܠܗ
lacking
12:6
ܓܝܪ
lacking
12:10 13:6
ܒܒܝܬ ܕܡ�ܟܐ
ܒܝܬ
ܘܫܟܪܐ ܬܘܒ
ܐܘ ܫܟܪܐ
ܡܢ ܕܢܬܒܥ ܕܡܦܫܚܝܢ
̈ ܡܢ ܒܢܬ ܕܢܬܬܒܥ ܕܦܫܚܝܢ
ܠܓܕܝܐ
seyāme
13:7 13:8 14:3 14:4 14:6
14:8 (14:9 7a1) 14:12 14:13 14:14 14:18 15:02 15:07 15:14 1º 15:19 15:20
ܗܘܐ ܿ ܬܦܫܪܘܢܗ ܿ ܕܬܦܫܪܘܢܗ ܿ ܠܡܦܫܪܗ ܐܘܚܕܬܝ ܠܗ ܐܦܢ ܘܡܛܝ ̈ ܐܝܕܘܗܝ ܠܘܓܡܐ ܘܗܘ ܕܢ
om dālath lacking
om
ܿ ܬܦܪܫܘܢܗ ܿ ܕܬܦܪܫܘܢܗ ܿ ܠܡܦܪܫܗ seyāme
lacking
ܘܐܦܢ ܘܡܛܝܘ ܕ�ܥܘܗܝ ܠܘܥܐ ܘܕܢ
XXXIX
all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Lee, Urmia all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early all mss except 7a1 support Mosul early early early
Appendix 2: Variant Readings
XL
16:2
16:7 16:21 16:24 16:29 17:2 17:5 18:2 18:3 18:7 18:8 18:9
18:10
18:14 18:21
ܟܠܗ
ܥܠܘܗܝ ܟܠܗ
ܐܡܪ ܩܐܚܬܘܗܝ
ܘܐܘܒܠܘܗܝ
ܥܡܐ ܠܒܥܠܕܒܒܢ
pr waw
lacking
ܒܥܠܕܒܒܢ
̈ ܡܨܥܝܐ ܕܒܝܬܐ
ܕܒܝܬܐ ܡܨܥܝܐ
ܝܡܝܬܝ ܘܐܦ ܐܡܪܬܝ ̈ �ܗܐ ܫܪܒܬܗܘܢ ܥܡ ܠܘܬܗ ܠܗܪܟܐ
ܐܡܪܬܝ ܘܐܦ ܐܝܡܝܬ
�ܐܦ ܘܐܫܬܘܐܝܠ ܘܐܡܪܝܢ
om seyāme seyāme lacking lacking
ܠܟܐ
pr waw om waw
ܘ�ܫܬܘܐܝܠ
ܡܢ
ܠܗܘܢ ܡܢ
ܕܛܒܐ ܬܬܚܒܢܘܢ ܠܡܐܪܬ ܪܘܚܬܐ
ܘܛܒܐ ܬܬܚܒܢܢܘܢ
ܕܐܝ̈ܕܝܐ �ܕ
ܕܐܝ̈ܕܝܐ ܩܕܡܝܟܘܢ �ܘ
ܒܐܪܥܐ
ܒܐܪܥܐ ܗܝ
ܒ�ܡܬܐ ܘܩܢܝܢܐ ܘܒܥܝܪܐ
pr waw
ܐܪܘܝܚܬܐ
om seyāme transpose
all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Urmia all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Lee, Urmia all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late early no support early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early Urmia all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul late early early all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul
Appendix 2: Variant Readings 18:24 18:30 18:31 19:1 19:8 19:10 19:11 19:12 19:19
̈ �ܗܐ ܘܐܦ ܝܘܢܬܢ ܕܥܒܕ ܗܘܐ ܒܝܘܡܐ
om seyāme om waw
pr waw (so Leiden, but 7a1 )ܘܝܘܬܡ lacking
ܕܥܒܕܘ
ܠܝܘܡܐ
ܘܡܛܝ
ܘܡܛܝ ܥܕܡܐ
ܥܠ
ܡܛܝܘ
ܠܗ ܐܡܪ ܠܩܪܝܬܐ
ܠܩܪܝܬܐ ܗܕܐ
ܘܐܦ ܘܚܡܪܐ
lacking pr waw om waw (Leiden)
ܐܦ ܚܡܪܐ
19:20 19:21 19:22
ܚܣܝܪ ܠܟ ܠܚܡ�ܗ ܠܓܒܪܐ
ܚܣܝܪ ܠܢ ܥܠܝܟ
19:24
ܘܢܕܥܝܘܗܝ
19:26
ܕܢܕܥܝܘܗܝ ܠܟܘܢ ܠܗܝܢ ܐܢܬܬܐ
19:29 20:1 20:2
ܐܡܪ ܗܘܬ ܿ ܘܫܕܗ ܐܝܟ �ܓܠܝܝܢ
19:28
20:6
20:10
ܕܝܪܬܘܬܐ ̈ ܠܟܠܗܘܢ ܫܒܛܐ
om seyāme
ܓܒܪܐ lacking lacking lacking pr waw lacking
ܘܫܕܐ ܟܠܗܘܢ ܐܝܟ ܓܒ�ܝܢ
seyāme (7a1 )ܘܝ�ܬܘܬܐ lacking
no support all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Urmia (Lee )ܘܝܘܬܢ early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Lee, Urmia early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early inc. 7a1
all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Urmia late Lee, Urmia all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Urmia early early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early Lee, Urmia early Lee, Urmia all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all MSS except 7a1
XLI
Appendix 2: Variant Readings
XLII
20:12 20:17 20:20
20:26 20:31
20:33
20:36 20:37 20:38 20:39 20:40 20:41 20:44
lacking
̈ ܕܒܢܝ ܝܣܪܝܠ ܕܗܘܬ ܠܟܘܢ ܓܒ�ܝܢ ܣܝܦܐ
ܕܐܝܣܪܝܠ ܕܗܘܬܟܘܢ Leiden ܓܒ�ܐ
… ܘܢܦܘܩ ܓܒܥ
20:21 20:25 1º
20:34 20:35
ܕܝܣܪܝܠ ܕܢܐܙܠܘܢ
̈
seyāme
lacking
ܕܐܩܪܒܘ ܡܢ ̈ܒܢܝ
ܕܐܩܪܒܘ ܥܡܗܘܢ ܥܠ
�ܒܫܒܝ
�ܒܫܩܝ
ܘܚܕ
ܘܚܕܪ
ܕܒܓܒܥ
ܕܓܒܥ
ܓܒ�ܐ ܗܠܝܢ
ܓܒ�ܝܢ
ܕܒܝܬ
lacking
ܿ ܠܟܠܗ ܘܡܚܐ ܩܪܝܬܐ ܡܣܩ ܬܢܢܐ
( ܕܐܬܟܡܢܘ7a1 )ܕܟܡܢܘ ܘܡܚܗ ܠܩܪܝܬܐ ܡܣܩܬܐ
ܬܠܬܝܢ
ܐܝܟ ܬܠܬܝܢ
ܥܕܡܐ ܕܩܪܒܬ
ܕܩܡܬ
ܕܐܟܡܢܘ
ܒܢܝܡܝܢ
lacking
̈ ܒܢܝ ܒܢܝܡܝܢ (7a1 )ܒܢܝܡܝܢ
support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early early early (inc. 7a1) all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early but M with ‘Israel … Benjamin … Israel … at Geba’ as in MT rather than ‘Benjamin from Geba … Israel … Israel’ late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 (prob err) support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Lee all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul
all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Lee, Urmia all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early i.e. 7a1=Mosul
Appendix 2: Variant Readings 20:45 20:46 20:48 21:7
21:11 21:17 21:19
21:22
Subscription
ܠܫܩܝܦܐ
ܕܫܩܝܦܐ
ܒܢܝܡܝܢ ܓܒ�ܝܢ
̈ ܒܢܝ ܒܢܝܡܝܢ
ܩ�ܒܬܢܐ ܘܐܦ
̈ ܚܝܠܬܢܐ
ܠܗܢܘܢ
ܠܗܘܢ
ܕܐܫܬܒܩܘ
ܕܐܫܬܒܩܘ ܠܗܘܢ ܓܒܪܐ ܢܛܥܐ
ܓܒܪ ܢܬܛܥܐ ̈ ܡܕܢܚܝ ܡܢ ܫܡܫܐ ܡܢ ܫܒܝ� ܕܣܠܩ ܡܢ ܒܝܬ ܐܝܠ ܐܒܗܝ̈ܗܝܢ none
lacking
om waw
lacking
ܐܒܗܝ̈ܗܘܢ
see 7a1/Leiden
all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all ancient MSS except 7a1 support Mosul all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul Urmia late all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul
all MSS except 7a1 support Mosul early
XLIII
APPENDIX 3: NAMES The spelling of proper names in this translation normally follows that of the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901. These forms are classified using the forms found in the original publication of the Mosul text. In this section names are considered (i) where P regularly features an alternative name, and (ii) where P and MT differ consonantly. The citations are usually of the first occurrence of the name in Judges. 1 Common Syriac proper names
P regularly uses:
ܐܘܪܫܠܡHebrew ירושלםe.g. 1:8. ܝܘܪܕܢܢHebrew ירדן, e.g. 3:28. ܝܣܪܝܠHebrew ישׂראל, e.g. 1:28. ܩܘܪܝܬ ܢܥܪܝܢHebrew קרית־יערים, e.g. 18:12. ܡܨܪܝܢHebrew מצרים, e.g. 2:1. ܪܘܒܝܠHebrew ראובני, e.g. 5:15. ܫܝܠܘHebrew ש�ה,ִ e.g. 21:12.
Replacements 2
Following the order of appearance in the Mosul text: 1:20 ܓܢܒ�ܐMT ענק, 1:31 ܐܝܙܒܠMT אכזיב, 3:7 ܐܣܬ�ܬܐMT אשרות, Instances involving gentilics are sometimes ignored in this Appendix. Hebrew forms are sometimes quoted with the article or terminal he directive although these features may not be reflected in the Syriac. An emphatic Syriac form of a name corresponding to a Hebrew name with an article is normally ignored. All citations are in Joshua unless explicitly cited otherwise. 2 In some of these cases P replaces a name with a different name, in other cases with a phrase, but since the phrase is not a translation of the Hebrew name it is not classified as a translation. 1
XLV
Appendix 3: Names
XLVI
4:6 ܪܩܡMT קדש, 4:17 ܥܢܐܝܠMT יעל, 5:17 ܓܕMT גלעד, 5:21 ‘ ܢܚ� ܕܩܪܡܝܢthe river Karmin’ MT ‘ נחל קדומים נחל קישוןthe ancient river the river Kishon’, 6:3 (transposition with rīsh replaceing dālath) ܪܩܡMT קדם, 6:25 ܐܣܬܪܐMT אשרה, 6:32 ܢܕܘܒܥܝܠMT ירבעל, 7:1 ܓܒܥܬ ܪܡܬܐMT גבעת המורה, ̈ 7:22 ܒܝܬ ܫܒܛܐMT בית השטה, 7:25 ܩܒܪܒMT יקב־זאב, 8:2 ܐܝܙܪܥܝܠMT אביעזר, 9:6 ܡܨܦܝܐMT מצב, 3 9:21 ܕܒܝܪMT באר, 11:16 ܪܩܡMT קדשה, 11:33 ܡܟܝܪMT מנית, 15:17 ‘ ܕܡܐ ܕܦܟܐBlood of the Jaw’ MT רמת לחיprobably ‘Height of the Jawbone’, 4 15:19 ܥܝܢ ܩܪܢܐMT עין הקורא, 18:29 ܠܘܙMT לישׁ, 20:45 ܓܒܥܘܢMT גדעם. 2F
23F
Initial Locations
Additions
P introduces an initial ܐ: 5:15 ܐܝܣܟܪMT ישׂשכר, 6:33 ܐܝܙܪܥܝܠMT יזרעאל. P introduces an initial ܝ: 7:22 ܝܛܒܬMT טבת.
Replacements
P reads ܐfor י: 1:8 ܐܘܪܫܠܡMT ירושלם, 1:27 ܐܒܝܢܥܡMT יבלעם, 11:13 ܐܒܩMT יבק. P reads ܠfor א: 1:31 ܠܚܒܠMT אחלב. P reads an initial ܝfor an initial יהו: 1:1 ܝܫܘܥMT יהושע. P reads ܝfor נ: 1:30 ܝܗܠܝܠMT נהלל. P reads ܝܘfor יהו: 18:30 ܝܘܢܬܢMT יהונתן. P reads ܢfor י: 4:2 ܢܒܝܢMT יבין. 3 The meaning of the Hebrew, מצב, in this context is uncertain; perhaps it is the result of a corruption of an original ‘ המצבהpillar’. 4 P has presumably read a dālath for MT’s rīsh.
XLVII
Appendix 3: Names
.שׂעירתה MTܫܝܥܪܬ : 3:26שׂ forܫ P reads Medial Locations
Additions
.פרה MTܦܐܪܐ , 7:10עזה MTܥܐܙܐ : 1:18ܐ P adds a medial , 10קרית ארבע MTܩܘܪܝܬ ܐܪܒܥ , 10יהושע MTܝܫܘܥ : 1:1ܘ P adds a , 31צפת MTܨܘܦܬ , 17קרית־ספר MTܩܘܪܝܬ ܣܦܪܐ , 11תלמי MTܬܘܠܡܝ MTܙܒܘܠܘܢ , 4:6ירדן MTܝܘܪܕܢܢ , 3:28עקרבים MTܥܩܪܘܢ , 35רחב MTܪܚܘܒ ܥܘܪܝܒ , 7:25עפרה MTܥܘܦܪܐ , 6:11חבב MTܗܘܒܒ , 11חבר MTܚܘܒܪ , 11זבלון , 20:28גרשׁם MTܓܪܫܘܢ , 18:30אשתאל MTܐܫܬܘܐܝܠ , 13:24ע)ו(רב MT .אהרן MTܐܗܪܘܢ , 27בית־אל MTܒܝܬ ܐܝܠ , 22ששי MTܫܝܫܝ : 1:10ܝ P adds a medial ܥܢܐܝܠ , 4:11עמלק MTܥܡܠܝܩ , 3:13נהלל MTܝܗܠܝܠ , 30יבלעם MTܐܒܝܢܥܡ MTܦܢܘܐܝܠ , 8:8רב)ו(ע MTܥܘܪܝܒ , 7:25אשר MTܐܫܝܪ , 5:17צעננים MT , 13:24הלל MTܗܠܝܢ , 13אבצן MTܐܒܝ� , 12:8שׁכם MTܫܟܝܡ , 31פנואל .אלעזר � MTܝܥܙܪ , 20:28אשתאל MTܐܫܬܘܐܝܠ
Deletions
.טוב MTܛܒܬܐ , 11:3דודו MTܕܕܗ , 10:1לבנון MTܠܒܢܢ : 3:3ו P omits a medial ܥܛܡܝܢ , 15:8אילון � MTܘܢ , 35אפיק MTܐܦܩ : 1:31י P omits a medial .עיטם MT .ישׂשכר MTܐܝܣܟܪ : 5:15ש P omits a medial silent
Replacements
ܐܕܘܡܐ
.יבק MTܐܒܩ , 11:13ירושלם MTܐܘܪܫܠܡ : 1:8י forܐ P reads , 9:41צררתה MTܨ ܕܪܬ , 7:22חרס MTܚܕܣ : 1:35ר forܕ P reads .צרעה MTܨ ܕܥܐ , 13:2ארומה MT .זאב MTܙܝܒ , 7:25יזרעאל MTܐܝܙܪܥܝܠ : 6:33א forܝ P reads .עבדון MTܥܟܪܘܢ , 12:13נבח MTܢܟܚ : 8:11ב forܟ P reads .קרית־יערים MTܩܘܪܝܬ ܢܥܪܝܢ : 18:12י forܢ P reads .יבלעם MTܐܒܝܢܥܡ : 1:27ל forܢ P reads .מעוננים MTܡܥܘܢܝܢ : 9:37ננ forܢ P reads .עשׁתרות MTܣܬ�ܬܐ : 2:13שׁ for aܣ P reads .עבד MTܥܦܪ : 9:26ב forܦ P reads .עבדון MTܥܟܪܘܢ , 5 12:13לפידות MTܠܦܝܬܘܪ : 4:4ד forܪ P reads See ‘Complex Transpositions’ on the following page.
5
XLVIII
Appendix 3: Names
Transpositions 6
Simple Transpositions P transposes a medial waw with another letter: 1:8 ܐܘܪܫܠܡMT ירושלם, P transposes a medial yūdh with another letter: 1:13 ܥܬܢܐܝܠMT עתניאל. P transposes beth and gimel: 8:11 ܝܒܓܗܐMT יגבהה. P transposes beth and lāmadh: 1:31 ܠܚܒܠMT אחלב. P transposes rīsh and dālath: 1:16 ܥܕܪMT ערד, 7:1 ܚܕܪMT חרד. P transposes yūdh and ayin: 3:26 ܫܝܥܪܬMT שׂעירתה.
Complex Transpositions
P reverses the order of the last three characters: 2:9 ܬܡܢܬܣܪܚMT תמנת־חרס, 4:4 ܠܦܝܬܘܪMT ( לפידותwith rīsh replacing dālath). Final Locations 7
Additions
P adds a final ܐ: 1:11 ܩܘܪܝܬ ܣܦܪܐMT קרית־ספר. P adds a final ܝܢ: 15:8 ܥܛܡܝܢMT עיטם, P adds a final ܬܐ: 11:3 ܛܒܬܐMT טוב.
Deletions
P omits a final א: 9:6 ܡܠܘMT מלוא, P omits a final ה: 3:26 ܫܝܥܪܬMT שׂעירתה, 8 19:12 ܓܒܥMT גבעה.
Replacements
P reads a final ܐfor a final ה: 9 1:2 ܝܗܘܕܐMT יהודה, 12 ܥܟܣܐMT עכסה, 17 ܚܪܡܐMT חרמה, 18 ܥܐܙܐMT עזה, 27 ܡܢܫܐMT מנשה, 31 ܚܠܒܐMT חלבה, 4:4 ܕܒܘܪܐMT דבורה, 5 ܪܡܬܐMT רמה, 11 ܥܘܦܪܐMT עפרה, 7:10 ܦܐܪܐMT פרה, 22 � ܐܒܠ ܡܚܘMT אבל מחולה, 24 ܒܝܬ ܒܪܐMT בית ברה, 9:41 ܐܕܘܡܐMT ארומה, 10:1 ܦܘܐܐMT פואה, 13:2 ܨ ܕܥܐMT צרעה, 16:4 � ܕܠܝMT דלילה, 17:4 ܡܝܟܐMT מיכה, 21:19 ܠܒܘܢܐMT לבונה. P reads a final ܐfor a final יהו: 17:1 ܡܝܟܐMT מיכיהו. 6 Transpositions where one of the letters is final are listed here with Medial rather than with Final. 7 Cases of what look like or are plural endings in P ܝܢH יםare ignored. 8 MT’s name ends in he which is written as a taw before a he directive. 9 In some cases the final he is written as a taw before a he directive.
Appendix 3: Names
XLIX
P reads a final ܒfor a final ר: 8:10 ܩܪܩܒMT קרקר. P reads a final ܕfor a final ז: 5:22 ܡܪܘܕMT מרוז. P reads a final ܗfor a final ו: 10:1 ܕܕܗMT דודו. P reads a final ܠfor a final ב: 1:31 ܐܝܙܒܠMT אכזיב. P reads a final ܡfor a final ( יgentilic): 15:6 ܬܡܢܡMT תמני. P reads a final ܢfor a final ל: 12:13 ܗܠܝܢMT הלל. P reads a final ܢfor a final ם: 2:1 ܒܟܝܢMT בכים, 18:30 ܓܪܫܘܢMT גרשׁם. P reads a final ܪfor a final ד: 3:15 ܐܗܘܪMT אהוד, 9:26 ܥܦܪMT עבד. P reads a final ܬfor a final ה: 10 7:22 ܨ ܕܪܬMT צררתה, 14:1 ܬܡܢܬMT תמנתה, 16:1 ܥܙܬMT עזתה. P reads a final ܬܐfor a final ה: 4:5 ܪܡܬܐMT רמה, 20:34 ܡܥܪܬܐHebrew מערה. Translation In the following places P has translated what are probably names in MT: 11 3:8 �‘ ܟܘܫܢ ܥܘCushan the Wicked’ MT ‘ כושן רשעתיםCushanrishathaim’, 6:11 ‘ ܐܒܘܗܝ ܕܥܙܪܝfather of Azri’ MT ‘ אבי העזריJoash the Abiezrite’, 6:24 ‘ ܡܪܝܐ ܫܠܡܐThe Lord is Peace’ MT ‘ יהוה שלוםJehovah-shalom’, 8:33 ‘ ܒܥܠ ܩܝܡܐBaal-Kiama’ or ‘Lord of the Covenant’ MT בעל ברית ‘Baal-berith’, 9:46 [‘ ܐܝܠ ܩܝܡܐmake] a covenant [in Beth]el’ MT [‘ אל בריתthe house/temple of] El-berith/God of the Covenant’, 10:4 ‘ ܟܦ�ܘܢܐhamlets’ MT חות, ‘villages/Havvoth’, 18:12 ‘ ܩܘܪܝܬ ܢܥܪܝܢKoriath-narin’/‘City of Narin’ Hebrew קרית־יערים, ‘Keriath-jearim’/‘City of Jearim’. Transliterations 12 5:21 ܩܪܡܝܢMT קדומים, 7:1 ܓܒܥܬ ܪܡܬܐMT גבעת המורה, 7:25 ܨܘܪMT צור, 15:8 ܣܚܦMT סעיף.
10
ISC.
11 12
The Hebrew noun ends in he which turns to taw before a he directive. At least part of the Hebrew is a name. In some cases the Syriac may be the result of At least part of the name is a transliteration.
BIBLIOGRAPHY LEXICA AND DICTIONARIES
A Greek-English Lexicon (1975), founded on the work of H.G. Liddell and R. Scott, 7th ed., Oxford: Clarendon. Koehler, L. and W. Baumgartner (1994), The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, revised by W. Baumgartner and J. J. Stamm. Leiden: Brill. Payne Smith, J. (1903), A Compendious Syriac Dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon. Payne Smith, R. (1879), Thesaurus Syriacus. Oxford: Clarendon. Sokoloff, M. (2009) A Syriac Lexicon. Piscataway, New Jersey: Gorgias Press and Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns.
REFERENCE TEXTS
David, C.J. (2010), The Syriac Bible According to the Mosul Edition, Vol. 1, Piscataway, New Jersey: Gorgias Press. Marcos, N.F. (2012), Biblia Hebraica, 5th edition, Judges, Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft. Pietersma, Albert and B.G. Wright (eds.) (2007), A New English Translation of the Septuagent and the other Greek Translations traditionally included under that Title, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Rahlfs, A. (1979), Septuaginta, Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft.
REFERENCE COMMENTARIES
Moore, G.F. (1895), A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Judges. Edinburgh: T & T Clark. Soggin, J.A. (1987), Judges: a Commentary (2nd ed.), OTL. London: SCM.
GENERAL INTEREST
‘From Judaism to Christianity’ JSS Supplement 8 (eds Ada Rapoport-Albert and Gillian Greenberg). Bright, J. (1988), A History of Israel, 3rd ed., SCM. Greenberg, G. (2002), Translation Technique in the Peshiṭta to Jeremiah, MPIL 13. Leiden: Brill. LI
LII
Bibliography
Walter, D. M. (2008), Studies in the Peshiṭta of Kings, T&S3 7. Piscataway, New Jersey: Gorgias Press. Weitzman, M. P. (1999), The Syriac Version of the Old Testament, UCOP 56. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ch.
When you see some of the daughters of Shiloh come out to play on the tambourines — leave the vineyards, let each seize his wife for himself, 1 from the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
And if they come, their fathers or their brothers, to complain to us, we say to them: Have mercy on them, for no man took a wife for himself in the battle, nor did you sinfully 2 give them to them. The Benjaminites did so: they took wives for themselves from all those whom they had seized who played the tambourines. They returned, they went (back) to their inheritance; they built towns and lived in them. The Israelites left there then, each to his tribe and to his family; each went from there to his inheritance.
In those days there was no king in Israel. Each did what seemed right to him, 3 so he would do.
‘let each seize … for himself’: lit. ‘seize for yourselves …’. ‘sinfully’: lit. ‘that you might sin’. 3 ‘seemed right to him’: lit. ‘what was fair in his eyes’. 1 2
ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܝܬܘܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܢܦܩ ܶܡـܢ ݁ܒ ܳܢ̈ـ ݂ܬ ܺܫܝܠܽـܘ ܶ ܠܡ ܰܩـܫ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ̈ܦܠ ܰ ݁ ܶܓـܐܽ ݁ :ܦܘܩـ ̱ܘ ܶܡـܢ ܟܐ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕܚܙ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܳ ̈ ܠܟܘܢ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ ـܬ ݂ܬܗ ܶܡـܢ ݁ܒܢـ ݂ܬ ܺܫܝܠـܘ :ܘܙܶܠـ ̱ܘ �ܪܥـܐ ݁ ܰܟ� ܶܡܐܰ :ܘܚܛ ݂ܘܦ ̱ܘ ݂ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ. ܩܕ ܰܡܝܢܳ :ܐ ܺ ܡܪܝܢ ܚ ܰܢـܢ ܽ ܡܕܢ ݂ ܳ ܟܒ ܶܘܐܢ ܶܐ ݂ ܰܬܘ ܰܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܶܗܝܢ ܰܐܘ ܰܐ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܶܗܝܢ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ �ـܗܘܢܰ :ܪ ܶܚܡـ ̱ܘ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ̱ � .ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ݁ܬܘܢ ܝܗܘܢ :ܡܛܠ ܕ� ݂ܕ ݂ܒܪ ̱ܘ ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܗ ܒ ܶ ܽ ܶܐܢܶܝܢ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ܬܚܛܘܢ. �ـܗܘܢ ܢܶ ̈ܶܫـܐ ݂ ܽ ܠܟ ܽ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܽ ܟܓ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ـܬ �ـܗܘܢ ܶܡـܢ ܳܢ ̈ܩ ܳܫ ݂ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ܚܛ ݂ܦܘܰ .ܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܶܗܝܢ. ܗܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܘ ܦܠܓܐ ݂ܕ �ܝ ݁ܪܬ ݂ܘܬ ܽܗܘܢ :ܘ ݂ܒܢܘ ܩܘ��ܐ ܘ ݂ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܟܕ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ـܬܗ: ܝܣܪܐ ܝܠ ݁ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ܰܗܘ :ܐ̱ ܳܢـܫ ܠ ܰܫ ݂ܒܛـܗ ܘܠܫܪܒ ݂ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ �ܝ ݁ܪܬ ݂ܘܬܗ. ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ̈ܳ ܳ ܽ ܝـܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܬܐ ܳܗ ܽܢـܘܢܰ :ܠ ݁ ܝـܟ � ܳܢـܫ ܐ ݂ ܟܗ ܘ ݂ܒ�ܘܡ ݂ �ܟـܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܝـܬ ܐܝܣܪܐܝـܠ݂ .ܘܟ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܘܗܝܰ :ܗܘ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܗܘܐܳ. ܰ ̈ ݁ܕ ܰܫ ݁ܦܝܪ ݁ܒ��ܢ ̱
Ch.
Do thus to every man; and destroy every woman with whom a man has lain! They found, among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead, four hundred young virgins who had not lain with a man. They brought them to the camp, in Shiloh in the land of Canaan. All the people sent, and called to Benjamin who was at the rock of Rimmon, and proclaimed peace to them.
Benjamin came then, 1 and they gave them the women whom they had spared 2 of the women of Jabesh-gilead; but there were not enough. 3 The people repented (of what they had done) to Benjamin, for the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.
The elders of the people said: What can we do for these who are left without women, these who remain, for there are no more Benjaminite women? They said: A remnant of Benjamin must remain, 4 so that no tribe of Israel shall be lost. 5
As for us — we cannot give them our daughters in marriage, 6 for the Israelites have sworn (an oath) and have said that there is no-one who will give a woman to Benjamin. They said: See! There is a yearly 7 feast to the Lord in Shiloh, north of Bethel, to the east of the pathway which goes up from Bethel to Shechem, south of Lebonah.
They commanded the Benjaminites, they said to them: Go, lie in ambush in the vineyards.
‘then’: lit. ‘at that time’. ‘spared’: lit. ‘kept alive’. 3 ‘enough’: lit. ‘sufficient for them’. 4 ‘remain’: lit. ‘be left’. 5 ‘lost’: lit. ‘forgotten/missing’. 6 ‘our daughters in marriage’: lit. ‘women from our daughters’. 7 ‘yearly’: lit. ‘from season to season’. 1 2
ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ ܝܚ ܝܛ
ܟ
ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ �ܢ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݂ܟ ܳܡ ̇ܗ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܽ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݂ ܽ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶ ܚܪܘ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ. ܠܟܠ ݁ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ .ܘ ݂ ܠܟ ̱ ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܽ̈ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܐܫܟܚ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܝܳ ݂ ܺܒܝܫ ݁ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܶܘ ݁ ܰ ܪܒ ܳ �ܥ ݂ܕܰ :ܐ ݁ ܰ ـܬܐ ݂ܕ� ܥܡـܐܐ ܥ�ܝܡ ݂ ـܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܘܠ ݂ ݂ ܶܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ܺ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܠܫܝܠܽܘ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ ݂ܰ ܝܬܐ ܺ ܐܪܥܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܰܢܥܢ. ܚܟܡ ̱ܘ ܐܢܝܢ ݁ܓ ݂ܒ� ܐ .ܘ ܐܝܬܝ ̱ܘ ܐܢܶܝܢ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ܫܩ ݂ ܳ ܩܪܘ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܠܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܺ ܝܦܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪ ܽܡܘܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ݂ ܶ ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܫ� ܳܡܐ. ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܐܬܐ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢـܐ ܰܗܘ :ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ܽ �ـܗܘܢ ܢܶ ̈ܫـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܺܐܚܝـ ̱ܘ ܶܡـܢ ܢܶ ̈ܫـܐ ݂ܕܝܳ ݂ ܺܒܝـܫ ܘ݂ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܕ ݂ܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ .ܘ� ܡܠܝ �ܗܘܢ. ܽ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܘܥܰ ܳܡــܐ ܶܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ܺܘܝ ܥܰــܠ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝــܢܶ :ܡܛــܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܥܒ ـ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ـܬܐ ݂ܒ ܰܫ ݂ ̈ܒܛ ـܐ ܪ� ـܐ ݂ܬܘܪܥـ ݂ ܺ ܳܶ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ݂ܕ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܐܡ ـܪ ̱ܘ ܳܣ ݂ ̈ܶܒــܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܳܡــܐܳ :ܡ ܳܢــܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܥܒ ـ ݂ܕ �ܝܠܶܝــܢ ݁ ܶܕܐ ݁ ܶܘ ܰ ܫܬ ݂ ܶܒܩ ـ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ� ܢܶ ̈ܫ ـܐܳ :ܗ ܶܠܝــܢ ܽ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܶܕ ݁ ܐܫܬ ܰܚܪ ̱ܘܶ :ܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܣ ݂ ̈ܦ ̱ܝ �ܗܝܢ ܢܶ ̈ܫܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ. ܳ ܶ݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܫܬ ݂ ܶܒܩ ܰܫ ݁ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ ܶܘ ܰ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܪܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ :ܘ� ܢܬܛܥܐ ܫ ݂ܒܛܐ ܡܢ ܐ ܶ ܽ ܶ ̈ܶ ܶ ݁ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܬܢܶ .ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܺܕ ܺ ܰ ܚܢܢ ݁ ܶܓܝܪ ܳ� ܶܡ ݁ ܝܡܝܘ ܫܟ ܺܚܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ܬܠ �ܗܘܢ ܢܫܐ ܡ ܳܢ ܒܢ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ݁ ܶ݁ܶ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܬ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠܶ :ܘ ܰ ܠܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ. ܐܡܪ ̱ܘܺ :ܠܝܛ ̱ܗܘ ܡܢ ܕܢ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘܳ :ܗܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܳܓܐ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܬ ܪ�ܐ ܳܗ ܶܘܐ ݂ܒ ܺܫܝܠ ܳܘ ܶܡܢ ܶ� ݁ ܳܕܢ � ܶ� ݁ ܳܕܢܶ :ܡܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ܪܒ ܳܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܶ ܝܬ ܐܺܝܠ ܰܠ ݂ ܺ ܡܫܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܺ ܐܺܝܠܶ :ܡܢ ܰܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳܢ ܰܚܝ ܶܫ ܳ ܫܟܝܡܶ :ܡܢ ܫܒܝ� ݂ܕ ܳܣܠܩ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ݁ܰ ܝܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽ ܠܒ ܳ ܘܢܐ. ܬ ̱ ݂ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܽ ܘܦ ܶܩ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢܶ :ܘ ܰ �ܗܘܢ :ܙܶܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܟ ܰܡܢ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܟ� ܶܡܐ.
Ch.
Chapter
The men of Israel took an oath in Mizpah. They said: None 1 of us will give his daughter in marriage to the Benjaminites.
They came to Bethel and sat there until the evening, before God; they raised their voice, they wept most bitterly. 2
They said: Why, O Lord God of Israel, has this come to pass in Israel, that today one tribe should have perished 3 from Israel?
After a day, the people rose early, and built an altar there; they offered up burnt offerings, and peace offerings.
The Israelites said: Who of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the congregation before the Lord? — for the great oath ordained 4 that whoever did not come up to Mizpah, before the Lord, should indeed die. The Israelites repented concerning the children of their brother Benjamin, saying: Today a tribe has been taken away from Israel.
They said: What can we do for those who are left without wives? — for we swore by the Lord that we would not give them wives. They said: Who is the one, from the tribes of Israel, who did not come up before the Lord to Mizpah? None of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead came to the camp. 5 The people were numbered there, but none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead was found there.
So the people sent there twelve thousand men (chosen from) their strongest warriors, 6 having commanded them and said to them: Go, destroy the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead, put them to the sword — women and children too. ‘None’: lit. ‘No man’. 2 ‘most bitterly’: lit. ‘a great weeping’. 3 ‘have perished’ or ‘be lost/missing’. 4 ‘ordained’: lit. ‘was’. 5 ‘None of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead came to the camp’: lit. ‘And men did not come to the camp, from the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead’. 6 ‘strongest warriors’: lit. ‘sons of strength’. 1
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ
ܟܐ.
ܶ ܳ ܶ ܘܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܝܺ ܺܡܝܘ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ݁ :ܕ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܡ ܰܢܢ � ܢܶ ݁ܬܠ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܪܬܗ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰܠ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ �ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ. ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶ ܩـܕܡ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳ �ܪ ܳ ܡܫـܐ ݂ ܳ ܐܬܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܬ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡـܢ ݂ ܰ ـܗܐ: ܝܬ ܐܝـܠ :ܘ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܘ݂ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ݁ ܳ ܺ ܰܘܐܪܝܡ ̱ܘ ܩ�ܗܘܢ ܘ ݂ܒ ݂ܟܘ ܒ ݂ܟ ݂ܬܐ ܪܒ ݂ܬܐ. ܺ ܳܶ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘܳ : ܶܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ݁ :ܕܢܶܛܥܶـܐ ܝܬ ܐ ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܰܫ ݂ܒܛܐ. ܝܘܡܢܐ ܡܢ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܬܪ ܝ ܰ ܳ ܘܡـܐܰ :ܩ ݁ ܶܕܡـ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܳܡـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܒ ܰܢـܘ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡـܢ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܚـܐܰ :ܘ ܶ ܥ�ـܘ̈ ݂ܬܐ ܐܣܩـ ̱ܘ ܘܡܢ ܒ ݂ ܰ ܘܫ ̈� ܶܡܐ. ܶ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܢܫـܐ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠܰ :ܡ ܽܢـܘ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܣܠܶـܩ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܟ ܳ �ـܗܘܢ ܰܫ ݂ ̈ܒܛـܐ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ݁ ܳ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܬܐ ܳ ܗܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ݁ܕ ܰܡܢ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܳܣܠܶܩ ݂ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ ܩܕܡ ܡܪ�ܐ :ܡܛܠ ܕܡܘܡ ݂ܬܐ ܪܒ ݂ ܪ�ܐ ܠ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝܐ ܳ ܳܡ ܳ ܡܡ ݂ܬ ܽܢܡ ݂ܘܬ. ܘܗܘܢܳ :ܘ ܺ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ ܺܘܝ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܥܰܠ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ܰܐ ܽܚ ܽ ܐܡܪܝܢ :ܝܰ ܳ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܰ ܥܢ ݂ـܕ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܫ ݂ܒܛܐ ܚ ݂ܕ ܡܢ ܐ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘܳ :ܡ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܪ�ـܐ ݂ܕ� ܥܒ ݂ܕ �ܗܢـܘܢ ܕܐܫܬ ݂ܒܩـ ̱ܘ ܕ� ܢܫـܐ :ܕܚܢـܢ ܝܡܝـܢ ܒܡ ܶ݁ܶ ܶ ܬܠ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܢܶ ̈ܫܐ. ܢ ܶ ܳܘ ܺ ܐܡܪܝܢܰ :ܡܢ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ܰܫ ݂ ̈ܒ ܶܛܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ݁ :ܕ ܳ� ܣܠܶܩ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܠ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝـܐ. ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐܶ :ܡܢ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܝܳ ݂ ܺܒܝܫ ݁ܕ ܶܓ ܳ �ܥ ݂ܕ. ܘ� ܐ ݂ܬܘ ܓ ݂ܒ� ܐ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ݂ ܶ ܫܬ ݂ ܰܟܚ ܐ ܳܢܫ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܶܡܢ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܝܳ ݂ ܺܒܝܫ ݁ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܡ ܺܢܝ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܥܰ ܳܡܐܳ :ܘ� ܐ ݁ �ܥ ݂ܕ. ̱ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܥܣܪ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܰܚ ܳܝ�ܰ ݂ . ܠܬ ܳܡܢ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ݁ :ܬ ܶܪ ܰ ܘܦ ܶܩ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ: ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ݂ �ܗܘܢ :ܙܶܠ ̱ܘ ܽ ܚܪܘ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ � ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܝܳ ݂ ܺܒܝـܫ ݁ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܽ �ܥ ݂ـܕ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܡـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܪܒـܐ: ݂ ܶ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܛ� ̈ܝܐ. ܘܢܫܐ ܘ
Ch.
Eighteen thousand from Benjamin fell, all fighting men.
They turned and fled into the wilderness, to the crag of Rimmon; five thousand men armed with swords fell on the pathways. They pursued them as far as Gibeon, destroyed two thousand of them.
All those of Benjamin who fell on that day — twenty-five thousand men armed with swords — all were fighting men. Six hundred men turned and fled into the wilderness, to the crag of Rimmon; they remained by the crag of Rimmon for four months.
The Israelites turned on the Benjaminites, and put them to the sword. They completely eradicated them from the cities, both man and beast, all that were found 1 (there), and also all the cities — they burnt them with fire.
1
‘all that were found’: lit. ‘as far as all that was found’.
ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ݁ܰ ܡܕ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܣܪ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢܽ ݁ :ܟ ܽ ܢܬ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܳܗ ܶܠܝـܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒـ ܶ� ܐ ܢܦܠ ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܒܢܝܡܝܢ :ܬܡ ܳ ܩ ܰ� ݂ܒ ݂ܬܢܶܐ. ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܺ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܫܩ ܳ ܰ ܡܗ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܦ ܺܢܝܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܥܪܩ ̱ܘ ܰ ܡܫܐ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ܫܒ�� ܚ ܠܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܠ ܺ ݂ ܝܦܐ ݂ܕܪ ܽܡܘܢ :ܘ ݂ܢܦܠ ̱ܘ ܒ ݂ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܠܓ ݂ܒ ܽܥــܘܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ܬ ܽܪܗܘܢ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܚܪ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ�ܝــܢ ܳܫ ̈ܡܛــܝ ܰܣ ݁ܝܦـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݂ܦـ ̱ܘ ܒـ ݂ ܥܕܡــܐ ݂ܶ ܰ ܶܡ ܽ ܢܗܘܢ ݁ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ. ܡܫܐ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܳܫ ̈ܡ ܰܛܝ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ܘܟܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܢܦܠ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ :ܥ ܶ ܺ ܡܘ ݂ ܽ ܘܚ ܳ ܣܪܝܢ ܰ ܝܦܐ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘܽ ݁ :ܟ ܽ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ܩ ܰ� ݂ܒ ݂ܬܢܶܐ. ܺ ܶ ܺ ـܪ ܐ ܰܠ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܠܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳ ܡܙ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܦ ܺܢܝ ̱ܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܥܪܩ ̱ܘ ܰ ܝܬ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ܫܩ ݂ܝܦـܐ ݂ܕܪ ܽܡـܘܢ ܶܫ ݂ܬ ܳܡـܐܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ�ܝـܢ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܫܩ ݂ ܳ ݁ ܰܒ ܺ ܝܦܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪ ܽܡܘܢ ܐ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ ܰܝ� ܺܚܝܢ. ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݂ ܰ ܡܚ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܡܚܘ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܡـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ܪܒـܐ: ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ݂ ܽ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰܠ ݂ܒܥܺ ܳ ܝـܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܓ ܰܡܪ ̱ܘ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܽܩܘ� ܳ�ܐܶ :ܡܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܟـܠ ݂ܰ ܶ ܰ ܘܩܕܘ ܐܢܶܝܢ ݁ܒ ܽܢ ܳ ܫܬ ݂ ܰܟܚܳ .ܘ ݂ܐܦ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ �ܗܝܢ ܽܩܘ� ܳ�ܐ ݂ ܶܕܐ ݁ ݁ ܶܕܐ ݁ ܘܪ ܐ. ܫܬ ݂ ܰܟܚ :ܐ ܶ ݂ ̱
Ch.
The Benjaminites saw that they were defeated, 1 for all that the Israelites had (apparently) given way to 2 the men of Benjamin — putting their trust in the ambush which they had set around Geba. The (men in) ambush fell silently upon Geba: the ambush went, they put all the city to the sword. A signal had been arranged between the men of Israel and (those in) the ambush, that they would go up 3 when smoke arose from the city.
So the men of Israel left the battle, and Benjamin began to lay low the slain of Israel, thirty men, saying: 4 Indeed they are broken before us, as in the earlier battles.
Then the pillar of smoke began to rise up 5 from the city. The Benjaminites turned (to look) behind them: and See! dense smoke from 6 the city rose up into the heavens. The men of Israel turned against them, and the men of Benjamin 7 were afraid, for they saw that evil had come upon them.
They fled from the presence of the Israelites into the wilderness, 8 but the battle overtook them; those who were in the vanguard they put into the center. 9 They pursued Benjamin and drove him out, destroyed him where he rested, 10 as far as Geba eastwards. 11
‘defeated’: lit. ‘broken’. ‘for all that the Israelites had (apparently) given way to’: lit. ‘they gave, the Israelites, place to’. 3 ‘that they would go up’: lit. ‘to make them go up’. 4 ‘saying’: lit. ‘for they were saying’. 5 ‘the pillar of smoke began to rise up’: lit. ‘the smoke began to rise up from the city as a pillar’. 6 ‘from’: lit. ‘of’. 7 20:39–41: ‘Benjamin’, ‘Benjaminites’ (‘children of Benjamin’), and ‘men of Benjamin’ occur in succeeding verses, presumably intentionally, though there is no difference in sense. 8 ‘the wilderness’: lit. ‘to the way of the wilderness’. 9 ‘vanguard they put into the center’: lit. ‘those who were in the first they made them in the middle’. See Introduction. Addendum 2. 10 ‘where he rested’: lit. ‘in the resting place’. 11 ‘eastwards’: lit. ‘from the rising of the sun’. 1 2
ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ̈ ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ ݁ܰ ܰ ܠܓ ݂ܒ ـ ܶ� ܐ ܠܘ ܘܚــܙܘ ݁ܒܢ ـܝ ݁ ܽܒ ܳܢܝܡܝــܢ ݁ܕܐܬܬ ݁ܒ ـܪ ̱ܘ :ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ـ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ ـܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝــܠ ܐ ݂ܬܪ ܐ ܰ ݂ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢܶ :ܡܛܠ ݁ ܶܕܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶܟܠ ̱ܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ܟ ܺܡ ܳܐܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܟ ܶܡܢ ̱ܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ. ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ݁ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܝܬ ݂ ܰ ܡܚـܐ ݂ ܽ ܢܦܠ ܥܰܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥܰ : ܘܗ ܶܠـ ݂ܟ ݁ܟ ܺܡ ܳܐܢـܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܠܟ ܳ� ̇ ـܗ ܠܙ ܘ ݂ܟܡܐܢܐ ܪܟ ݂ ܝܟܐ ݂ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ ܪܒܐ. ܩܪ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܠܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܘܘ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܥܰܡ ݁ܟ ܺܡ ܳܐܢܐܰ : ܠܚ ܰ ܝـܟ ܰܡ ܰܣـܩ ܠܡ ܳܣ ܽܩܘ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ܐ ݂ ܥܕ ܐ ܗܘܐ ܳ ܰ ݂ ݁ܬܶ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܺ ܝܬܐ. ܩܪ ݂ ܺ ܶ ܠܛ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܶܡܢ ܳ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܘܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ܰܫ ܺܪܝ ݂ܕ ܰܢ ܶ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐܶ ݂ : ܪܡـܐ ܩܛ ̈�ـ� ܶܡـܢ ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܬܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܳܕ ܺ ܐܡܪܝـܢܶ :ܡ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܒ ܽـܪܘ ܶܡ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ܒ ܺܪܝـܢ ܶܡـܢ ܐ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܬܠ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ݂ܳ ܩܕܡܝܢ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܕ ݂ܒܩ� ݂ܒܐ ܩ ݂ܕܡ ܶܝܐ. ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܡ ݂ܘܬܶ ܳ� ܳܢܐ ܰܫ ܺ ܝـܟ ܥܰ ܽܡ ݂ ܳ ـܘܕ ܐܶ .ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܦ ܺܢܝـ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢ ܝـܬܐ ܐ ݂ ـܪܝ ݂ܕܢܶ ܰܣـܩ ܶܡـܢ ܩܪ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ̇ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰܠ ܰ ܝܬܐ ݂ ܰ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ. ܠܒ ݂ ܣܬ ܽܪܗܘܢ :ܘܗܐ ܣܠܩ ܝܚܒܘܪܗ ܕܩܪ ݂ ܶ ܽ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ ܰ ܘܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܡܐ ܰ ܝܗܘܢܰ .ܘ݂ܕ ܶܚܠـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒـ ܶ� ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢܶ :ܡܛـܠ ݂ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݀ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܺ ݁ ܳ ܝܫܬܐ. ܕܚܙܘ ܕܩܪܒ ݂ܬ ܥܠܝܗܘܢ ܒ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܡܒ ܰܘ ܰ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒـܐ ܐ݂ܕ ܶܪ ݂ܟ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ: ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ �ܘܪܚـܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܕܒـܪ ܐ :ܘ ܩـܕܡ ܒܢـܝ ܐ ܥܪܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡـܢ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ݁ܳ ܰ ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܥܬܐ. ݂ܘܕ ݂ܒܩ ݂ܕܡܝܬܐ ݂ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܐܢܘܢ ܒܡܨ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܢܝ ܳܚــܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܽ ܘܗܝ ݂ ܶ ܘܛـ ݁ ܽ ܥܕ ܳܡــܐ ܽܠـ ݂ ܰ ܘܗܝܰ ݂ : ܘܒ ܳ ܘܗܝܰ ݂ : ـܘܩܒܠ ܠܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝــܢ: ܡܓ ܘܪ݂ܕ ݁ܦـ ̱ ܪܒـ ̱ ـܪܕ ̱ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳܢ ܰܚܝ ܶܫ ܳ ܡܫܐ.
Ch.
XVI
Phinehas, son of Eliezer, son of Aaron the priest, stood before it in those days. They said: Shall we again go out to fight against the children of Benjamin our brother, or shall we desist? The Lord said: Go up! For tomorrow I shall deliver him into your hands. So the Israelites set an ambush against Geba, and surrounded it.
The Israelites went up against the Benjaminites on the third day, and drew up in line of battle against Geba as they had done previously. 1
The Benjaminites went out to meet the people. They were drawn away from the city; they began to lay low some of the people, slain, as (they had done) formerly on the pathway(s), one of which goes up to Geba and one of which to Bethel in the field(s). (They killed) about thirty men of Israel. The Benjaminites said: We have broken them, as we did before. 2 But the Israelites said: Let us flee — we shall entice them from the city onto the pathway.
All the Israelites arose from their places and drew up in battle array at Baal-tamar; those lying in the Israelite ambush were watching from their place, from the cave in Geba. Ten thousand men, chosen from all Israel, came against Geba. The battle was fierce, but they did not understand the disaster that had come upon them. 3
The Lord broke Benjamin in the presence of Israel: on that day, those of the house of Israel laid low twenty-five thousand one hundred men of the house of Benjamin, all armed with swords.
‘they had done previously’: lit. ‘at every … time’. So too 20:31. ‘We have broken them, as we did before’: lit. ‘They are broken before us, as before’. See too 20:39. 3 ‘the disaster that had come upon’: lit. ‘that evil had reached’. 1 2
ܟܚ
ܟܛ ܠ �
ܳ ܝ� ܳـܙܪ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܰܐ ܽ ܺ ܝܢܚܣ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܶܐ ܺܠ ܳ ܗܪܘܢ ݁ ܳܟ ܳ ܗܢـܐܳ :ܩـܐܶܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ ܳ ܘܦ ܶ ܘܗܝ ݁ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܩܕ ܰܡـ ̱ ܳ ݂ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܗܢܘܢ .ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܢܘܣ ݂ܦ ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܠܡܦܩ ܠܩܪ ݂ܒܐ ܥܠ ܒܢܝ ܒܢܝܡܝܢ ܐܚܘܢ :ܐܘ ܶ ܶ ܡܚܪ ܰܡܫܠܶܡ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܽ ܫ�ܶ .ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܰܣܩ ̱ܘܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܟܘܢ. ܢ ̱ ܶ ܰܘ ݂ܐܟ ܶܡܢ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݁ܟ ܺܡ ܳܐܢܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ :ܘ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܽܪ ̇ ܘܗ. ܺ ܳ ܰܘܣܠ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܬ ܳ�ـܐܶ :ܘܐ ݁ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܥܰܠ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܣـܬ݂ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ܘܡـܐ ݂ܬܠ ݂ ܥܰܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ ܰ ܠܙܒܢ. ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܘܫ ܺܪܝ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ ܰܢ ܽ ܝܬܐܰ . ܪܡـܘܢ ܘ ݂ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܒܢܝ ܒ ܶܢܝܡܝܢ �ܘܪܥܗ ܕܥܡܐ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ� ܳܦܨ ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܩܪ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܠܙܒـܢܰ ݁ :ܒ ݂ ܺ ܝـܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ ܰ ܫܒܝـ�ܰ :ܚ ݂ـܕ ݁ܕ ܳܣܠܶـܩ ܠ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥܰ : ܘܚ ݂ـܕ ܶܡܢ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܩܛ ̈�� :ܐ ݂ ܺ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ݂ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܝܬ ܐܝܠ ܒܚܩ� :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܬܠ ݂ܬܝܢ ݁ܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢ ܡܢ ܐ ܠܒ ݂
ܨܚ ܝܘ
ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܝـܟ ܕ ݂ܒܩ ݂ܕܡ ܝـܬܐܰ .ܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܩܕܡܝܢ ܐ ݂ ܠܒ ܘܐܡܪ ܶ ̱ܘ ܶܒܢܝ ܒܢܝܡܝܢ ܡܬܬ ݂ܒܪܝܢ ܐܢܘܢ ܡܢ ݂ ܰ݁ ܶ ܶܽ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝ� ܰܡܪ ̱ܘ :ܢܶ ܽ ܐܺ ܳ ܫܒܝ�. ܝܬܐ ܠ ݂ ܥܪܘܩ ܘܢܦܩ ܐܢܘܢ ܡܢ ܩܪ ݂ ܳ ܝܓ ݂ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܘܟ ܽ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳܩܡ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܕ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ܳܝ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢܶ :ܘܐ ݁ ܣܬ݂ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܒܥܶܠ ݁ܬ ܳܡـܪ: ܳ ܶ ܰܘ ݂ܟ ܺܡ ܳܐܢܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݂ ܺ ܡܕܝܩ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܕ ݁ܘܟ ݂ܬܗ ܶܡܢ ܡܥܰ ݂ܪܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ. ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܐܬܘ ܶܡܢ ܽܠ ݂ ܰ ـܘܩܒܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥ :ܥ ܠܕ ܘ ܣـܪ ܐ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝـܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒـ ܶ� ܐ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒ ̈ܝـܐ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܽܟܠـܗ ݂ܺ ܳܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ݀ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܺ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܘܩܪ ݂ܒܐ ܥܫܢ :ܘܗܢܘܢ � ܝ ݂ܕܥ ̱ܘ ܕܡܛ ݂ܬ ܥܠܝܗܘܢ ܒܝܫܬܐ. ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ .ܘ ܺ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܶ ܘܬ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗ ܳܡ ܳ ܠܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ݂ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ ܶܡـܢ ܝـܬ ܐ ܐܪܡܝ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܠܗ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܺ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܰ ـܬ ܒܢܝܡܝــܢ ܒܝܘܡــܐ ܗܘ :ܥܣܪܝــܢ ܘܚܡܫــܐ ܐܠ ݂ܦܝــܢ :ܘܡـܐܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܒ�ܝــܢ: ݁ܕ ݂ܒܝـ ݂ �ܗܘܢ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܳܫ ̈ܡ ܰܛܝ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܝܦܐ.
Ch.
They arose and went up to Bethel, and the Israelites sought guidance from 1 God, saying: 2 Who will go up for us, at the head (of the army) to fight against the Benjaminites? The Lord said: Judah will go first.
The Israelites arose at daybreak and encamped by Geba.
The Israelites went out to fight against the Benjaminites; the Israelites drew up in line of battle against them, at Geba.
The Benjaminites went out from Geba; they were drawn up in line of battle in front of Israel. They left dead, 3 on the day of the battle, 4 twenty-two thousand men of Israel. The Israelites rallied, 5 and again drew up in line of battle, in the place where they had drawn up on the first day.
The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until the evening; they sought guidance from the Lord saying: Shall we fight another battle 6 against the Benjaminites our brother? The Lord said: Go up against him. So the Israelites fought against the Benjaminites another day.
The Benjaminites went out to meet 7 them, from Geba, on the second day. Again the Benjaminites left dead eighteen thousand Israelites, all of them armed with swords.
All the Israelites, and all the people, went up. They came to Bethel; they wept, they sat down there before the Lord. They fasted that day, until the evening. Then they offered 8 up burnt offerings, and peace offerings, before the Lord.
The Israelites sought guidance from the Lord, for the ark of the Lord was there in those days. ‘sought guidance from’: lit. ‘asked’. So too 20:23,27. ‘and the Israelites sought guidance from God, saying’: lit. ‘and they inquired of God, and the children of Israel were saying’. 3 ‘left dead’: lit. ‘cast down upon the ground’. So too 20:25. 4 ‘of the battle’: lit. ‘that they fought’. 5 ‘rallied’: lit. ‘strengthened themselves again’. 6 ‘fight another battle’: lit. ‘add again to fight’. 7 ‘to meet’: lit. ‘before’. 8 ‘offered’: lit. ‘raised’. 1 2
݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܝܚ ܳ ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ܰܘܣܠ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ݂ ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ: ܝܬ ܐܺܝܠ :ܘ ܶܫܐܠ ̱ܘ ܒܐܠܗܐ :ܘܐܡܪܝـܢ ܒܢـܝ ܐ ܠܒ ݂ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܬ ܽܫܘ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢܶ .ܘ ܰ ܰܡ ܽܢܘ ܢܶ ܰܣܩ ܰܠܢ ݁ܒ ܺܪ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ :ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܝܫܐ ܠܡ ݂ܬܟ ܰ ܳ ݁ܳ ܝܬܐ. ݂ܒܩ ݂ܕܡ ܶ ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܛ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݁ܒ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܫܪܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ. ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܬ ܽܫـܘ ܥܰـܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܠܡ ݂ܬܟ ܟ ܘ ݂ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܣـܕܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܐܺ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܥܰ ܽ ܡܗܘܢ ܥܰܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ. ܟܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ .ܘ ܺ ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥܶ :ܘܐ ݁ ܣܬ݂ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ܽܠ ݂ ܰ ܐܪܡܝ ̱ܘ ܰ ܐܩܪ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ :ܥ ܶ ܺ ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘ ݁ ܰܕ ܶ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܣܪܝܢ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܥܰ� ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܪܥܐ. ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܟܒ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚ ܰܝܠ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܘ ܶ ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܣـܕܪ ̱ܘ ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ܠܡܣܕܪ ܩܪ ݂ܒܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܕܘܟ ݂ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰܩ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳܝܐ. ܟܓ ܰܘܣܠ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܰ ܡܫـܐܶ : �ܪ ܳ ܩـܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠܰ :ܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܟـܘ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ ݂ ܰ ܘܫܐܠـ ̱ܘ ܰ ܰ ܪ�ܐܳ :ܘ ܺ ܩܪ ݂ ܽܒܘ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܐܡܪܝܢܰ :ܢ ܶ ܘܣ ݂ܦ ݁ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ܰ ݁ܒ ܳܡ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢ ܐ ܽܚـܘܢ. ܰ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܗܝ. ܪ�ܐ ܰܣܩ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ̱ ܘܡܐ ܐ ܺ ܟܕ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܩܪ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ܰ ܚܪ ܳܢܐ. �ܝ ܳ ̱ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܟܗ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ܽܠ ݂ ܰ ܐܪܡܝ ̱ܘ ݁ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܘܩܒ� ܽܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ܓ ݂ܒܥ ܒܝܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬܪܝܢ .ܘ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ݁ܰ ܥܣــܪ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝــܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝــܢ ܥܰ� ܳ ܢܬ ܰ ܪܥــܐ: ܝܣܪܐܝــܠ :ܬܡ ݁ܒܢ̈ ـܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝــܢ ܡــܢ ܐ �ܗܘܢ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܳܫ ̈ܡ ܰܛܝ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܝܦܐ. ܰ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܽ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܰܳ ܶ ܰ ܐܬܘ ݂ ܶ ܟܘ ܘܣܠܩ ̱ܘ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܝܬ ܐܺܝܠܰ :ܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܟܘ: ܠܒ ݂ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ܘܟܠܗ ܥܡܐ .ܘ ݂ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܥܕܡـܐ �ܪ ܳ ܩـܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ـܐܳ : ܘܨܡـ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܝܘܡـܐ ܗܘ ݂ ܰ ܡܫـܐ :ܘܐܣܩـ ̱ܘ ܘ ݂ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡܪ�ܐܳ. ܘܫ� ̈ܶܡܐ ݂ ܳ ܥ� ܳܘ̈ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܟܙ ܘ ܶܫܐܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܘܬ ܳܡـܢ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݁ܒ ܳܡ ܳ ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܺܩ ݂ ܽܒـ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ ݂ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܪ�ـܐ݂ : ܳܗ ܽܢܘܢ.
Ch.
5
We shall take ten men out of (every) hundred in all the tribes of Israel, a hundred out of (every) thousand, and a thousand out of (every) ten thousand. They will collect provisions for the people passing through so that they may attack 1 Geba in Benjamin — avenging 2 the outrage which they committed in Israel.
Then all the men of Israel assembled to attack the city: they were as one man. 3 All the tribes of the children of Israel sent men to all those of the house of Benjamin saying: What is this wickedness that was (perpetrated) among you?
Now give (up) the men — the sinful men 4 — who are in Geba so that we can kill them and expunge the wickedness from Israel. But the Benjaminites did not want to listen to the voice of their brothers, the children of Israel. All the Benjaminites from all the towns assembled at Geba to go out and fight against the children of Israel.
The Benjaminites from the towns numbered on that day twenty-six thousand men, armed with swords, apart from the inhabitants of Geba who numbered seven hundred men.
The right hands of all those who throw (stones) with a sling, in a storm wind 6 yet not miss, were maimed. 7 The men of Israel numbered four hundred thousand armed with swords, apart from the Benjaminites — all men of war.
‘attack’: lit. ‘go against’. ‘avenging’: lit. ‘like all’. 3 ‘they were as one man’: lit. ‘as one man while equal’. 4 ‘sinful men’: lit. ‘children of iniquity’. 5 The entire verse seems disconnected to the context: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 6 ‘in a storm wind’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 7 ‘right hands … were maimed’, i.e. they were ‘left-handed’. P renders MT closely leaving it to the reader to interpret the idiom. 1 2
ܝ
ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ
ܝܕ ܝܗ
ܝܘ ܝܙ
ܰ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܣܪ ܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܠ ܳܡܐܐܽ ݂ : ܢܶ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܥ ܶ ܳ ܠܟ ܽ ܐܝܣܪܐܝـܠ :ܘ ܳܡـܐܐ � ܶܠـ ݂ܦ: �ܗܘܢ ܫ ݂ܒܛܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶ ܳܘ ܶ ܐܠـ ݂ܦ ܶ �ܪ ݁ ܽܒــܘ݁ :ܕܢܶ ݂ ܽ ܣܒــܘܢ ܳܙܘ݂ ̈ܕ ܐ �ܥܰ ܳܡـܐ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ݂ܒ ܺܪܝــܢ݁ :ܕ ܺܢ ܽܐܙ ̱ܠــܘܢ ܥܰــܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܶ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܒ ܕ ݂ܒܢܝܡܝܢ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܟܠܗ ܥܘ� ݂ܕ ݂ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܐ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܝܬܐܰ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܶ ܫܘܝܢ. ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܥܰܠ ܩܪ ݂ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܢܫ ̱ܘ ݁ܟ ܽ ̱ �ܗܘܢ ܰܫ ݂ ̈ܒ ܶܛܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠܰ ݁ :ܓ ݂ܒـ ܶ� ܐ ܳ ܝـܬ �ـܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ݂ ܽ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢܺ : ܝܫܬܐ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܠܡ ܰ ܠܟܘܢ. ܐܡܪܳ :ܡ ܳܢܐ ̱ܗܝ ܒ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܝܫـܬܐ ܐܝܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ ܰܢܩܛ� ܽܢـܘܢ :ܘܢ ݂ܦـܪܩ ܒ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܶܘ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ� ܐ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰܘ� ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܨܒـܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢ ݁ܕܢܶܫ ܽ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠܳ .ܘ� ݂ ܰ ܡܥـܘܢ ݁ܒ ܳܩـ� ݂ ܰܕ ܰܐܚ ̈ܝـ ܽܗܘܢ݁ :ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܺ ܳܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܐ
ܰ ܺ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܢܫــ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ �ــܗܘܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ــܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝــܢ ܶܡــܢ ܽܩــܘ� ܽܝܗܘܢ ܰܠ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒــܥ :ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܦــܩ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܽ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܘܠܡ ݂ܬܟܬܫܘ ܥܡ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܶ ܺ ݁ ܰ̈ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܫـܬܐ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝـܢ ܘ ݂ܐܬܡܢܝ ̱ܘ ܒܢܝ ܒܢܝܡܝـܢ ܒܝܘܡـܐ ܗܘ ܡـܢ ܩܘ��ـܐ :ܥܣܪܝـܢ ܘ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܳܫ ̈ܡ ܰܛـܝ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܫܒܥܡـܐܐ ܝܦـܐ :ܤܛـܪ ܶܡـܢ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒـܝ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥ ݁ ܶܕܐ ݂ܬܡܢܝـ ̱ܘ ݂ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ. �� ܳ� ܳܘ� ݂ ܺ �ܥܐ �ܥܰ ܳ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܺܫ ̈ܝ ܳܓܢ ܺܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ ݁ܕܝܰ ܺܡ ܳܝܢܐܽ ݁ :ܟܠ ݁ܕ ܳܫ ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ܶܩ ܳ ܡܦܝܫ. ݂ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܺ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܘܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܺܕܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܐ ݂ܬܡ ܺܢܝ ̱ܘ ܤܛܪ ܶܡـܢ ݁ܒܢـܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢ :ܐܪܒܥܡـܐܐ ܐܠ ݂ܦܝـܢ ݂ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܳܫ ̈ܡ ܰܛܝ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ܳܥ ݂ ̈ܒ ݁ ܰܕܝ ܳ ܝܦܐܽ ݁ :ܟ ܽ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ.
Ch.
Chapter
Then all the Israelites went out and gathered together (in an) assembly, as one man, from Dan to Beer-sheba, in the land of Gilead, before the Lord, in Mizpah.
The families of all the people arose, 1 all the tribes of Israel, in an assembly, the people of God: four hundred thousand foot-soldiers, armed with swords. 2 The Benjaminites heard that the Israelites had come up to Mizpah. The Israelites said: Tell us how this wickedness came about.
The Levite, the husband of the woman who had been killed, answered. He said to them: I went into Geba, in Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night.
The lords of Geba arose against me; at night they surrounded the house where I was: 3 they sought to kill me, and they abused my concubine (so severely that) she died. So I took my concubine; I cut her up and I sent the pieces 4 throughout the fields 5 of the inheritance of Israel, because they had committed (this) sin, (this) outrage, 6 in Israel.
See! All you Israelites: give advice 7 and counsel concerning this (matter)! All the people arose, as one man, saying: No man shall go to his tent, no man shall turn homeward, 8
(For) now this is what we shall do to Geba: we shall cast lots concerning it.
‘arose’: singular verb. ‘armed with swords’ or ‘warriors’: lit. ‘drawers of swords’. So too passim. 3 ‘where I was’: lit. ‘against me’. 4 ‘the pieces’: lit. ‘her’. 5 ‘fields’ or ‘open country’. 6 ‘outrage’: lit. ‘iniquity’. So too 20:10. 7 ‘advice’: lit. ‘word’. 8 ‘turn homeward’: lit. ‘turn aside to his house’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܟܟ.
ܰ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܽ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ ܽ ݁ܳ ܰ ܘܫܬܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪܶ :ܡܢ ݁ ܳܕܢ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܘ ݂ܐܬܟܢܫ ̱ܘ ܟܢ ܘ ݂ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܳ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܺ ܠܒܪ ݂ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܫܒܥ�ܰ :ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܶܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܪ�ܐ݁ :ܒ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝܐ. ܰ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ݁ܰ ܽ ݁ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐܽ ݁ :ܟ ܽ ـܘܫܬܐ ܥܰ ܶܡـܗ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܒ ݂ܟܢ �ܗܘܢ ܫ ݂ܒܛܐ ݂ܕ ܘܩܡ ܫ ܰ� ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܺ ܳ ܳ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ̈ ݁ ܪܒ ܳ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ :ܐ ݁ ܰ ܥܡܐܐ ܐܠ ݂ܦܝܢ � ݂ܓ� ܺܝܝܢ ܳܫܡܛܝ ܰܣܝܦܐ. ܰ ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ݁ ܰܕܣܠ ܶܩـ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠ ܠ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝـܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ݀ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ ܝܫܬܐ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ. ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܘ ܠܢ ܐܝܟܢܐ ܗܘ ݂ܬ ܒ ܐ ܥܢܐ ܶ� ܺܘܝ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܡـܪ ܽ ܬ ܶܘ ܰ ܳ ܥ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܰܕܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ܰܩܛܠܰـ ݂ ݀ �ـܗܘܢܰ :ܠ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢ ܶ ܥܶܠ ܶ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܘ݂ܕ ܽܪ ݂ܘܟ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ ܡܒ ݂ܬ. ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ �ܝܐܺ .ܠܝ ݂ܒܥܰـܘ ܘܗܝ ܥܠܝ ܒ ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ܥܠܝ ܳܡ� ̇ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܪܟ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܩܛܠܽ ܰ : ܠܡ ܝܬ ݂ܬ݀. ܘܠ ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܰܨܥܰܪ ̱ܘ ܘܡ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܰ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝـܬ ̇ܗ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ܶ ܶܘܐ ܰܚ ݁ܕ ݁ ܳܬ ̇ܗ ܰܠ ݂ܕ ܽܪ ݂ܘܟ ݁ ـܬܐ ݂ܕܝܳـ ݁ܪܬ ݂ܘܬܐ ܫܕ ـܬ ̱ܝ :ܘ ݂ܦܫܚـܬܗ :ܘ ݂ �ܗܝـܢ ܚܩܠ ݂ ݂ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳܶ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ :ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܝܬܐ ܘܥܘ� ݂ܒ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܚܛ ݂ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ ܽ �ܟܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ܳܓ ܳܡܐ ܘ ܶܡ ݁ ܳ �ܟܐ ܥܰܠ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ. ݂ ܳ ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕܳ :ܘ ܺ ܳ ـܐܙܠ ܰ ܐܡܪܝܢ �ܳ :ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܺܢ ܰ ܠܡ ݁ ܫܟܢܶـܗ :ܘ� ܶ ܰ ݁ܶ ܝܬܗ. ܢܶܣܛܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܠ ݂ܒ ܶ ̇ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܰܠܓ ݂ ܰܒܥܰ :ܢ ܶ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܝܗ ݁ ܶܦ ̈ܨ ܐ. ܪܡܐ ܥܠ ݂
Ch.
But those men did not want to listen to him. So the man took hold of his concubine and brought her out to them, outside (the house), and they knew 1 her: they abused 2 her all night long, until daybreak — they let her go at daybreak. When it was 3 daybreak the woman came; she fell at the man’s door where her master was and she lay there until dawn.
Her master got up at daybreak, opened the door of the house, and went out to go on his way. He saw his concubine, left at the door of the house, her hand on the door.
He said to her: Get up, let us go — but she did not answer him. He lifted her onto his ass, arose, and went home. 4
He went into his house and took a knife: he cut up his concubine into twelve pieces and sent them 5 throughout the length and breadth 6 of Israel.
All who saw her said: Nothing like this has happened, nothing like this has been seen, 7 from the day when the Israelites came up from the land of Egypt, until today. They considered (the event), they took advice, they discussed (it). 8
‘knew’: different Syriac root from that in 19:22. ‘abused’: different Syriac root from that in 19:24. 3 ‘When it was’: lit. ‘At the time of’. 4 ‘home’: lit. ‘to his place’. 5 ‘them’: lit. ‘her’. 6 ‘throughout the length and breadth’: lit. ‘among all the borders’. 7 ‘Nothing like this has happened, nothing like this has been seen’: lit. ‘It was not and there has not been seen like this’. 8 ‘They considered (the event), they took advice, they discussed (it)’ or ‘Consider (the event), take advice, discuss (it)’. 1 2
ܟܗ
ܟܘ ܟܙ ܟܚ ܟܛ ܠ
ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܬܗܰ .ܘ ݁ܐܦ ܳܩـ ̇ܗ ܽ ܳܘ� ݂ ܰ �ـܗܘܢ ܨܒܘ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ܳܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܠܡܫܡܥܗ .ܘܐܚ ݂ܕ ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ܰ ܽ ̇ ܶ ݁ܰ ݂ܰ ܐܫܬ ܰܢ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܺܠ ܳ �ܨ ݂ܦـ ܳܪ ܐܰ : �ܝܐ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܰ ܘܫ ݂ܒ ܽܩ ̇ ـܘܗ ܠܒܪ :ܘܚ ݂ܟܡܘܗ :ܘ ܶ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܣܠܩ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݀ ݁ ܰ ܪܥـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܬ ܳ ـܪ ܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܳ ܝܟـܐ ݂ܕ ܳܡـ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ݁ܬ ܳܡـܢ: ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݂ܬ ݀ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ ��ܕܢ ܨ ݂ܦܪ ܐ :ܘܢ ݂ܦܠ ݂ ـܬ ܒ ݂ ݂ ݂ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܢܶ ݂ܓ ܰܗ ݂ܬ݀. ܳ ܳ ܳ ̇ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܝـܬܐܰ .ܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܪܚـܗܰ :ܘ ܳ ܢܦـܩ ݁ܕ ܺܢـ ܰܐܙܠ ܽ� ܶ ܚـܙ ܐ ܘܩܡ ܡܪܗ ܒܨ ݂ܦܪ ܐ :ܘ ݂ܦ ݂ܬܚ ܬܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܐܝܕ ̇ܗ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܬܪܥܐܳ. ܝܬܐܺ :ܘ ݂ ܳ ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟܬܗ ܪܡܝܐ ܥܠ ܬܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ܳ ܘܫ ܳ ܚܡ ܶܪܗܳ : ܩ� ̇ܗ ܥܰܠ ܳ ܘܡܝ ܺܢ ܰܐܙܠܳ :ܘ� ܳܥ ܳܢܝܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܶܠܗܰ . ܘܩـܡ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܽܩ ̱ ܰ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ � ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ. ܰ ݁ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ݁ܶ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܟ ܳܝܢܐܰ ݂ : ܝܬܗܰ :ܘ ܰ ܘܦ ܳ ܡ�ـ ̈ܘܢ: ܠܬܪܬܥܣ� ܐ ܘܥܰܠ ܠܒ ܫܚ ̇ܗ ܰܠ ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ݁ܬܗ ݂ ܰ ܳ ݁ ݂ܽ ܽ ݁ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܫܕ ̇ܗ ܒ ݂ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܬܚܘܡܐ ݂ܕܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܘ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܚܙ ̇ܗ :ܐ ܰܡܪܳ �ܳ : ܬ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐܶ :ܡـܢ ܝܰ ܳ ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܳܘ� ܐ ݂ܬ ܰܚܙܝܰ ݂ ݀ ܘ ݂ ܽܟܠ ܰܡܢ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܘܡـܐ ݂ ܰܕܣܠܩـ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠ ܶܡـܢ ܰܐ ܳ �ܝ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܰ ܪܥـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ܶܨܪܝـܢ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܡ ܳܢـܐܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܪܥܺܝـ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ܶ ̇ ܝـܗ: ܰ ܶ ܘܡܠܠ ̱ܘ. ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܡܠ ܰ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ
Ch.
XV
The old man looked up 1 and saw the traveler in the city market-place. The old man said to him: Where are you going? From where have you come?
He said to him: We are on a long journey, 2 from Bethlehem, in Judah, as far as the foothills of the mountain-country: I am from there. I went as far as Bethlehem, in Judah; (now) I am going to the house of the Lord, but no-one has invited me into his house. Yet there is straw and fodder for our asses, food and wine for me and for your handmaid, and for your servant the young lad — nothing is lacking.
The old man said to him: Peace be to you. I shall give you everything you lack — but do not spend the night in the market-place.
He took him into his house, and found a place 3 for his asses; they washed their feet, they ate, and they drank.
They were at ease 4 — but see! the men of the city, wicked 5 men, had surrounded the house. They beat on the door, saying to the old man, the master of the house: Bring out the man who went into your house, so that we may know him. The man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them: No, my brothers, do not do this evil — for this man has entered my house, do not do this wrong!
See! my daughter (who is) a virgin, and his concubine: I will bring them out to you. Abuse them, do to them whatever you wish, 6 but do not abuse this man.
‘looked up’: lit. ‘lifted up his eyes’. 2 ‘We are on a long journey’: lit. ‘passing over we are passing over’. 3 ‘found a place’: lit. ‘placed’. 4 ‘They were at ease’: lit. ‘They, their heart was fair’. 5 ‘wicked’: different Syriac root from that in 19:16. 6 ‘whatever you wish’: lit. ‘whatever is fair in your eyes’. 1
ܝܙ ܝܚ
ܝܛ
ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝـܬܐܶ .ܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܣ ݂ ܳܒـܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܚـܙ ܐ ܳܐ ܳ ܐܡـܪ ܶܠـܗ ܰܘ ܺܐܪܝܡ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ܪܚـ ܳܐ ܶ ݂ܒܫܘܩـܐ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܝܟܐ ܐ ܙܶ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ: ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܣ ݂ܒܐ� : ܘܡܢ ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ. ܠܚܡ ݁ ܺܕ ܽ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗܶ :ܡ ݁ ܰ ܝـܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܰ ݂ : ܝܬ ܶ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܰܠܫ ݂ ܽܦـ ̈ܘ ܰܠܝ ܥܒܪ ܳܥ ݂ܒ ܺܪܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ݁ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ݂ ܶ ـܬ ݂ ܰ ܝـܬܗ ܝـܬ ܠܚـܡ ܕܝـܗ ݂ܘܕ ܐ .ܘܠ ݂ܒ ܛܘܪ ܐ. ܘܡܢ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐܶ .ܘܐ ܙܶ ̱ܠ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ �ܢܐ :ܘܠܝܬ ܐ̱ܢܫ ݁ܕܡܥܠ ܠܢ ܠ ݂ܒܝܬܐ. ܪ�ܐ ܐ ܙ ̱ ܘܚܡـ ܳ ܺ ܳܐܦ ݁ܬܶܒ ܳܢــܐ ܳܐܦ ݁ ܶܟܣـ ܳ ܺ ܠܚܡ ـ ܰ�ܢܳ :ܘ ݂ܐܦ ܰܠ ܳ ܚܡــܐ ܰ ـܬ ܶ ـܬ ܺܠــܝ ݂ ݂ ݂ ـܪ ܐ ܐܝـ ݂ ـܬܐ ܐܝـ ݂ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܡܬ ݂ܟ ܘܠܥܠܝܡܐ ܥ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳܕ ݂ܟ :ܘܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ � ܰܚܣܝܪ. ܘ� ݂
ܨܚ ܝܗ
ܶ ܶܶ ܟ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܣ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܫܠܳܡ ܳܠ ݂ܟܽ ݁ :ܟـܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶ ـܕܡ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ܺܣܝـܪ ܳܠـ ݂ܟ ܐ ܳܢـܐ ܐ ݁ܬܠ: ݁ܰ ܽ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܘܩܐ � ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܒ ݂ܘܬ. ܒ�ܚ ݂ܘܕ ܒܫ ܰ ݁ܶ ܶ ܐܫܝܓــ ̱ܘ ܶ�ܓܠ ܰ ܽ ܝــܬܗ ܰܘ ܺ ܐܪܡــܝ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܝــܗܘܢܰ :ܘ�ܥ ܶܣــ ̱ܘ ܟܐ ܰܘܐܥܠــܗ ܠ ݂ܒ ݂ ܠܚܡــ�ܗ :ܘ ݂ ܶ ݁ܺ ܐܫܬܝ ̱ܘ. ܘ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܘܗ ܽܢܘܢ ݂ ܰ ܝܬܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ܰ� ܳ ̈ܘ ܶ� ܶܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ ܽ ܟܒ ܶ ܝـܬܐ: ܘܗܝ ܠ ݂ܒ ܪܟ ܫܦܪ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ :ܘܗܐ ܐ̱ܢܫܝ ܩܪ ݂ ̱ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܺ ܝـܬܐ :ܐ ݁ ܶܦـܩ ܠܓ ݂ܒـܪ ܐ ܣ ݂ܒـܐ ܡـܪܗ ܕ ݂ܒ ܘܥܠ ܬܪܥܐ ܡ ݂ܬ ݁ܟܬܫ ܳܝـܢ :ܘܐܡܪܝـܢ ݂ ܺ ܠܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕܥܰܠ ܠ ݂ ܰܒ ݁ ܘܗܝ. ܝܬ ݂ܟ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ܕܥܝ ̱ ݂ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܟܓ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ܽ ܝـܬܐܶ :ܘ ܰ �ـܗܘܢ � :ܐ ܰ ̈ܚـܝ � ܢܦܩ �ܘ ݂ܬܗܘܢ ܓ ݂ܒـܪ ܐ ܣ ݂ܒـܐ ܡـܪܗ ܕ ݂ܒ ܶ ܝܬ ̱ܝ݂ �ܳ .ܬ ݁ܥܒ ݂ ܽܕܘܢ ܰܨ ܳ ݂ ܰܬ ݂ ܶܒܐ ܽܫܘܢ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܠ ݂ ܰܒ ݁ ܥܪ ܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ. ܳ ܰ ݁ ܽ ݁ܳ ܰ ܽ ݁ܶ ܬܗܰ :ܐ ݁ ܶܦܩ ܶܐܢܶܝܢ ݂ ܽ ܘܨܥܰـܪ ̱ܘ ܶܐܢܶܝـܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܶ ܠܟܘܢܰ : ܟܕ ܗܐ ݂ܒܪ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܒ ݂ܬܘܠܬܐ :ܘ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ܥܒـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܶ ܳ ݁ܺ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ̈ܰ ܠܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ � ݂ܬ ݁ܥܒ ݂ ܽܕܘܢ ܰܨܥܪ ܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ. �ܗܝܢ ܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܕ ܰܫܦܝܪ ݁ܒ��ܢ ݁ܝܟܘܢ :ܘ ܰ ݂
Ch.
Then the man got up to go, he, his concubine, and his young lad — but his father-in-law, the young woman’s father, said to him: See! It is evening; 1 stay here, it will be good for you. Get up early tomorrow and go home. 2 But the man did not want to stay. He got up and went; he came to Jebus, which is Jerusalem, and with him the two laden asses; and his concubine was with him.
They reached the outskirts 3 of Jebus, and the day was fast declining. 4 The young lad said to his master: Come, let us turn aside into this city Jebus, let us spend the night in it.
His master said to him: We shall not turn aside into a strange city which has no connection with 5 the house of Israel. Rather, we shall pass on as far as Geba. His master said to him: Come, let us reach one of the places, we shall spend the night in Geba or Ramtha.
So they passed on, they went; at sunset, 6 they were in the outskirts of Geba in Benjamin. They turned aside there to spend the night, they entered Geba. They sat in the city market-place, and no-one invited them into his house 7 to spend the night.
Then See! An old man came from his work in the field, in the evening. The man was from the mountain-country of Ephraim, but he lived in Geba in Benjamin. The local men 8 were Benjaminites, and they were very wicked. 9
‘It is evening’: lit. ‘The day has turned’. ‘home’: lit. ‘to your tent/habitation’. 3 ‘outskirts’: lit ‘side’. So too 19:14. 4 ‘declining’: lit. ‘going down for itself good’ (different Syriac root from that in 19:8). 5 ‘no connection with’: lit. ‘is not from’. 6 ‘at sunset’: lit. ‘the sun set upon them’. 7 ‘invited them into his house’: lit. ‘made them enter the house’. See too 19:15. 8 ‘local men’: lit. ‘men of the place’. 9 ‘they were very wicked’: lit. ‘their deeds were very evil’. 1 2
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ
ܽ ܰ ܽ ݁ܶ ܳ ܘܩܡ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܺ ܐܡـܪ ܶܠـܗ ܽ ـܬܗ ܰܘܥܠ ܰ ܶ ܝܡـܗܶ .ܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܰ ܘܗܝ ـܐܙܠ :ܗܘ ܘ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ܚܡـ ̱ ܰ ܽ ̇ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܘܡܐܽ ݁ :ܒ ݂ܘܬ ܳܗ ݁ ܳܪܟـܐ ܘܢܶ ܰܛـܐ ݂ܒ ܳܠـ ݂ܟܰ : ܝܡܬܐܳ :ܗܐ ݂ܦ ܳܢܐ ܶܠܗ ܝܰ ܳ ܘܩ ݁ ܶܕܡـ ̱ܘ ܐ ݂ܒܘܗ ܕܥܠ ݂ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܡܚܪ ܘܙܶܠ ̱ܘ ܠܡ ݁ ܳ ܫܟ ݂ܢܟܘܢ. ܡܒ ݂ܬܳ : ܨܒܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ ܳܘ� ݂ ܳ ܘܩܡ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠܰ . ܘܡ ܺܛܝ ܽܠ ݂ ܰ ܘܩܒܠ ܝܳ ݂ ܽܒـܘܣ ݁ܕ ܺܗܝ ܺ ̱ܗܝ ݂ ܶ ܐܽ ܶ ܘܪܫܠܶܡ :ܘܥܰ ܶܡܗ ݁ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܳ ܚܡ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܛܥܺ ܺܝܢܝܢܰ :ܘ݂ܕ ܽܪ ݂ܘܟ ݁ܬܗ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ. ܳ ܘܡܐ ݂ ܶ ܝܡܐ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܥܠ ܰ ܳ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܓܢ̱ ݂ܒ ܝܳ ݂ ܽܒܘܣ :ܘܝܰ ܳ ܪܟܢ ܶܠܗ ܳܛ ݂ܒܶ .ܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܶܪܗ݁ :ܬܐ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܝܳ ݂ ܽܒܘܣܰ :ܘ ݂ ܽܢܒ ݂ܘܬ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ. ܢܣܛܐ ܠܩܪ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝــܬ ܝــܬܐ ܽܢ ݂ ܐ ܰܡــܪ ܶ ܶܠــܗ ܶ ܡــܪܗ � :ܢܣܛــܐ ܠܩܪ ݂ ــܘܟ ܳܪ ݁ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ� ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܶܡــܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܐܺ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܐ ܳ� ܢܶ ݁ ܰ ܥܒܪ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰܠ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶܘܐ ܰܡــܪ ܶܠــܗ ܳܡـ ܶ ـܪܗܳ ݁ :ܬܐ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܩـ ܰ ـܪ ݂ܒ ܰ ـܘܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒ ـܥ ܐܘ ܠܚـ ݂ـܕ ܶܡــܢ ܐ ݂ܬ� ܳܘ ݂ܬܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܽܢܒـ ݂ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܡܬܐ. ܒܪ ݂ ܬ ܽ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ :ܘܥ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܪܒ ݂ ݀ �ܗܘܢ ܶܫ ܳ ܡܫܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܓܢ̱ ݂ܒ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܥ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ. ܰ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܠܬ ܳܡــܢ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ ـܬܐ: ܝܬ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ܒܫܘܩـܐ ݂ܕܩܪܝـ ݂ ـܬ .ܘܥܰܠـ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥ .ܘ ݂ ܡܒـ ݂ ܰܘܤܛــܘ ݂ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܝܬ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ݁ܕ ܰܡܥܶܠ ܽ ܘܠ ݁ ܝܬܐ ܰܠ ݂ ܳ ܡܒ ݂ܬ. �ܗܘܢ ܠ ݂ܒ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܘܓܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܛܽ ܳ ܩ� ݂ܒ ܰܪ ܳ ـܘܪ ܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܥܒ ݂ܕܗ ܡܢ ܚ ܡܫܐ݂ ݂ܰ : ܘܗܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܣ ݂ܒܐ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܡܢ ݂ ܰ ܳ ̈ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡܳ : ̈ ܘܥ ܰܡـܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܥ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢ .ܘܐ̱ ܳܢ ܰܫـܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܬܪ ܐ ݂ܒܢـܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝـܢ: ܳ ܝܫܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ݂ ܳ ݁ ܺܒ ܺ ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ܛ ݂ܒ.
Ch.
Chapter
In those days, when there was no king in Israel, there was a Levite 1 living in the foothills of the mountain-country; he took a concubine 2 from Bethlehem in Judah.
His concubine was faithless to him; she went from him to her father’s house in Bethlehem in Judah, and was there for four months. 3 So her husband arose and went after her, to appeal to her 4 and to bring her (back); (he took) with him his young lad, and two asses. He entered 5 her father’s house — the young woman’s father saw him and rejoiced to see him. 6
His father-in-law, the father of the young woman, persuaded him to stay, 7 so he stayed with him for three days: they ate, they drank, they spent the nights there.
On the fourth day he got up to go early in the morning, but the young woman’s father said to his son-in-law: Take 8 a little food, and then you shall get up and go. So they sat and ate, and drank, the two of them together, and the young woman’s father said to his son-in-law: If you wish, stay the night, it will go well with you.
The man got up to go, but his father-in-law put pressure on him, and he stayed there.
He got up early in the morning of the fifth day, to go, but the young woman’s father said to him: Take a little food, linger until the day declines — so the two of them ate and drank. ‘a Levite’: lit. ‘a man a Levite’. ‘a concubine’: lit. ‘a woman a concubine’. 3 ‘four months’: lit. ‘days four months’. 4 ‘to appeal to her’: lit. ‘to fill her heart’. 5 ‘He entered’: lit. ‘She brought him into’. 6 ‘to see him’: lit. ‘before him’. 7 ‘persuaded him to stay’: lit. ‘held him’. 8 ‘Take’: lit. ‘Sustain your heart with’. See too 19:8. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܝܛ.
ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܳܗ ܽܢܘܢ :ܘܡ�ܟܐ ܠܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܽ ݁ܳ ܫܦ ܳܘ� ݁ܕܛܽ ܳ ܳܥ ܰܡܪ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܒ ݂ ܽ ܘܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ـܬܐ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܠـܗ ܐܢ̱ـܬ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ̱ ݂ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ. ܰ ݁ ܽ ݁ܶ ـܬܗܳ : ـܬ ܶܡـܢ �ـ ܳܘ ݂ܬܶܗ ݂ ܶ ܘܩ ܰܡـ ݂ ݀ ܰܘܙ ܰܢܝ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܶܘܐ ܰܙ ̱ܠ ݂ ݀ ܝـܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܘܗܝ ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ܬ ܥܠܰـ ـܘܗ ܠܒ ݂ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܠܚܡ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ݂ܶ ܝܬ ܶ ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܰܝ� ܶܚܐ ܐ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ. ܠܒ ݂ ܳ ݁ܰ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ̇ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܶ݁ܳ ̇ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܝـܗܰ :ܘܥܠ ܰ ܶ ܝܬ ̇ ܘܩܡ ܒܥ�ܗ ܘܐܙܠ ܒـ ݂ܬܪܗ :ܕܢܡـ� ݂ܒ�ܒـܗ ܘܢ ܝܡـܗ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܶܪܝـܢ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܰ :ܘ ܳ ܝܡـܬܐ ܘ ݂ ܺ ܚܙܝ ̱ܗܝ ܐ ݂ܒ ̇ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܚـܕܝ ܚܡ�ܝܢ ܥܡܗ .ܘܐܥ ܠܬܗ ݂ ـܘܗ ݁ܕܥܠ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܽ ܶ ܠܩ ݂ܘܒܠܗ. ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ̇ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܐܚܕܗ ܽ ܰܘ ݁ ܶ ܝܬ ݂ܒ �ܘ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܐ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܺܡܝܢܰ :ܘ�ܥ ܶܣ ̱ܘ ܝܡܬܐ :ܘ ݂ ܘܗܝ ܐ ݂ܰܒܘܗ ܕܥܠ ݂ ܚܡ ̱ ܶ ݁ܺ ܐܫܬܝ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳ ܘܒ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ. ܘ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ̇ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܐܪܒ ܳܥܐܰ :ܩ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܒ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܺ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܘܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܝܡܬܐ ܰ ܠܚ ݂ܬܢܶـܗ. ܠܡ ܰܐܙܠ :ܘܐܡܪ ܐ ܺ ݂ܒܘܗ ܕܥܠ ݂ ܽ ܚܡܐܳ : ܩܨ ܳ�ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܠ ܳ ܘܗ ݁ ܶ ܣܡ ݂ܘܟ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܟ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܝܕܝܢ ݁ܬ ܽܩܘܡ ݂ܘܬ ܰܐܙܠ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܺ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܐܡــܪ ܐ ݂ ܽܒـ ̇ ـܬܐ: ܐܫܬܝ ـ ̱ܘ .ܘ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ـ ̱ܘ ܰܘ�ܥ ܶܣ ـ ̱ܘ ܬ�ܝــܗܘܢ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ـ ݂ܕ ܐ ܘ ـܘܗ ݁ ܰܕܥܠܝܡـ ݂ ܘ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ݁ ݁ ܠܚ ݂ܬܢܗ :ܐܢ ܨ ݂ܒܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ :ܒ ݂ܘܬ ܘܢܛܐ ݂ܒ ܠ ݂ܟ. ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳܰ ܳ ܠܡ ܰܐܙܠܰ :ܘܐ�ܨܶܗ ܽ ܘܩܡ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܺ ܘܗܝ݂ :ܘܒ ݂ܬ ܠܗ ܬܡܢ. ܚܡ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܡܫـܐ ܺ ܰ ܘܩ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܒ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ـܐܙܠܶ :ܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܰ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ܳ ܐܡـܪ ܶܠـܗ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܝܡـܬܐ: ـܘܗ ݁ ܰܕܥܠ ݂ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݇݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܺ ܽ ܐܫܬܝ ̱ܘ. ܣܡ ݂ܘܟ ܠܒ ݂ܟ :ܘ ݂ܐܬܟܪܟ ܥ ݂ܕ ܨ � ܝܘܡܐ :ܘ�ܥܣ ̱ܘ ܬ�ܝܗܘܢ ܘ ܰܘ ܳ ܗܘܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܶ� ܺܘܝ ܝـܬ ܶ ܠܚـܡ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂
Ch.
Those (men) took everything that Micah had made, and they took the priest who had been his; they went to Laish, to the prosperous quiet people. They attacked them with the sword, they burnt the city with fire. There was no-one to save (them), for it was far away from Sidon, and they had no contact with (other) men. It was in the valley of Bethrehob; they built a city, and lived in it.
They called the city ‘Dan’, naming it after their father Dan 1 who was born to Israel; however, the name of the city at the beginning had been ‘Loz’.
The children of Dan erected 2 an idol for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Manasseh — he and his sons were the priests of the tribe of Dan until the day when the land was taken captive. They set up for themselves Micah’s idol, which he had made; (it was there) the whole time that the house of God was in Shiloh.
‘naming it after their father Dan’: lit. ‘according to the name of Dan their father’. 2 ‘erected’: lit. ‘established’. 1
ܟܙ
ܟܚ
ܟܛ ܠ �
ܝܟـܐܰ :ܘ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ̱ܘ ݂ ܽ ܠܟ ܳ ܥܒـ ݂ܕ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܶ ܶ ܠܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܘܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܰ ܐܝـܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠـܗ: ـܘܡܪ ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ܶ ܡܚـܘ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܡـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ ܘܫ ܳ ܘܥܰܠ ̱ܘ ܠܺܝܫ ܥܰܠ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܟ ܺܗ ܳܝܢܐ ܰ �ܝـܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܪܒـܐ: ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܘܩܕܘ ݁ܒ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ. ܘܠܩܪ ݂ ܝܬܐ ܐ ܶ ݂ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܝܬ ܰܡܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܡܦܨܶ ܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܰܪ ܺܚ ܳ ܠـܬܐ ܰܠ ݁ ܘܠ ݁ ܝܩܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܶܡـܢ ܰܨ ݁ ܳ ܝـܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܝـܕܢ :ܘܡ ܽ ݂ ܰ ܰ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܘܡܩܐ ܗ ܳܘܬ݀ ݁ܕ ܶܒ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܥܰܡ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܪܢܫܺ . ܽ ܝـܬܐ: ܝܬ ܪ ܽܚ ݂ܘܒ :ܘ ݂ܒܢـܐܘܗ ܠܩܪ ݂ ܘܗܝ ݂ܒ ܽܥ ܳ ̱ ݂ ݂ ݂ ܺ ܶ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ. ܘ ݂ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܳ ̇ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܘܗܘܢܶ ݁ :ܕܐ ݂ܬܝܠ ܶ ݂ܕ � ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬܐ ݂ ܳܕܢ :ܥܰܠ ܶܫܡ ݁ ܳܕܢ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ܽ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ݁ .ܒـ ܰܪܡ ܩܪܘ ܫܡܗ ܕܩܪ ݂ ܳ ̇ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܺ ܩܕܝܡ. ܽܠܘܙ ܫܡܗ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܩܪ ݂ ܽ ݁ ܰ̈ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܪܫـܘܢܰ ݁ :ܒـܪ ܰ ܬܢ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ݁ ܶܓ ܽ ܡܢ ܶܫـܐܽ :ܗܘ ܰܘ ܺܐܩܝܡ ̱ܘ �ܗܘܢ ܒܢـܝ ܕܢ ܨܠܡـܐ .ܝـܘܢ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ̈ܒ ܰܢܘ ̱ܗܝ ܰ ܐܫܬ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ݂ ݀ ܗܘܘ ݁ ܽܟܘܡ ܶ� ܐ ܰ ܠܫ ݂ܒ ܳܛܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕܢܰ ݂ : ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܝܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܪܥܐ. ܽ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܝـܬܗ ܥܒـ ݂ܕ :ܟ�ـܗܘܢ ܝـܘܡ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ܘܗܝ �ܗܘܢ ܨܠܡܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܝܟـܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܘܣ ܽܡ ̱ ܽ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ܒ ܺܫܝܠܘ.
Ch.
So those six hundred men, carrying arms, went into Micah’s house and took an idol, the ephod, the breastplate, and a carved idol. The priest said to them: What are you doing?
They said to him: Be quiet, put your hand over your mouth, and come with us! Be a father, a priest, for us! For which is better for you 1 — that you should be a priest in the household of one man, or to be a priest to a kindred, to a family of Israel. This seemed good to the priest. 2 He took an idol, the ephod, and the breastplate, and went with the people.
They turned around and passed over, they went, with the sheep, 3 the cattle, 4 and the (other) beasts in front.
Those (people) went far away from Micah’s house, but a man, who had been in a house near to Micah’s, cried out and pursued the children of Dan. He called to the children of Dan; they turned around and said to Micah: What is the matter with you? 5
He said to them: You have taken the gods that I have made, and you have taken 6 the priest too, and gone — what have I left? 7 and you say to me ‘What is the matter?’ The children of Dan said to him: Do not shout at 8 us, lest desperate 9 men attack you and you lose your life and the life of your children. The children of Dan went on their way; when Micah saw that they were stronger than him he turned and went back to his house.
‘For which is better for you’: lit. ‘How good for you’. ‘This seemed good to the priest’: lit. ‘The heart of the priest was fair’. 3 ‘sheep’: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 4 ‘cattle’ or ‘possessions’. 5 ‘What is the matter with you’: lit. ‘What to you that you cry out’. 6 ‘taken … taken’: two different Syriac roots are involved in this verse. So too 18:27. 7 ‘have I left’: lit. ‘is to me again’ 8 ‘shout at’: lit. ‘make your voice heard by’. 9 ‘desperate’: lit. ‘bitter of soul’. 1 2
ܡܙ ܺܝܢܝـܢ ݁ܒ ܳܡܐ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܳ ܝـܬ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒـܐ :ܥܰܠـ ̱ܘ ݂ ܶ ܘܫ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝـܢ ܳܗ ܽܢـܘܢ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܝܚ ܶ ܝܟـܐ ܠܒ ݂ ݂ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ �ـܗܘܢ ݁ ܽܟـ ܳ ܠـܬܐܳ .ܐ ܰܡـܪ ܽ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܰܨ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܡܪ ܐ ܳܡ ܳܢـܐ ܠܡܐ݂ :ܘܦـܕ ݂ܬܐ :ܘ ݂ܦܪܝܣـܐ :ܘܚܫ ݂ ܽ ܳܥ ݂ܒ ݁ ܺܕܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ. ܳ ܰ ܽ ܝܛ ܳܐ ܺ ܘܬܐ ܥܰ ܰܡܢܰ .ܘ ܺ ܫܬܘܩܺ :ܣܝܡ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ ܗܘܝ ܰܠـܢ ܐ ݂ ܳܒـܐ ܘܡ ݂ܟ: ܡܪܝܢ ܶܠܗ ݂ ݂ ݂ܽ ܘܟ ܳ ܗܘܐ ݂ ܽܟـ ܳ ܝـܬ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܘܡܪ ܐܰ .ܐ ܳܝܢـܐ ܳܛ ݂ـܒ ܳܠـ ݂ܟ݁ :ܕ ݂ܬܶ ܶ ـܪ ܐ ܰܚ ݂ـܕܰ :ܐܘ ݁ܕ ݂ܬܶ ܶ ܘܡܪ ܐ ݂ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܠܒ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܳܶ ݂ ܽܟ ܳ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܘܡܪ ܐ ܠܛܘܗܡܐ ܘܠܫܪܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܠܡܐܶ : ܟ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܫܦܪ ܶܠ ݁ ܶܒܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܽܟ ܳ ܘܦ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܬܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܦ ܺܪ ܳ ܘܡܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܝܣܐܶ .ܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܥܰܡ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ. ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܰܨ ܳ ݂ ܘܩ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܒܥܺ ܳ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘܰ :ܘ ܰܢܩ ܳ ̈ܘ ݂ ܳܬܐܶ : ܩܕ ܰܡ ܽ ܟܐ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܦ ܺܢܝ ̱ܘ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܪ ܐ ݂ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ. ݁ ܰ ݁ܳ ܪܚܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܺ ܳ ܟܒ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܰܐ ܶ ܝـܬ ܐܝܬ ܒ ݂ܒ ܝـܬܐ ܥܰـܠ ݁ ܶܓܢ̱ ݂ـܒ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ܝܬ ܡ ܰ ݂ܝܟܐ݂ܰ : ܰ ܝܟܐܳ : ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܩܥܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݂ܦ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܳܕܢ. ܰ ܟܓ ܰܘ ܳ ܠܡ ݂ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܺ ܩܪ ܐ ܰܠ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܳܕܢܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܦ ܺܢܝ ̱ܘ ܶܘ ܰ ܝܟܐܳ :ܡܐ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܕ ܳܩܥܶܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ. ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ݁ܽ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܟܕ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܽ ܠـܬܘܢ. ܠܟܘܡܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒـܪܬܘܢ ܘܐܙ �ܗܘܢ :ܐܠܗܐ ݂ܕܥ ݂ܒܕ ݂ܬ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ݁ܬܘܢܳ :ܘ ݂ܐܦ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܝܬ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒܳ ݁ :ܕ ܺ ܐܡܪܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܺܠܝ ܳܡܐ ܳܠ ݂ܟ. ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݂ �ܘ ݂ ܰܬܢܰ ݁ :ܕ ܳ ܫܡܥ ܳܩܠ ܳ ݂ܟ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܳܕܢܰ ݂ �ܳ :ܬ ܰ ܟܗ ܶܘ ܰ ܠܡܐ ܢܶ ݂ܦ ݁ܓ ܽܥـܘܢ ݁ ܳܒـ ݂ܟ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫـܐ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܘܬ ݁ ܶ ܘܒ ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ݂ܟ ܰܘܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢ̈ ݁ܝܟ. ܰܡ ܺܪܝ�ܝ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܳܫܐ݂ : ܶ ܶ ܳ ܚܙ ܐ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܘܪܚܗܘܢܰ ݂ . ܟܘ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܳܕܢ ܽ� ܽ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܳ ܝܟܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܺܫ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢܶܗ :ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܺܢـܝ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܐ ܰ ݁ܶ ܝܬܗ. ܠ ݂ܒ
Ch.
XIV
They said: From Laish — rise up now, let us go up and attack them, 1 for we have seen the land and it is very good — do not hold your peace, nor hesitate to go, to enter, to take possession of the land.
When you go in you will come upon a prosperous people, a spacious land, 2 for God has delivered it into your hands so that you will want for nothing in the land. So there marched from there six hundred men of the family 3 of Dan, from Zedah and from Eshtaol, bearing arms. 4 So they went up, and pitched camp in Koriath-narim, in Judah; therefore that place is still called 5 ‘The Camp of Dan’. See, it lies behind Koriath-narim. They passed over from there to the mountain-country of Ephraim, and reached Micah’s house.
The five men who had gone to spy out the land of Laish answered, they said to their brothers: Do you know that in these hills there is an ephod, a breastplate, a carved idol, and a molten (idol)? Now think 6 what you will do.
So they turned aside; they went into the house of the young man, Levi, the house of Micah, and greeted him. 7
So the six hundred men of the children of Dan, carrying arms, stood in the entrance to the gate.
The five men who had gone to spy out the land went up, and entered there: they took an idol, the ephod, the breastplate, and a carved idol; 8 the priest was standing at the entrance to the gate. ‘and attack them’: lit. ‘against them’. ‘spacious land’: lit. ‘spacious of hands’. 3 ‘family’ or ‘tribe’. So passim. 4 ‘bearing arms’: lit. ‘girded (with) weapons of war’. So too 18:16. 5 ‘that place is still called’: lit. ‘they called that place … until today’. 6 ‘think’: lit. ‘know’; the same verb for ‘know’ appears earlier in this verse. 7 ‘greeted him’: lit. ‘asked concerning his peace’. 8 ‘carved idol’: ‘carved’ in this verse and the next are from a different Syriac root from that in e.g. 18:14. 1 2
ܛ
ܝ ܨܚ ܝܕ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ
ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ
ܳܘ ܺ ـܗ ܰ� ܳ ܐܡܪܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܺܠܝܫܽ :ܩܘܡ ̱ܘ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܢܶ ܰܣـܩ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝـܗܘܢܶ :ܡ ܽܛـܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܚܙ ܳܝܢ ̇ ܪܥـܐ: ܶ ܳ ܶ ܫܬ ܽܩܘܢܳ :ܐ ݂ܦ ܳ� ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ݁ܒ ܽܢܘܢ ܺ ܠܡ ܰܐܙܠ ܰܘ ܶ ݁ܕ ܳܛ ݂ ܳܒܐ ̱ܗܝ ܛ ݂ܒܰ .ܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܳ� ݂ܬ ݁ ܠܡܥܰܠ ܠܡ ܰܐܪ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܺ ܪܥܐ. ܽ ܰܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܝܟܘܢ ܳܥ ܺ ݁ܒ ܰܡܥ ̈ ܳ� ܰܢ ݁ ܽ ܚـܬܐ ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ�ـܐ ܐܠܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܥܰـܠ ܥܡـ ܶܐ ݂ܟܗܝܢـܐ :ܘܐܪܥـܐ ܪܘ ݂ ܝܟܘܢ݁ :ܕ ܳ� ݂ܬ ܽ �ܡ ̇ܗ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܽ ܚܣܪܘܢ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕܐܫ ܳ ܐܪܥܐ. ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ ܫܬܘܐܝـܠܶ :ܫ ݂ܬ ܳܡـܐܐ ܫܩܠ ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܬܡܢ ܡܢ ܫܪܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ܕܢ :ܡܢ ܨ ݂ܕܥܐ ܘܡـܢ ܐ ܡܙ ܺܝܢܝܢ ݁ܒ ܳܡܐ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܳ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ. ݂ ܰ ܽ ܝـܗܘ ܳܕ ܐܶ :ܡܛـܠ ܳܗ ܳܢـܐ ܰ ܽ ܫܪܘ ݁ܒ ܽܩܘܪܝܰ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ܺ ܰܘܣܠ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ � ݂ܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܗܘ: ܥܪܝܢ ݁ ܺܕ ܽ ݂ ܩـܪܐ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܣܬܪ ܽܩܘܪܝܰ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ܺ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕܢ ݂ ܰ ܥܪܝܢ. ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܝܘܡܢܐ :ܗܐ ݂ܒ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܰ ܽ ܠܛ ܳ ܝܬ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ ܝܟܐ. ܠܒ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܡܫܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ ܶܕ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܓܫ ܰܐ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܥܢܘ ܰܚ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ � ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ :ܝܳ ݂ܕܥܺܝܢ ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܺܠܝܫ :ܘ ݂ ܽ ݁ ܳܳ ܳ ܠܡـܐ ܓܠ ܺ ݂ ܳ ܢܣ ݂ ܳ ܘܨ ܳ ܝܦـܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܬܐ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܶܦ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܺܪ ܳ ܝܣـܐܰ : ܝܟـܐ. ܐܝܬ ܒ�ܡ ݂ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ݁ ܺܕ ݂ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܘ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܥ ݂ܒ ݁ ܺܕܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ. ܰ ܰ ܘܫܐܠܘ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܝܬ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܤܛܘ ܘܥܰܠ ̱ܘ ݂ ܶ ܝܡܐ ܶ� ܺܘܝܶ ݂ : ܝܬ ܥܠ ܰ ܳ ܘ ܫ� ܶܡܗ. ܠܒ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܝܟܐ̱ ܶ : ܰ ܝܡܝـܢ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ܳ ܡܙ ܺܝܢܝܢ ݁ܒ ܳܡܐ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܳ ܥ� ܳܢـܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒـܐܳ :ܩ ܺ ܘܫ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܶ ܪܥـܐ ܶܡـܢ ݂ ܰ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܳܕܢ. ܰ ܡܫܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ ܶܕ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܓـܫ ܰܐ ܳ ܠܬ ܳܡـܢܰ .ܘ ܰ ܰܘܣܠ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ܰܚ ܳ ܪܥـܐ :ܘܥܰܠـ ̱ܘ ܢܣ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ݂ ݂ ܰ ܶ݁ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܘܡܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܳܩܐܶܡ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ܳ ܠܬܐܽ ݂ : ܘܟ ܳ ܰܨ ܳ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬܪ ܳܥܐ. ܠܡܐ݂ :ܘܦܕ ݂ܬܐ :ܘ ݂ܦܪܝܣܐ :ܘܚܫ ݂
Ch.
Chapter
In those days, there was no king in Israel — in those days, the tribe of Dan sought a portion of land (in which) to settle, for until that time the land 1 had not been divided up among the tribes of Israel.
So the children of Dan sent five men from their family, from Zedah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, to search it, saying to them: Go, search the land. They came to the mountain-country of Ephraim, to Micah’s house, and they lodged there.
While those men were in 2 Micah’s house, they recognized the voice of the young man, Levi; they turned to him there and said to him: Why have you come here? What are you doing here? He said to them: Micah has done certain things 3 for me. He has hired me, I am his priest. 4 They said to him: Inquire of God, on our behalf, so that we may know whether the way by which we are going is favorable.
The priest said to them: Go in peace! The Lord will settle 5 the way by which you will go. 6
The five men went to Laish, and saw the people who lived in its midst: they lived at peace, 7 according to the law 8 of the Sidonians, quiet and tranquil; no-one in the land caused harm, nor oppressed, or made trouble. They were a long way away from the Sidonians, and had no contact with (other) men. 9
They came to their brothers in Zedah and Eshtaol; their brothers said to them: Where have you come from? ‘land’: lit. ‘inheritance’. ‘While those men were in’: lit. ‘Those with the house of Micah’. 3 ‘certain things’: lit. ‘thus and thus’. 4 ‘am his priest’: lit. ‘have become priest to him’. 5 ‘settle’: lit. ‘establish’. 6 ‘the way by which you will go’: lit. ‘your way that you will go on it’. 7 ‘at peace’: different Syriac root from ‘peace’ in 18:6. ‘quiet’ is from the same root as ‘at peace’. So too in 18:27. 8 ‘law’ or ‘custom’. 9 ‘had no contact with (other) men’: lit. ‘no word/affair was there to them with man’. So too 18:28. 1 2
ܰܶ
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܶܩ ݂ܦ� ܳܘܢ :ܝܚ. ܺ ܳܶ ݁ ܰ̈ܳ ܳ ܳ ܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܬܐ ܳܗ ܽܢܘܢܰ :ܠ ݁ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠܰ .ܘ ݂ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܳܗ ܽܢـܘܢ: ܝـܬ ܐ �ܟـܐ ݂ ܶܒ ܒ�ܘܡ ݂ ݂ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܠܓ ݂ ݀ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܛܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕܢ ݁ ܳܒܥܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܠܗ ݁ܦ ݁ ܽ ܠܓ ݂ܘܬܐ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ܬ ݂ܒܶ :ܡܛܠ ݁ܕ� ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ݁ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ݂ܰ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܝܘܡܐ ܗܘ ܝܪܬ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܒܝܢ ݂ܬ ܫ ݂ܒܛܐ ݂ܕ ܰ ܽ ܡܫــܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝــܢܶ :ܡــܢ ܶܨ ݂ܕ ܳܥــܐ ܶ ܰ̈ ܳ ܶ ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰ ܘܡــܢ ــܕܪ ܶ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢــܝ ݂ܕܢ ܡــܢ ܰ ܰܫ ݂ܪܒــ ݂ܬܗܘܢ ܰܚ ܳ ݂ ܶ ݁ܽ ܠܡ ݂ܒ ݁ܕ ܳܩ ̇ܗܳ .ܘ ܺ ܫܬܘܐܝܠ :ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܓܫ ܐ ܳ ܐܡܪܝـܢ ܽ ܪܥܐ ܰܘ ܶ �ـܗܘܢ :ܙܶܠـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܒ ݂ܘܕ ܽܩ ̇ ـܘܗ ܐ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܝܬ ܡ ݂ܝܟܐ݂ :ܘܒ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܬܡܢ. �ܪܥܐ .ܘ ݂ܐܬܘ ܠܛܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܐܦܪܝܡ ݂ܥܕܡܐ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܘܕܥ ̱ܘ ܳ ܠܩܠܶܗ ݁ ܰܕܥܠ ܰ ܳ ܐܫܬ ݁ ܰ ܝܡܐ ܶ� ܺܘܝܰ .ܘܤܛܘ �ܘ ݂ܬܗ ܝܬ ܡ ݂ܝܟܐ :ܘ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܥܰܡ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗܳ :ܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ݂ ܰܬ ݁ܝܬ � ܳܗ ݁ ܳܪܟܐܳ : ܠܬ ܳܡܢܶ :ܘ ܰ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܳܗ ݁ ܳܪܟܐ. ݂ ܝܬ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܺܠܝ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܝܟܐܰ :ܘܐܓ ܰܪ ̱ܢܝܰ :ܘ ܺ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܽ �ܗܘܢܳ :ܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܳ ܘܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰ ܘܡܪ ܐ. ܗܘ ݂ ݂ ܽ ܡܪܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܰܫـܐܠ ܰܠـܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܳܐ ܺ ܳ ܐܠ ܳ ـܕܥ ܶܐܢ ܰܡ ݂ܟܫـܪ ܐ ܐ ܳ ـܗܐ :ܘ ܶ� ݁ ܰ ܘܪܚـܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܺܐܙ ̱ܠܝـܢ ܚ ܰܢـܢ ܥܠ ܶ ̇ ܝܗ. ܺ ܘܡܪ ܐ :ܙܶܠـܘ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ ܰܢ ݂ܬ ܶܩـܢ ܐ ܽ ݂ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ݁ ܽܟـ ܳ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܽ ܫ� ܳܡـܐܳ : ܘܡ ܳ ܘܪܚܟـܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ܬ ܽܐܙ ̱ܠـܘܢ ̱ ܥܠ ܶ ̇ ܝܗ. ܳ ܶ ܡܫܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝـܢ ܠܺܝـܫܰ :ܘ ܰ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܰܚ ܳ ـܬ ݂ܒ ݁ܒ ܰ ݂ܓـ ܳܘ ̇ܗ݁ :ܕܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܺܒܝـܢ ܚـܙܘ �ܥܰ ܳܡـܐ ݂ܕܝ ݂ ݂ ܘܣܐ ݂ܕ ܰܨ ܝ ̈ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܶܝܐ :ܫܠܶܝـܢ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܺܗܝܠܺܝـܢܰ : ܝـܬ ݁ܕ ܰܡـ ܰܗܪ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܘܠ ݁ �ܝܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܢ ܽܡ ܳ ݁ܒ ܶܫ ܳ ܐܪܥـܐ: ܶ ܳ ܐܠܨ ܰܘܡܥܺܝܩܰ : ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܳ� ݂ ܳܕ ܶ ܘܪ ܺܚ ܺ ܝܬ ܽ ܠܬܐ ܰܠ ݁ �ܗܘܢ ܥܰـܡ ܝܩܝܢ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܨ ܝ ̈ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܶܝܐ :ܘ ܶܡ ݂ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܪܢܫ. ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܘܐܝܠܳ :ܘ ܺ �ܗܘܢ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ :ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܐܡܪܝܢ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ �ܨ ݂ܕܥܐ ܘܐܫܬ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܘ ܶܰ ܽ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܝܬܘܢ.
Ch.
The man went from the city, from Bethlehem in Judah, to live wherever he could. He came to the mountain-country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, to ask for provisions 1 for his journey. Micah said to him: Where do you come from? He said to him: I am a Levite, from Bethlehem in Judah, and I travel to find a place where I can live. 2
Micah said to him: Live with me, be as a father and a priest to me; I will give you ten (pieces of) silver regularly, 3 and your clothes, and your provisions. So Levi came and consented to live with the man: the young man was like one of his own sons. 4
Micah consecrated the Levite, and he became his priest, and lived in Micah’s house. Micah said: Now I know that the Lord is good to me, for I have a Levite as a priest.
‘ask for provisions’: lit. ‘provide’. ‘find a place where I can live’: lit. ‘to live where I can’. 3 ‘regularly’: lit. ‘for the days’. 4 ‘like one of his own sons’: lit. ‘like one of his sons to him’. 1 2
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ
ܺ ܳ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒـ ܳ ܥܡــܪ ܰܐ ݁ ܳ ܠܚــܡ ݁ ܺܕܝـ ܽ ـܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܶ : ܠܡ ܰ ـܬ ܶ ܝܟ ـܐ ـܬܐ ܶܡــܢ ݁ ܶܒܝـ ݂ ـܪ ܐ ܶܡــܢ ܩܪܝـ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܠܛ ܳ ܝܬ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܝܟܐܶ : ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶ ܠܡܣܥܰܪ ܐ ܽ ܶ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡ ݂ ܰ ܫܟܚܰ .ܘܡܛܐ ܘܪܚܗ. ܠܒ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳܶ ܰ ܝـܬ ܶ ܠܚـܡ ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗ ܡ ݂ ܝܟܐ ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ .ܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗܳ �ܶ :ܘ ܳ�ܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܥܡܪ ܐ ݁ܝܟܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ � ܳܢܐ ܶ ܠܡ ܰ ܫܟܚ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ. ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܳ :ܘܐܙܶ ̱ ܶܶ ܰ ܝـܟ ܰܐ ݂ ܳܒـܐ ݂ ܽ ܘܟ ܳ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝܰ :ܘ ܺ ܝܟܐ݁ :ܬܶ ݂ܒ ܳ ـܘܡܪ ܐܶ :ܘ ܳܐܢـܐ ܐ ݁ܬܠ ܗܘܝ ܺܠܝ ܐ ܽ ݂ ܰ̈ܳ ܳ ܣܪ ܐ ܕ ݂ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ ܬܐܳ : ܘܡܐ ܰܢ̈ ݁ܝܟ݂ :ܘܬ ܳ ܘܪܣ ܳܝ ݂ܟ. ܣܦܐ ��ܘܡ ݂ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܥ ܶ ܳ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܶ� ܺܘܝܶ .ܘܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܺ ܬ ݂ܒ ܥܰܡ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܝܡܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚ ݂ـܕ ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ܥܠ ܛܦܝܣ ܠܡ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ. ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ ܘܫܡܠܺܝ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܝܬ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܘܡܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܝܕܗ ݁ܕ ܶ� ܳܘ ܳ�ܐܰ .ܘ ܳ ܝܟܐ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܝܟܐ. ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܗܘܐ ܺܠܝ ܶ� ܳܘ ܳ�ܐ ݂ ܽܟ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ܐܰ ݁ :ܕ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܝܟܐܳ :ܗ ܳܫܐ ܝ ܶ ݂ܕܥ ܶ ݂ܬ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ܶܛ ݂ܐܒ ܺܠܝ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܡܪ ܐ.
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Chapter
There was a certain man from the mountain-country of Ephraim whose name was Micah.
He said to his mother: The one thousand, one hundred (pieces of) silver that were taken from you — you took an oath about it, 1 you said in my hearing — I took this silver. His mother said: My son is blessed by 2 the Lord.
He returned the one thousand, one hundred (pieces of) silver to his mother. His mother said: Indeed, I had dedicated 3 the silver to the Lord, from my hands, my son, 4 so that I could make a carved 5 and a molten (idol); so now, return it to me. He returned the silver to his mother; his mother took two hundred (pieces of) silver and gave them to a smith, who made a carved idol 6 and a molten (idol), which stood 7 in Micah’s house. The man Micah had a shrine. 8 He made an ephod, and a breastplate, and he consecrated 9 one of his sons who became his priest. 10
In those days there was no king in Israel, and every man did as he pleased. 11 There was a certain young man from Bethlehem in Judah. His name was Levi; he lived there.
‘took an oath about it’: lit. ‘said’. ‘by’ or ‘to/of’. 3 ‘dedicated’ or ‘set apart for holy use’. 4 ‘from my hands, my son’ or ‘from the hands of my son’. 5 ‘carved idol’: lit. ‘graven image’. So passim. 6 ‘idol’ or ‘image’, so passim in this chapter and the next. 7 ‘stood’: lit. ‘was’. 8 ‘shrine’: lit. ‘house of gods’. 9 ‘consecrated’: lit. ‘filled the hand of’. So too 17:12. 10 ‘priest’: here and throughout this account ܟܘܡܪܐis used by P which is a term used for a pagan priest. 11 ‘did as he pleased’: lit. ‘what was fair in his eyes he was doing’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܝܙ.
ܗܘܐ ܰܓܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚܕ ܶܡܢ ܛܽ ܳ ܫܡܗ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡܰ :ܘ ܶ ܝܟܐ. ܰܘ ܳ ݂ ݂ ݂ ܐܡܪ ܶ� ܶܡܗܳ :ܐ ܶܠ ݂ܦ ܘ ܳܡܐܐ ܕ ݂ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ ـܬ ̱ܝ ܝܺ ܰܡ ݁ ـܝܰ .ܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܶܘ ܰ ܝـܬ ̱ܝ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܣܦܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬܢ ܶܣ ݂ـܒ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ܶ ̱ ݂ ܶ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܶ ̈ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܳ ܶܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܬܗܶ .ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ݀ ܐ ܶܡܗ݁ :ܒ ܺܪ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܶܒܪ ̱ܝ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܐܡܪܬ ̱ܝ ܒ ݂ܐܕ ܢܝ :ܗܘ ܟܣܦܐ ܐܢܐ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܐܡܪܬ݀ ܶܐ ܶܡـܗ :ܡ ܰܩ ݁ ܳܕ ܽܫـܘ ܰܩ ݁ܕ ܶܫـܬ ݁ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ ܣܦـܐ ܘܦ ܺܢܝ ܐ ܶܠ ݂ܦ ܘܡܐܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܟ ݂ ݂ ܣܦܐ � ܶܡܗܶ .ܘ ܰ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ݁ ܠܡܪ�ܐ ܡܢ ܐܝ ݂ܕܝ ܒܪ ̱ܝ :ܕܐܥܒ ݂ܕ ܨܠܡܐ ݂ܓܠ ݂ܝܦـܐ ܘܢܣ ݂ܝܟـܐ :ܘܗܫـܐ ݂ܦܢܝـ ̱ܗܝ ܺܠܝ. ܘܦ ܺܢܝ ݂ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ ܬ ܶܐ ܶܡـܗ ܰܡܐܬܶܝـܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ ݂ܰ ܬ ܰ ܠܩ ܳ ܣܦܐ ܶ� ܶܡܗ .ܘܢܶ ݁ ܰ ܣܦـܐ ܘܝ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܣܒـ ݂ ݀ ܗܒـ ݂ ݀ ܝ� ܳܝـܐ. ݂ ܠܡܐ ܓܠ ܺ ݂ ܳ ܢܣ ݂ ܳ ܝܬ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܝܟܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܨ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܟܐ. ܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܘܓܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܺܡ ܳ ܺ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ ܶܦ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܺܪ ܳ ܝܬ ܰܐ ܳܠ ̈ܶܗܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܫܡܠـܝ ܝܣܐ: ݂ ݂ܰ ݂ ܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܝܟܐ ܐ ݂ ܗܘܐ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝܰ :ܘ ܳ ܘܡܪ ܐ. ܺ ܳܶ ݁ ܰ̈ܳ ܳ ܽ ܝـܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܬܐ ܳܗ ܽܢـܘܢܰ :ܠ ݁ � ܳܢـܫ ܶܡ ݁ ܶ ـܕܡ ܒ�ܘܡ ݂ �ܟـܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܝـܬ ܐܝܣܪܐܝـܠ݂ :ܘܟ ̱ ܺ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ݁ܕ ܰܫ ݁ܦܝܪ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܰ ܫܡܗ ܶ� ܺܘܝܳ : ܠܚܡ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܰ :ܘ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܥܠ ܰ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܝܬ ܶ ܘܥ ܰܡܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ܬ ܳܡܢ. ܝܡܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂
Ch.
Samson said to the lad who held him: 1 Leave me (alone), let me touch the pillars on which the house is supported 2 so that I may support myself on them.
The house was full of men and women, all the Philistine lords were there, and there were about three thousand men and women on the roof, watching while Samson danced.
Samson called to the Lord and said: I pray you, Lord God, remember me — strengthen me this once 3 so that I may be revenged on the Philistines for my two eyes. Samson seized hold of the two central pillars on which the house was supported, and leaned on them, (on) one with his right hand and (on) one with his left.
Samson said: Let me 4 die with the Philistines! He leaned as heavily as he could, 5 and the house fell upon the lords, upon all the people in it: there were more who died when Samson died than had died during his life.
All his brothers, and all his father’s house, came down. They went up and buried him between Zedah and Eshtaol, in the grave of Manoah his father. He judged Israel (for) twenty years.
‘who held him’: lit. ‘whom he was held by his hand’. ‘on which the house is supported’: lit. ‘that the house leans on them’. So too 16:29. 3 ‘this once’: lit. ‘only this time’. 4 ‘me’: lit. ‘my soul’. 5 ‘he leaned as heavily as he could’: lit. ‘he drew with his strength’. 1 2
ܟܘ ܟܙ
ܟܚ ܟܛ ܠ
�
ܰ ܝܢܝ ܰܘ ܺ ܫܒ ܰ ܐܝـܕܗܽ ݂ : ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܫ ܽ ܠܛ ܳ ܝـܕ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܶ ܐܡ ܰ ܝܢـܝ ܥܰ ܽܡـ ̈ܘ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܡܫܘܢ �ܝـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܺܐܚ ݂ ܝܫ ̱ ـܘܩ ̱ ܰ ݁ܳ ܐܣܬ ܶܡ ݂ܟ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܣܡ ݂ܝܟ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝܬܐ ܺ ܝܗܘܢܶ :ܘ ݁ ܝܗܘܢ. ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ܰ ݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܘܬ ܳܡـܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ �ـܗܘܢ ܛ ܽ�ܘܢܶـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶـܐ. ܘ ݂ܒ ܝܬܐ ܡ� ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܰـ� ܐ ܘܢܶ ̈ܫـܐ݂ܰ : ܶ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܶ ̈ ܺ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܝܬ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܬܠـ ݂ܬܐ ܐܠ ݂ܦܝـܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒـ� ܐ ܘܢܶ ̈ܫـܐܳ : ܘܚ ܶܙܝـܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ݁ ܰܟـ ݂ܕ ܘܥܰ� ݁ ܳܓܪ ܐ ܐ ݂ ܰ ܡܪ ܶܩ ݂ܕ ܶܫ ܽ ܡܫܘܢ. ـܗܐܶ :ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܕܟ ܰܪܝܢـܝܰ ܰ : ܰܘ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳ ܡܫܘܢ ܳ ܪ�ܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܩܪ ܐ ܶܫ ܽ ܐܡܪ݁ :ܒ ݂ ܳܒ ܽܥܘ ܳܡ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܝܢـܝ ݂ ܘܚ ܶܝܠ ̱ ̱ ݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ݁ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܡܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݁ܪܬܝܢ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ ܶܡܢ ݁ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ. ܒ�ܚ ݂ܘܕ ܗ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܙܒܢ̱ܬܐ :ܐܠܗܐ :ܕ ݂ܐܬ�ܩܡ ܢܩ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܽ ̈ܶ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܝـܟ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝـܬܐ ܺ ܝـܗܘܢܶ :ܘ ݁ ܐܣܬ ܶܡـ ݂ܟ ܘܐܚ ݂ܕ ܫܡܫܘܢ ܬܪܝܢ ܥܡܘ݂ܕ ܐ ܡܨ�ܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ܣܡ ݂ ܶ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝܗܘܢܰ :ܚ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ܺܡܝܢܶܗ ܰ ܘܚ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܶܣ ܳܡܠܗ. ܰ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܢܓـ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܰܚܝܠܶـܗܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܫ ܽ ܬ�ܶـܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܢܦـܠ ܡܫܘܢ݁ :ܬ ܽܡ ݂ܘܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫـ ̱ܝ ܥـܡ ܦ�ܫ ݂ ݁ ܰ ݁ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܝܬܐ ܥܰܠ ܛ ܽ�ܘܢܶܐ :ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒܗܰ .ܘ ܰ ܒ ܗܘܘ ܺܡ ̈ܝ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܺܡܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܒܡܘܬܗ ܺ ̈ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܺ ݁ܕܫܡܫܘܢ :ܣ ݁ܓܝܐܝܢ ܡܢ ݁ܕܡܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܒ ܰܚ�ܘ ̱ܗܝ. ܰ ܶ ݁ܽ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܝܬ ܰܐ ݂ ܽܒܘܗܝܰ :ܘܣܠ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ܰ ܽ ܝـܬ ܘܢܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܟ �ܗ ܶܘܢ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܘܶ ̱ܗܝ݂ : ܘܗܝ ݁ ܶ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܟܠܗ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܩ ݂ܒـܪ ܺ ̱ ̱ܰ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶܨ ݂ܕ ܳܥܐܶ ݂ : ݁ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܘܗܝ .ܘܗܘ ݂ܕܢ �ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ ܘܒ ݂ ܝܬ ܐܫܬܘܐܝܠ ܒܩ ݂ܒـܪܗ ݁ܕܡܢـܘܚ ܐ ݂ܒـ ̱ ܺ ܥܶ ܺ ܣܪܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ.
Ch. XIII
When Delilah realized that he had told her all his secret, she sent (and) called to the Philistine lords. She said to them: Come up now, for he has told me all his secret. So the Philistine lords came up to her, and brought up the silver with them.
She lulled him to sleep on her lap, 1 and called the barber. He shaved seven locks of his hair for her; 2 she started to bring him low, 3 his strength left him. She said to him: The Philistines have come you, Samson. He woke from his sleep, and said: I shall go out as usual, I shall torment them — he did not know that the Lord was no longer with him. 4
The Philistines seized him and put out his eyes, bound him with fetters, and took him down to Azath; he (was set to) grinding, in prison. 5 The hair of his head began to grow again 6 after it had been shaved.
The Philistine lords assembled to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon, with rejoicing; they said: Our god has delivered our enemy Samson into our hand(s).
When they saw him, the people praised their god, for they said: Our god has delivered our enemy into our hand(s), he who has laid waste our lands, slain many of us.
When they grew merry, 7 they said: Call Samson, let him dance for 8 us. So they called Samson from the prison, and he danced before them. Then they put him between the pillars.
‘lap’: lit. ‘knees’. ‘he shaved … for her’: lit. ‘she shaved’. 3 ‘bring … low’ or ‘humble …’: different Syriac root from that in 16:6. 4 ‘was no longer with him’: lit. ‘had departed from him’. 5 ‘prison’: lit. ‘house of the bound’. So too 16:25. 6 ‘grow again’: lit. ‘lift up’. 7 ‘they grew merry’: lit. ‘their hearts grew merry’. 8 ‘let him dance for’: lit. ‘dancing before’. 1 2
ܨܚ ܝܓ
ܳ ܚܙ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܠ ܳܝ� ݂ ܰܕ ܓ ܳ� ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܶܠ ݁ ܶܒܗܰ :ܫ ݁ܕ ܰܪ ݂ܬ݀ ܳ ܝܚ ݂ ܰ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ܬ ݀ ܰܠܛ ܽ�ܘܢܶـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶـܐ: ݂ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܳܘ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܽ �ܗܘܢܰ :ܣܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡ ݁ ܺܟܝܠܶ :ܡܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܓ� ܺܠܝ ݂ ܽܟܠـܗ ܶܠ ݁ ܶܒـܗܰ .ܘܣܠܩـ ̱ܘ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܐܣܩܘ ݁ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ ܣܦܐ ܥܰ ܽ ܡܗܘܢ. �ܘ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ ܛ�ܘܢܶܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ ܰܘ ܶ ̱ ܰ ܶ ݁ܶ ܝܗܰ :ܘ ܳ ܬ ݂ܰ ܘܓܪܥܰ ݂ ݀ ܫܒܥ ܶ� ݂ ̈ܕ ܶܩܐ ݂ܕ ܺܪ ܶ ܠܓ ܳܪ ܳܥܐ݂ܶ : ܩܪ ݂ܬ݀ ܰ ܬܗ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܒܘ� ݁ ܶܟ ̇ ܝܛ ܘ ݂ܐܕܡ ݂ܟ ܝܫـܗ: ݂ ܰ ܰ ݀ ܰ ܰ݁ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܘܫܪܝ ݂ܬ ܠܡܫܦܠ ݂ܘܬܗ :ܘ ݂ܦܪܩ ܠܗ ܚܝܠܗ ܡܢܗ. ܶ݁݁ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܬ�ܶܐ ܶܐ ݂ ܰܬܘ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ ܶܫ ܽ ܢـܬܗ ܶܘܐ ܰܡـܪ: ܟ ܘܐܡܪ ܐ ܠܗ :ܦ�ܫ ܡܫܘܢ :ܘܐܬܬܥܝܪ ܡـܢ ܫ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܽ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܶܽ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܠܙܒܢ ܘܐܫܬܢ ݂ـܕ ܒـܗܘܢ :ܘܗܘ � ܝـ ݂ܕܥ ܕܡܪ�ـܐ ݂ܦـܪܩ ܠـܗ ܐ ݁ܦܘܩ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ܟ ݂ ܶܡܢܶܗ. ݁ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܽ ܬ�ܶܐ ܰ ܟܐ ܰܘ ݁ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܦ�ܫ ܘܗܝ ـܬܐ ܘ ݂ ܘܗܝ ܒܫܫܠ ݂ ܘܗܝܰ :ܘܐܣـܪ ̱ ܘ� ܰ ܰـܘܪ ̱ܘ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢـ ̱ ܐܚܕ ̱ ܐܚـܬ ̱ ܳ ܳ �� ܰܙ ݂ܬܰ .ܘ ܳ ܝܬ ܐ ܺܣܝ ܶ� ܐ. ܗܘܐ ܛ ܶܚܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܶ ܘܫ ܺܪܝ ܰܣ ܳ ܝܫܗ ܠ ܶܡ ܳ ܥܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܺܪ ܶ ܟܒ ܰ ܐܥܐ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܓ ܰܪܥ. �ܕ ܽܓــܘܢ ܰܐ ܳܠـ ܽ ܰܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ـܗܗܘܢ ܟܓ ܘܛ�ܘܢـܳܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ�ܫܬ�ܶ ܰــܐ ܐ ݂ܶܬ ݁ܟܢ ܰܫـ ̱ܘ ܠܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒـܚ ݁ܕ ݂ܒ ܳܚــܐ ܪ ݁ܒـܐ ݂ ܳ ݂ ݁ܒ ܰܚ ݂ ܽܕ ݂ܘܬܐܳ :ܘ ܺ ܠܫ ܽ ܐܝܕܢ ܶ ܐܡܪܝܢ :ܐܫܠܡ ܐ ܳܠ ܰܗܢ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܰ ܡܫܘܢ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݁ ܠܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܰܒܢ. ܚܙ ܐ ܽ ـܗܗܘܢܶ :ܡ ܽܛـܠ ݁ ܳܕ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܥܰ ܳܡـܐ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܒܚـ ̱ܘ ܰ� ܳܠ ܽ ܟܕ ݂ ܰ ܐܡܪܝـܢܰ ݁ :ܕܐܫܠܶـܡ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܰ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܰ ـܗܢ ̱ ܺ ݁ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܬܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ �ܕ ݁ ܺ ܐܣܓܝ ܩܛ ̈ܝܠܰܝܢ. ܒ ݂ ܐܝܕܢ ܠ ݂ܒܥܠܕ ݂ܒ ݂ܒܢ :ܘܠܡܚܪ ݂ܒ ܐ�ܥ ݂ ܘܟ ـ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰ ـܗܘܢܳ :ܐ ܺ ܩܕ ܰܡܝــܢܰ .ܘܩـ ܰ ܡܫــܘܢ ܰ ܡܪܝــܢ :ܩـ ܰ ܫܦ ـܪ ܶܠ ݁ܒـ ܽ ܟܗ ݂ ܰ ܠܫ ܽ ـܪܘ ܶ ܡܪ ܶܩـ ݂ـܕ ݂ ܳ ـܪܘ ܝܬ ܰܐ ܺܣܝ ܶ� ܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܝـܗܘܢܰ :ܘ ܺܐܩ ܽ ܩܕ ܰܡ ܽ ܠܫ ܽ ܶ ܡܪ ܶܩ ݂ـܕ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ ܳ ـܬ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ ܡܫܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܝܡـ ̱ ܥܰ ܽܡ ̈ܘ݂ ܶܕ ܐ.
Ch.
Delilah said to Samson: See! You have deceived me, you have told me a lie. Tell me with what you could be bound.
He said to her: If they were to bind me fast with new fetters, that have never been used, 1 I would be brought down, I would be like any other man. So Delilah took new fetters, bound him with them, and said to him: The Philistines have overcome you, Samson. She lay in wait in the inner room — he broke them from his arms, like thread.
Delilah said to Samson: See! You have deceived me, you have lied to me. 2 Tell me with what you could be bound. He said to her: Now, if you had woven seven locks of my hair 3 with a weaver’s beam …
So she wove, with a weaver’s beam, 4 and said: The Philistines have come against you, Samson. He awoke from his sleep, and picked up the weaver’s beam and the shuttle, 5 She said to him: How have you said to me ‘I love you’, yet your heart was not true? 6 See! You have deceived me three times, and not told me in what (lies) your great strength.
She wearied him constantly, 7 nagging 8 and putting pressure on him — he 9 was wearied to death.
So he told 10 her his whole secret, 11 and said to her: No razor has touched 12 my head, for I have been a nazirite, of God, since the day that I was born. 13 If I were to shave, my strength would leave me, I would be weakened, I would be like everyone (else). ‘that have never been used’: lit. ‘that not done with them work’. ‘lied to me’: lit. ‘spoken falsehoods to me’; different Syriac root from ‘lie’ in 16:10. 3 ‘hair’: lit. ‘head’. So passim. 4 ‘weaver’s beam’: different Syriac word from that in 16:13. 5 ‘shuttle’: the Syriac word means both ‘shuttle’ and ‘weaver’s beam’. 6 ‘true’: lit. ‘with me’. 7 ‘constantly’: lit. ‘all the days’. 8 ‘nagging’: lit. ‘with her words’. 9 ‘he’: lit. ‘his soul’. 10 ‘told’: lit. ‘revealed’. 11 ‘secret’: lit. ‘heart’. So too 16:18. 12 ‘touched’: lit. ‘come up upon’. 13 ‘since the day that I was born’: lit. ‘from the belly of my mother’. 1 2
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ
ܝܓ
ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ
ܳ ܳ ܐܡ ݁ ܶܘ ܰ ܡܫܘܢܳ :ܗܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܶܓ ݁ ܠـܬ ݁ ܺܒـܝ ܶܘ ܰ ܠܫ ܽ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܠ ܳܝ� ܶ ـܪܬ ܺܠـܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܳ ̈ܓܠـ ݂ܬܐܰ :ܚ ܳـܘ ̱ܢܝ ܶ ܶ ݁ܒ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬܐ ܰܣܪ. ܶ ܰ ܳ ̇ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ݁ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰܚ ݂ ̈ܕ ݁ ܳܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܶܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܶܗܝـܢ ݂ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ ܳ ـܕ ܐ: ܶܘܐܡܪ �ܗ :ܐܢ ܡܐܣܪ ܢܐܣܪܘܢ ̱ ܢܝ ܒܫܫܠ ݂ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܐ ܐܗܘܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ. ܫܬ ݁ ܰܦܠ ܘ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݀ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰܚ ݂ ̈ܕ ݁ ܳܬ ݂ ܳܬܐܶ :ܘܐ ܰܣ ݁ܪܬܶܗ ݁ܒ ܶܗܝـܢܳ :ܘ ܳ ܐܡـܪ ܐ ܶܠـܗ݁ :ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶـܐ ܶܘܢܰܣܒ ݂ܬ ܕܠܝ� ܫܫܠ ݂ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܐ ݂ܬܘ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ ܶܫ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܡܫܘܢܰ .ܘ ݂ܟ ܺܡ ܳܐܢܐ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ � ̇ܗ ݁ܒ ݂ܬ ܳܘ ܳܢܐ݂ :ܘܦ ܶܣܩ ܐܢܶܝܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ܕ�ܥܰ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܽܚܘܛܐ. ܳ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܡܫܘܢܳ :ܗܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܶܓ ݁ ܠܬ ݁ ܺܒܝ ܶܘ ܰ ܠܫ ܽ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܠ ܳܝ� ܶ ܐܡ ݁ܪܬ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ ܳܕ ݂ ̈ܒ ݂ܬܐܰ :ܚ ܳܘ ̱ܢܝ ݁ܒ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ـܗ :ܐܢ ܽܗܘ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܐܣــܪܶ .ܘ ܰ ܫܬ ܳ� ـܐ ܐܢ ̱ـ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ݂ ܰ ݂ܬܶ ݂ܬܶ ܰ ܐܡــܪ ܳ�ـ ̇ ـܝ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕܪܝܫـ ̱ ܫܒ ـܥ � ݂ ̈ܕ ܰܩ ـ ̱ ݁ ܶ ݁ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ. ܒܡܫܬ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݀ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݀ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܝـܟ ܶܫ ܽ ܬ�ܶـܐ ܐ ݂ܬܘ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ ܡܫـܘܢܶ .ܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬܥܺܝـܪ ܶܡـܢ ܘܐܫܬܝ ݂ܬ ܒܢܘ� ܘܐܡـܪ ݂ܬ :ܦ�ܫ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ݁ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܝܬܐ. ܢܬܗ: ܘܫܩܠܗ �ܢܘ� ݂ܕ ݂ܓ� ܕ�ܝܐ ܘܠܡܫܬ ݂ ܫ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܳ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳܘ ܳ ـܝ :ܘ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒـ ݂ܟ � ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ݁ :ܕ ܳܗܐ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܶܠܗ :ܐܝܟܢـܐ ܐܡـܪܬ ܠـܝ ݂ܕܪܚ ݂ ܡܬ ݂ܟ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܰܙ ݂ ̈ܒ ܺܢܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܶܓ ݁ ܠܬ ݁ ܺܒܝ :ܘ� ܰܚ ܺܘ ݁ܝܬ ̱ܢܝ ݁ܒ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܰܪ ݁ܒ ܰܚܝܠ ݂ܟ. ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ݀ ܶ ݁ ̈ܶ ܶ ̇ ݁ ܽ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰܘܐ ܶܠ ݁ ـܨܬܶܗܶ :ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺ ܰ ܝܩـ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫـܗ ݂ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܐܥܝܩ ݂ܬ ܳ ܠܗ ܒܡܠܝܗ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܝـܘܡ ݂ ݂ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܠ ܰܡ ݁ܘܬܐ. ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܺ ܰܘܓ ܳ� ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܶܠ ݁ ܶܒܗܶ :ܘ ܰ ܝܫܝܶ :ܡܛܠ ܐܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗ݂ ܶ : ܡܕ ݁ܟ ܳܝܐ � ܣܠܩ ܥܰܠ ܪ ̱ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ̇ ܢـܝ ܐܡـܝ .ܐܢ ܗܘ ݂ܕ ݂ܓܪܥ ݂ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܢܙܝܪ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܕܐܠܗܐ ܡܢ ܟܪܣـܗ ܕ ̱ ـܬ :ܦـܪܩ ܠـܗ ܡ ̱ ܰܚܝܠܝ :ܘ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ � ܳܢܐ ܳ � ܳܢܫ. ̱ ܘܗ ܶܘܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ܟ ̱ ܫܬ ݁ܦ ̱
Ch.
Chapter
Samson went to Azath, and there he saw a prostitute. He went in to her in Azath.
It was told that Samson had come here. They lay in wait for him all night, at the city gate; all night long, they spoke only in whispers: 1 they said: In the light of dawn 2 we shall kill him.
Samson slept until the middle of the night. In the middle of the night he got up, took hold of the two doorposts of the city gate, drew it from 3 its bolts, put (them) on his shoulder, and took them up to the mountain in front of Hebron. Afterwards, he loved a woman in the valley of Serok; her name was Delilah.
The Philistine lords went up to her, and said to her: Beguile him, see in what (lies) his great strength, in what the strength is to be found, so that we may bind him and dishonor 4 him. Then each one (of us) will give you one thousand three hundred (pieces of) silver. Delilah said to Samson: Tell me in what (lies) your great strength, with what you could be bound, if you could be brought low.
Samson said to her: If they were to bind me with seven new bowstrings that have not dried (out) I would be brought down, I would be like any other 5 man. The Philistine lords brought up to her seven new bowstrings that had not dried (out), and she bound him with them.
She lay in wait 6 in the inner room, and said to him: The Philistines have come against you, Samson. But he snapped the bowstrings, as a thread of flax snaps 7 in a flame, 8 and his strength was unchanged. 9 ‘spoke only in whispers’: lit. ‘whispered’. ‘In the light of dawn’: lit. ‘When the dawn gives light’. 3 ‘drew it from’: lit. ‘lifted it as far as’. 4 ‘dishonor’ or ‘abuse’. 5 ‘any other’: lit. ‘a’. So too 16:11. 6 ‘She lay in wait’: lit. ‘An ambush was set for her’. So too 16:12. 7 ‘snapped … snaps’ or ‘broke … breaks’. 8 ‘in a flame’: lit. ‘when fire breathes on it’. 9 ‘unchanged’: lit. ‘not moved’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܝܘ.
ܳܰ ܰ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳܺ ܳ �ܘ ݂ ܳܬ ̇ܗ ܳ ܝܬܐ :ܘܥܰܠ ܳ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܶܫ ܽ �� ܰܙ ݂ܬ. ܡܫܘܢ ��ܙ ݂ܬ :ܘܚܙ ܐ ݂ܬܡܢ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ ܙ ܢ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܬ ܳ ܐܬܐ ܶܫ ܽ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܽܟܠܶـܗ ܺܠ ܳ ܪܥـܐ �ܝـܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܘ ݂ܐܬܐܡܪ ܕ ݂ ܡܫܘܢ � ܳܗ ݁ ܳܪܟܐܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܟ ܶܡܢ ̱ܘ ܥܠـ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܢــܗܪ ܰܨ ݂ܦــܪ ܐܳ: ܐܡــܪ ̱ܘ ܳܡــܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰ �ܝــܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܝــܬܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܗܘܘ ܡܠ ܰ ܺ ܚܫܝــܢ ݁ ܽܟܠܶــܗ ܺܠ ܳ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ܺ ܘܗܝ. ܢܶܩܛܠܝ ̱ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶ �ܝܐܳ : ܰܘ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܟ ܶܫ ܽ ܠܓܗ ݁ܕ ܺܠ ܳ ܠܓܗ ݁ܕ ܺܠ ܳ �ܝܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܡܫܘܢ ݂ ܰ ܘܩܡ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܦ ݁ ܶ ܠܦ ݁ ܶ ܐܚ ݂ܕ ݁ܰ ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܘܗܝܳ : ܝـܬܐܰ : ܘܫܩܠܶـܗ ݂ ܰ ܘܣـܡ ܒ ݂ܬܪܝܢ ܦ�ܘܣܬ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ܪܥܐ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ܠܡܘ ݂ܟܠـ ̱ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܦܗܰ :ܘ ܶ ܰ ܐܣܩ ܐܢܘܢ ܠܛܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܶܚ ݂ܒܪܘܢ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܬ݁ܶ ܢܚܠ ܳܣ ܽܪܘܩܰ :ܘ ܳ ܪܟܢ ܶ ܪܚܡ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܶ ܫܡ ̇ܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܠܝ�. ݂ܘܒ ݂ ܶ ܳ ܰܘܣܠ ܶܩܘ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܳ ܚـܙܝ ݁ܒ ܳܡ ܳܢـܐ ̱ �ܘ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ ܛ�ܘܢܶܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬܳ�ܶܐܳ :ܘܐܡܪܝܢ � ̇ܗܰ :ܫ ݁ܕܠܝ ܶ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ܶ ܰ݁ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܠܡܨ�ـܪ ݂ܘܬܗ :ܘܚܢـܢ ܢـܬܠ ܪܒ ܚܝܠܗ :ܘ ݂ܒܡܢܐ ܳ ܢ ݂ܬܡܨ ܐ ܚܝ� ݂ܕܢܐܣܪܝ ̱ ܳ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܐ ܶܠ ݂ܦ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܟ ݁ ܣܦܐ. ܰ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܬܐ ܰܣـܪ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܠܫ ܽ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ݀ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܠ ܳܝ� ܶ ـܬ: ܡܫܘܢ :ܚܘ ̱ܢܝ ܒܡܢܐ ܪܒ ܚܝܠ ݂ܟ :ܘ ݂ܒܡܢܐ ܡ ݂ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܘܐܢ ܡ ݂ܬܒܨܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ. ܶ ܳ ܡܫــܘܢ :ܐܢ ܢܶ ܽ ܝܒــܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܶ ــܬ ܶ� ܐ ܰ�ܛܺ ݂ ܶ ــܗ ܶܫ ܽ ܐ ܰܡــܪ ܳ� ̇ ܫܪ ݂ܒــ ̱ܘ: ܢــܝ ݁ܒ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥــܐ ܝܰ ݂ ܐܣܪ ܳܘܢ ̱ ܰ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܰ � ܳܢܐ ܳ ܘܗ ܶܘܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ. ܫܬ ݁ܦ ̱ ܶ ܰ ݁ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܝܒـܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܶ ـܬ ܶ� ܐ ܰ�ܛܺ ݂ ܶ ܰܘ ܶ ـܪܬܗ ܫܪ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ :ܘܐܣ ܐܣܩ ̱ܘ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܛ�ܘܢܶܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥـܐ ܝܰ ݂ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ. ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ̇ ݁ ܰ ܳܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܝـܟ ܶܫ ܽ ܬ�ܶܐ ܶܐ ݂ ܰܬܘ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ ܡܫـܘܢ. ܘ ݂ܟܡܐܢܐ ܝ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ �ܗ ܒ ݂ܬܘܢܐ :ܘܐܡܪ ܐ ܠܗ :ܦ�ܫ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ݂ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܘܛـܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܟܬܢـܐ ܡـܐ ݂ܕܡܪ ܳ ܝܚـܐ ݂ܒـܗ ܘܦ ܶܣܩ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ �ܝ ݂ܬ� ܐ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܕܡ ݂ܬܦܣܩ ܚ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܘܪ ܐ :ܘ� ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܙܺܝܥ ܰܚܝܠܗ. ܢ
Ch.
The Lord God pierced the jawbone of the ass, 1 and water came out of it, and he drank and revived. 2 Therefore that place is still 3 called ‘Ein-karna of the ass’s jaw’. He judged Israel, in the time of the Philistines, (for) twenty years.
‘jawbone of the ass’: lit. ‘the jaw of the jawbone of the ass’. ‘he revived’: lit. ‘his spirit returned’. 3 ‘still’: lit. ‘until today’. 1 2
ܝܛ
ܟ
ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ̈ ܶ ݁ ܺ ܚܡ ܳܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܽܠܘܓ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ݂ܰ ܘܒ ܰܙܥ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܫـܬܝ ܢܦܩـ ̱ܘ ܡܢـܗ ܡܝـܐ :ܘ ܽ ݂ ܘܚܗܶ .ܡܛـܠ ܳܗ ܳܢـܐ ܳ ܩـܪ ܐ ܶ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܦ ܰܢܝ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܽܪ ܶ ܫܡـܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܗܘ :ܥܺܝـܢ ܰܩ ܳܪܢـܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܟـܐ �ܝ ܳ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܚܡ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ. ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳܶ ܺ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܬ�ܶܐ ܥ ܶ ܺ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܒ�ܘܡ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ�ܫ ܘܗܘ ݂ܕܢ � ܣܪܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ.
Ch.
He smote them, 1 hip and thigh, 2 — a terrible blow. Then he went to live in Sahaph, on the crag of Atmin. The Philistines went up and pitched camp in Judah.
The men of Judah said: Why have you come up? They said: We have come up to bind Samson, so that we may do to him as he did to us.
Then three thousand men of Judah went down, to Sahaph, on the crag of Atmin, and said to Samson: Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why have you done this to us? He said to them: As they did, so I have done to them. They said to him: We have come down to bind you, to deliver you into the hand(s) of the Philistines. He said to them: Swear to me that you will not hurt 3 me.
They said to him: No, but we shall definitely bind you and deliver you into their hands — but we shall not kill you. So they bound him with two new chains, and took him up from that precipice. When he came to Leeh the Philistines rose up to kill him. Then the spirit of the Lord seized him: the chains on his hands were like flax burnt up in a fire, the fetters were loosened from his hands. He found the jawbone 4 of an ass, hardened (as it dried), stretched out his hand and took it: with it he killed a thousand men. Samson said: With the jawbone of an ass I have piled their bodies high, 5 with the jawbone of an ass I have slain a thousand men. When he had finished speaking, he threw the jawbone from his hand; he called that place ‘Blood of the Jaw’.
Then he was very thirsty — he called to the Lord and said: You have given this great victory into the hand of your servant, yet now I shall die of thirst and fall into the hand(s) of these uncircumcised (men).
‘He smote them’: lit. ‘He smote them with a blow’. ‘hip and thigh’: lit. ‘from their legs as far as their loins’. 3 ‘hurt’: lit. ‘fight’. 4 ‘jawbone’: lit. ‘jaw’. So passim. 5 ‘piled their bodies high’: lit. ‘piles I have piled of them’. 1 2
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ
ܝܒ ܝܓ
ܝܕ
ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ ܝܚ
ܰ ܳ ܶܽ ݁ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ݁ ܳ ܘܬܐܶ :ܡـܢ ܳܫ ܰܩ ̈ܝـ ܽܗܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܰ ـܬܐ. ـܘܬܐ ܪܒ ݂ ܠܚ ܰܨ ܝ̈ـ ܽܗܘܢ :ܡܚ ݂ ܘܡܚܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܒܡܚ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ݁ܒ ܳܣ ܳܚ ݂ܦ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒܫܩ ݂ܝܦܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܺ ܛܡܝܢ. ܘܐܙܠ ܘ ݂ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܬ�ܶܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܫܪܘ ݁ ܺܒ ܽ ܝܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ. ܘܣܠܩ ̱ܘ ܦ�ܫ ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ܩܬܘܢܳ :ܐ ܺ ܳܘ ܺ ܐܡܪܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܽܝܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܳ ܡܪܝܢ ݁ܕܢܶ ܽ ܠܫ ܽ ܐܣܘܪ ܶ ܡܫܘܢ ܣܠܩܢ: ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܣܠ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܶܠܗ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܠܢ. ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܫܩ ݂ ܳ ܠܣ ܳܚـ ݂ܦ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܺ ܝܦـܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܺ ܬܐ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܶܡܢ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܳ : ܛܡܝـܢ: ܘܢܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܬܠ ݂ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܺ ݁ܰ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳܘ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܐܡܪܝܢ ܠܫܡܫܘܢ � :ܝ ݂ܕܥ ܐܢ̱ܬ ܕܫܠܝܛܝܢ ܒـܢ ܦ�ܫܬ�ـܐ :ܡܛـܠ ܡܢـܐ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘܳ :ܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܬ ܽ ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ܰܠܢ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐܳ .ܐ ܰܡܪ ܽ �ܗܘܢܰ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ݂ܰ �ܗܘܢ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳܐ ܺ ܠܡ ܳ ܡܪܝܢ ܶܠܗܶ : ـܘܬ ݂ܟ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܐܣـܪ ݂ܟ ܶ ܐܝـܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶـܐ .ܐ ܰܡـܪ ܢܚ ݂ ـܬܢ ܰ ܘܠܡܫ�ܡ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܢܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ. �ܗܘܢ :ܝܺ ܰܡܘ ܺܠܝ ݂ܕ� ݂ܬܗܪ ܳܘܢ ̱ ܐܣــܪ ܳܐ ܺ ܳܐ ܺ ܘܡܫ ܺ ܣܪܝــܢ ܚ ܰܢــܢ ܳܠ ـ ݂ܟܰ : ܡܪܝــܢ ܶܠــܗ ܳ�ܶ :ܐ ܳ� ܶܡ ܰ �ܡܝــܢ ܚ ܰܢــܢ ܳܠ ـ ݂ܟ ܶ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܰ ݁ܶ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ: ـܬܐ ܘܗܝ ܒ ݂ܬܪܬܝـܢ ܫܫܠ ݂ ܘܡܩܛܠ � ܳܩܛܠܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ ܠ ݂ܟܰ .ܘܐܣـܪ ̱ ܫܩ ݂ ܳ ܐܣܩܘܗܝ ܶܡܢ ܺ ܰܚ ݂ ̈ܕ ݁ ܳܬ ݂ ܳܬܐܰ :ܘ ܽ ܝܦܐ ܰܗܘ. ̱ ̱ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܠܝܚܰ :ܘ ݂ܦ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ ܩܡـ ̱ܘ ܶ ܰ ܐܨܠܚـ ݂ ݀ ܘܡܛܝ ݂ ܰ ܠܡܩܛܠـܗܰ :ܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܬ ܥܠـ ̱ ܺ ܰ ݁ܶ ݁ܳ ܳ ܳ ܬ ݁ ܶܒـܗ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܚܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ̈ ܬ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܶܣ ݁ ܰܦـ ݂ ݀ ܽܪ ܶ ـܘܪ ܐ: ܘܗܝ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܟ ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘܗ ܰܘܝ ܺ ܺܫ ̈ܫܠ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕܥܰ� ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱ ܶ ݁ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ. ܘ ܐܫܬܪܝ ̱ܘ ܐ ܽܣܘ� ܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱ ܶܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶܘ ݁ ܰ ܝܕܗ ܰܘܢ ݁ ܶ ܐܫܟܚ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܚܡ ܳܪ ܐ ܛ ܽܪ ܳܘܢܐܰ :ܘ ܶ ܐܘܫܛ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܘܩܛـܠ ݁ ܶܒـܗ ܐܠـ ݂ܦ ܣܒـܗ: ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ. ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܰ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܚܡ ܳ ܝـܬ ܶܡ ܽ ܢـܗܘܢ݁ :ܒ ݂ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܟـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ـܪ ܐ ـܬܐ ݂ܟ ܺܫ ݂ ܘܐܡܪ ܫ ܳܡܫܘܢ :ܒ ݂ܦܟـܐ ݂ܕܚܡـܪ ܐ ݂ܟܫܝ ݂ ܶ ܰܩܛܠ ݂ܬ ܐ ܶܠ ݂ܦ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ. ܝܕܗܰ :ܘ ܳ ݂ܰ ܩܪ ܐ ܶ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܰܫܠܶܡ ܰܠ ܰ ܫܕܝ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܟܐ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܡܡܠܳܠܽܘܳ ݂ : ܫܡܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܗܘ ݁ܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܦ ݁ ܳܟܐ. ܰܘ ܺܨܗܝ ܳܛ ݂ܒܰ :ܘ ܳ ܩܪ ܐ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪܰ :ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒـ ݁ܬ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܶ ـܕ ݂ܟ ܢܶ ܳ ܐܝـܕܗ ݁ܕܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܨܚ ܳܢـܐ ܳܗ ܳܢـܐ ܳ ܗ�ܐܶ :ܘ ݁ ܶ ܰܪ ݁ ܳܒܐܳ : ܐܦܠ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ �ܨ ܳ ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܶܐ ܽܡ ݂ܘܬ ܰ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘ� � ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ.
Ch.
XII
Chapter
It happened after a while, 1 at the time of the wheat harvest, that Samson called to mind his wife, (thinking to visit her,) with a kid. He said: I shall go to my wife, in the bed-chamber; but her father would not let him in. Her father said to him: I thought you deeply hated her, so I gave her to (one of) your sponsors. See! her younger sister is better than she — take her instead. 2 Samson said to them: I am innocent in comparison with the Philistines. For now I shall do you harm.
So Samson went, and took three hundred foxes; he took 3 torches; he tied them by their tails, two foxes (tied) together; he tied a torch between each pair of foxes, 4 between their two tails. He set fire to the torches, and let them go among the Philistines’ standing grain. The fire spread 5 from the shocks, through the standing grain; it reached the vineyards, it reached the olive groves. 6
The Philistines said: Who did this? They said: Samson, Timnam’s son-in-law, because he took his wife and gave her to his sponsor. So the Philistines went up, and burnt her, and her father’s house.
Samson said to them: Even for this 7 I shall be revenged on you. Then I shall stop.
‘a while’: lit. ‘days’. ‘take her instead’: lit. ‘let her be to you instead of her’. 3 ‘took … took’: two different Syriac roots, lit. ‘caught … took’. 4 ‘two foxes (tied) together … a torch between each pair of foxes’: lit. ‘two two foxes together … one one a torch between two foxes’. 5 ‘The fire spread’: lit. ‘He burnt’. 6 ‘through the standing grain; it reached the vineyards, it reached the olive groves’: lit. ‘as far as the standing grain, as far as the vineyards, as far as the olive groves’. 7 ‘Even for this’: lit. ‘Even if you have done this’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ: ܨܚ ܝܒ
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܝܗ.
ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̈ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܘܗܘܐ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ܬܪ ܝܘܡ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒܙ ݂ܒܢܐ ݂ܕܚܨ ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܕܚܛـܐ :ܘܐܬܕ ݂ܟـܪ ̇ܗ ܫܡܫـܘܢ �ܢ ـܬ ݂ܬܗ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ̱ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܽ ܝܛ ܳ ܘܢـܐ .ܘ� ܫ ݂ܒܩـܗ ܐ ݂ܒ ̇ ـܘܗ ـܬ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܠܩ ܒ ݂ܓ ݂ܕ�ܐ ݂ܕ�ܙ ܐ :ܘ ܐܡـܪ ܐ ܰܙܠ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ܐܢ ̱ ܶ ܠܡܥܰܠ. ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰܽ ̇ ܳ ܰ ܺ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ̇ ܰ ݁ܳ ܠܫ ݂ ܺ ܬ ̇ܗ ܰ ـܘܫܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܟ. ܝܬ ܕܡܣܢܐ ܣܢܝܬܗ :ܘܝ ̱ܗ ݂ܒـ ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗ ܐܒܘܗ :ܣܒܪ ܗܘ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ݂ ݁ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܳ ݂ ܶ ̱ܳ ݂݁ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܗܐ ܚ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ ܙܥܘܪܬܐ ܕܛ ݂ܒܐ ܡܢ ̇ܗ :ܬܗܘܐ ܠ ݂ܟ ܚ� ݂ܦ ̇ ܝܗ. ܶ ܽ ܰ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ ܳ ܬ�ܶܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܥܰ ݂ ܽ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܫܡܫܘܢ :ܙ ܟܝ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܡܢ ܦ�ܫ ܡܟـܘܢ ̱ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ ܝܫܬܐ. ܒ ܰ ܺ ܢܣــܒ ܰܠ ݁ ܺ ـܕ ܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܶܫ ܽ ܡܦܝـ ݂ ܶ ܡܫــܘܢ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܣــܪ ܐܚـ ݂ـܕ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ـ ݂ܬ ܳܡ ـܐܐ ݂ܬܥ̈ܠܝــܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܐܣܪ ܰܚܕ ܰܚܕ ܰܠ ݁ ܺ ܡܦ ݂ ܳ ܝܬ ݁ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܕ ̈ܘ ݁ܢܒ ܳܝ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ݁ :ܬܪ ܶܝܢ ݁ܬܪܝܢ ݁ܬܥ̈ܠܝܢ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ݂ ݂ ܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ݁ ܰܬܥ̈ܠܺܝܢܰ ݁ :ܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܬ ݁ܪܬܝܢ ݁ ܽܕܘ ݁ ̈ ܢܒ ܳܝ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ. ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܬ�ܶܐܰ :ܘ ܶ ܐܘܩ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ݁ܓ ݂ ܺܕ ܝ ̈ ܶܫـܐ: ܫܒܩ ܒܩܝܡ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ�ܫ ܘܐܘܚ ݂ܕ ܢܘܪ ܐ ݂ܒܠܡܦ ݂ܝܕ ܐ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ̈݁ܶ ܳ ̈ܳ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰ ܠܟ� ܶܡܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܬܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܙ ܝܬܐ. ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܠܩܝܡ ݂ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐܳ :ܐ ܺ ܬ�ܶܐܰ :ܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܰ ܡܫܘܢ ܰܚ ݂ܬܢܶܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ܰ ܡܪܝܢ ܶܫ ܽ ܡܢܡ :ܥܰـܠ ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܦ�ܫ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܠܫ ݂ ܺ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܫܒܝܢܶܗܰ .ܘܣܠܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܦ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܽ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܶܗ ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰ ܘܗ � ̇ ܐܘܩـܕ ̇ ـܗ ܰ ܘܗ ݁ܒ ܽܢ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܶ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܘܪ ܐ. ܠܒ ݂ ܡܫܘܢܳ :ܐ ݂ ܶܦܢ ݁ܬܶ ݁ܥܒ ݂ ܽܕܘܢ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐܶ :ܡ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ܰܩܡ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ݂ ܽ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܢܟـܘܢܳ : ܶܘ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܶܫ ܽ ܘܗ ݁ ܶ ܝܕܝـܢ ̱ ܶ ܳܫ� ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ.
Ch.
Samson’s wife, whom he had loved, went to 1 (one of) those who had come to support him. 2
‘went to’: lit. ‘was to’. 2 ‘those who had come to support him’: lit. ‘the bridegroom’s support’. 1
ܟ
ܠܫ ݂ ܺ ܰܘ ܳ ܗܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܶܗ ݁ܕ ܶܫ ܽ ܡܫܘܢ ݁ܕ ܳܪ ܶܚܡ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ� ̇ܗܰ : ܘܫܒܝܢܶܗ.
Ch.
Samson said to them: Let me ask you a riddle. 1 If you can solve 2 it for me (during) the seven days of the feast, and understand it, I will give you thirty overcoats and thirty changes of clothes. 3 But if you can not solve it for me, you will give me thirty overcoats and thirty changes of clothes. They said to him: Ask your riddle, we will listen to it.
He said to them: Out of the eater came forth food; out of the bitter came forth sweet. (For) three days, they could not solve the riddle.
On the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife: Persuade your husband to tell us (the answer to) his riddle — or we shall 4 burn with fire you, you and your father’s house, and take possession of his property. Samson’s wife wept, saying to him: Truly you hate me, you do not love me — (for) you did not tell me the riddle that you asked the children of my people. He (said) to her: I did not tell it to my father or my mother — should I tell it to you?
She wept (throughout) the seven days of the feast; on the seventh day he told her, because she annoyed him — and she explained 5 the riddle to the children of her people. On the seventh day the men of the city said, before he went in to the banquet, What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion? Samson said to them: If you had not persuaded my heifer 6 you would not have solved my riddle.
Then the spirit of the Lord seized him, and he went down to Ashkelon. He took thirty of their men 7 and killed them; he took their clothes and gave (them) to those who had solved his riddle. He was furious. He went up to his father’s house.
‘Let me ask you a riddle’: lit. ‘Let me hold a riddle to you’. See too 14:13,16. ‘solve’: or ‘interpret/explain’. So passim. 3 ‘changes of clothes’ or ‘suits of clothes including both inner and outer garments’. 4 ‘or we shall’: lit. ‘that we may not’. 5 ‘explained’: lit. ‘disclosed’. 6 ‘persuaded my heifer’: see Introduction. Addendum 3. 7 ‘took thirty of their men’: lit. ‘seized from them thirty men’. 1 2
ܝܒ
ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ
ܝܙ ܝܚ
ܝܛ
ܳ ܶ ܶ ܡܫܘܢܳ :ܐ ܶܚ ݂ܕ ܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܽ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܶܫ ܽ ܠܟܘܢ ܐܽܘܚـ ݁ܕ ݂ܬܐ .ܐܢ ݁ܬ ݂ܦܫ ܽܪ ܳܘܢ ̇ ـܗ ܺܠـܝ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥـܐ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܶ ݁ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ـܘܢ ̇ܗܶ :ܐ ݁ܬܠ ݂ ܽ ܘܬܐ ݂ܘܬ݁ܕ ܽܥ ܳ ܠܟـܘܢ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܝـܢ ܐ ݂ܦ ܰܩ� ܺܣܝـܢܰ :ܘ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܝـܢ ܝܘܡܝ ܡܫܬ ݂ ܰܙ ̈ܘ ݁ ܺܓܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܽ ܠܒ ̈ܘ ܶܫܐ. ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܽ ܽ ܚܬܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ܬܶ ݂ܦܫ ܽܪ ܳܘܢ ̇ܗ ܺܠܝ :ܝܳ ݁ ܺ ܘܐܢ � ܐܫܟ ܗܒܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܺܠܝ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܝـܢ ܐ ݂ܦ ܰܩ� ܺܣܝـܢ: ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰ ̈ ܺ ݁ܰ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܠܒܘܫܐ .ܐܡܪܝܢ ܠܗ :ܐܚܘ݂ܕ ܐܘܚܕ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ :ܘܢܫܡܥ ̇ ܝܗ. ܘ ݂ܬܠ ݂ܬܝܢ ܙ ܘ ݁ܓܝܢ ܕ ݂ ܘܡܢ ܰܡ ܺܪ ܳܝܪ ܐ ݂ ܰ �ܗܘܢܶ :ܡܢ ܳܐ ݂ܟ ܳ� ݂ ܰ �ܝـܐܳ .ܘ� ܶܐ ݁ ܰ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܽ ܢܦܩ ܐ ܽ ݂ܘܟ ܳ�ܶ : ܢܦܩ ܰܚ ܳ ܫܟܚـ ̱ܘ ܶ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܚܕ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܐ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܺܡܝܢ. ܠܡ ݂ܦܫܪ ̇ܗ ܐܘ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܝ� ܳܝܐ ܳܐ ܺ ܪܒ ܳ ܘܡܐ ݂ ܺ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܡܪܝܢ ܰ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕ ܶܫ ܽ ـܝ ݁ܕ ܰܢـ ݁ܘܕܥܰܢ ܘܗܝ ݂ ܠܒܥܠ ܳ ݂ܟ ̱ ܡܫܘܢܰ :ܫ ݁ܕܠܝـ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܠܒܝܬ ܐ ܽܒܘܟܝ ݁ܒ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܪ ܐܺ :ܘܢ ܰܐܪ ݂ܬ ܽܝ ݁ ܚܕ ݂ܬܶܗ݁ :ܕ� ܰܢ ݂ ܶ ܐܽܘ ݁ ܘܪܬ ܶ�ܗ. ܘܩܕ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ܰܘ ݂ ܶ ݂ ݂ ݂ ̱ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܶܠـܗܰ :ܫ ܺܪ ܳܝܪܐ ܺ ܡܫܘܢ ܳܘ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܳܟ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܶܗ ݁ܕ ܶܫ ܽ ܢـܝ. ܢـܝ ܘ� ܪܚ ܝܬ ܝـܬ ܣܢ ݂ ܡܬ ̱ ̱ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܪܬ ̇ܗܶ .ܘ ܰ ݁ ܽܕܐܘܚ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳ� ̇ ܡـܝ � ܡܝ :ܠܝ � ܐܡ ـܝ ܘ� ̱ ـܗ݂ � :ܒ ̱ ܐܚ ݁ܕ ݁ ܺܬ ܰܠ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ̱ ܶܐ ܶ ܡܪ ݂ܬܶ :ܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ܐ ܰܡܪ. ܶ ܰ ܳ ݀ ݁ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܺ ݁ ܶ ݁ܽ ܳ �ܝ ܳ ܘܬܐܰ .ܘ ܰ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ :ܐ ܰܡـܪ ܳ� ̇ ـܗ ܘܗܘܬ ܒ ݂ܟܝܐ ܗܢܘܢ ܫ ݂ܒܥܐ ܝܘܡܝܢ ܕܡ ܫܬ ݂ ܶ ܽ ݂ ݁ܰ ܺ ܰ ݀ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܡܛܠ ܕܐܥܝܩ ݂ܬ ܠܗ :ܘ ݂ܓܠ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ ܐܘܚܕ ݂ܬܐ ܠ ݂ܒܢܝ ܥܡ ̇ܗ. ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ :ܥܰ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܶ� ܽܥܘܠ ݁ ܽܬ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܘܩ ܳܢܐܳ :ܡ ܰܢـܘ ݁ ܰܕܚـ� ܶܡـܢ ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܐ̱ܢܫܝ ܩܪ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ݁ ܽ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܒ ܳܫܐ :ܐܘ ܳܡ ܰܢܘ ݁ܕ ݂ܬ ܺܩ ݂ܝܦ ܡܢ ܐܪ�ܐ .ܐܡܪ �ܗܘܢ ܫܡܫܘܢ :ܐܠـܘ � ܫܕܠـܬܘܢ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܪܬܘܢ ܐ ܽ ݁ ܰ ܘܚܕ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ. ܥܓܠܬ ̱ܝ݂ � :ܦܫ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܬ ܥܠ ܰ ܐܨܠܚ ݂ ݀ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܪܘܚܗ ܕܡܪ�ܐ ܘܢܚ ݂ܬ �ܫܩܠـܘܢ :ܘܐܚ ݂ـܕ ܡܢـܗܘܢ ܬܠ ݂ܬܝـܢ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܠܒ ̈ܘ ܰܫ ܽ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܰ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽ ܘܩ ܶܛ� ܽܢܘܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ܝܗܘܢ :ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ �ܗܢܘܢ ܕ ݂ܦܫܪ ̱ܘ ܐܘ ܚܕ ݂ܬܗ. ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܘܓ ܶܙܗ ܰܘܣܠܩ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚܡ ݂ܬ ܪ ݂
Ch.
Chapter
Samson went down to Timnath and saw a woman in Timnath, a Philistine woman. 1
He went up and told his father and his mother, he said to them: I saw a Philistine woman in Timnath — take her for me, as a wife. His father and his mother said to him: Is there no woman here, in your father’s house, in all your people, that you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines? Samson said to his father: Take her for me, for she was fair in my eyes.
His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he sought vengeance on the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel. Samson, and his father and mother, went down to Timnath. They reached the vineyards of Timnath, and See! a lion cub roared at him.
Then the spirit of the Lord seized him: 2 he tore it to pieces, as they tear a kid to pieces, though he had no weapon 3 in his hand; he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. They went down and spoke with the woman; her appearance pleased Samson.
After (some) days he returned to take her. He turned aside to see the lion’s skeleton, and see! there was a swarm of bees in that lion’s body. Honey flowed over his hands; he went on.
He came to his father and mother, and gave them (some), and they ate: he did not tell them that the honey had come 4 from the lion’s body. His father went down to the woman, and Samson made a feast there, (that lasted for) seven days: such was the custom of the young men. 5 When they saw him, thirty men came, to act as the sponsors.
‘a Philistine woman’: lit. ‘one of the daughters of the Philistines’. So too 14:2. ‘seized him’: lit. ‘flourished upon him’. So too 14:19, 15:14. 3 ‘he had no weapon’: lit. ‘there was nothing’. 4 ‘had come’: lit. ‘flowed’. 5 ‘such was the custom of the young men’: lit. ‘for thus they made, the young men, a feast’. 1 2
ܰܶ
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ
ܶܩ ݂ܦ� ܳܘܢ :ܝܕ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܬ ܰ ܢܚ ݂ܬ ܶܫ ܽ ܰܘ ܶ ܡܢ ݂ܬܶ :ܡܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ ݂ܬ ݁ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ. ܡܫܘܢ ݂ ܠܬܡܢ ݂ܬ :ܘܚܙ ܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܶܘ� ܶܡܗܶ :ܘ ܰ ܬ ܰ ܘܚ ܺܘܝ � ݂ ܽܒ ܰܘܣܠܩ ـܬ ܶܡـܢ �ܗܘܢ :ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ ܚܙ ݂ ܡܢ ݂ ܝܬ ܒ ݂ ̱ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܳ̈ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ ܳ ܬ�ܶܐܳ :ܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܣ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܘܗ ܺܠܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ. ܒܢ ݂ܬ ܦ�ܫ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܶܘ ܶ ܐܡܗܰ :ܠ ݁ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ܝـܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒـ ݂ܘܟ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟܠـܗ ܥܰ ܳܡـ ݂ܟ ܝـܬ ܳܗ ݁ ܳܪܟـܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ̱ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܳܕܐܙܶ ܰ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶ ܬ�ܶـܐ ܽܥـܘ� ܶ�ܶ .ܘ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ܶܫ ܽ ܡܫـܘܢ ܠܡ ܰܣ ݂ـܒ ܐܢ̱ـܬ ݂ܬܐ ܡـܢ ܦ�ܫ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝܳ : �ܗܝ ܰܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܺܠܝ ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܺܗܝ ܶܫ ݂ܦ ܰܪ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝ. � ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ܳ ݁ܳ ܘܗܝ ܶܘ ܶ ܐܡــܗ ܳ� ܝܳ ݂ܕܥܺܝــܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ݁ܕ ܶܡ ـܢ ܳܡ ܳ ـܪܬܐ ܶܡــܢ ܪ�ــܐ ̱ܗܝ݁ ܺ :ܕܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ـܥ ܥܝـ ܰܘ ݂ ܽܐܒ ـ ̱ ܳܶ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܳ ݁ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐܰ .ܘ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ܰܗܘ ݁ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ ܰܫܠܝܛܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܥܰ�ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡــܐ ݂ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܶܘ ܶ ـܬܰ : ܠܬ ܰ ـܬ ܶܫ ܽ ܘܡ ܺܛܝ ـ ̱ܘ ݂ ܰ ܰܘ ܶ ܠܟ� ܶܡ ـܐ ܢܚـ ݂ ܡܢـ ݂ ܐܡــܗ ݂ ܡܫــܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ ܽܐܒ ـ ̱ ܽ ܶ ܡܢ ݂ܬܳ : ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ܰ ܘܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܘܗܐ ܽ ݂ܓ ܳ ܠܩ ݂ܘܒܠܗ. ܐܪ�ܐ ܳܢ ܶܗܡ ܬ ܥܠ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܪ�ܐܰ ݂ : ܐܨܠܚ ݂ ݀ ܫܚܗ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܽܪ ܶ ܘܚܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܦ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬ ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܳ�ܐ :ܘ� ܐ ݂ ̱ ܡܦܫܚܝܢ ܰ ݂ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ ܺ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܘ� ܶܡܗ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ. ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܕܡ ܒ ݂ ܐܝܕܗ :ܘ� ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ � ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ܢܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܶܫ ܽ ܘܡܠ ܶܠ ̱ܘ ܥܰܡ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐܶ : ܰܘ ܶ ܡܫܘܢ. ܘܫ ݂ܦ ܰܪ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܽ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܘܡـܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܣܒ ̇ ܐܪ�ـܐ: ܪ ܓ ܬ ܐ ܚـܙ ܠܡ ـܐ ܤܛ ܘ : ܗ ܠܡ ܐ ܬ ܘ ݂ ݂ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ܬܪ ܝܘܡ ݂ ݂ ݂ ܳܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܘܗܝ ܘܗܐ ܫ�ܚܐ ݂ܕ݂ܕܒܘ�ܝ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܓܘܫܡܗ ܕܐܪ�ـܐ ܗܘ :ܘܪ ݂ܕ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܫـܐ ܥ�ܝـ ݂ܕ ̱ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ. ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܶܐ ܶܡܗ :ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܰܘ ܳ �ـܗܘܢ ܶܘ ݂ ܰܐܟܠـ ̱ܘ :ܘ� ܰܚ ܺـܘܝ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܓ ܶ ܘܫܡܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܐܪ�ܐ ݂ ܳܪܕ ܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܒ ܳܫܐ. ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ݁ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܫܬ ݂ܘܬܐ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ܰܝـ ̈ܘ ܺܡܝܢ: ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܬܡܢ ܫܡܫܘܢ ܡ ܢܚ ݂ܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ܘ ܘܗܝ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ :ܘ ݂ ̱ ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ̈ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶܡܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܥ ݂ܒ ݁ ܺܕܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ݁ܓܕܘ݂ܕ ܐ ܡܫܬ ݂ܘܬܐ. ܶܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܘܟܕ ܰ ܽ ܬܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ܗܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܰܫܘ ̈ܫ ݂ ܺܒܝܢܶܐ. ݂ܰ ݂ ܘܗܝ ܐ ݂ܬܘ ܬܠ ݂ ܚܙ ܐ ̱
Ch.
Manoah and his wife were looking, as a flame of fire went up from the stone to the heavens, and the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar — Manoah and his wife saw, and fell on their faces to the ground and worshiped. The angel of the Lord did not appear again to Manoah or to his wife; then Manoah and his wife knew that he was the angel of the Lord. Manoah said to his wife: We shall surely die, for we have seen God.
His wife said to him: If God had wanted us to die he would not have received from us an offering and a meal offering, he would not have told us all these things at this time, he would not have made us hear these things.
The woman gave birth to a son, and named him Samson. The child grew up, and the Lord blessed him.
The spirit of the Lord began to influence him, 1 in the camp of Dan, between Zodah and Eshtaol.
1
‘influence him’: lit. ‘make him go/walk’.
ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝـܬܐ ܕ ܽܢـ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ ܟ ܰܘ ܽ ܐܦـܐ ܡܢܘܚ ܰܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܗ ܳܚ ܶܙܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ :ܟـ ݂ܕ ܣ�ܩـ ݂ܬ ܫ�ܗ ݂ܒ ݂ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܚܐܰ :ܘ ܽ ܠܫܡܝܐ :ܘܣܠ ܡܢـܘܚ ܘܐܢ̱ـܬ ݂ܬܗ ܩ ܡ� ݂ܟܗ ܕܡ ܰܪ�ܐ ݂ܒܫ�ܗ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ̈ ݁ ܣܓ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ. ܚܙܘ :ܘ ݂ܢܦܠ ̱ܘ ܥ� ܦܝܗܘܢ ܥ�ܪܥܐ :ܘ ݂ܶ ܪ�ـܐ ܶ ܡܢـܘܚ ܘ ܰ�ܢ ̱ ݁ ـܬ ݂ܬܶܗܳ : ܚܙ ܽܝـܘ ܰܠ ܽ ܟܐ ܳܘ� ܰܐ ܶ ܠܡ ݂ܬ ܳ ܘܗ ݁ ܶ ܘܣ ݂ܦ ݁ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܕܝـܢ ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܘ ܽ ܡܢܘܚ ܰܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܶܗ݁ :ܕ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܽ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ݁ܺ ܟܒ ܶܘ ܰ ܝܬܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܰ� ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܚܙܝܢ. ܡܢܘܚ �ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܗ :ܡܡ ݂ܬ ܡ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶܽ ܳܶ ܳ ܰܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܝܬܢܰ �ܳ : ܡܩ ݁ ܶܒـܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܡ ܰܢـܢ ܟܓ ܘܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ܠܗ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܗ :ܐܠܘ ܨ ݂ܒܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܐܠܗܐ ݂ܕܢܡ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܰܘ ܺ ܡܚ ܶܘܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܠܢ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ �ܗܝܢ ݁ܒ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ :ܘ� ܰܡ ܰ ܣܡ ݂ ܳ ܝܕ ܐܳ :ܘ� ܰ ܫܡܥ ܥܠ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܳ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܠܢ ܗܠܝܢ. ܘܒ ݂ ܶ �ܕ ݂ܬ ݀ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ܬ ݀ ܶ �ܝܐܰ ݂ . ܫܡܗ ܶܫ ܽ ܡܫܘܢܰ :ܘܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܰܛ ܳ ܪܟܗ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܟܕ ܘܝ ܶ ݁ ܰ ̱ ܰ ܰ ݀ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝـܬ ܶܨ ݂ܕ ܳܥـܐ ݂ ܶ ܝـܬ ܝـܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕܢܶ ݁ :ܒ ݂ ܘܒ ݂ ܟܗ ܶܘܫܪܝ ݂ ܶܬ ܪܘܚܗ ܕܡܪ�ܐ ܠܡܗܠ ݂ܟ ݂ܘܬܗ ܒܡܫܪ ݂ ݁ܽ ܫܬܘܐܝܠ. ܐ
Ch.
Manoah got up and went with his wife — he came to the man and said to him: Are you the man who spoke with this woman? He said: I am he. Manoah said: Now may your word come to pass! Tell me how the child will live, and what he will do. 1
The angel of the Lord said to Manoah: Let the woman take heed of all that I said to her.
She shall eat no produce 2 of the vine; she shall not drink wine or strong drink; she shall eat nothing unclean; she shall observe 3 everything I have commanded her.
Manoah said to the angel of the Lord: Please stay a while, 4 let us prepare a kid 5 for you.
The angel of the Lord said to Manoah: (Even) if you detain me, I shall not eat your food; if you offer up an offering, 6 you shall offer it to the Lord — for Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord. Manoah said to the angel of the Lord: What is your name? so that when your word comes to pass we may call upon you.
The angel of the Lord said to him: Why do you ask 7 my name? It is honored. 8
Manoah took a kid, and a meal offering, 9 and offered up (an offering) upon the stone to the Lord. He praised the Lord.
1 ‘how the child will live, and what he will do’: lit. ‘the custom of the child and his deeds’. 2 ‘produce’: lit. ‘which comes out from’. 3 ‘observe’: lit. ‘guard’. 4 ‘stay a while’: lit. ‘may we detain you’. 5 ‘kid’: lit. ‘a kid of the goats’. So too 13:19. 6 ‘offer … an offering’: two different Syriac roots. 7 ‘ask’: lit. ‘ask concerning’. 8 ‘honored’ or ‘praised’. 9 ‘meal offering’ or ‘fine flour’.
ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ
ܝܙ ܝܚ ܝܛ
ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܶܠـܗܰ :ܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܐܬܐ ܳ ܘܩܡ ܽ �ܘ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ـܬ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܡܢܘܚ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܥܡ ܐܢܬܬܗ :ܘ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ̱ ݁ ݂ ܳ ܶ ݂ ܰ ܰܶ ݂ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕܡܠܠܬ ܥܡ ܗ݂ܕ ܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ .ܘܐܡܪ ܐܢܐ ̱ܗܘ. ܐܡــܪ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܡܢــܘܚܳ :ܗ ܳܫــܐ ܳܗ ܶܘܐ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡ ـ ݂ܟܶ :ܐ ܰܡــܪ ܺܠــܝ ܳܡ ܰܢ ـܘ ݁ ܺܕܝܢܶــܗ ݁ܕ ܰܛ ܳ �ܝــܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ. ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܰܠ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܡܢܘܚܶ :ܡܢ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܡܕܡ ܕ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ �ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܙܕ ܰܗܪ. ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܫܬܐܽ ݂ : ܶ ܘܟܠ ܘܡܢ ݁ ܽܟܠ ݁ܕ ܳܢ ݂ ܶܦܩ ܶܡܢ ݁ܓ ݂ ܶܦ ݁ܬܐ � ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܐܟܘܠ :ܘܚܡܪ ܐ ܘܫ ݂ܟܪ ܐ � ݂ܬ ܳ ܶܰ ܛܡܐ �ܳ ݁ܬܶ ݂ ܽܐܟܘܠܽ ݂ : ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܘܟܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܦ ܶܩ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ̇ܗ ݁ܬܛܪ. ܪ�ܐ :ܢܶ ݂ܟܠ ܶ ݂ܝܟ ܘܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܕ ܳ�ܐ ݂ܕ ܶ� ̈ܶܙ ܐ ݂ ܳ ܡܢܘܚ ܠ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܩܕ ܰܡ ݁ܝܟ. ܶ ܶ ܶ ܝܢـܝ ܳ� ܶܐ ݂ ܽܟـܘܠ ܶܡـܢ ܰܠ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܰܠ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܚܡـ ݂ܟܶ .ܘܐܢ ܡܢـܘܚ :ܐܢ ݁ܬ ݂ܟܠ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰܬ ܺ ܬܐܳ : ܝܗ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܳܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܽ ܠܡ ܳ ܣܩ ̇ ܡܢـܘܚ ݁ܕ ܰܡ� ݂ ܶܟـܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ݁ܬ ܶܣܩ ܥܠ ݂ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܗܘܐ ݂ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ܳܓ ܳܡ ݂ܟ ܢܶ ܶ ܫܡ ݂ܟ ݁ܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܪ�ܐܳ :ܡ ܰܢܘ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܡܢܘܚ ܠ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ܝܟ. ݂ ܶ ܰ ܪ�ܐܳ : ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܡܝ ݁ܕ ܽܗܘ ܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܒܚ. ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܳܫܐ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܰܠ ܶܫ ̱ ܐܣـܩ ܥܰــܠ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ ܡܢــܘܚ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܕ ܳ�ـܐ ݂ܕ ܶ�ـ ̈ܶܙ ܐܰ :ܘ ܺ ܐܦـܐ ܳ ܢܣـ ݂ـܒ ܽ ـܕ ܐܰ :ܘ ܶ ܰܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ ܣܡܝـ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ــܐ. ܰܘܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܒܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ.
Ch.
XI
Chapter
Again the Israelites did evil before the Lord. The Lord delivered them into the hand(s) of the Philistines (for) forty years. There was a man from Zedah, of the family of Dan; his name was Manoah. His wife was barren, she had no children. 1
The angel 2 of the Lord appeared to that woman, and said to her: See! You are barren, you have no children — but now you will conceive, you will bear a son. Take care lest you should drink wine or strong drink; you must not eat anything unclean.
For See! You will conceive, you will give birth to a son: no razor shall touch his head, for the child will be a nazirite of God from the womb; he will begin to free Israel from the hand(s) of the Philistines. The woman came, and spoke to her husband: A man of God came to me, he appeared to me in the form 3 of an angel of God — I was terribly scared — I did not ask him from whence he came, and he did not tell me his name. He said to me: See! You will conceive, you will give birth to a son. From now on, you must not drink wine or strong drink, or eat anything unclean, for the child will be a nazirite of God from the womb until the day he dies. Manoah prayed to the Lord and said: I pray you, Lord — the man of God whom you sent — let him come again to us so that he may teach us what we should do for the child who will be born.
The Lord heard the voice of Manoah: the angel of the Lord came again to the woman as she was sitting in the field. Her husband Manoah was not with her.
The woman hurried, she ran, she told her husband, she said to him: See! the man who came to me that day appeared to me.
‘had no children’: lit. ‘did not give birth’. ‘angel’ or ‘messenger’. So passim. 3 ‘form’: lit. ‘appearance’. 1 2
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ܶ ܶ ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝܫ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘܐܫܠـܡ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ ܐ ݁ܪܒܥܺܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܰ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ـܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕܢܰ :ܘ ܶ ܫܡـܗ ܽ ـܬ ݂ܬܗ ܘܗܘܐ ܳ ݂ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܚ ݂ܕ ܡܢ ܨ ݂ܕܥܐ :ܡـܢ ܫܪܒ ݂ ܡܢـܘܚ :ܘܐܢ ̱ ܰ ܥܩ ݂ܪܬܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܳܘ� ܝܳ ݁ ܳ �ܕ ܐ. ܐܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗܳ :ܗܐ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܥܰ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܰ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܳܗܝܶ :ܘ ܰ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܺ ܩـܪ ܐ ܳܘ� ܝܳ ݁ ܳ ܚܙܝ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ �ـܕ ܐ: ̱ ܺ ܶ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ܺ ܛܢܝܢ ݂ܘܬ ݁ ܺ ܐ�ܕܝܢ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐ. ܶ ݁ܰ ݇ ݁ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܺ ܫܬܝܢ ܰܚ ܳ ܡܪ ܐ ܰܐܘ ܰܫ ݂ܟ ܳܪ ܐܳ :ܘ� ݂ ܺܬ ݂ܐܟܠܺܝܢ ݁ ܽܟܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܛܡܐ. ܐܙܕܗܪ ̱ܝ ܕܠܡܐ ݂ܬ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܳ ܡܕ ݁ܟ ܳܝܐ ܳ� ܢܶ ܰܣܩ ܥܰܠ ܺܪ ܶ ܛܢܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܘܝܳ ݁ ܳ �ܕ ܐ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܫـܗ: ܝܪܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܘܗܘ ܰܢܫ ܶ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܢܙ ܶ �ܝـܐ ܶܡـܢ ܰܡ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥـܐܽ : ـܪ ܐ ܶ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܢܶ ܶ ـܗܘܐ ܰܛ ܳ ܠܡ ݂ܦـ ܰܪܩ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ. � ܶ ܳ ܠܒ ܳ ـܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ـܗܰ ݁ :ܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܐܬ ݂ܬ ݀ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܠـ ܳܗܐ ܶܐ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܳ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ݀ ݂ ܰ ܥ� ̇ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬܚـ ܺܙܝ ܺܠـܝ ܘ݂ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ܳܙܘܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ� ݂ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܠ ܳܗܐܳ :ܘܙܥ ݂ܬ ܛ ݂ܒ :ܘ� ܰܫܐ ݁ ܠܬܗ ܶܡܢ ܐܝ ܶܡ ݁ ܰܟܐ ̱ܗܘ :ܘܫܡܗ � ܢܝ. ܰܚܘܝܰ ̱ ܳ ݁ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܺ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ܫܬܝܢ ܰܚ ܳ ܛܢܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܘܝ ܘܐܡܪ ܠܝ :ܕܗܐ ݂ܒ ܡـܪ ܐ �ܕ ܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐܶ :ܡ ݁ ܺܟܝܠ � ݂ܬ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܘܫ ݂ܟ ܳܪ ܐܳ :ܘ� ݂ܬܶ ݂ܐܟܠܺܝܢ ݁ܟܠ ܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܕܛܡܐ :ܡܛܠ ݁ܕܢܙܝܪܗ ݁ܕܐܠܗܐ ܢܗܘܐ ܛ ܳ ܰ �ܝܐ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶܡܢ ܰܡ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܝܘܡܐ ݂ܕܡܐ ݂ܬ. ܶ ـܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܪ�ܐܰ ݁ :ܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܐܠ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ܽ ܪ�ܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ݁ :ܒ ݂ ܳܒ ܽܥܘ ܳܡ ܳ ܡܢܘܚ ܶܡܢ ܳܡ ܳ ـܗܐ ݂ܕ ܰܫ ݁ ܰ ـܕ ݁ܪܬܺ :ܢـ ݂ܐܬܐ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܶ �ܘ ܰܬܢ :ܘ ܰܢ ݂ ܰ �ܦܢ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܠܛ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܶܠܗ �ܝܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܬܝܠ ݂ܕ. ݂ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܳ ݂ ܶ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐܺ : ܪ�ܐ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ݂ܒ ܳܩܠܶܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ ܐܬܐ ݂ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܫܡܥ ܳܡ ܳ ܡܢܘܚ :ܘ ܘܗܝ ݂ ܳ ݁ܳ ܳ ݀ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ. ܝ ݂ܬܒܐ ̱ܗܘ ݂ܬ ܒܚܩ� :ܘܡܢܘܚ ܒܥ� ̇ܗ � ̱ܗܘܐ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ݀ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܠܒ ܳ ـܗܳ :ܘ ܳ ܬ ݂ܰ ܗܛ ݂ ݀ ܘܚܘܝܰ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܰ ܥ� ̇ ܪܗܒ ݂ܬ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ :ܘܪ ܐܡـܪ ܐ ܶܠـܗܳ :ܗܐ ܐ ݂ܬܚـ ܺܙܝ ܘܐܣܬ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܳ ܺܠܝ ܰܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬܐ ݂ܒ ܰܗܘ ܝܰ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ. ݂
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He had thirty sons and thirty daughters; he sent thirty daughters abroad, 1 and brought thirty daughters-in-law from abroad. He judged Israel (for) seven years. Abizan died, and was buried in Bethlehem.
After him, Elon from Zebulun judged Israel (for) ten years.
Elon from Zebulun died, and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. After him, Achron son of Hilian the Pirathonite judged Israel.
He had forty sons, and thirty grandsons; 2 they rode upon seventy foals. He judged Israel (for) eight years. Achron son of Hilian the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mountain-country of the Amalekites.
‘abroad’: lit. ‘outside’. 2 ‘grandsons’: lit. ‘sons of his sons’. 1
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ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܺ̈ ܰ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܳ ̈ ܶ ܬܗ ܰܐ ݁ ܶܦـܩ ݂ ܰ ܠܒـܪ: ܘܗܘܘ ܠܗ ܬܠ ݂ܬܝܢ ܒܢܝܢ :ܘ ݂ܬܠ ݂ܬܝܢ ܒܢܺܢ .ܘ ݂ܬܶܠ ݂ܬܝـܢ ܒܢـ ݂ ̈ܺ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܠܒܪܳ ݂ .ܘܕܢ � ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ ܰ ܬܝܢ ݁ ܰܟܠ ̈ܠܳܢ ܰܐܥܶܠ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܰ ܫܒܥ ܫܢܝܢ. ܘ ݂ܬܠ ݂ ܺ ܝܬ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒ ܳܝ�ܶ :ܘܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ ܝܬ ܠ ܶܚܡ. ܘܡ ݂ ܩܒܪ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܝ� ܽܠܘܢ ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܘܠܘܢ ܰ ݂ܘܕܢ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ܬܪܗ �ܝܣܪܐ ܥܣܪ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܽ ܐܪܥܐ ܰܕ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܝܬ ܰܐ ܽܠܘܢ ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܺ ܘܠܘܢܶ :ܘܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ ܘܠܘܢ. ܘܡ ݂ ܩܒܪ ݁ ܺܒܐܝܠܘܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ݂ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ݁ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܥܬ ܳ ܘ� ܳܝܐ. ݂ܘܕܢ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ܬܪܗ � ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܥ ݂ܟܪܘܢ ܒܪ ܗ�ܝܢ ܐ ݂ܦܪ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܗܘܘ ݂ ܺܪܟ ݂ ܺ ܰܘ ܰ ܬܝـܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ݁ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝܰ :ܘ ܰ ܝܒܝـܢ ܥܰـܠ ܗܘܘ ܶܠܗ ܐ ݁ܪܒܥܺܝܢ ݁ܒ ܺܢ̈ܝـܢܶ :ܘ ݂ܬܠ ݂ ܺ ܰܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝܢ ܺ� ̈ܝܠܺܝܢܳ ݂ :ܘܕܢ � ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢܶܐ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܰ ܳ ݁ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܥـܬܘܢܰ ݁ :ܒ ܳ ܺ ܐܪܥـܐ ܥܬܘ�ܝـܐ :ܘܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܩܒـܪ ܒ ݂ܐܦܪ ݂ ܝܬ ܥ ݂ܟـܪܘܢ ܒـܪ ܗ�ܝـܢ ܐ ݂ܦܪ ݂ ܘܡ ݂ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ �ܩ ̈ܝܐ. ݂ܕ ݂ܐܦܪܝܡ ܒܛܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕܥܡ
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The men of Ephraim cried out. 1 They passed northwards, and said to Naphthah: Why did you pass over to fight the Ammonites, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house with fire over your head. 2
Naphthah said to them: Men, I strove — I and my people — with the Ammonites; I called you but you did not save me from their hands.
So when I saw that the was no-one who would save me, I took my life in my hands 3 and passed over to the Ammonites — the Lord delivered them into my hands. Now, why have you come up against me today, to fight with me?
So Naphthah assembled all the men of Gilead, and attacked Ephraim; the men of Gilead fought the men of Ephraim, for they had said: They are Ephraimites of the house of Ephraim and Manasseh. 4
The Gileadities took the ford of the Jordan, of Ephraim; when they were crossing, they who had escaped from Ephraim to cross over, the men of Gilead asked them: 5 Are you an Ephraimite? (If) he said: No, They would say to him: Say ‘Sheble’. But he would say ‘Sible’ for he could not say it. 6 Then they took him across, and slew him at the ford of the Jordan: forty-two thousand men of Ephraim fell at that time. Naphthah judged Israel (for) six years. Then Naphthah the Gileadite died, and was buried in the city of Gilead. After him, Abizan from Bethlehem judged Israel.
‘cried out’ or ‘sounded (trumpets)’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 2 ‘over your head’: lit. ‘upon you’. 3 ‘took my life in my hands’: lit. ‘set my soul in my palms’. 4 ‘They are Ephraimites of the house of Ephraim and Manasseh’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 5 ‘them’: lit. ‘him’. 6 ‘say it’: lit. ‘speak thus’. 1
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ܶܩ ݂ܦ� ܳܘܢ :ܝܒ. ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܚܳ : ܠܓ ݁ܪܒ ܳܝܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰ ܰܘܩܥܰܘ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܰ ܥܒـ ݁ܪܬ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ �ܢ ݂ܦ ݂ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܬ ܽܫܘ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢܰ : ܘܠـܢ ܳ� ܰ ܝـܬ ܺ ܩܪ ݁ ܠܡ ܰ ܝـܬ ݂ܟ ـܐܙܠ ܥܰ ܳܡـ ݂ܟ .ܒ ܠܡ ݂ܬܟ ܘܩܕܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ ݁ܒ ܽܢܘܪ ܐܳ. ܰܡ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܡـܝ ܥܰـܡ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܥܰ ܽܡـܘܢ: �ܗܘܢ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ݁ :ܓ ݂ܒ� ܐ�ܺ :ܨ ܐ ̱ܗܘ ݂ ܝܬ ܐ ܳܢـܐ ܘܥܰ ̱ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܰܘ ܺ ܢܝ ܶܡܢ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ. ܝܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܘ� ݂ܦܪ ܩܪ ݂ ܩܬ ܳܘܢ ̱ ܰ ܝܬ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܦ ܶܪܩ ܺܠܝܳ :ܣ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ݁ ܰܒـ ܳܙܘ ܰ�ܝ :ܘܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ܶ ݂ܰ ܝܬ ݁ܕ ܰܠ ݁ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܺ ـܪ ݂ܬ ܥܰـܠ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܚܙ ݂ ܶ ܶ ݁ܽ ܩـܬܘܢ ܥܠܰـܝ ܝܰ ܳ ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝܳ . ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢܰ :ܘܐܫܠܶܡ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܡ ܳܢـܐ ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܣܠ ܶ ܡܝ. ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬ ܽܫܘܢ ܥܰ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܚ ݂ ܽ ܠܟ ܽ ܬܫ ܥܰـܡ ܰܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܝـܡܰ :ܘ ܰ ܡܚـܘ �ܗܘܢ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ :ܘ ݂ܐܬܟـ ݂ܘܟܢܫ ܢ ݂ܦ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ ܺ ݁ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܶܽ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ̈ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ̈ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܦܪܝܡ ܐ̱ܢܫܝ ݁ܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ �̱ܢܫܝ ܐ ݂ܦܪܝܡ :ܡܛܠ ܕܐܡܪܝܢ :ܕ ݂ܐܦ�ܝܡܝܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܘ ܰ ܡܢ ܶܫܐ. ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡܳ . ܪܬܐ ݂ܕ ܽܝ ݁ ܥܒـ ݁ܪܬܐ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ݂ܒ ܺܪܝـܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܒܡ ܘܐܚ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ܓܠܥ ݂ܕ�ܐ ܠܡܥܒ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ ܺ ܰ ܡܫ ܺ ܠܛܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܝܡ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܥܒܪܰ : ܐܠܝـܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܠـܗ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ̈ܫـܝ ܐܝܠܝܢ ܕܡ ݂ܬܦ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ :ܐ ݂ܦܪܝܡܝܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ :ܐܡܪ �. ܳܐ ܺ ܡܪܝــܢ ܶܠــܗܶ :ܐ ܰܡــܪ ܶܫ ݁ ̈ܒـ ܶ�ܳ .ܐ ܰܡــܪ ܶܣ ݁ ̈ܒـ ܶ�ܶ :ܡ ܽܛــܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܶܓܝــܪ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܫܟـܚ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ܳ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢܰ .ܘ ݂ ܰ ܡܡܠܳܠܽܘ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐܰ :ܘ ݁ ܽ ܰܠ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܥܰܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܰ ܥܒـ ݁ܪܬܐ ݂ܕ ܽܝـ ݁ ܢܦܠـ ̱ܘ ܘܗܝ ܰܘܢ ݂ܟ ܽܣ ܰ ̱ ܐܥܒ ܰܪ ̱ ܰ ݁ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ܰܗܘ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܝܡ :ܐ ݁ܪܒܥܺܝܢ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ. ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܚ ܺ� ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܶܫ ݂ܬ ܫ ܺܢ̈ܝـܢܺ : ܬܚ ݁ ܶܓܠܥ ݂ ܳܕ ܳ�ـܐܶ :ܘܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ ݂ܘܕܢ ܢ ݂ܦ ܩܒـܪ ܝـܬ ܢ ݂ܦـ ܘܡ ݂ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܶܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ. ܒܩܪ ݂ ܶ ܰ ݂ ܳܘܕܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ ܺ� ܳ ܝܬ ܶ ܠܚܡ. ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܐ ݂ ܺܒ ܳܝ� ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂
Ch.
For four days every year 1 the daughters of Israel would go, weeping and lamenting the daughter of Naphthah the Gileadite.
1
‘every year’: lit. ‘from time to time’.
ܡ
ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ـܕܢ :ܐ ܙ̈ ̱ܠـܢ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ܘܡܢ ܶ� ݁ ܳܕܢ �� ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܪܬܗ ݁ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ݁ ܶܓܠܥ ݂ ܳܕ ܳ�ܐ :ܐ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ
ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܘܒ ̈ܟ ܳܝـܢ ܳܘ ̈ ܐ� ܳܝـܢ ܥܰـܠ ݁ܒܢ̈ـ ݂ܬ ܐ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ݂ ܳ ݂ : ܳ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܺܡܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰܫܢ̱ ݁ܬܐ.
Ch.
Whoever will come out of the gate to my house to meet me, when I have come back in peace from the Ammonites, will be the Lord’s; I will offer him up as an offering. Then Naphthah passed over to the Ammonites to fight them; the Lord delivered them into his hand(s).
He battled against 1 them, from Adoer as far as the entrance to Machir twenty towns — and as far as Abel-cheramin; (it was) a terrible 2 slaughter, the Ammonites were broken by the Israelites.
Then Naphthah came to Mizpah, to his house — and See! his daughter came out to meet him, with tambourines and tabors. She was his only daughter, he had no son or daughter other than her. When he saw her he tore his clothes and said: Alas my daughter, you have brought me very low, you have brought terrible trouble on me today 3 — for see! I opened my mouth to God, and I cannot undo what I said. 4
His daughter said to him: My father, you opened your mouth to God; do to me whatever you promised 5 after the Lord took vengeance on your behalf, from your enemies, from the Ammonites. She said to her father: Only, do this for me — allow me two months. I will go, I will roam among the mountains, I and my companions will weep because of my virginity.
He said to her: Go! He sent her (away for) two months. She went, she and her companions, and she wept among the mountains concerning her virginity.
After two months, she came to her father; he did to her according to the vow that he had taken, and no man had known her. She was a symbol 6 to the Israelites.
‘battled against’: lit. ‘struck/smote’. So too e.g. 12:4. 2 ‘terrible’: lit. ‘very great’. 3 ‘brought terrible trouble on me today’: lit. ‘were today from my destroyers’. 4 ‘undo what I said’: lit. ‘return’. 5 ‘you promised’: lit. ‘came out of your mouth’. 6 ‘symbol’: lit. ‘sign/token’. Possibly as an example of obedience to parents. 1
ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܰ ܘܪܥܝܳ :ܡܐ ܶܕܐ ܺܬܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ � ܡܢ ܕܢ ݂ܦܩ ܡܢ ܬܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡـܘܢ: ܝܬ ̱ܝ � ̱ ݂ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܠܥܠ ݂ܬܐ. ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘܐܣܩܝ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ ܬ ܽܫـܘ ܥܰ ܽ ܠܒ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܡـܗܘܢܰ :ܘܐܫܠـܡ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ܥܒܪ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ܥܰܠ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܥܰ ܽܡـܘܢ :ܠܡ ݂ܬܟ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܶ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܝܕܗ. ܠܡ ܳ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ݂ ܺܟܝܪ :ܥ ܶ ܺ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܣܪܝܢ ܽܩܘ� ܳ�ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܡܚܐ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܥܰ ݂ܕ ܳܘܥܺܝܪ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܓ ܰܘ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ � ݂ ܶܒ ܩـܕܡ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ـܬܐ ݁ܕܛـ ݂ܒܶ .ܘܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܥܰ ܽܡـܘܢ ݂ ـܘܬܐ ܪܒ ݂ ܠ ݁ ܰܟ� ܺܡܝܢ :ܡܚ ݂ ܺ ܳܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܐ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܽ ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ ܝـܬܗܳ : ـܬ �ܘܪܥܶـܗ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܦܠ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶܓـܐ ܠܕ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬܐ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ܠ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝـܐ ܠ ݂ܒ ܘܗܐ ݂ ܰܒـ ݂ܪܬܗ ܢ ݂ܦܩ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܘܒ� ݂ ܺܒܝܥܶܐܺ : ܪܬܐ ݂ ܰ ݂ܰ ܠܒـܪ ܘܗܝ ܺܝ ܺܚܝ ݂ ܳܕ ݁ܝܬܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܠܗ :ܘܠܝܬ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠܗ ܒܪ ܐ ܐܘ ܒ ݂ ܶܡ ܳܢ ̇ܗ. ܰ ܺ ܠܗ ݂ ܰ ܚܙ ̇ܗ ܰܨ ܺܪܝ ݂ ܽ ܘܗܝܶ :ܘ ܰ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܳ ܘܗ ݁ܒ ܰܪ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܶܡ ܰ ܐܡܪ :ܐ ܽ ̇ ܝܢܝܰ :ܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܣܚ ݂ܦ ܠܒ ̈ܘ ܰܫ ܣܚ ݂ܦ ݁ܬ ܰ ̱ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܗܘ ݁ܝܬ ̱ܝ ܝܰ ܳ ܰ ـܗܐ :ܘ� ܘܡܝ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ܐܠ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܡܢ ܳܣ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ݂ܦܝ݁ :ܕ ܳܗܐ ܐ ܳܢـܐ ݂ܦ ݂ܬ ܶܚ ݂ ـܬ ݁ܦـ ̱ ܫܟܚ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܕ ݁ ܽ ܐܗܦ ݂ܘܟ. ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ̱ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ ܳ ݁ ܰ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐܶ ݂ : ܘܡ ݂ܟ ܳ ܚܬ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ ܬ ݁ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܺܠܝ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ܠܘ ܘܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ܠܗ ܒ ݂ܪܬܗ :ܐ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ ܦ ݂ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܢܦܩ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܦ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܳ ݁ ݁ ܡـܬܐ ܡـܢ ܒܥ� ݁ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ܒ ݁ ܝـܟ ܘܡ ݂ܟܶ :ܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ܕ ݂ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܠ ݂ܟ ܡܪ�ܐ ܢܩ ݂ ܰ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ. ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ �ܚ ݂ܘܕ ݂ ܶ ܘܗܰ ݁ :ܒ ܽ ܐܡܪ ܐ � ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܠܙ ܘ ܢـܝ ݁ܬ ܶܪܝـܢ ܰܝ� ܺܚܝـܢܺ :ܘ ܰܐܙ� ܰܗ ܶܠـ ݂ܟ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܺܠـܝ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܶܐ :ܐ ݁ܪܦ ̱ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܥܰܠ ܛܘ� ܐܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܒ ݁ܟܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ܒ ݂ܬܘܠ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰ ܘܚ ݂ܒ� ݂ܬ ̱ܝ. ܠܚ ܶܘ ܰ ܘܫ ݁ܕ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ݁ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܰܝ� ܺܚܝܢܶ :ܘܐ ܰܙ ̱ܠ ݂ ݀ ܘܚ ݂ܒ ܳ� ݂ ܳܬ ̇ܗܰ :ܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܳܟ ݂ ݀ ܠܝܰ : ܬ ܺܗܝ ܰ ܬ ܥܰܠ ܐܡܪ ܳ� ܳ ̇ܗ ܙܶ ̱ ܽ ܶ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܬ ܽ ܘܠ ݂ܘܬ ̇ܗ ܥܰܠ ܛܘ� ܐ. ܶܳ݀ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܢـܕܪܺ : ܠܛ ܶ ܘܗܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܢܶ ݂ܕ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܘܗܝ ܘܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ݁ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܰܝ� ܺܚܝܢ :ܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ܰ ܰ ܳ ݀ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܳ � ܰܚ ݂ܟ ܳܡ ̇ܗ ݁ܓ ݂ܒܪ :ܘܗܘ ݂ܬ � ̇ܗ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒܝܢ ݂ܬ ܒܢܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ.
Ch.
X
Then the Lord our God delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and Israel destroyed the land of the Amorites.
And Israel 1 took possession of all their territory, from the Arnon as far as Abak, from the wilderness as far as the Jordan.
Now the Lord God has destroyed the Amorites before his people Israel — should you take possession of them? 2
It was not 3 something that your god Chemosh made you take possession of, (that) you possess; whatever land the Lord our God destroyed before us, 4 that we (now) possess.
Now, are you any better than Balak son of Zippor king of Moab? Did he indeed (ever) dispute with Israel, or indeed fight them? When Israel dwelt in Heshbon and its hamlets, in Adoer and its hamlets, in all the towns on the banks(s) ot the Arnon — (for) three hundred years — why did you not seize them during that time?
But now — I have not sinned against you — yet you do evil to me, fighting against me. 5 The Lord will give judgment today between the Israelites and the Ammonites’. But the king of the Ammonites did not listen to the message 6 that Naphthah sent to him.
Then the spirit of the Lord came 7 to Naphthah: he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, he passed through Mizpah in Gilead, and from Mizpah in Gilead he passed over to the Ammonites.
Naphthah vowed a vow to the Lord. He said: If indeed you will deliver the Ammonites into my hand(s),
‘Israel’: lit. ‘they’. ‘should you take possession of them’ or ‘you take possession of them’. 3 ‘It was not’ or ‘Was it not’. 4 ‘as we advanced’: lit. ‘before us’. 5 ‘me … me’ or ‘my people … my people’. 6 ‘message’: lit. ‘his words’. 7 ‘came’: lit. ‘was’. 1 2
ܟܐ ܟܒ
ܝܚܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ ܽ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܘ ݁ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܰܗܢ ܺ ܠܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܰܘܐܫܠܶܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܠܣ ܽ ܐܘܒ ݂ـܕ ܐܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܰܐ ܳ ܪܥܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܽܐܡܘ ܳ��ܶܐ. ܺܘ ܶ ܘܡـܢ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳ ܝܪ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ݁ܬ ܽܚ ܽ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܳ� ݂ ܳܒـܩܶ : ـܪ ܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܡܗܘܢܶ :ܡܢ ܳܐ ܽܪܢܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܽ �ܝ ݁ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢ.
ܨܚ ܝ
ـܬ ܳ� ܶ ܩܕܡ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠܰ :ܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܐ ݁ ܶ ܟܓ ܳ ܘܒ ݂ܕ ܳ� ܽܡܘ ܳ��ܶܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܳܡ ܳ ـܪ ݂ܬ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܽ �ܗܘܢ. ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܪܬ ݂ܟ ݁ ܳܟ ܽܡܘܫ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗ ݂ܟ ܳ� ܶܪ ݂ܬ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܶ . ܘܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܰ ܐܘܒ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ـܗܢ ܟܕ � ̱ܗܘܐ ܡܕܡ ܕܐܘ ܶ ݂ ܽ ܳ ݁ܺ ܰ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܩܕ ܰܡܝܢ :ܠܗ ̱ܗܘ ܝܪܬܝܢܢ. ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܘܐ ݂ܒܰ ݁ :ܕ ܳ ܡܛ ݂ܒ ܳܛ ݂ـܒ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܠܡـܐ ـܬ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܳܒܠـܩ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܶܨ ݁ ܽܦـܘܪ ܡ�ܟـܐ ݂ܕܡـ ܟܗ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝــܠ :ܐܘ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬ ܽܫــܘ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟــ ݁ܬܫ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܚܪ ܽܝــܘ ܐ ݂ܬܚــ ܺܪܝ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܥܰــܡ ܐ ܥܰ ܽ ܡܗܘܢ. ݁ܰ ܺ ܶ ܬ ݂ܒ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ݁ ܽ ܝـܗܰ :ܘ ݂ܒܥܰ ݂ܕ ܳܘܥܺܝـܪ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܽ�ܘܢܶ ̇ ܫܒـܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܦ ܽ�ܘܢܶ ̇ ܝـܗ: ܟܘ ܟ ݂ܕ ܝـ ݂ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܺ ݁ ܽ ܳ ݁ ܽ ̈ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟ�ܗܝܢ ܩܘ��ܐ ݂ܕܥܠ ݁ܓܢ̱ ݂ܒ ܐܪܢܘܢ ܬܠ ݂ܬܡܐܐ ܫܢܝܢ :ܠܡܢـܐ � ܐܥܕܝـܬܘܢ ܶ ܐܢܶܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ܰܗܘ. ܶܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ ܝܫـܬܐ ܠ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬ ܽܫـܘ ܡـܝ ܒ ܟܙ ܐ� ܐ ܳܢܐ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ � ܚܛ ݂ ܝܬ ܳܠ ݂ܟܰ :ܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܥܰ ܶ ̱ ܰ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳܝܢܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܰܝܢܝ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܝܰ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠܰ :ܘ ݂ ܶ ܡܝܽ ݂ :ܢܕܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܬ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ. ܠܒ ݂ ܥܰ ̱ ܰ ܫܡܥ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ ܶ ܟܚ ܳܘ� ܰ ܠܡ ܰ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ݁ ܰܕܫܠܰܚ ܶܠܗ: ܰ ܳ ݀ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ �ܥ ݂ـܕ ܰ ܠܓ ܳ ܡܢ ܶܫـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܪ�ـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܠ ܰ ܬܚ ܽܪ ܶ ܘܚـܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܒـܪ ܶ ܥܒـܪ ܟܛ ܘܗܘ ݂ܬ ܥܠ ܢ ݂ܦـ ݂ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܽ ܥܒܪ ܠ ݂ܒܢܝ ܥܡܘܢ. ܠ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܶܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ :ܘܡܢ ܡܨܦܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܶ ܐܡـܪܶ :ܐܢ ܰܡ ܳ ܬܚ ܢܶ ݂ـܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܳ ܪ�ـܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ ܠ ܘ ݂ܢܕܪ ܢ ݂ܦ ܫ� ܽܡـܘ ݂ܬܫܠـܡ ܰܠ ݂ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܥܰ ܽܡـܘܢ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ:
Ch.
Naphthah went with the elders of Gilead. They made him leader and ruler over them, and Naphthah repeated everything 1 before the Lord, in Mizpah. Naphthah sent messengers to the king of the Ammonites, to say to him: How is what I do anything to do with you, 2 that you have come to fight in my land? The king of the Ammonites said to Naphthah’s messengers: Because the Israelites took my land when they came up from the land of Egypt, from Arnon as far as the Abak, as far as the Jordan. Now, return these to me in peace. So Naphthah again sent letters and messengers to the king of the Ammonites.
He said to him: So says Naphthah ‘Israel did not take the land of Moab, or the land of the Ammonites,
For when they came up from Egypt the Israelites went by way of the wilderness as far as the sea of Suph, and they came to Rakem, And Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying to him “Let us pass through your land”. But the king of Edom did not listen. He also sent to the king of Moab, but he did not consent, so Israel stopped in Rakem. Then (Israel) went by (way of) the wilderness: he went around the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and encamped on the other side of the Arnon. They did not cross 3 the border of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab. So Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, and (to the) king of Heshbon; Israel said to him “Let us pass through your land, as far as my land”.
But Sihon did not believe that Israel would pass through his territory 4 (peacefully), and Sihon assembled all his people, and encamped at Jahaz, and attacked Israel. ‘repeated everything’: lit. ‘said all his words’. ‘How is what I do anything to do with you’: lit. ‘What to me and to you’. 3 ‘cross’: lit. ‘enter’. 4 ‘territory’: lit. ‘border’. So too e.g. 11:22. 1 2
ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ
ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ
ܝܚ ܝܛ ܟ
ܰ ܽ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܚ ܥܰܡ ܰܩ ܺܫ ̈ܝ ܶܫܐ ݂ܕ ܶܓ ܳ �ܥ ݂ܕܰ :ܘ ܺܐܩ ܽ ܘܫܠܝܛـܐ: ܘܗܝ ܥܠܝܗܘܢ ܪܝܫܐ ܘܐܙܠ ܢ ݂ܦ ܝܡ ̱ ݂ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܽ ܐܡܪ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ݁ܟ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ �ܗܝܢ ܶܡ�ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝܐ. ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ ܺ ܬܚ ܺܐܝ ̈ܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ ܠܡ ܰ ܘܫܕܪ ܢ ݂ܦ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗܳ :ܡـܐ ܺܠـܝ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܐܪܥܝ. ܘܠ ݂ܟ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܝܬ ܠ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬ ܽܫܘ ݂ ܰܒ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ܰ ܐܡܪ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܬܚܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܘܗܝ ܕܢ ݂ܦ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ �ܝ ̈ܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܰܕ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܪܥܝܰ ݁ :ܟ ݂ܕ ܳܣ ܺ ܐܺ ܳ �ܩܝܢ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ܪܥـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ܶܨܪܝـܢܶ :ܡـܢ ܳܐ ܽܪܢـܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܐ ̱ ̱ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢܳ .ܗ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܰܦ ܳܢܐ ܶܐܢܶܝܢ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܽ ܳ� ݂ ܳܒܩܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ �ܝ ݁ ܫ� ܳܡܐ. ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܰ ݁ ܰ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܬܚ :ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܶܐ ݁ܓ ܳ� ݂ ܳܬܐ ܺܘܐܝ ̈ܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܢ ݂ܦ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ. ܘ ݂ ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܘܐ ݂ܒܰ :ܘ ܳ ܬܚܰ �ܳ : ܐܪܥـܐ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܐܪܥـܐ ݂ܕܡـ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܐ ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗ :ܗ ݂ܟܢܐ ܐܡܪ ܢ ݂ܦ ܰ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ. ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶܡ ܽܛــܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܟـ ݂ܕ ܳܣ ܺ ܝܣܪܐܝــܠ �ܩܝــܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶܡــܢ ܶܡ ܶܨܪܝــܢܰ :ܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟـ ̱ܘ ̱ܗܘܘ ܒܢـܝ ܐ ܘܡ ܺܛܝ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ܶ �ܝ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܽܣ ݂ܘܦܰ : ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐܰ ݂ : ܪܩܡ. ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐ ܺ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܕܘܡܺ : ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܺܐܝ ̈ܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ ܠܡ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ܶܠـܗ :ܢܶ ݁ ܰ ܥܒـܪ ܽ ܳ ܳ ݁ܰ ܳ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܒܐܪܥ ـ ݂ܟ .ܘ� ܫܡــܥ ܡ�ܟ ـܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܐܕܘܡ :ܘ ݂ܐܦ ܠܡ�ܟ ـܐ ݂ܕܡ ـܘܐ ݂ܒ ܫܠــܚ ܘ� ܶ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݁ ܰܒ ܶ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܪܩܡ. ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܛܦܝܣ ܠܗ .ܘ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ـܪ ܐܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܟ ܶ ܫـܪܘ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ܳ ܘܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳ ـܪ ݂ܟ ܰܐ ܳ ܘܐ ݂ܒܰ :ܘ ܰ ܰ ـܪ ܐ ܪܥـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܕܘܡ :ܘܐܪܥـܐ ݂ܕܡـ ܶ ܽ ݁ܳ ܽ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ݂ ܳܕ ܽ ܐܪܢܘܢ :ܘ� ܥܠ ̱ܘ ܒ ݂ܬܚܘܡܐ ݂ܕܡܘܐ ݂ܒ :ܡܛܠ ܕܐܪܢܘܢ ܬܚܘܡܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ݂ܕܡܘܐ ݂ܒ. ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐ ܺ ܳ �ܟـܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܽܐܡܘ ܳ��ܶـܐ :ܘ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܝܚـܘܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܺܐܝ ̈ܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܺܣ ܽ �ܟـܐ ܶ ݁ܽ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܪܥܝ. ݂ܕܚܫܒܘܢ .ܘܐܡܪ ܠܗ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܢܥܒܪ ܒܐܪܥ ݂ܟ ݂ܥܕܡܐ � ̱ ܽ ܶ ܝܚܘܢ ܺ� ܳ ܘܡܗܰ ݂ : ܥܒܪ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ܶ ܳܘ� ܰܗ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ ܰ ܘܟܢܶـܫ ܺܣ ܽ ܝܡܢ ܺܣ ܽ ܠܟܠـܗ ܝܚـܘܢ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܥܡܗ :ܘܫܪܘ ܒܝܗܨ :ܘ ݂ܐܬܟܬܫ ܥܡ ܐ
Ch.
Chapter
Naphthah the Gileadite was a mighty man; 1 he was the son of a prostitute. 2 Gilead fathered Naphthah.
Gilead’s wife bore him sons; the wife’s sons grew up and drove Naphthah away saying: He shall not inherit our father’s house, for he is the son of another woman. Naphthah fled from his brothers’ presence and lived in the land of Tobthah. Worthless men gathered to Naphthah and followed 3 him. In the course of time 4 the Ammonites attacked Israel.
When the Ammonites fought against 5 the Israelites, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Naphthah from the land of Tobthah.
They said to Naphthah: Come, be our leader, 6 and we will fight the Ammonites.
Naphthah said to the elders of Gilead: Did you not hate me, drive me away from my father’s house? Now, why have you come to me, in your distress? 7
The elders of Gilead said to Naphthah: Because of that, now See! we come to you: go with us, and we will fight the Ammonites. Be the leader of all the inhabitants of Gilead.
Naphthah said to the elders of Gilead: If you bring me back, so that I may fight the Ammonites, and (if) the Lord delivers them to me, I shall be 8 your leader.
The elders of Gilead said to him: The Lord will be our witness 9 — but we will do according to your word.
‘was a mighty man’: lit. ‘great man/warrior he was (in) his strength’. ‘a prostitute’: lit. ‘a woman a prostitute’. So too 16:1. 3 ‘followed’: lit. ‘went out with/after’. 4 ‘In the course of time’: lit. ‘It was after days’. 5 ‘fought against’: translates the same Syriac verb rendered ‘attacked’ in 11:4 and ‘fight’ in 11:6. So passim. 6 ‘leader’ or ‘head’: so passim. 7 ‘in your distress’: lit. ‘when it distresses you’. 8 ‘I shall be …’ or ‘shall I be …?’ 9 ‘our witness’: lit. ‘hearer between us’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ
ܝܐ.
ܽ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܳܺ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܝܬܐܰ :ܘ ܶ ܐܘܠ ݂ـܕ ܘ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ݁ ܶܓܠܥ ݂ ܳܕ ܳ�ܐ ݂ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܰܚܝܠܗ :ܘܗܘ ݂ܒܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܙ ܢ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܶܓ ܳ �ܥ ݂ܕ � ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ. ܶ ݁ ܰ ݀ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܘܛـ ݁ ܽ ܘܝ�ــܕ ݂ܬ ܐܢ̱ــܬ ݂ܬܗ ܕ ݂ܓ�ܥـ ݂ـܕ ܠــܗ ܒ�ܝـܐ :ܘܪܒــܘ ܒܢܝـ ̇ ܘܗܝ ـܗ ܕܐܢــܬܬܐ ـܪܕ ̱ ܶ ݂ܽ ݁ ܰ ܰ ݁ ̱ܰ ݂ ܺ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒܘܢ :ܡܛܠ ܕ ݂ܒܪ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ ̱ܗܘ ܐ̱ܚܪ ݂ܬܐ. �ܢ ݂ܦܬܚ :ܘܐܡܪܝܢ � ܢܐܪ ݂ܬ ܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ـܬܐܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܠ ܰܩܛـ ̱ܘ ܳ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ܘܥܪܩ ܢ ݂ܦܬܚ ܡܢ ݂ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ܒܐܪܥܐ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ ܩܕܡ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܬܚ ܐ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ܣ ܺ� ܶ ܝܩܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ. ܢ ݂ܦ ̱ ܰ ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܗܘܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ :ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܫ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ ܥܡ ܐ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠܶ :ܐ ܰܙܠـ ̱ܘ ܰܩ ܺܫ ̈ܝ ܶܫـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܬܫ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ݂ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܬܟ �ܥ ݂ـܕ ݂ ܰ ݁ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܠܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܶܪܗ �ܢ ݂ܦܬܚ ܡܢ ܐܪܥܐ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ. ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܚܳ ݁ :ܬܐ ܺ ܶܘ ܰ ܗܘܝ ܰܠܢ ܺܪ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ �ܢ ݂ܦ ܝܫܐ :ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܫ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ. ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܰ ܶܘ ܰ ܢـܝ ܶܡـܢ ܢـܝ ܘ ܛܪ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ܳܘܢ ̱ ـܬܘܢ ܣܢܝܬܘܢ ̱ ܐܡܪ ܳ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܚ ܠܩܫܝܫܐ ݂ܶܕ ܰ ݂ܓ�ܥ ݂ـܕ � :ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܽ ܬ ݂ܽ ܝܬܘܢ ܳ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܒ ̱ܝܳ : �ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ܰܩ ݂ ݀ ܠܟܘܢ. ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܶܰ ܽ ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܶܠـܗ ܰܩ ܺܫ ̈ܝ ܶܫـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ �ܥ ݂ـܕ � ܰܢ ݂ܦـ ݁ܬܚܶ :ܡܛـܠ ܳܗ ܳܢـܐ ܳܗ ܳܫـܐ ܳܗܐ ܐ ݂ܬܝـܢ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܝܫܐ ݂ ܽ ܬܫ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢܰ :ܘ ܺ ܗܘܝ ܺܪ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ :ܙܶܠ ܥܡܢ ܘܢ ݂ܬܟ ܠܟܠ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒـܝ ݁ ܶܓ ܳ �ܥ ݂ܕ. ܽ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܠܩ ܺܫ ̈ܝ ܶܫܐ ݂ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܬܚ ܰ �ܥ ݂ܕܶ :ܐܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܗܦ ݂ ܺܟܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܫ ܥܰـܡ ܘܐܡܪ ܢ ݂ܦ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܠܟܘܢ ܪܝܫܐ. ܩܕܡܝ :ܐܢܐ ܐܗܘܐ ݂ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ :ܘܡܫܠܡ �ܗܘܢ ܡܪ�ܐ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܠܬ ݂ܟ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܠܗ ܩܫܝܫܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܓ�ܥ ݂ܕ :ܡܪ�ܐ ܢܗܘܐ ܫܡܘܥܐ ݂ܒܝܢ ݂ܬܢ :ܐ� ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܡ ݂ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ.
Ch.
Yet you forsook me, you served other gods: therefore no more will I save you.
Go, pray to the gods whom you have chosen 1 — let them be your saviors in your time of trouble. The Israelites said to the Lord: We have sinned against you. Do to us whatever seems right to you 2 — only deliver us today!
So the Israelites removed the foreign gods from their midst, and served the Lord, for the Israelites 3 were greatly distressed.
The Ammonites assembled and camped in Gilead; the Israelites assembled and camped in Mizpah.
The people (and) the noblemen of Gilead said, each to his companion: Whoever will be the first 4 to attack the Ammonites will be the leader of all the inhabitants of Gilead.
‘whom you have chosen’: lit. for whom you have wished’. ‘seems right to you’: lit. ‘is right/fair in your eyes’. 3 ‘Israelites’: lit. ‘soul of Israel’. 4 ‘be the first’: lit. ‘begin’. 1 2
ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ ܝܚ
ܳܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܘܣ ݂ܦ ݁ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܚܬܘܢ � ܳܠ ̈ܗܐ ܐ̱ܚ ܳ� ܢܶܐܶ :ܡܛܠ ܗܢܐ � ܐ ܢܝ ܘ ݂ܦܠ ܰܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ݂ ܫܒܩܬܘܢ ̱ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܦ ܽܪ ݂ ܽ ܘܩܟܘܢ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܗܘܘܢ ݂ ܽ ܠܟܘܢ ݁ ܳܦ ܽ� ܶ ܝܬܘܢ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢܶ :ܗ ܽܢܘܢ ܢܶ ܽ ܙܶܠ ̱ܘ ܰܨ ܰܠܘ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܐܠܗܐ ݂ܕܨ ݂ܒ ܘܩܐ ݂ܒ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ܰܩ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ. ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܚܛܝܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟܰ :ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܠܢ ܶܡ ݁ ܶ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ: ـܕܡ ݁ܕ ܰܫ ݁ ܺܦܝـܪ �ܚ ݂ܘܕ ݁ ܰܦ ܳ� ܝܰ ܳ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢ ݁ܝܟܰ ݁ :ܒ ܽ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ. ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ـܬ ܽܗܘܢܰ :ܘ ݂ܦܠ ܰܚـ ̱ܘ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ: ܘ ݂ܐܦܪܩ ̱ܘ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܝܣܪܐܝ� ܳܠـ ̈ܗܐ ܽܢ ݂ܘܟܶ��ܶـܐ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ ܳ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܶܕ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬܥܺ ܰ ܝܩ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ݁ ܺܕܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܫܪܘ ݁ܒ ܶܓ ܳ �ܥ ݂ـܕܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܢܫـ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠ ܰܘ ܰ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܢܫ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ ܰܘ ܰ ܫـܪܘ ݂ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝܐ. ــܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܰܢܫ ܶ ܠܚ ݂ܒ ܶ ــܪܗܰ :ܐ ܳܝܢــܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܐܡــܪ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܳܡــܐ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒ ܰܢــܝ ݁ ܶܓ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ــܕ ܐ̱ ܳܢــܫ ܰ ــܪ ܐ �ܥ ݂ ܰ ݂ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܝܫܐ ݂ ܽ ܠܟܠ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒܝ ݁ ܶܓ ܳ ܬ ܽܫܘ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢܽ :ܗܘ ܢܶ ܶ ܗܘܐ ܺܪ ܳ ܠܡ ݂ܬܟ �ܥ ݂ܕ.
Ch.
IX
Chapter
After Abimelech there arose, to save Israel, Tola son of Puah son of Dodah, a man of Issachar. He lived in Shamir, a mountain in Ephraim. He judged Israel for twenty-three years. He died, and was buried in Shamir.
After him, arose Jair, a Gileadite; he judged Israel for twenty-two years. He had thirty sons who rode on thirty foals and had thirty towns: these they still 1 call the ‘Hamlets of Jair’, in the land of Gilead.
Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.
Again the Israelites did evil before the Lord: they worshiped Baal, the Ashtaroth, the gods of Edom, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the Ammonites, the gods of the Philistines, and the gods of the other peoples. They forsook the Lord, they did not serve him. The Lord was furious with Israel: he delivered them into the hand(s) of the Philistines, into the hand(s) of the Ammonites.
They oppressed and afflicted the Israelites from that year, for eighteen years — all the Israelites who were on the other side of the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which was in Gilead. The Ammonites crossed the Jordan to attack Judah, and also the children of Ephraim and of Benjamin; Israel was in great distress. 2
The Israelites called upon the Lord saying: We have sinned against you, we have forsaken our God and worshiped Baal. The Lord said to the Israelites: Did not the Egyptians, the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, The Sidonians, Amalek, and Ammon afflict you? — you cried out to me, and I saved you from their hands.
‘still’: lit. ‘until today’. 2 ‘Israel was in great distress’: lit. ‘this greatly distressed Israel’. 1
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ: ܨܚ ܛ
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ
ܝ.
ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܽ ݁ :ܬ ܳ ܠܡ ݂ܦ ܰܪܩ ܺ� ܳ ܠܟ ܶ ܬܪ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܘܠܥ ݁ ܰܒܪ ݁ ܽܦܘܐܐ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ݁ ܳܕ ݂ ܶܕܗ: ܘܩܡ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܐܺܝܣ ݂ܟܪ :ܘܗܘ ܝ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ݂ܒܫܡܝܪ ܛܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܐܦܪܝܡ. ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܥ ܶ ܺ ݂ ܳܘܕܢ ܺ� ܳ ܣܪܝܢ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܫ ܺܢ̈ܝܢܺ : ܝܬ ܶܘܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ ܩܒܪ ݁ܒ ܳܫ ܺܡܝܪ. ܘܡ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܥ ܶ ܺ ܘܩܡ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ ܳ� ܺܐܝܪ ݁ ܶܓܠܥ ݂ ܳܕ ܳ�ܐܳ ݂ :ܘܕܢ ܺ� ܳ ܳ ܣܪܝܢ ݂ܘܬ ݁ܪܬܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܬܝܢ ݁ܒ ܺܢ̈ܝܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܺܪܟ ݂ ܺ ܝܒܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܝܢ ܺ� ̈ܝܠܝـܢܰ :ܘ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܝـܢ ܘܗܘܘ ܠܗ ܬܠ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܽ ̈ ܶ ـܗܘܢܳ : ـܬ ̱ܗܘܝ �ـ ܽ ܘܩܪܝــܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܶ �ܗܝــܢܰ ݁ :ܟ ݂ܦ�ܘܢܶ ـܐ ݂ܕ ܳ�ܐܝــܪ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡــܐ ܽܩܘ� ܳ�ــܐ ܐܝـ ݂ ܐܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ݁ :ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ �ܝ ܳ ܰ �ܥ ݂ܕ. ݂ ܺ ܝܬ ܳ� ܺܐܝܪ ܶܘܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ ܩܒܪ ݁ܒ ܰܩ ܽܡܘܢ. ܘܡ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܩـܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝـܫ ݂ ܳ ܠܒ�ـ�: ܪ� ـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܦܠܚـ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܣܬ ܳ� ݂ܬܐ :ܘ� ܳܠ ̈ܗܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܕܘܡ :ܘ� ܳܠ ̈ܗܐ ݂ܕ ܰܨ ݁ ܳܝܕܢ :ܘ� ܳܠ ̈ܗܐ ݂ܕ ܽܡـܘܐ ݂ܒ :ܘ� ܳܠـ ̈ܗܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܘ� ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ̈ ̈ ̈ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܫܒܩـ ̱ܘ ܠܡܪ�ـܐ ܘ� ܥܰܡܘܢ :ܘ�ܠܗܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ�ܫܬ�ܶܐ :ܘ�ܠܗܐ ݂ܕ ܰܫ ݁ܪܟܐ ݂ܕܥ ̱ܡܡܐ :ܘ ݂ ݂ ܰܦ ܽ ܘܗܝ. �ܚ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ � ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܘܐܫܠܶܡ ܶܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܐܝـܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶـܐ: ܘܓܙܗ ܕܡܪ�ܐ ܥ ܘ ݂ܐܬܚܡ ݂ܬ ܰܪ ݂ ܰ ܽ ݂ܺ ܘܒ ݂ ܳ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܥܡܘܢ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܬܐ ݂ܬ ܳܡ ܰ�ܥܶܣ ܶ� ܐ ܫ ܺܢ̈ܝܢܽ ݂ : ܠܟ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܥܨܘ ܰܘܐܠ ܶܨ ̱ܘ ܠ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܡܢ ܗܝ ܫܢ̱ ܐܪܥܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܽܐܡܘ ܳ��ܶܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܶܓ ܳ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢܰ ݁ :ܒ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܒܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܝ ݁ �ܥ ݂ܕ. ݂ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ ܽܝ ݁ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢ ܠ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬ ܽܫܘ ܥܰܡ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܳ :ܘ ݂ܐܦ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܝܡ: ܳ ܳܰ ݀ ܺ ܳܶ ݂ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܛ ݂ܒ. ܘܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ .ܘܥܩ ݂ܬ � ܰ ܪ�ܐܳ :ܘ ܺ ܰܘܐܙܥ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܫܒܩـܢ ܰ� ܳܠ ܰ ܚܛܝܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܳܡ ܳ ـܗܢ: ܐܡܪܝܢ: ܰ ܳ ܰ ܠܒ��. ܰܘ ݂ܦܠܚܢ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶܘ ܰ ܝܣܪܐܝــܠܶ � :ܡܨ ܳ��ܶــܐ: ܐܡــܪ ܡܪ�ــܐ ܠ ݂ܒܢــܝ ܐ ܘܡ ̈ܘܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܶܝــܐ ܰܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ــܝ ܥܰ ܽܡــܘܢ: ܳ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶܐ. ܰ ܰ ܺ ݁ܽ ܰ ̈݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ �ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪ ݁ ܝܬܘܢ ܳ ܩܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܶܡـܢ ܥܡܠܝܩ :ܘܥܰ ܽܡܘܢ ܐ ܶܠ ݂ ܽܨܟܘܢ :ܘ ݂ܓܥ ܘܨ ܝܕ�ܝܐ :ܘ ܺ ܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢ.
Ch.
There was a strong tower in the middle of the city, and all the men and women fled there, and all the lords of the city. They shut themselves in, 1 and went up to the tower roof.
Abimelech came to the tower and attacked it; he came as far as 2 the tower door, so as to burn it with fire.
A woman hurled a piece of an upper millstone 3 at Abimelech’s head, and injured 4 his head.
He called urgently to his armor-bearer and said to him: Draw your sword and kill me with it, so that they will not say of me that a woman killed me. The young man stabbed him, and he died. The Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead; each went to his (own) home. 5
So God requited the evil of Abimelech, 6 which he had done to his father, in slaying 7 his seventy brothers. All the evil (deeds) which the men of Shechem did, God visited 8 upon their head(s): the full curse of Jotham son of Nadobaal came upon them.
‘shut themselves in’: lit. ‘shut closely in their faces’. ‘came as far as’: lit. ‘approached’. 3 ‘upper millstone’: lit. ‘upper millstone of a mill’. 4 ‘injured’: lit. ‘broke’. 5 ‘home’ or ‘place’. 6 ‘of Abimelech’: lit. ‘to Abimelech’. 7 ‘in slaying’: lit. ‘and slew’. 8 ‘visited’: lit. ‘returned’. 1 2
ܢܐ
ܢܒ ܢܓ ܢܕ
ܢܗ ܢܘ ܢܙ
ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ̇ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܝـܬܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܠܬ ܳܡـܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܥܪܩـ ̱ܘ �ـܗܘܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒـ ܶ� ܐ ܘܡ ݂ܓܕ� ܥܫܝܢܐ ܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܓܘܗ ܕܩܪ ݂ ݂ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܶ ̇ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܐܚ ـ ݂ܕܘ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ ܰ ܐܦ ̈ܝ ـ ܽܗܘܢܰ :ܘܣܠ ܶܩ ـ ̱ܘ ܶ� ݁ ܳܓ ـܪ ܐܳ ܘܢܶ ̈ܫ ـܐ݂ :ܘܟ�ــܗܘܢ ܡ�ܝــܗ ܕܩܪܝـ ݂ ـܬܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ̱ ܳ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܓ ݁ܕ�. ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܫ ݁ ܶܒܗܰ :ܘ ܶ ܠܬ ܳ ܰ ܩܪ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܠܟ ݂ ܰ ܘܡ ܺܛܝ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܠܡ ݂ܓܕ� ܘܡ ݂ܬܟ ܪܥـܐ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܳ ܘܩܕܝܘܗܝ ݁ܒ ܽܢ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ. ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܓ ݁ܕ� ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݂ ܺ ̱ ܶ ܚܝـܐ ܥܰـܠ ܺܪ ܶ ܚܕ ܐ ݂ܬܶ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪ ݂ܟ ݁ ܳܒـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܪ ܳ ܫܕ ݂ܬ݀ ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܳ ܝܫـܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺܐܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠـܟܰ :ܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰܒـ ݁ܪܬܗ ܺ �ܪ ܶ ܝܫܗ. ܺ ܰ ܫܡܘܛ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗܽ : �ܝܐ ܳܫ ܶܩܠ ܳܡ ܰܐ� ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝܶ :ܘ ܰ ܩܪ ܐ ܰ ܠܛ ܳ ܝܦ ݂ܟ ܝܬ ܡܣܪܗ ݂ ܳܒܐ ݂ ܰ ܽ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܝܢܝ ݁ ܶܒـܗ݁ :ܕ ܳ� ܺܢ ܽ ܘܕ ܶ ܩܛ ܰ ܩـܪܗ ܥܠ ܰ ܳ ܬܗܰ ݂ . ܝܡـܐ ܐܡـܪܘܢ ܥܠـܝ ܕܐܢ̱ـܬ ݂ܬܐ ܩܛܠـ ܘ ܘܠ ̱ ܺ ܝܬ. ܘܡ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܚܙܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬ ܶܠܗ ܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ � ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ. ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݁ܕ ܺܡ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ݁ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ܘܗܝܰ : ܘܩ ܶܛܠ ܰ ܠܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝܢ ܐ ܰܚ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ. ݂ܘܦܪܥܗ ܐܠܗܐ ݂ܒܝܫܬܐ � ݂ܒܝܡܠܟ ܕ ݂ ܥܒ ݂ܕ � ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ̇ ݁ܺ ݁ܳ ܫܟܝــܡܰ :ܐ ݁ ܶ ܥܒ ـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܐ ܳܢ ܰ ̈ܫ ـܝ ݂ ܺ ܐܬ ݂ܬ ݀ ـܗܐ ݂ܒ ܺܪܝܫـ ܽ ܗܦ ـ ݂ܟ ܰܐ ܳܠـ ܳ ـܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ݂ܘܟ�ــܗ ܒܝܫـ ـܗܘܢ :ܘ ݂ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܘܛܬܗ ݁ܕ ܽܝ ݂ܘܬܡ ݁ ܰܒܪ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܝܠ. ܝܗܘܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܠ ݂
Ch.
Abimelech lived in Adumah: Zachal drove out Gaal and his brothers, so that they should not live in Shechem. On the following day the people went out into the field: they told Abimelech.
He took the people; he divided them into three companies and laid an ambush in the field. He saw — See! the people coming out from the city — he rose up against them and slew (many of) them. Abimelech and the companies which were with him went and stood in the entrance to the city gate. Two companies went (to attack) all those in the wilderness, 1 and slew (many of) them.
Abimelech fought throughout that day in the city: he conquered the city and slew all the people in it; he broke down the city; he sowed it with sea-purslane. 2 All the lords of the tower of Shechem heard; they came to make a covenant in Bethel. 3 They told Abimelech that all the lords of the tower of Shechem had assembled.
Abimelech, and all the people who were with him, went up to Mount Zalmon. He took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, picked it up and set it on his shoulder, and said to the people who were with him: What you saw me do 4 — you too must do the same.
So each man cut down his branch, and they followed Abimelech; he stacked them 5 in a pile and burnt the city with fire. All the men who were in the tower of Shechem died in the fire — about one thousand, men and women. 6 Abimelech went to Thebez; he encamped against Thebez and took it.
‘those in the wilderness’: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 2 ‘sea-purslane’: a small greyish-green shrub. See Introduction. Addendum 2. 3 ‘to make a covenant in Bethel’: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 4 ‘me do’: lit. ‘that I did’. 5 ‘stacked them in’: lit. ‘placed/put’. 6 ‘men and women’: lit. ‘between men to women’. 1
ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܠܓ ܳܥـܠ ܘ� ܰܚـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ� ܢܶ ݁ܬ ݂ ܽܒـܘܢ ܡܐ ܘ ݂ ܠܟ ݁ܒ ݂ܐܕܘܡـܐ :ܘܛـܪ݂ܕ ܙ ݂ܟـܠ ܳ ݂ ܺ ܫܟܝܡ. ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܘܡܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܬܪ ܝܰ ܳ �ܕ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐܰ : ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰ ܘܚ ܺܘܝ ̱ܘ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ. ܡܒ ܘܗܘܐ ܡܢ ܒ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܶܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܝܫܝܢܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܟ ܶܡـܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܳ ܚـܙ ܐ ܳ ـܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܬܐ ܺ� ܺ ܘܗܐ ܡܓ ܰܘ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒܪ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ݂ :ܘܦܠ ݂ܓ ܐܢܘܢ ܠ ݂ܬܠ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܽܶ ܰܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐܳ : ܘܩܡ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ :ܘܩܛ� ܢܘܢ. ܥܡܐ ܢ ݂ܦܩ ܡܢ ܩܪ ݂ ܳ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܠܟ ܘ ܺ� ܶ ܡܕ ܰܘ ݂ ܺܐܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܝـܬܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܬ ܶܪܝـܢ ܝܫܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܶܡܗܰ :ܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ܒܡ ܶܥ�ܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬܪܥܐ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ܰ ݁ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܺ� ܺ ܘܩܛܠ ̱ܘ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܝܫܝܢ ܰܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܥܠ ܟܠ ܕ ݂ܒܡ ݂ܕܒܪ ܐ ܰ ܺ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܝܬܐ ݂ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܝܰ ܳ ܠܟܠـܗ ܝـܬܐ ܘ ݂ ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘ݂ :ܘܟ ݂ܒܫܗ ܠܩܪ ݂ ܡܗ ܘ ݂ܐܒܝܡܠܟ ܐ ݂ܬܟܬܫ ܒܩܪ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܳ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܳ̇ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܘܙܪܥܗ ܡܠܘܚܐ. ܐܝܬ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ ܰܩܛܠ :ܘܥܩܪܗ ܠܩܪ ݂ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ܶ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܳܡ ܶ� ̇ܝܗ ݁ܕ ܰܡܓ ݁ ܰܕܠ ݂ ܺ ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܐܬܘ ܶ ܡܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬ ܐܺܝـܠ ܠܡ ݂ܦ ܰܣܩ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܫܟܝܡ :ܘ ݂ ݂ ܳ ܩܝ ܳܡܐ. �ܗܘܢ ܳܡ ܶ� ̇ܝܗ ݁ܕ ܰܡܓ ݁ ܰܕܠ ݂ ܺ ܠܟ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܢܫ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܡܙ ܰ ܘܚ ܺܘܝ ̱ܘ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܫܟܝܡ. ݂ ܽ ܠܛ ܳ ܠܡܘܢܽ ݂ : ܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܨ ܽ ܘܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܶܡܗܰ :ܘ ܰ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܡܚ ܰܘܣܠܶܩ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠـܟ ܠܟ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܘܫ ܳ ܩ� ̇ܗ ܳ ܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܩ ̈ܝ ܶܣܐܰ : ܘܣ ܳܡ ̇ ـܗ ܥܰـܠ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܦـܗ: ܪܓܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܐܝܕܗ :ܘ ݂ܦܣܩ ܣܘܟ ݂ ܢ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܐܡــܪ �ܥܡــܐ ݂ܕܥܡــܗ :ܡــܐ ݂ܕܚܙܝــܬܘܢ ܕܥ ݂ܒ ݁ ܥܒــ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܢ̱ــܬܘܢ ــܕ ݂ܬ݂ : ܰ ܰ ܥܓ� ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ. ݁ܒ ܰ ݂ ܳ ݁ܳ ܺ ܳ ݁ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܝـܬܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܳ ܬܪ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܐܘܩـܕ ̇ܗ ܠܟ :ܘܣـܡ ܟܫ ݂ ܡܛ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܰܣܩ ̱ܘ ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܣܘܟ ݂ܬܗ :ܘܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܒ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܫܟܝـܡ ݁ܒ ܽܢـ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܒ ܽܢ ܳ ـܕܠ ݂ ܺ ܘܡܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܘܪ ܐܺ : ܐܝـܬ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܓ ݁ ܰ ܘܪ ܐ: ܠ ܩܪ ݂ ݂ �ܗܘܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܶ ̈ܶ ܶ ܶ ܝܬ ܓ ݂ܒ� ܐ �ܢܫܐ. ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐܠ ݂ܦ݁ :ܒ ݂ ܳܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܬ ݂ ܳܒܨ ܰܘ ݁ ܳ ܢܢ ܶܘ ܰܐܙ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܐܚܕ ̇ܗ. ܠܬ ݂ܒܨ :ܘܫܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܠܟ ݂
Ch.
He sent messengers to Abimelech, treacherously, 1 and said: See! Gaal son of Epher, he and his brothers, have come to Shechem — See! They are surrounding the city, opposing you.
Now, rise up by night, you and the people with you, and lie in wait in the field. At dawn, when the sun rises, get up and enter the city — See! he and the people who are with him will come out to you: do to them whatever you wish. 2
So Abimelech and all the people who were with him rose up by night and laid in wait, against Shechem, (in) four companies. 3
Gaal son of Epher went out and stood in the entrance to the city gate. Abimelech rose up, 4 and the people who were with him from the ambush. Gaal saw the people and said to Zachal: See! People are coming down from the mountain peaks. Zachal said to him: It is the shadow of the mountains that looks to you like men. 5
Gaal spoke again to Zachal: See! People are coming down from a cultivated field, 6 and (another) company is coming by way of the House of the Oak of Meonenim.
Zachal said to him: Where are your brave words 7 (now), which said ‘Who is (this) Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Was this not the people whom you despised? Go out now, fight him! So Gaal went out, in front of the lords of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
Abimelech pursued him, and he fled before him; many fell slain at the entrance to the gate. ‘treacherously’: lit. ‘in treachery’; different Syriac root from that in 9:23. ‘whatever you wish’: lit. ‘as what is enough in your hands’. 3 ‘companies’: lit. ‘heads’. 4 ‘stood … rose up’: the same Syriac root. 5 ‘looks to you like men’: lit. ‘you see as men’. 6 ‘cultivated field’ or ‘cultivated piece of land’: lit. ‘husbandry’. See Introduction. Addendum 2. 7 ‘brave words’: lit. ‘mouth’. 1 2
� ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܺܐܝ ̈ܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܶܕ ܐ ܳ ܠـܟ ݁ܒܢܶ ݂ܟ ܳـ�ܶ :ܘ ܰ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܐܡـܪܳ :ܗܐ ݂ܳܓ ܳܥـܠ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܳܥ ݂ ܳܦـܪ ܽܗܘ ܳ ܺ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐܚ ̈ܘܗܝ ܶܐ ݂ ܰܬܘ ܰܠ ݂ ܺ ܝܬܐ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ܝܟ. ܫܟܝܡ :ܘܗܐ ݂ ܚܕܝܪܝܢ ܠܩܪ ݂ ܰܘ ܰ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܺ ܳ ܰ �ܝܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܘܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟܡܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ. ܠܒ ܗܫܐ ܩܘܡ ܒܠ ܺ ܳ ܝـܬܐܳ : ܡܫܐܽ :ܩـܘܡ ܰ ܝܓ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܨ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܶܕ ܰܢܚ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܶܫ ܳ ܘܗܐ ܽܗܘ ܘܥܰ ܳܡـܐ ܘܗ ܶܠـ ݂ܟ ܥܰـܠ ܩܪ ݂ ܽ ܰ �ܘ ݂ ܳܬ ݂ܟܶ ݂ : ݂ܕܥܰ ܶܡܗ ܳܢ ݂ܦ ܺܩܝܢ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܐ ݂ܟ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳܣ ݂ܦ ܳܩܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ. ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܺ ܰ ܠܕ ܳ ܠܟ ܘܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܽܟܠܶܗ ݁ܕܥܰ ܶܡܗ ݁ܒܠ ܺ ܳ ܘܩܡ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܫܟܝܡ ܐ ݁ܪܒ ܳܥܐ �ܝܐܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ܟ ܶܡܢ ̱ܘ ܥܰܠ ݂ ܺ� ܺ ܝܫܝܢ. ܳ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܠܗ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܬܐܳ : ܘܩـܡ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠـܟ ܢܦܩ ݁ ܳܓ ܳܥܠ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܳܥ ݂ܦܪ :ܘܩܡ ܒܡܥ�ܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬܪܥܐ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ܘܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܶܡܗ ܶܡܢ ݁ܟ ܺܡ ܳܐܢܐ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ݁ܺ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܚܙ ܐ ܳܓ ܳܥܠ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳ ܠܘ ܰܘ ܳ ܝܫـܝ ܛـܘ� ܐ. ܚܬܝـܢ ܡـܢ � �ܙ ݂ ܳܟـܠ :ܗܐ ܥܡـܐ ܢ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܟܠ :ܛ ܳ�� ̱ܗܘ ݁ܕܛܘ� ܐ ܳܚ ܶܙ ܐ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫܐ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ݁ܺ ܐܪܥܐܺ : ܚܬܝܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܬܘܩ ܳܢ ̇ܗ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܠܙ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ݁ ܳܓ ܳܥܠ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳ ܘܪ ܳ ܝܫـܐ �ܙ ݂ ܳܟܠ :ܗܐ ܥܡܐ ܢ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܛܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܽ ܡܥ ܺ ܘܢܝܢ. ܝܬ ܒܠ ܚ ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܬܐ ܡܢ ܐܘܪܚܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܠܚ ܳܐ ܰܡــܪ ܶܠــܗ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܟــܠܰ :ܐ ݁ ܰ ܝܟــܘ ݁ ܽܦــ ܳ ܘܡ ݂ܟ ܰܗܘ ݁ ܳܕ ܰ ܐܡــܪ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ݁ :ܕ ܰܡ ܽܢــܘ ܐ ݂ ܺܒܝܡܠܰــ ݂ܟ ܰ ܘܗܝ̱ �ܳ :ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܣܠ ܺ ݁ ܝܬܽ ݁ :ܦܘܩ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܫ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ. ݁ܕܢܶ ݂ܦ� ܺܚܝ ̱ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܠܛ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܶ� ̇ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܢܦܩ ݁ ܳܓ ܳܥܠ ݂ ܳ ܬܫ ܥܰܡ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ. ܫܟܝܡ :ܘ ݂ܐܬܟ ܺ ܩܕ ܰܡـܘܗܝܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܟܰ .ܘ ܰ ܩܛ ̈�ـ ܶ� ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝܶـܐܐܰ ݂ : ܡ ܘ ܰܪ݂ܕ ݁ ܶܦܗ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܢܦܠـ ̱ܘ ܥܪܩ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ ̱ ܠܡ ܳ ܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ܳ ܰ ܪܥܐ.
Ch.
Abimelech ruled over Israel (for) three years.
God sent an evil spirit to Abimelech and to the lords of Shechem, and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.
So that guilt for the murder 1 of the seventy sons of Nadobaal, and of their blood (which was shed), would be laid on 2 Abimelech their brother who massacred them, and upon the lords of Shechem who strengthened his hands so that he might massacre his brothers. They set ambushes 3 for him on the mountain top; they plundered all those who passed by them on the highway — and this was made known to Abimelech.
Gaal son of Epher came, he and his brothers; they passed by Shechem, and the lords of Shechem put their trust in him.
They went out into the field(s) and gathered and trod their grapes 4 and made a banquet; they entered the temple 5 of their gods, and ate and drank and reviled Abimelech.
Gaal son of Epher said: Who is Abimelech? Who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Nadobaal? and Zachal, who changed his alliegance? 6 He served 7 the men of Hamor father of Shechem — why should we serve him? For who delivered this people into my hand? — I have removed Abimelech. He said to Abimelech: Add to your army, come out (to fight)!
Zachal, the ruler of the city, heard what Gaal son of Epher said, 8 and was furious. 9
‘guilt for the murder’: lit. ‘the iniquity’. ‘be laid on’: lit. ‘to place/put’. 3 ‘set ambushes’: lit. ‘laid in wait ambushes’. 4 ‘gathered and trod their grapes’: lit. ‘gathered their vines and trod’. 5 ‘temple’: lit. ‘house’. So passim. 6 ‘allegiance’: lit. ‘command’. 7 ‘He served’ or ‘(Rather,) serve’. 8 ‘what … said’: lit. ‘the words of’. 9 ‘furious’: lit. ‘his anger burned’. So too 10:7, 14:19. 1 2
ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܳܶ ܺ ܟܒ ܘܐܫܬܠܛ ܐ ݂ܒܝܡܠܟ ܥ�ܝ ܣܪܐܝܠ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܝـܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܫܟܝـܡܰ ݂ : � ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ :ܘܥܰܠ ܳܡ ܶ� ̇ ܘܕ ݁ ܶܓܠـ ̱ܘ ܟܓ ܘܫܕܪ ܐܠܗܐ ܪܘܚܐ ݂ܒܝܫܬܐ ܥ ܳܡ ܶ� ̇ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܫܟܝܡ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ܺ ܐܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ. ݁ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܘܕܡـ ܽ ـܘ� ݂ܕ ܰܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝــܢ ݁ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝـܠܶ ݂ : ـܗܘܢܰ :ܠ ܳ ܡܣــܡ ܕ ـܠ ـ ܛ ܟܕ ܡ ـ ܥ ܐ ـܐܬ ـ ܢ ݂ ܰܽ ܽ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܰ ̈ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܥܰ� ݂ܒܝܡ ݁ ܘܗܝ ܠܟ ܐܚܘܗܘܢ ܕܩܛ� ܢܘܢ :ܘܥܠ ܡ� ̇ܝܗ ܕ ݂ ܫܟܝܡ ܕܚܝܠـ ̱ܘ ܐܝـ ݂ܕ ̱ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰܕ ܰܢܩܛܠ � ܰܚ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ. ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܚܛ ݂ܦـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟـܠ ݁ܕ ܳܥ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝـܗܘܢ ܟܗ ܰܘ ݂ܐܟ ܶܡܢ ̱ܘ ܶܠܗ ݁ܟ ܺܡܐ ܢ̈ـܐ ܥܰـܠ ܺܪܝـܫ ܛـܘܪ ܐ :ܘ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ ܐܘܪܚܐܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚ ܺܘܝ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ. ܶ ܳ ܰ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ܺ ݁݁ ܶ ܐܚ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܐܬܐ ݂ܳܓ ܳܥܠ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܳܥ ݂ ܳܦܪܽ :ܗܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܟܘ ܘ ݂ ܫܟܝـܡܶ :ܘܐܬܬ ݂ܟܠـ ̱ܘ ܥܠـ ̱ ܶ ܺ ܫܟܝܡ. ܳܡ� ̇ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܟܙ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܩܛ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܟ� ܰܡ ܽ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܚܠܽ ܳܘ� :ܘܥܰܠ ̱ܘ ݂ ܶ ܥܨܪ ̱ܘܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܗܘܢ ܰܘ ܰ �ܕ ݂ܒܪ ܐ :ܘ ܝـܬ ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܰ ܶ ݁ܺ ܐܫܬܝ ̱ܘܰ : ܘܨ ܺܚܝ ̱ܘ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ. ܐ ܳܠ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢܰ :ܘ�ܥ ܶܣ ̱ܘ :ܘ ܳ ܘܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܺ ܠܟ ܰ ܟܚ ܳܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ݁ ܳܓ ܳܥܠ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܳܥ ݂ ܳܦܪܰ :ܡ ܽܢܘ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܘܗܝ̱ � :ܗ ܳܘܐ ܫܟܝܡ ݁ܕܢܶ ݂ܦ� ܺܚܝ ̱ ܰ ܘܩܕ ܢܶܗ݁ :ܦܠ ܰـܚ �̱ ܳܢ ܰ ̈ܫـܝ ܽ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝـܠܳ .ܘܙ ݂ ܳܟـܠ ݁ܕ ܰܫ ܺܢـܝ ݂ ܽܦـ ݁ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܚܡــܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܽܒـ ̱ ܽ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܘܗܝ ܰ ܚܢܢ. ܫܟܝܡܶ :ܡܛܠ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܢܶ ݂ܦ� ܺܚܝ ̱ ܟܛ ܰܡــܢ ݁ ܶܕܝــܢ ܰܐܫ ܶ ܐܥܒ ـ ݁ܪܬܶܗ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡܠـ ݁ـܟܶ .ܘ ܰ �ܡــܗ �ܥܰ ܳܡــܐ ܳܗ ܳܢ ـܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ـ ݂ ܰܕܝܰ :ܘ ݁ ܰ ܐܡ ـܪ ܣܓܐ ܰܚܝܠ ܳܟܽ : ܠܟܰ :ܐ ݁ ܶ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܘܦܘܩ. ݂ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܠ ܰܘ ܰ ـܬ ܝܬܐ ܶܡ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ݂ܳܓ ܳܥـܠ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܳܥ ݂ܦـܪܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܚ ܰܡ ݂ ܫܡܥ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܟܠ ܫܠܝܛܐ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ܽ ܘܓ ܶܙܗ. ܪ ݂
Ch.
VIII
The trees said to the fig tree ‘Come, you (shall) reign over us’.
The fig tree said to them ‘I will not leave my sweetness, my good fruit, and come and hold sway over the trees’. The trees said to the vine ‘Come, you (shall) reign over us’.
The vine said to them ‘I will not leave my fruit 1 which gladdens the heart(s) of the gods and men, and come and hold sway over the trees’. All the trees said to the bramble ‘You (shall) reign over us’.
The bramble said to the trees ‘If in truth you will anoint me, so that I may reign over you — come! take shelter in my shade; but if not, may fire go forth from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’ Now, if you have acted justly and truly in making 2 Abimelech king, and have done well by Nadobaal and his house — Oh! have you rewarded him as he deserves? 3 For my father fought on your behalf, 4 threw himself into the forefront (of the battle), delivered you from the hand of Midian.
Yet you have opposed 5 my father’s house today, you have butchered his sons — seventy men, upon a single stone — and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, rule (over you), over the lords of Shechem — because he is your brother. So if you have acted justly and truly by Nadobaal and his house today — rejoice in Abimelech, and may he rejoice in you.
But if not, may fire go forth from Abimelech and consume the lords of Shechem and the lords of Millo, may fire go forth from the lords of Shechem and the lords of Millo — and may it consume Abimelech! Jotham fled and made his escape; he went to Debir and lived there, as Abimelech had lived (there) formerly. ‘fruit’: a different noun from that in 9:11. See Introduction. Addendum 3. ‘in making’: lit. ‘that you have made’. 3 ‘as he deserves’: lit. ‘according to the labor of his hands’. 4 ‘on your behalf’: lit. ‘on behalf of your face’. 5 ‘opposed’: lit. ‘risen against’. 1 2
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ
ܨܚ ܚ ܝܘ
ܝܙ ܝܚ
ܝܛ ܟ
ܟܐ
ܳ ܺ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܐ ܠܬ ݁ܬܐ݁ :ܬܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܐܡܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ܥܠܰܝܢ. ܡܪܝܢ ܐܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ݂ ܳܐ ܳ ܡܪ ܐ ܽ ـܝ ܳܛ ݂ ܳܒـܐܳ :ܘ ܳܐܙ ̱� ܐ̱ ܳܢـܐ ܰܠ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ݁ ܺܬ ݁ ܳܬܐܳ �ܳ :ܫ ݂ܒ ܳܩܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܰܚ ܽ ܡܢ ݂ـܕ �ܝ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝܶ :ܘ ݁ܐܒ ̱ ܺ ܥܰ�ܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐ. ܳ ܺ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܡܪܝܢ ܐܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ܰܠ ݂ܓ ݂ ܶܦ ݁ܬܐ݁ :ܬܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܐܡܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ܥܠܰܝܢ. ܐ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܶ ݁ܳ ـܕ ܐ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܡܚ ݁ ܶ ܫـܝ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܐܠـ ̈ܗܐ ܰܘ݂ܕܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫـܐ: ܐ ܬܐܳ � :ܫ ݂ܒ ܳܩܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢـܐ ܐ݂ܕ ̱ ܡܪ ܐ ܳ�ܗ ܰܘܢ ܳܓ ݂ ܰܦ ܺ ܳ �ܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܐܶ. ܳ ܘܐܙ ̱� ܐ̱ܢܐ ܠܡܢ ݂ܕ ܥ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳܐ ܺ ܡܪܝܢ ܺܐܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ݂ ܽܟ ܽ �ܗܛܛܐ :ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܐܡܠ ݂ܟ ܥܠܰܝܢ. �ܗܘܢ ܰ ܳܰ ܰ ܳ ܫܚܝܢ ܐܢ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܰܕܐܡܠܶـ ݂ܟ ܥܠ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܛܛܐ ܺ�ܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐܶ :ܐܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܫܪ ܳܪ ܐ ܳܡ ܺ ܝܟـܘܢ݁ :ܬܘ ܐܡܪ ܗ ̱ ܶ ܳ ݁ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ݁ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܛܛــܐ݂ :ܘܬܶ ݂ ܽܐܟــܘܠ ܰ�� ܙ ܐܶ ܠــܝ .ܘܐܢ � :ܬܦــܘܩ ܢــܘܪ ܐ ܡــܢ ܗ ܐܣــܬܬܪ ̱ܘ ܒܛܠ ̱ ܶ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܠ ݂ܒ ܳܢܢ. ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ݁ܽ ݁ܰ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܳ ـܬܐ ܘܗܫܐ ܽܐܢ ܒܩܘܫܬܐ ݂ܘܒܫܪܪ ܐ ݂ ܥܒܕܬܘܢ :ܕܐܡܠ ݂ܟـܬܘܢ � ݂ܒܝܡܠـܟ ܳ:ܘܐܢ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܥܒــ ݁ܕ ݁ܬܘܢ ܥܰــܡ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝــܠ ܘܥܰــܡ ݁ ܰܒ ݁ ݂ܰ ܘܗܝ ܝــܬܗ :ܐܘ ܐ ݂ ܝــܟ ܥܰܡــ� ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝــ ݂ ܰܕ ̱ ݁ ܰ ݁ܽ ܥܬ ܳܘܢܝ ̱ܗܝ. ܦܪ ܰ ݁ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ ܰ ܩܒܘܠܰ ݂ : ܘܦ ܺܨ ݂ ܽ ܫܕ ܐ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܽ ܝܟܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳ ܬܫ ܳܐ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ ܥܰ� ݁ ܰܦ ̈� ݁ ܽܟܘܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܳ ܕ ݂ܐܬܟ ܝـܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ. ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ݁ܽ ܰ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ܽ ܠـܬܘܢ ܰܠ ݂ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ܰܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝـܢ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ ܝܘܡܢܐ :ܘܩܛ ܘܐܢܬܘܢ ܩܡܬܘܢ ܥܠ ܒ ݂ ܰ ̱ ܺ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ܽ ܰ ܺ ܰ ݁ ݁ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܡܬܗ ܥـܠ ܡ� ̇ ܝـܗ ݁ܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢ ܥܠ ܟ ݂ܐܦܐ ݂ ܚܕ ܐ :ܘܐܡܠ ݂ܟܬܘܢ � ݂ܒܝܡܠܟ ܒܪ ܐ ݂ ܫܟܝܡܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܽܐܚ ݂ ܽ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܘܟܘܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ. ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܶ ܝܬܗ ܝܰ ܳ ܘܡ ܳܢـܐܰ ݂ : ܚـܕܘ ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬܘܢ ܥܰܡ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝܠ ܘܥܡ ܒ ܘܐܢ ܒܩܘܫܬܐ ݂ܘܒܫܪܪ ܐ ݂ ܽ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ܺ ܶ ܠܟܳ :ܘ ݂ܐܦ ܽܗܘ ܢܶ ݁ ܐܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܚܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܟܘܢ. ܶܘܐܢ ܳ�݁ :ܬܶ ݁ ܽܦܘܩ ܽܢ ܳ ܝـܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܫܟܝـܡ ܰܘ ܳ ܠܟ݂ :ܘܬܶ ݂ ܽܐܟܘܠ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܡ ܶ� ̇ ܠܡ ܶ� ̇ ܝـܗ ܽ ܶ ܺ ݁ܕ ܰܡܠܽܘ .ܘܬܶ ݁ ܽܦܘܩ ܽܢ ܳ ܝـܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܫܟܝـܡܳ : ܘܡ ܶ� ̇ ܘܪ ܐ ܶܡـܢ ܳܡ ܶ� ̇ ܘܗܝ ݂ ܝـܗ ݁ܕ ܰܡܠـܘ݂ :ܘܬ ݂ܐܟܠܝـ ̱ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ. ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܶ ܘܬܡ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܦܠܰܛܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠ ݂ ܳ ـܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܝـܬ ݂ܒ ܬܡـܢ :ܐܝܟـܐ ݂ܕܝ ݂ �ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝـܪ ܘ ݂ ܰܘܥܪܩ ܝ ݂ ܶ ܺ ܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܩܕܝܡ. ܠܟ ܡܢ ݂
Ch.
Chapter
Abimelech, son of Nadobaal, went to Shechem, to his mother’s brothers, and said to them and to all the family of the house of his mother’s father:
Say, in the presence of all the lords of Shechem ‘What is better for you — that seventy men, sons of Nadobaal, should rule over you, or that one man should rule over you? Remember that I am (of) your bone, your flesh’. His mother’s brothers spoke, in the presence of all the lords of Shechem, all these words concerning him, for they were well disposed towards 1 Abimelech, saying: He is our brother.
They gave him seventy (pieces) of silver, from the house of Baalkiama; with that 2 Abimelech hired worthless licentious men who followed him. He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers, sons of Nadobaal, seventy men, upon a single stone. Jotham, the youngest son of Nadobaal, was left (alive), for he hid himself. All the lords of Shechem assembled, and all the people of the house of Millo, 3 and they established Abimelech as 4 king over them, by the side of the oak of Mizpah which is in Shechem. They told this to Jotham. He went up, he stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice and said: Listen to me, lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you! Indeed, the trees went to anoint a king over them. They said to the olive tree ‘Rule over us!’.
The olive tree said to them ‘I will not leave my rich oil, 5 with which 6 gods and men are honored, and come and hold sway 7 over the trees’. ‘they were well disposed towards’: lit. ‘their heart was pleased after’. ‘that’: lit. ‘them’. 3 ‘house of Millo’ or ‘Beth-millo’. 4 ‘as’: lit. ‘that he might be’. 5 ‘rich oil’: lit. ‘fatness’. 6 ‘with which’: lit. ‘that in me’. 7 ‘hold sway’: lit. ‘wave to and fro’. So passim. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܛ.
ܠܟ ݁ ܰܒܪ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝܠ ܰܠ ݂ ܺ ܐܡـܪ ܽ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ̈ܶܚـܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܶ ܫܟܝܡ ܳ ܐܡـܗܶ :ܘ ܰ ܶܘ ܰܐܙ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ �ـܗܘܢ: ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܘܗ ݁ ܶܕ ܶ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ܐܡܗ. ܘ ݂ ܠܟ� ̇ܗ ܫܪܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܳܡ ܶ� ̇ܝܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܩܕܡ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳ ܫܬܠܛܘܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܠܟܘܢ :ܕܢ ܫܟܝܡܳ :ܡ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܦ ܳܩܚ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ܰ ܫܬ ܰܠـܛ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟـܘܢ ܰܚ ݂ـܕ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܪ: ܰܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝـܢ ݁ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝـܠ :ܐܘ ܕܢ ܘܒܣ ݂ ܽ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ݇ܟܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ ܰܓܪܡ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶ ܪܟܘܢ. ݂ ̈ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܽ ܩـܕܡ ݁ܟ ܽ ܘܗܝ ݁ܟ ܶ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܰܐ ̈ܶܚܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܗ ݂ ܳ �ـܗܘܢ ܳܡ� ̇ �ܗܝـܢ ܡـ� ܝـܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܫܟܝـܡ ܰ ܥܠـ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ܳ ܰ ܠܟܳ :ܘ ܺ ܬܪ ܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܐܡܪܝܢ ܐ ܽܚܘܢ ܽ ̱ܗܘ. ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ :ܘܐܨ ݂ܛܒܝ ܠܒܗܘܢ ܒ ݂ ܘܝܰܗ ݂ܒܘ ܶܠـܗ ܰܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝـܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܟ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܝـܬ ݁ܒܥܶـܠ ܳ ܳ ܐܓـܪ ݁ܒـ ܽܗܘܢ ܣܦـܐ ܶܡـܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܰ ̱ ̱ ܩܝܡـܐ :ܘ ݂ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ ܐ̱ܢ ܳܫܐ ܣ�ܝܩܐ݂ :ܘܦ ̈ܚܙ ܐ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ݂ܬܪܗ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܘܩܛـܠ � ܰܚـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܒ ܰ�ـ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝـܠ ܘܗܝ �ܥـ ݂ܘܦܪ ܐ: ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ܘܥܰܠ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ̱ ܳ ܙܥ ܳ ܰܫܒܥܺܝܢ ݁ ܰܓܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ ـܘܬܡ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝـܠ ܽ ܚܕ ܐܶ :ܘ ݁ ܐܦܐ ݂ ܳ ـܘܪ ܐ ݂ ݂ ܐܫܬ ܰܚܪ ̱ܘ ܽܝ ݂ ܶ ܽ ݁ܶ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܡܛܠ ܕܐܬܛܫܝ. ܽ ܽ ܶ ـܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܢܫـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܟ�ـ ܽ ـܗܘܢ ܳܡ ܶ�ܝـ ̇ ܫܟܝــܡ ـܬ ܰܡܠــܘܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠـ ̱ܘ ܘܟܠــܗ ܥܰ ܳܡـܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒܝـ ݂ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܠܟ ݁ܕܢܶ ܶ ܰܘ ܺܐܩܝܡ ̱ܘ ܰ� ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ �ܟܐ :ܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܓܢ̱ ݂ـܒ ݁ ܰܒܠܘܛـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ܨܦ ܳܝـܐ ܐܝܬ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ܺ ܫܟܝܡ. ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܘܩܡ ݁ܒ ܺܪܝܫ ܛܽ ܳ ܘܬܡܰ :ܘܣܠܶܩ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܓ ܺܪܙܝܡܰ :ܘ ܺܐܪܝܡ ܳܩܠܶـܗܶ :ܘ ܰ ܰ ܐܡـܪ: ܘܚ ܺܘܝ ̱ܘ �ܝ ݂ ݂ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܺ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽܫ ܽ ܥܟܘܢ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ. ܫܟܝܡ :ܕܢܫܡ ݂ ܘܢܝ ܡ� ̇ܝܗ ܕ ݂ ܘܡܥ ̱ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܶ �ܟـܐܳ :ܐ ܺ ܝـܗܘܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ � ܰܙܠ ̱ܘ ܺܐܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐ ݂ܕܢܶܡܫ ܽܚـܘܢ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝـܬܐ ܐܡܠـ ݂ܟ ܡܪܝـܢ �ܙ ܡܐܙ ܥܠܰܝܢ. ݁ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܰ ݁ܳ ܝܬܐܳ �ܳ :ܫ ݂ ܶܒـܩ ܐ̱ ܳܢـܐ ݂ ܽܕ ܳ ܳܐ ܰ ܩܪܝـܢ ܐ ܳܠـ ̈ܗܐ ܘܐ̱ ܳܢ ܳܫـܐ: ܙ ܘܢ �ܗ ܪ ܡ ܢـܝ :ܕ ݂ܒـܝ ܡ ݂ܬܝ ܘܗ ̱ ܺ � ܳܢܐ ܰܠ ܳ ܡܢ ݂ܕ ܥܰ�ܝ ̈ ܳ�ܢܶܐ. ܳܘܐܙܶ ̱
Ch.
The Midianites were defeated by 1 the Israelites, and they could no longer lift up their head(s); 2 there was peace in the land 3 for forty years in the days of Gideon. Nadobaal, son of Joash, went and lived in his house.
Gideon fathered seventy sons, 4 for he had many wives.
His concubine in Shechem bore him a son; he named him Abimelech.
Gideon, son of Joash, died in a good old age; he was buried in the city of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the father of Azri.
When Gideon died the Israelites reverted (to their earlier ways): they went astray, (following) Baal, they made themselves a god ‘Baalkiama’. 5
The Israelites did not remember the Lord their God who had delivered them from all their enemies who were surrounding them. They did not deal kindly with the house of Nadobaal, namely 6 Gideon; (they did not repay) all his kindness to Israel. 7
‘defeated by’: lit. ‘broken before’. ‘they could no longer lift up their head(s)’: lit. ‘they raised their head(s) no more’. 3 ‘there was peace in the land’: lit. ‘the land dwelt in peace’. 4 ‘fathered seventy sons’: lit. ‘seventy sons who went out from his loins’. 5 ‘Baal-kiama’ or ‘Lord of the Covenant’. So passim. 6 ‘namely’: lit. ‘who is’. 7 ‘(they did not repay) all his kindness to Israel’: lit. ‘according to all the good which he had done for Israel’. 1 2
ܽ ܳ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܘܣ ݂ܦ ـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܢܪ ܽ ܘܬ ݂ܘܒ ܳ� ܰܐ ܶ ܝܡــܘܢ ܟܚ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ـܪ ̱ܘ ܶܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝــܐ ܩـ ݂ـܕܡ ܒܢ ـܝ ܐ ܝܣܪܐܝــܠ݂ : ܺ �ܝ ݂ ݀ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܺܪ ܽ ܝܫܗܘܢܶ . ܘܫ ܰ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ݂ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ. ܬ ܐܪܥܐ ܐ ݁ܪܒܥܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰ�ܘ ܰܡ ̱ ݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܝܬܗ: ܝܬ ݂ܒ ܒ ݂ܒ ܟܛ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝܠ ܒܪ ܝܘܐܫ ܘ ݂ ܽ ܶ ܘܠܗ ܶ ܽ ܺ ܝܬ ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝܢ ݁ܒ ܺܢ̈ܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܠ ܶ ܢܦܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡـܢ ܰܚـܨܶܗܶ :ܡܛـܠ ݁ܕܢܶ ̈ܫـܐ ܠܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ ܐ ݂ ̱ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܝܬ ̱ܗ ̈ܘܝ ܶܠܗ. ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ̈ܝ ݂ܐܬܐ ܐ ݂ ܰ ܽ ݁ܶ ܬܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ ܺ ܘܫ ܺܡܝ ܶ �ܕ ݂ܬ݀ ܶܠܗ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐܰ : ܫܟܝܡ ܝ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܫܡܗ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܟ. � ܘ݂ܕܪ ݂ܘܟ ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ݁ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܠܒ ܺ ܝـܬܐ ݂ܕܝـܘܐܫ ـܬܐ :ܘܐ ݂ܬ ݂ ܩܒـܪ ܒܩܪ ݂ ـܘܬܐ ܛ ݂ܒ ݂ ܘܡ ݂ ܝܬ ݁ܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ ܒܪ ܝـܘܐܫ ܒܣܝܒ ݂ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕܥܰ ܺܙܪܝ. ܘܗܝ݁ :ܒܥ ݂ܘܦܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܒ ̱ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ �ـ�ܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܒـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܘܛܥـܘ ܒـ ݂ܬܪ ܒ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܝܬ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ݂ : ܝܓ ܘ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܩܝ ܳܡܐ ܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ. �ܗܘܢ ݁ܒܥ ܶܠ ܗܗܘܢܰ ݁ :ܕ ݂ ܰ ܠܕ ܳܘ� ܰܐ ݁ܬ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܟܪ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ ܡܦܨܶ ܐ ܽ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܽ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ �ـܗܘܢ �ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݁ ̈ ܝܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ ܳ ܚܕ ܰ� ܽܝܗܘܢ. ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܶ ܝܬܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝـܠ݁ :ܕ ܽܗ ܽ ܝـܟ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ ـܗ ܠܗ ܘ� ܥܒܕܘ ܛܝܒܘܬܐ ܥܡ ܒ ܘܝـܘ ݂ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥـܘܢ :ܐ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܽ ݂ ܳ ݂ ܰ ̱ ܰ ݂ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܥܡ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܛܝܒ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂
Ch.
He said to Zebah and Zalmunna: Where are the men 1 whom you massacred in Tabor? They said to him: They were like you, they looked like princes. 2 He said: They (were) my brothers, my mother’s sons, as the Lord God lives: had you let them live, I would not kill you.
He said to Jether, his first-born: Arise! Kill them! But the boy did not draw his sword, for he was afraid — he was still but a boy. Zebah and Zalmunna said: Arise! Fall upon us! So, as a man (in) his manhood, Gideon arose and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescents from their camels’ necks.
The Israelites said to Gideon: Rule over us, you, your son, your son’s son, because you saved us from the hand(s) of Midian.
Gideon said to them: I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you — the Lord shall rule over you.
Gideon said to them: I have something to request of you: will each man give me an earring from his booty — for they had gold earrings, for they were Arabians. They said to him: We will give (them) to you. They spread out a cloak, and each put on it one earring from his booty.
The gold earrings for which he had asked weighed one thousand, seven hundred (pieces) of gold 3 — apart from the crescents, the neck-chains, and the purple garments which the Midianite kings wore, and apart from the chains on their camels’ necks.
Gideon took some of them, and made an idol, 4 and erected it in his city, in Ophrah. The Israelites went astray, worshipping 5 it there: it was a stumbling-block to Gideon and to his house.
‘Where are the men’: lit. ‘How are the men’. ‘looked like princes’: lit. ‘had the appearance of sons of kings’. 3 ‘(shekels) of gold’: lit. ‘of gold’. 4 ‘idol’: lit. ‘sacerdotal vestment’. See Introduction. Addendum 1. 5 ‘worshipping’: lit. ‘after’. So too 8:33. 1 2
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܶܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܬ ݂ ܽܒـܘܪܳ .ܐ ܺ ܝܚ ܶܘ ܰ ܡܪܝـܢ ܐܡܪ �ܙ ݂ ܳܒܚ ܘ�ܨܠܡܢܥ :ܐܝܟܢܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܐ̱ܢܫܐ ݂ܕܩܛܠـܬܘܢ ܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶ ܺ ܰ �ܟܐ. ܝܬ ܽܝܗܘܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܚܙܘܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܢܝ ܡ ܶܠܗ :ܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݂ܟ ܐ ݂ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ݁ܶ ܽ ܰ ܺ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰܰ ܶ ܳ ܝܬܘܢ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ� : ܡܝ .ܚܝ ̱ܗܘ ܡܪ�ܐ ܐܠܗܐ :ܕܐܠܘ ܐܚ ܝܛ ܘ ܐܡܪ :ܐ ̈ܚܝ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܐ ̱ ܶ ܽ ܰܩܛ ݁ ܠܬ ݂ܟܘܢ. ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ �ܝــܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܶ � ܽܢــܘܢܳ .ܘ� ܰ ܟ ܶܘ ܰ ܫܡــܛ ܰܛ ܳ ܝܦـܗ ـܬܪ ݁ ܽܒـ ݂ܘܟ ܶܪܗܽ :ܩــܘܡ ܩܛܘ ܐܡــܪ �ܝـ ݂ ܥܕ ݁ ܺܟܝܠ ܰܛ ܳ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ݂ܕ ܶܚܠܰ ݁ :ܕ ݂ ܰ �ܝܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ. ܶ ܰ ܐܝܟ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܟܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܘܨ ܰ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܒܚ ܰ ـܪ ܐ ݂ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒـ ܽܪ ݂ܘܬܗ. ܠܡܢܥܽ :ܩܘܡ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܰ ݂ܓܥ ݁ ܰܒܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܘܩܡ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ܰ ܠܡܢـܥܰ :ܘ ܰ �ܨ ܰ ܘܩ ܶܛܠ ܳ �ܙ ݂ ܳܒܚ ܰܘ ܰ ܐܝـܬ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܢܣ ݂ـܒ ܰܣܗ� ܢܶـܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ݁ܒ ܰܨܘ ܶ� ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܓ ̈ܡܠ ܰ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ. ݂ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܠܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ .ܐܫܬܠܛ ܒـܢ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܢ̱ـܬ ܐ ݂ܦ ܒـܪ ݂ܟ :ܐ ݂ܦ ܟܒ ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܶ ݁ ݁ ܰܒܪ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ݂ܟܰ ݁ :ܕ ݂ܦ ܰܪܩܬܢ ܡܢ ܐ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ. ܳ ܳ ܽ ݁ܶ ܽ ܳ ܶܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ܟܓ ܐ ܰܡܪ �ܗܘܢ ܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ � :ܐܢـܐ ܡ ܫܬ ܰܠـܛ ܫܬ ܰܠـܛ ܐ̱ ܳܢـܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܟـܘܢ :ܘ� ݂ ܶܒـܪ ̱ܝ ܡ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܫܬ ܰܠܛ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ. ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ :ܡܪ�ܐ ܢ ܶ ܽ ܶܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ � ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ݂ ܽ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܟܕ ܶܘ ܰ ܢܟܘܢܰ :ܗ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ܺܠـܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢـܫ �ܗܘܢ ݁ܓ ݂ܕܥ ܘܢ :ܐܢܐ ܫܐܠ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܚܕ ܐ ܳܫܐ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܽ ܩܕ ̈ܶܫܐ ܕ ܰܕ ܳ ܺ ܝܬ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܽ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳ �ܗܘܢ :ܡܛܠ ܩܕ ܳܫܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܙܬܗܶ :ܡܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ ݂ ݂ ݂ ܗܒܐ ܐ ݂ ݁ܕܥܰ� ݂ ܳܒ ܶܝܐ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ. ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܟܗ ܳܐ ܺ ܡܪܝܢ ܶܠܗ ܝܳ ݁ ܺ ܐܪܡܝ ̱ܘ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݂ـܕ ܗܒܝܢ ܚ ܰܢܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟܰ .ܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪܣ ̱ܘ ܡܪܛܘܛܐ :ܘ ܶ ݂ܳ ܩܕ ܳܫܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܙܬܗ. ܰ ܫܒ ܳ ܟܘ ܰܘ ܳ ܥܡـܐܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ ܩܕ ̈ܶܫـܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ ܗܒـܐ ݂ ܰܕܫܐܶ ܳ� ܶܠـ ݂ܦ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܳܩ ܳ� ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ ܗܒـܐ :ܤܛـܪ ܶܡـܢ ܶ ܰܣܗ ܳ� ܢܶܐ :ܘܥ ܶ ̈ܶܩـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܽ ܠܒ ̈ܘ ܶܫـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܐܝـܬ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܥܰـܠ ܰܡ� ݁ ̈ܟـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰـܢ: ܐܪܓ ܳܘ ܳܢـܐܺ ݁ :ܕ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܐܝܬ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ݁ܒ ܰܨܘ ܶ� ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܓ ̈ܡܠ ܰ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ. ܰܘܤܛܪ ܶܡܢ ܥ ܶ ̈ܩܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ݂ ܶ ܽ ݁ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ݁ܰ ܺ ܶ ܟܙ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬܗ ݁ܒ ܽܥ ݂ܘܦ ܳܪ ܐܰ :ܘܛܥܰܘ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܡܢܗܘܢ ܓ ݂ܕܥ ܶܘܢ ܘ ݂ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܠܘܦܪ ܐ :ܘܐܩܝܡܗ ܒܩܪ ݂ ܰ ܰ ݁ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ̈ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܝــܬܗ ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥــܘܢ ܘܠ ݂ܒ �ــܗܘܢ ݁ ܳܒܢــܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝــܠ ݁ܒــ ݂ܬܪܗ ܬܡــܢ :ܘܗܘܐ ݂ܶ ܽ ܠܬܐ. ܠܬܘܩ ݂ ݂
Ch.
VII
Zebah and Zalmunna pitched camp in Karkab, they and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand (men): all who remained of all the armies of the children of the east, for one hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen 1 had fallen. Gideon went up, towards those who were in the camp, 2 to the east of Nokah and Jabgahah. He attacked 3 the camp, which was off guard. 4 Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and he pursued them: he seized the two Midianite kings, and the whole camp was terrified. Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle, from the ascent of Hedes.
He took a certain young man, one of 5 the men of Succoth, and asked him; he listed 6 for him the noblemen, and elders, of Succoth 7 — seventy-seven men. He came to the men of Succoth and said to them: See! Zebah and Zalmunna, you who reviled me, you who said to me ‘Are Zebah and Zalmunna in your power, 8 that we should give bread to your weary servants?’
He carried away the elders 9 of the city (and beat them) with thorns and thistles in the wilderness, with thorns and thistles 10 he tormented 11 the men of Succoth. He demolished the tower of Penuel and slaughtered the men of the city.
‘swordsmen’ or ‘warriors’: lit. ‘drawers of the sword’. ‘towards those who were in the camp’: lit. ‘by way of those who were tentdwellers/nomads’. 3 ‘attacked’: lit. ‘smote’. 4 ‘which was off guard’: lit. ‘the camp was at peace’. 5 ‘one of’: lit. ‘from’. 6 ‘listed’: lit. ‘described/wrote out’. 7 ‘the noblemen, and elders, of Succoth’: lit. ‘the nobles of Succoth and its elders’. 8 ‘in your power’: ‘bound in your hands’. 9 ‘elders’: a different Syriac noun from that in 8:14. 10 ‘thorns and thistles’: lit. ‘them’. 11 ‘he tormented’: see Introduction. Addendum 3. 1 2
ܝ
ܨܚ ܙ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ
ܝܘ ܝܙ
ܰ ܽ ܰ ܠܡܢــܥ ܶ ܫܪܝــܢ ݁ܒ ܰܩ ܰ ܪܩـ ݂ـܒܶ :ܗ ܽܢــܘܢ ܰ ܘܨ ܰ ܳܘܙ ݂ ܳܒــܚ ܰ ـܗܘܢ ܐܝـ ݂ـܟ ـܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܥܡـ ܘܡܫ�ܝܳـ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ܰ ܐܫܬ ܰܚܪ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ ܥܣܪ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢܽ ݁ :ܟܠ ݁ ܶܕ ݁ ܫܬ ܰ ܚܡ �ܗܝܢ ܰܡܫ�ܝܳ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ܰܡ ݂ܕܢ ܳܚـܐ: ܶ ܺ ܰ ̈ ܺ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ̈ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݂ܰ ܘܕ ݂ܢܦܠ ̱ܘ ܡܐܐ ܘܥܣܪܝܢ ܐܠ ݂ܦܝܢ ܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢ ܫܡܛܝ ܣܝܦܐ. ܫܟ ܳܢـܐܶ :ܡـܢ ܰܡ ݂ܕܢ ܳܚـܐ ݂ ܰܕܢ ݂ ܳܟـܚ ܰܘ݂ܕܝܰ ݂ܒ ݁ܓ ܳ ܰܘܣܠܶܩ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ ܐܘܪܚܐ ݂ܕ ܰܫ� ܰܝܝ ܰܡ ݁ ـܗܐ: ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܳ ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ܒ ܶܫ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ �ܝܐ. ܝܬܐ :ܘܡܫܪ ݂ ܡܚܐ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܨ ܰ ܥܪܩ ̱ܘ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܒܚ ܰ �ܟـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰـܢ: ܠܡܢܥܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݂ܦ ݁ ܳܒـ ݂ܬ ܽܪܗܘܢ :ܘܐܚ ݂ـܕ ܠ ݂ܬܪܝـܢ ܡ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܝܬܐ ܐ ܺܙܝܥ. ܘ ݂ ܠܟ� ̇ܗ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܐܫ ܶܡܢ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐܶ :ܡܢ ܰܡ ܳ ܣܩ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܶ ܚܕܣ. ܗܦ ݂ܟ ݁ܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ ܒܪ ܝ ܘ ݂ ܰ ݁ܶ ܘܫ ܶ ܐܚ ݂ܕ ܥܠ ܰ ܳ ـܘܬ ܰ ܶܘ ܰ ـܬ ݂ܒ ܶܠـܗ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶ ̇ ܝܡܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕ ܶܡܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ̈ܶܫ ̇ ܝـܗ ܐܠـܗ :ܘ ݂ܐܟ ܝـܗ ݁ܕ ܳܣ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ ݁ܕ ܳܣ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ܘܬ ܰ ܝܗܰ :ܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝܢ ܰ ܘܩ ܺܫ ̈ܝ ܶܫ ̇ ܘܫ ݂ܒ ܳܥܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ. ܽ ܶ ܳ ܐܬܐ ܳ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ܽ ـܘܬ ܶܘ ܰ ܘܨ ܰ �ـܗܘܢܳ :ܗܐ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܒـܚ ܰ ܢـܝ ܘ ܠܡܢـܥ ݁ܕ ܰܚ ܶܣ ݁ܕ ݁ܬ ܳܘܢ ̱ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ̈ܫܝ ܳܣ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ ܶ ݂ܰ ݁ܽ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܺ ܺ ݁ܺ ̈ ܰ ݁ ݁ ܶ݁ ܶ ܺ ܬܠ �ܥܰ ݂ ̈ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ ܰܠܚܡܐܳ ܳ ܳ ܘܐܡܪܬܘܢ ܠܝ ݂ܕܙ ݂ܒܚ ܘܨܠܡܢܥ ܦ ݂ܟܝܪܝܢ ܒܐܝ ݂ܕܝܟ :ܕܢ ܕ ܰ� ܺܝ ݂ ܺ ܝܦܝܢ. ݂ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܰܰ ܘܓܪ ܠ ܳܣ ݂ ̈ܒܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܺ ܝܬܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ݁ ܶܒـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳ ـܪ ܐ :ܘܥܰـܠ ܩܘ� ݂ܛܒـܐ :ܘܐܫܬܢ ݂ـܕ ܩܪ ݂ ݂ܰ ܰ ݁ܒ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ̱ܐ ܳܢ ̈ܫܝ ܳܣ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ܘܬ. ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܘܐܝܠ ܰ ܝܬܐ. ܥܩܪ: ܘܡ ݂ܓܕ� ݂ܕ ݂ܦܢ ܘܩܛܠ �̱ܢܫܝ ܩܪ ݂
Ch.
Chapter
Those of the house of Ephraim said to him: Why have you acted thus? You did not call us when you went to fight against the Midianites. They quarreled bitterly with him. He said to them: What have I done now, compared 1 with you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage 2 of Jezreel?
In Jezreel, the Lord has delivered into your hands the two Midianite noblemen, Oreb and Zeeb — what was I able to do in comparison with you? Then they were no longer angry with him, 3 when he said this. 4 Gideon came to the Jordan, and crossed over, he and the three hundred men who were with him, running, weary.
He said to the men of Succoth: Give each a loaf 5 of bread — the people who are with me — for they are weary, and I — see! I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian. The noblemen of Succoth said to him: See! Is the hand of Zebah, and of Zalmunna, now in your hands, 6 that we should give bread to your army?
Gideon said to them: Because of this (answer), when the Lord has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hands — I will trample upon your flesh, (treading it down) on the thorns and thistles in the wilderness. 7 He went up from there to Penuel: but as the men of Succoth had answered him, the men of Penuel answered him.
He also said to the men of Penuel: When I come in peace — I shall demolish this tower. ‘compared’: lit. ‘like’. So too 8:3. ‘vintage’ or ‘ingathering’. 3 ‘they were no longer angry with him’: lit. ‘their anger departed from him’. 4 ‘this’: lit. ‘this word/thing’. 5 ‘loaf’: lit. ‘loaf, a loaf’. 6 ‘hands’: lit. ‘power’. 7 ‘on the thorns and thistles in the wilderness’: lit. ‘on the thorns in the wilderness and on the thistles’. So too 8:16. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܚ.
ܳ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܝـܬܢ ݁ ܰܟـ ݂ܕ ܳܐ ܙܶ ܰ�ܢ ̱ ݁ ـܬ ܥܒـܕܬ ܗ ݂ܟܢـܐ � :ܩܪ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܝܡ :ܠܡܢܐ ݂ ܘܐܡܪܝܢ ܠܗ ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܰܶ ܰ ܳܺ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܬ ܽܫܘ ܥܰܡ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢܳ . ܝܬ. ܠܡ ݂ܬܟ ܘ�ܨܶܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܥܡܗ ܩܫܝܐ ݂ �ܗܘܢܳ :ܡ ܳܢܐ ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕ ݂ܬ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ �ܳ :ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܛ ݂ܒ ݁ ܽܒ ܳ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܽ ܘ� ܶܪܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡ ܶܡـܢ ̱ ܳ ܩܛ ݂ ܶܦܗ ݁ ܺܕ ܰ ܐܝܙܪܥܶܝܠ. �ܥ ܺ ܝܟܘܢ ܰܐܫܠܶܡ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܠ ݂ܬ ܶܪܝـܢ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰـܢܽ : ܐܝܙܪܥܶܝܠ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܽ ݂ܺ ܘܒ ܰ ـܘܪ ݂ܝܒ: ܶ ܝܕܝܢ ݁ ܶܦ ܰ ܫܟ ܶܚ ݂ܬ ݁ ܶܕ ݁ ܶ �ܙ ݂ܝܒܳ . ܪܩ ݂ ݀ ܰܘ ܺ ܐܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܐ ݂ܟ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢܳ .ܗ ݁ ܶ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ ܐ ݁ ܡܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܶܡܢܶـܗ: ܬ ܶܚ ݂ ܶ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܐ ܰܡܪ ݁ ܶܦ ݂ܬ ݂ܳܓ ܳܡܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ. ܶ ܳ ـܘܪܕ ܳܢܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܐܬܐ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥــܘܢ ܽ �ܝـ ݁ ܥܒـܪ ܽܗܘ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܳܡـܐܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝــܢ ݁ܕܥܰ ܶܡــܗܳ :ܪܗܛܺܝــܢ ܘ݂ ݂ ܘ� ܺܝ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܝܦܝܢ. ܺ ݁ܳ ܺ ݁ܳ ܽ ܝܨܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܠ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܡܝܶ :ܡܛܠ ܐܡܪ �̱ ܳܢ ܰ ̈ܫܝ ܳܣ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ܘܬܰ :ܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݁ܓܪܝܨܬܐ ݂ܓܪ ܚܡܐ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ̱ ܶ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܠܡܢܥ ܰܡ ݁ ̈ ܘܨ ܰ ܬܪ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܒܚ ܰ �ܟܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ. ܕ�ܝ ݂ܝܦܝܢ ܐܢܘܢ :ܘܐܢܐ ܗܐ ܪ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܳܐ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܝـܕܗ ݁ܕ ܳܙ ݂ ܳܒـܚ ܰܘ݂ܕ ܰܨ ܰ ـܘܬܳ :ܗܐ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܠܡܢـܥ ܳܗ ܳܫـܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܝـܟ: ܡܪܝܢ ܠܗ ܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶܐ ݂ܕ ܳܣ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ ݁ ܶ݁ܶ ܠܚܝܠ ܳ ݂ܟ ܰܠ ܳ ܬܠ ܰ ܚܡܐ. ܕܢ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ �ܨ ܰ ܪ�ܐ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܫܠܶܡ ܳܡ ܳ �ܙ ݂ ܳܒܚ ܰܘ ܰ ܠܡܢܥ ܶ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ :ܐ݁ ܽܕܘܫ ݁ ܶܒܣ ݂ ܽ ܪܟܘܢ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟ ̈ܘ ݁ ܶܒܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܘܥܰܠ ܽܩܘ� ݂ ܶ ܛܒܐ. ܶ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ݁ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܘܗܝ ܘܗܝ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܰ ̈ܫܝ ܳܣ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ܘܬ :ܗ ݂ܟܢܐ ܐܝܟ ܕ ܰܘܣܠܩ ܶܡܢ ݁ܬ ܶ ܳܡܢ ܰܠ ݂ܦ ܽܢܘܐܝܠ :ܘ ݂ ܥܢـܐ ̱ ܥܢܐ ̱ ܳ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ܰ ̈ܫܝ ݁ܦ ܽܢܘܐܝܠ. ܺ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܠܡ ݂ܓ ݁ܕ� ܳܗ ܳܢܐ. ܘܗܝ ܘ ܐܡܪ ܐ ݂ܦ �̱ ܳܢ ̈ܫܝ ݁ܦ ܽܢܘܐܝܠܳ :ܡܐ ݂ ܶܕܐ ݂ܬܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒܫ� ܳܡܐ :ܐܥܩܪܝ ̱
Ch.
Gideon sent messengers throughout the mountain-country of Ephraim. They said: Go down to meet the Midianites; seize the waters as far as Beth-barah which is at the bank of the Jordan. The whole house of Ephraim cried out, and they seized the waters as far as Beth-barah of the Jordan.
They seized two noblemen of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at Tyre, and they killed Zeeb at Beth-kabrab. They pursued Midian, and they brought the heads of Oreb and of Zeeb to Gideon, on the other side of the Jordan.
ܟܕ
ܟܗ
ܺܘܐܝ ̈ܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ݁ ܶܓܕ ܽܥܘܢ ݁ܒ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܛܽ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܽܚܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܽ� ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡܶ :ܘ ܰ ܘܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰـܢ: ݂ ݂ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܽ ݁ ܰܘ ܽܐܚܘ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐܰ ݂ : ݁ ܶ ݁ ܝܬ ܒـܪ ܐ ݂ܕܥـܠ ݁ܓܢ̱ ݂ـܒ ܝـܘܪܕܢܢ :ܘܩܥـܘ ܟ�ـܗܘܢ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶ ܝܬ ܰܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܝܡܶ :ܘ ܰ ܐܚ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐ ݂ ܰ ܝܬ ݁ ܺܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܝ ݁ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢ. ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ �ܥ ܺ �ܥ ܺ ܘܩܛܠܽـܘܗܝ ܽ ܐܚ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ݂ܬ ܶܪܝܢ ܰܪܘ� ݂ ܳܒܢܶܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ ܽ ܝـܒܰ . ـܘܪ ݂ܝܒܰ :ܘ ܺ ܶܘ ܰ ـܘܪ ݂ܝܒ �ܙ ݂ ̱ ܰ ـܬ ܰܩ ݂ܒ ܰ ܝܫܝـ ܽ ـܪ ݂ܒܰ .ܘ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݂ܦـ ̱ܘ ܶ ݁ܒـ ܽܨܘܪܰ :ܘ ܺ ܠܡ ݂ܕܝܰـܢܰ :ܘ� ܺ� ܰ ـܗܘܢ �ܙܝـ ݂ـܒ ܩܛܠـ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܒܝـ ݂ ܰ ݁ܺ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ �ܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܝ ݁ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢ. ݁ܕܥܘܪ ݂ܝܒ :ܘ݂ܕܙ ݂ܝܒ :ܐܝܬܝ ̱ܘ ݂ܶ
Ch.
He divided the three hundred men into three companies, 1 and gave each a horn to hold, 2 and empty pitchers, with torches inside the pitchers. He said to them: Watch me, and do as I do — see! I am going into the middle of the camp; do as I do. 3
I shall sound the trumpet, I and all the people with me — you must sound the trumpets around the whole camp and say ‘A sword for the Lord, for Gideon’.
Gideon went in, and the hundred 4 who were with him, to the edge of the camp, in the middle watch. He thoroughly roused the guards. The three companies 5 blew the horns and broke the pitchers; they took the torches in their left hands, the horns in their right hands, so that they could blow, and they cried out: 6 ‘A sword for the Lord, for Gideon’. Each stood in his place, around the camp: the whole camp ran, shouted, and fled. 7
The three hundred horns blew, and the Lord set each man’s sword against his companion throughout the camp. The whole camp fled as far as Beth-shabteh and Zeddath, as far as the border 8 of Abelmeholah which is near Jatbath. The Israelites cried out 9 from Naphtali, from Asher, from the whole of Manasseh; they pursued the Midianites. 10
‘three hundred men into three companies’: lit. ‘three hundred men to three heads’. 2 ‘gave each a horn to hold’: lit. ‘made them hold horns in all their hands’. 3 ‘as I do … as I do’: lit. ‘thus … thus’. 4 ‘the hundred’: the reference is to a military unit. 5 ‘three companies’: lit. ‘three hundred heads’. See 7:16 for what is really intended. 6 ‘blew’ and ‘cried out’ render the same Syriac root. 7 ‘the whole camp ran, shouted, and fled’: possibly, it was the Israelites who shouted; this would make good sense in the context, though there is no indication in the text that this was intended. 8 ‘border’: lit. ‘lip’ or ‘edge’. 9 ‘cried out’ or ‘sounded (trumpets)’: so too 7:24, 12:1. See Introduction. Addendum 1. The Syriac root is different from that in e.g. 7.20. 10 ‘the Midianites’: lit. ‘Midian’. So passim. 1
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳ ـܬܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽ ـܬܐ ܺ� ܺ ܝـܗܘܢ ܝܫܝـܢܶ :ܘܐܘܚ ݂ـܕ ܩ� ܢ ݂ ܝܘ ݂ܘܦܠ ݂ܓ ܬܠ ݂ܬ ܶܡܐܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢ :ܠ ݂ܬܠ ݂ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ܘ ܰܠ ݁ ܺ ̈ �ܗܘܢܽ : ܽ ݁ܕ ݂ ܽܟ ܽ ܡܦ ݂ ܶ ܝܕ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰ ݂ܓܘ ܩܘ�. ܘܩ ̈ܘ� ܣ�ܝܩ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܝـܬܐܰ :ܐ ݁ ܰ ܘܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶ ܚܙܘ ܳ ܝܙ ܶܘ ܰ �ܗܘܢܺ :ܠܝ ܰ ܝܟ ܳܢـܐ � ܳܢܐ ݂ܒ ܰ ݂ܓـܘ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘܳ :ܗܐ ܳܥܐ ̱ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ܕ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ݁ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶܳ ܽ ܶ ܝܦـܘ� ܐ ܡـܝ :ܘܩـܪܘ ܐ ݂ܦ ܐܢ̱ـܬܘܢ ܒܫ ݂ ܝܚ ܘܩܪ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܒܫ ݂ܝܦܘܪ ܐ :ܐܢܐ ݂ ܘܟܠܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܪܒܐ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘܰ :ܚ ݁ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܰ ܝܬܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܠܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ. ݂ܒ ݂ ܚܕ �ܝ ܟ�ܗ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܪ�ܐ ܘ ݂ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ݁ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܺ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܶ ܳ ݁ܳ ܝـܬܐ: ܝܬܐ ݂ܒܡܛܪܬܐ ܡܨܥ ܝܛ ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ :ܘܡܐܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢ ܕܥܡܗ :ܒܪܝܫ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰܘ ܳ �ܢܛܘ� ܐ. ܡܩ ܽܡܘ ܐ ܺܩܝܡ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܺ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܘܬ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ̱ܘ ܽܩـ ̈ܘ ܶ�ܶ :ܘ ܰ ܐܚـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܶܣ ܳܡ ܰ� ̈ܝـ ܽܗܘܢ ܟ ܘܩܪܘ ܬܠ ݂ܬܡـܐܐ �ܝܫܝـܢ ܒܩ� ܢ ݂ ـܬܐ݂ : ܰ ݁ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ܰ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܬܐ ݂ܕܢܶܩܪܘܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ܪܒܐ ܳ ܩܪܘ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܰ ܠܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ. ܠܡܦ ݂ܝܕ ܐ ܘ ݂ܒܝܡ�ܢܝܗܘܢ ܩ� ܢ ݂ ܪ�ܐ ܘ ݂ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݀ ݁ܽ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܟܐ ܳ ܝـܬܐ ܰ ܘܝ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ܘܩܡ ̱ܘ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܕ ݁ܘܟ ݂ܬܗ ݂ ܚܕ �ܝ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܝܬܐ :ܘܪܗܛـ ݂ܬ ܟ�ـܗ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܰܘ ܰ ܥܪܩ ̱ܘ. ـܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܚ ݂ܒ ܶ ܪܒـܗ ݁ܕ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ ܰܚ ݁ ܶ ܟܒ ܰܘܩ ܰ�ܝ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܳܡـܐܐ ܰܩ� ܳܢـܢܳ : ܘܣـܡ ܳܡ ܳ ـܪܗ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ ـܗ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݀ ݁ܽ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ݂ ܶ ܝـܬܐܰ ݂ : ܝـܬ ܰܫ ݂ ̈ܒܛـܐ ܰܘ�ـܨܶ ݁ܕ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܬ: ܝܬܐ :ܘܥܪܩـ ݂ܬ .ܟ�ـܗ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܠܣ ݂ܦ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܐܒܠ ܽ ܛܒ ݂ܬ. ܡܚܘ� ݂ܕܥܠ ܝܰ ݂ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܘܡܢ ܳܐ ܺܫܝܪܶ : ܬ ܺܠܝܶ : ܘܡܢ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܰ ܡܢ ܶܫܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݂ܦـ ̱ܘ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܡܢ ܢ ݂ܦ ܟܓ ܘܩܥܘ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܰ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ.
Ch.
All the people took their provisions in their hands, and their horns; he let all the Israelites go, each to his inheritance, to his tent. The three hundred men were his fighting force. 1 The Midianite camp was below, in the valley. It was that night (that) the Lord said to him: Get up, go down to the camp — for I shall deliver it into your hands.
If you are afraid to go down: go down to the camp, you and Purah your young servant (together).
You will hear what they are saying, and then your hands will be strengthened. So he went down to the camp, he and Purah his young servant, to the head of the fifty 2 who were in the camp.
Midian, Amalek, and all the children of Rakem fell on the valley like a swarm of locusts: they, and their camels, were as numerous 3 as the sand on the seashore. 4 Gideon came, and he saw a man telling his companion a dream. He said to him: I saw in my dream a cake of barley bread rolling through the Midianite camp. It came to the tent and rolled onto it, 5 and the tent fell. His companion answered and said to him: This is nothing but 6 the sword of Gideon, son of Joash a warrior of Israel; God has delivered the Midianite camp into his hand(s).
When Gideon heard the story of the dream, and its interpretation, he worshiped, and returned to the Israelite camp and said: Rise up! for the Lord has delivered the Midianite camp into your hands.
1 ‘The three hundred men were his fighting force’: lit. ‘With the three hundred men he was strengthened’. 2 ‘the fifty’: probably referring to a military unit. 3 ‘they, and their camels, were as numerous’: lit. ‘to them and to their camels there was no number’. 4 ‘seashore’: ‘lip of the sea for multitude’ with a different Syriac for ‘multitude’ than earlier in the verse. 5 ‘rolling … rolled’: lit. ‘turned round/turning itself round … turned it’. 6 ‘This is nothing but’: lit. ‘This is not only that’.
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ
ܝܓ
ܝܕ ܝܗ
ܰ ـܬ ܽܗܘܢܰ .ܘ ݂ ܽ ܠܟ ܽ ܝـܗܘܢܰ : ܢܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܳܙܘ݂ ܰܕ ܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܳܡـܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ �ـܗܘܢ ݁ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܘܩ� ܳܢ ݂ ܽ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܐܺ ܳ �ܝ ݁ܪܬ ݂ܘܬܗܰ :ܘ ܰ ܫܟܢܶـܗܰ ݂ : ܫܪ ܐ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܳ ܠܡ ݁ ܘܒ ݂ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܳܡـܐܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝـܢ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܚܬ ݁ܒ ܽܥ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ ܳ ܠܬ ݁ ܘܡܩܐ. ܐ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܰܝܠ :ܘܡܫܪ ݂ ܗܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݂ ܽ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ �ܝܐ ܰܗܘܶ :ܘ ܰ ܗܘܐ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܶܠـܗ ܳܡ ܳ ܝـܬܐܶ :ܡܛـܠ ـܘܬ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ܪ�ـܐܽ :ܩـܘܡ ܽܚ ݂ ݁ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܡܬ ̇ܗ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ. ܕܐܫܠ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܠܡ ܰܚܬܽ :ܚܘܬ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ܺ ܘܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܥܠ ܰ ܳ ܫܪܝ ݂ܬܐ. ܝܡ ݂ܟ ܠܡ ݂ ̱ ݂ ܶܘܐܢ ݁ ܳܕ ܶܚ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ܶ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܡܡܠ ܺܝܢܳ : ܫܡܥ ܶܡ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ݂ܘܬܶ ܰ ܘܗ ݁ ܶ ܝܕܝܢ ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ̈ܝܠܳܢ ܺܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟܰ .ܘ ܶ ܝـܬܐ ܽܗܘ ܢܚ ݂ܬ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܺ ݁ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܘܦ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܥܠ ܰ ܶ ܝܬܐ. ݂ ܝܡܗ :ܥܠ ܪܝܫ ܚܡܫܝܢ ܕ ݂ܒܡܫܪ ݂ ܪܩܡܰ ݂ : ܥܡܠ ܺܝܩ ݂ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܶ ܢܦܠ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܽܥ ܳ ܘܟ ܽ ܶ ܘܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܡܩܐ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܩ ܳ ܡܨ ܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ܳܝܐܐ: ܳ ܰ ܶ ܠܓ ̈ܡܠ ܰ ܽ ܝـܗܘܢ ܰܠܝـ ݁ ܰ ܽ ܰ ـܬ ܶܡ ܳܢܝـܢ :ܐܝـ ݂ـܟ ܳܚـ� ݂ܕܥܰـܠ ܶܣ ݂ܦـ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕܝܰ ܳܡــܐ ܘ�ـܗܘܢ ܘ ܰ ݂ ܽ ܘܓܐܐ. ܣ ݂ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܠܚ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗ ܶܚ ܳ �ܡܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠـܗܺ : ܫܬܥܶܐ ܰ ܝـܬ ܘ ݂ܐܬܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ :ܘܚܙ ܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕܡ ܚܙ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ݁ܒ ܶܚܠܡ ̱ܝܽ ݁ :ܟ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܘܟܐ ݂ܕ ܰܠ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܝـܬܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܕܝܰـܢ :ܘܡܛـܝ ܚܡـܐ ݂ ܰܕܣ�ـ� ܐ ܡ ݂ܬܗܦـ ݂ܟ ݁ܒܡܫܪ ݂ ܘܗ ݂ܦ ݁ ܶܟܗ �ܥܶܠ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܫܟ ܳܢܐܰ : ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܢܦܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܠܡ ݁ ݂ܰ ܫܟ ܳܢܐ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܝܬ ̇ܝܗ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐܶ :ܐ ܳ� ܶܐܢ ܰܚ ݁ ܶ ܪܒܗ ݁ܕ ݂ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥـܘܢ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܽܝـܘܐܫ ܥܢܐ ܚܒܪܗ ܘ ܐܡܪ ܠܗ � :ܐ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܳ ݂ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܢܰ. ݁ܓܢ̱ܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܕܐܫܠܡ ܐܠܗܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܐܝܕܗ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ܰ ݁ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܣܓ ݂ܕ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ݂ܰ ܝܬܗ ݁ܕ ܶܚ� ܳܡܐ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܳܫ ܶܪܗ݂ܶ : ܝـܬܐ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܶܫܡܥ ܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ ܬܫܥ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܽ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠܶ :ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܽܩܘܡ ̱ܘܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕܐܫܠܶـܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝـܬܐ ܝܟـܘܢ ܠܡܫܪ ݂ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ.
Ch.
Chapter
VI
Nadobaal, who is Gideon, rose early, and all the people who were with him. They pitched camp by the spring of Hadar; the Midianite camp was to the north of Gibath-ramtha, in the valley. The Lord said to Gideon: They are (too) many, these people with you, for me to deliver the Midianites into your hands, lest Israel should glorify itself and say ‘My (own) hand saved me’. Now call to 1 the people and say: Whoever is trembling with fear, 2 let him leave. 3 Let him return from Mount Gilead: twenty-two thousand people returned, and ten thousand were left.
The Lord said to Gideon: There are still too many people. 4 Make them go down to the water, and I will examine them there for you. If I say to you 5 ‘He will go with you’, he will go with you; and if I say to you ‘He will not go with you’, he will not go with you. He brought the people down to the water. The Lord said to Gideon: Make all who lap the water with their tongue(s), as a dog laps, stand together; and make all who kneel down to drink stand together.
The number of these who lapped, with their hands to their mouth(s), was three hundred men; all the rest of the people knelt down to drink the water. The Lord said to Gideon: With these three hundred men who lap water with their hands to their mouth(s) I will save you, I shall deliver the Midianites into your hands; all the (rest of) the people shall go, each to his place.
‘to’: lit. ‘in the ears of’. ‘trembling with fear’ or ‘afraid and trembling’. 3 ‘leave’: lit. ‘cease for himself’. 4 ‘There are still too many people’: lit. ‘Again (too) many is this people’. 5 ‘If I say to you’: lit. ‘Of whom I shall say to you’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܨܚ ܘ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܙ.
ܘܩ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝܠ ݁ܕ ܽܗܘ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ݂ ܽ ܘܟܠܶܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܶܡܗܰ :ܘ ܰ ܰ ܫܪܘ ܥܰܠ ܥܶܝܢ ܳܚ ݂ ܳ ـܕܪ. ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ݀ ܳ ̇ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܡܬܐ ݂ܒ ܽܥ ܳ ܘܡܩܐ. ܝܬܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܕܝܢ ܗܘ ݂ܬ �ܗ ܡܢ ܓܪܒܝܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܓ ݂ܒܥ ݂ܬ ܪ ݂ ܘܡܫܪ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡــܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ــܐ ܶ ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥــܘܢܰ .ܣ ݁ ܺܓــܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܳܗ ܳܢــܐ ܥܰ ܳܡ ـܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܳܡـ ݂ܟܰ ݁ :ܕܐܫܠــܡ ܐ ܽܢــܘܢ ݂ ܰ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܰ ݁ܽ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܫܬ ݂ܒ ܰܗܪ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܺܘܢ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܺ ݂ܝܕ ̱ܝ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ܰܙ ݁ܟ ܰܝ ݂ܬ ̱ܢܝ. ܠܡ ݂ܕ��ܝܐ ݂ܒܐܝ ݂ܕܝܟܘܢ :ܕ� ܢ ܺ ܢܦܘܫ ܶܠـܗ :ܘܢܶ ݁ ܽ ܐܡܪܰ :ܡܢ ݁ܕ ܰܕ ܺܚܝܠ ܰ ܘܪ ݁ܬܝܬ ݂ ܽ ܳܗ ܳܫܐ ܺ ܩܪܝ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ̈ܐܕ ܰܢܝ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܶܘ ܰ ܗܦـ ݂ܘܟ ݂ ݂ ܶ ܽ ܳ �ܥ ݂ܕܰ .ܘ ݂ ܰ ܗܦ ݂ܟـ ̱ܘ ܶܡـܢ ܥܰ ܳܡـܐ ܥ ܶ ܺ ܣܪܝـܢ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܶܪܝـܢ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝـܢ :ܘܥ ܶ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܶܓ ܳ ܣـܪ ܐ ܰܡܢ ܛ ܶ ݂ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ܐ ݁ ܫܬ ܰܚܪ ̱ܘ. ܽ ܰ ݁ܺ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܶ ܠܡ ̈ܝـܐ: ـܬ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ݁ :ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܣܓܝ ̱ܗܘ ܥܡـܐ ܗܢـܐ .ܐܚ ݂ ݂ ܠܡܢ ݁ ܺܕ ܰ ܶܘ ݂ܐܒ ܶܩܐ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢܰ .ܘ ܰ ـܐܙܠ ܥܰ ܳܡـ ݂ܟܰ :ܗܘ ܺܢ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܠـ ݂ܟ ݁ܕ ܰܗܘ ܺܢ ܰ ـܐܙܠ ܳ ܳ ܠܡܢ ݁ ܺܕ ܰ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟܰ .ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ݁ܕ ܰܗܘ � ܺܢ ܰܐܙܠ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟܰ :ܗܘ � ܺܢ ܰܐܙܠ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ. ܳܰ ܰ ݁ܶ ܳ ܐܚܬܗ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐܶ .ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢܽ ݁ :ܟܠ ݁ܕ�ܥ ܰܡ ̈ܝـܐ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܳܫܢܶـܗ ܘ ܪ�ܐ ݂ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܽ ܺ �ܒ ـܐ :ܐܩ ܳ ܰܐܝـ ݂ـܟ ݁ܕ�ܥ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܝܡܝ ـ ̱ܗܝ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ـ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ݂ .ܘܟــܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ـܪ ݂ܟ ܥܰــܠ ݁ ܽܒܘ� ݁ ܰܟ ـ ̱ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܫܬܐܰ :ܐ ܺܩ ܳ ܝܡܝ ̱ܗܝ ܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐ. ܠܡ ܝـܗܘܢ ݂ ܽ ܠܦـ ܽ ܗܘܐ ܶܡ ܳܢ� ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܝܠܶܝـܢ ݁ܕ ܳ�ܥܺܝـܢ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܡܗܘܢ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܳܡـܐܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝـܢ. ܶ ݁ܳ ܳ ݂ܽ ܘܟܠܶܗ ܰܫ ݁ ܶ ܪܟܗ ݁ܕܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܒ ܰܪ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܒܘ� ݁ ܰܟ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ ܠܡ ܫܬܐ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ. ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ݁ :ܒ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬ ܳܡܐܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ݁ܕ ܳ�ܥܺܝܢ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܶ ܝـܗܘܢ ݂ ݂ ܶ ܽ ܶ ݂ܽ ܠܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝ ـܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܽ ܘܡܗܘܢ ܐ ݂ܦ ܽܪ ݂ ܽ ܠܦـ ܽ ܘܩܟــܘܢܰ :ܘܐܫܠܶــܡ ܶ ܘܟܠــܗ ܥܰ ܳܡــܐ ܝܟــܘܢ݂ : ܰ ܺܢ ܽܐܙ ̱ܠܘܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ � ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ.
Ch.
Gideon said to God: May you not be angry 1 with me — I will speak only this once 2 — I will make one more test 3 with the fleece. The fleece only will be dry, and there will be dew on all the ground. God did so that night: the fleece only was dry, and there was dew on all the ground.
‘May you not be angry’: lit. ‘May it not your anger be hot’. ‘once’: lit. ‘time’. 3 ‘make one more test’: lit. ‘test again this time’. 1 2
ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܠܛ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܠـܠ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܙܒܢ̱ـ ݁ܬܐ ܘܓ ܳـܙ ݂ܟ ܥܠـܝ :ܘ ـܬ ܽܪ ܐܡܪ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ � ܳܠ ܳܗܐ � :ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܰܚ ܰܡ ݂ ݂ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܙܬܐ :ܢܶ ܶ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ــܗܘܐ ܝܰ ݂ܒ ܳܫــܐ ܥܰــܠ ݁ ܶܓــ ݂ܙܬܐ �ܚ ݂ ــܘܕ :ܐ ܰܢ ܶܣــܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܘܒ ݂ܙܒ ܰܢ̱ــܬܐ ܗ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܰ ܳܒ ݂ܓــ ݂ ܘܕ ̇ܝܗ :ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܐ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܢܶ ܶ �ܚ ݂ ܶ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ܗܘܐ ܛ�. ܶ ܳ �ܝـܐ ܰܗܘ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢـܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳ �ܚـ ݂ ܶ ܡ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ـܗܐ ݂ܒܠ ܺ ܳ ܙܬܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܕ ̇ܝܗ: ܗܘܐ ܝܰ ݂ܒ ܳܫـܐ ܥܰـܠ ݁ܓـ ݂ ܰ ݁ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰܳ ܘܥܠ ܟ� ̇ܗ ܐܪܥܐ ܗܘܐ ܛ�.
Ch.
The men of the town said to Joash: Bring out your son, (for) he shall die — for he has demolished the altar of Baal and cut down the Astara by its side.
Joash said to all who rose up against him: Do you plead on behalf of 1 Baal? Or do you (seek to) save him? Whoever pleads on his behalf will die before 2 morning. If he is a god, let him plead on his own behalf 3 against him who passed by 4 his altar. That day he called him Nadobaal, and said: Let Baal give judgment against him who demolished his altar. All the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the children of Rakem, assembled and passed on; they pitched camp in the valley of Jezreel. The spirit of the Lord took possession of 5 Gideon: he sounded the trumpet and called Jezreel (to come) after him, he sent his messengers throughout Manasseh and they too called them (to come) after him.
He also sent his messengers to Asher, to Zebulun, and to Naphtali: they came up to meet them. Gideon said to the Lord: Now, if you save Israel by my hand, as you said —
See! I am putting a fleece 6 on the threshing floor: if the dew falls only on the fleece, and all the earth is dry, I shall know that you save Israel by my hand, as you said. It was so. He rose early the next day and squeezed the fleece, he wrung a basin-full of dew from the fleece. 7
‘plead on behalf (face) of’ or ‘pronounce judgment on’. ‘before’: lit. ‘until’. 3 ‘his own behalf’: lit. ‘the face of his soul’. 4 ‘who passed by’: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 5 ‘took possession of’: lit. ‘clothed’. 6 ‘a fleece’: lit. ‘a fleece of wool’. 7 ‘a basin-full of dew from the fleece’: lit. ‘the dew from the fleece, it filled a basin (with) water’. 1 2
ܳ ܳ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܶ ـܘܬܰ ݁ :ܕ ܰ ܠ ܶܘ ܰ ܥܩـܪ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܶܚـܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ�ـ�: ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܐ̱ܢ ܶܫܝ ܩܪ ݂ �ܝܘܐܫ :ܐ ݁ܦܩ ݁ܒ ܳܪ ݂ܟ ܽܢܡ ݂ ܰ ܘܦ ܶܣܩ ܐ ݁ ܳ ݂ܰ ܘܗܝ. ܣܬܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕܥܠ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܠܟܠ ݁ܕ ܳܩܡܘ ܥܠ ܰ ܘܐܫ ݂ ܽ ܘܗܝ :ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ݁ ܳܕ ܺܝܢܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܥܰ� ݁ ̈ܦܝ ݁ ܰܒ�� :ܐܘ � ܘܐܡܪ ܝ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܡܦܨܶܝܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ܠܗܰ .ܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ܕ݂ ܳܕܐܢ ܥܰ� ݁ܦܘ ̱ܗܝ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ �ܨ ݂ܦܪ ܐ ܽܢܡ ݂ܘܬ :ܐܢ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ݂ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܰ � ݁ ܰ ̈ܦܝ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܥܒܪ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܶܚܗ. ܐ ܳܠ ܰܗܐ ̱ܗܘ ݂ܢܕܘܢ ܥ ܠܒ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܒ�ـ ܳـ� ܥܰــܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܰ ܩܪܝ ـ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܘܡــܐ ܰܗܘ ݂ ܽܢܕ ݂ܘܒܥܶܝ ـܠܶ :ܘ ܰ ܥܩــܪ ܐܡــܪ ݂ ܽܢܕ ܺܘܢܝ ـ ̱ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܶܚܗ. ܝܓ ݂ ܽ �ܩ ̈ܝܶܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܶ ܥܡ ܳ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܰܘ ܰ ܘܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܶܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܪܩܡܶ :ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ܰܢܫ ̱ܘ ܰܐ ݂ܟܚ ݂ ܳܕ ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܫـܪܘ ݁ܒ ܽܥ ܳ ܘܡܩܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܰ ܐܝܙܪܥܶܝܠ. ܝܦ ܳ ܩܪ ܐ ܒ ܺܫ ݂ ܽ ܘܪ ܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܶܠ ݂ܒ ܰܫ ݂ ݀ ܠܕ ܽܘܪ ܶ ܘܚܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܬ ܶ ܩܥܐ ܐ ܺ ܰܝܙܪܥܶܝܠ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ. ܠܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢܰ :ܘ ܳ ݂ ݂ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܰ ܡܢ ܶܫܐܰ :ܘܩܥܰܘ ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ. ܶܘܐ ̈ܝܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܰܕ ̱ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ � ܺܫܝܪ :ܘܥܰܠ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܠܗ ܺܘ ̈ ܘܠܘܢ :ܘܥܰܠ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬ ܺܠܝܰ :ܘܣܠܩ ̱ܘ ܘܗܝ ܫܕܪ ܐ ݂ܦ ܥ ܐܝܙ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܰܕ ̱ ܽ�ܘܪ ܽ ܥܗܘܢ. ܪ�ܐܶ :ܐ ܽܢܗܘ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܦ ܶܪܩ ܰܐܢ ݁ܬ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܝ ܺ� ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ ܐܡܪ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ܳ ܝܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܰ ܠܘ ܶܘ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ ܐܡ ݁ܪܬ. ̱ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ �ܚـ ݂ ܶ ܙܬܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܕ ̇ܝܗ: ـܗܘܐ ܛـ� ܥܰـܠ ݁ܓـ ܠܙ ܗܐ ܣܐܡ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܙܬܐ ݂ܕܥܡܪ ܐ ݂ܒـܐܕܪ ܐ .ܐܢ ܢ ݂ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܘܥܰܠ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܰܐ ܳ ـܬ ݁ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝـ ݂ ܰܕܝ �ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ ܐ ݁ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܝܰ ݂ܒ ܳܫܐܳ :ܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ܐ̱ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܦܪܩ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܝܟ ܳܢـܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܡ ݁ܪܬ. ܳ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܳ ܐܡܨܝ ܛ� ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܙܬܐ ܡـ� ܠܓ ݂ܙܬܐ :ܘ ܠܚ ܘܗܘܐ ܗ ݂ܟ ܳܢܐ :ܘܩ ݁ ܶܕܡ ݁ܒ ݂ܬܪ ܝܰܘܡܐ ܘܥܨܪ ̇ܗ ݂ ܰܠ ܳ ܩܢܐ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ.
Ch.
The angel of the Lord stretched out the tip of the spear in his hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread — fire rose up from the stone and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. The angel of the Lord left 1 him.
Then Gideon saw that he was the angel of the Lord. Gideon said: Alas, Lord God! for I have seen the angel of the Lord, face to face. The Lord said to him: Peace be to you; do not fear, you will not die.
Gideon built an altar to the Lord there: it is called 2 ‘The Lord is Peace’ until the present; 3 it is still 4 in Ophrah, the town of the father of Azri. It was on that day that the Lord said to him: Take your father’s bull, and another bull, seven years old; demolish the altar of Baal, your father’s idol, and cut down the Astara which stands by it. Build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this base, on that level (place); 5 take the other bull, and offer 6 it up upon it (as a) burnt offering, using the wood 7 of the Astara which you cut down.
Gideon took ten 8 of his servants, and did as the Lord had told him; because he was afraid of (the men of) his father’s house and of the men of the town, should he do it by day, he did it by night. The men of the town rose early in the morning; they saw that the altar to Baal was broken down, the Astara by its side 9 was cut down, and the other bull offered up on the other altar which he had built. Each said to his companion: Who has done this deed? They asked, they inquired — they said ‘Gideon son of Joash has done this deed’.
‘left’: lit. ‘departed from with’. ‘it is called’: lit. ‘he called it’. 3 ‘the present’: lit. ‘today’. So passim. 4 ‘still’: lit. ‘until now’. 5 ‘on that level (place)’: lit. ‘in order’. See Introduction. Addendum 1. 6 ‘offer’: lit. ‘raise’. 7 ‘using the wood’: lit. ‘wood by wood’. 8 ‘ten’: lit. ‘ten men’. 9 ‘by its side’: lit. ‘by it’. So too 6:30. 1 2
ܣـܪ ܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܐܝܕܗܰ :ܘ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ݂ܒ ܺܪܝܫ ܽܚ ܳ ܠܦ ܺܛ ܳ ܠܒ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ܒ ݂ ܶ ܟܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܘܛܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܶ ܐܘܫܛ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܝـܪ ܐ: ܶ ܰ ݀ ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ܺ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݀ ݁ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܓܠـܙ ܘܣ�ܩ ݂ܬ ܢܘܪ ܐ ܡܢ ܟ ݂ܐܦܐ ܘ ݂ܐܟܠ ݂ܬ ܒܣܪ ܐ ݂ܘܦܛܝܪ ܐ :ܘܡ� ݂ܟܗ ܕܡ ܘܗܝ. ܶܡܢ ܶܨ ݂ ܰܐܕ ̱ ܪ�ܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐܰ ݁ :ܕ ܺ ܟܒ ܰܘ ܳ ܐܡܪ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ :ܐܽܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܚܙ ܐ ݂ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ܽ ̱ܗܘ ݂ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܬ ܚܙ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܺ̈ ݁ ܰ ݁ ̈ܺ ܡ� ݂ܟܗ ܕܡܪ�ܐ ܐܦܝܢ ܒܐܦܝܢ. ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܟܓ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ :ܫܠܡ ܳܠ ݂ܟ݂ � :ܬ݂ܕ ܰܚܠܳ � :ܡܐ ݂ܬ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ. ܪ�ــܐ ܳ ܪ�ــܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܟܕ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܳܢـܐ ݂ ܰܬ ܳܡــܢ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥــܘܢ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܚــܐ ܳ ܩܪܝـ ̱ܗܝ ܳܡ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܫ� ܳܡــܐ ܥ ݂ ܰܕ ܳܡــܐ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ �ܝ ܳ ܰ ܘܡ ܳܢܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕܥܰ ܺܙܪܝ. ܥܕ ݁ ܺܟܝܠ ܒܥ ݂ܘܦܪ ܐ ̱ܗܘܐ ܩܪ ݂ ܝܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܒ ̱ ܰ ܳ ݁ܰ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ܐ ܺ ܗܘܐ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܟܗ ܰܘ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘܶ :ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܡ ܳ ܚܪ ܳܢـܐ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ܪ�ܐܰ ܳ :ܣ ݂ܒ ܬܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܒـ ݂ܘܟ݂ :ܘܬ ̱ ܰ ܐܣـܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܳܩ ܳ ܬ ݂ܟ ܶܪܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܒـ ݂ܘܟܶ :ܘ ݁ ݂ܰ ܫܒܥ ܫ ܺܢ̈ܝܢܰ :ܘ ܽ ܝܡـܐ ܣܚ ݂ܘܦ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܶܚܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ�� ݂ܦ ݂ ܰ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܦ ܶܣܩ. ܥܠ ̱ ܘܣـܒ ݁ ܰܬ ܳ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗ ݂ܟ ܥܰܠ ܺܪܝܫ ݁ ܽܬ ݁ ܳ ܟܘ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܺܢܝ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܚܐ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ܘܩܦܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ݁ :ܒ ܶܣ ݂ܕܪ ܐ݂ ܰ . ݁ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܐܣܬ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܐ ܺ ܬܐܰ : ܘܩ ̈ܝ ܶܣܐ ݂ܒ ܰܩ ̈ܝ ܶܣܐ ݂ ܶܕ ݁ ܚܪ ܳܢܐܰ :ܘ ܶ ܡܦ ܶܣܩ ܐܢ̱ܬ. ܘܗܝ ܥܠ ݂ ܐܣܩ ܥܠ ̱ ̱ ܺ ̈ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ ܘܗܝܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠـܗ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ. ܟܙ ܰܘ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܒ ܽܪ ݁ ܶܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ ܥܣܪ ܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢ ܶܡ ܰܢ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ ܺܒ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܐܝܡ ܳܡܐ: ܘܗܝ ܘܡܢ ܐ̱ܢܫܝ ܩܪ ݂ ܘܡܛܠ ݁ܕ݂ ܳܕ ܶܚܠ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ݂ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܒܠ ܺ ܳ �ܝܐ. ܺ ܳ ܰ ـܬܐ ݂ܒ ܰܨ ݂ܦـ ܳܪ ܐܰ :ܘܚـ ܰـܙܘ ݁ ܰܕ ܺ ܟܚ ܰ ܥܩܝــܪ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܚـܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒ�ـ ܳـ�ܶ :ܘܐܣـ ݁ ـܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܘܩ ݁ ܶܕܡـ ̱ܘ ܐ̱ ܳܢ ̈ܫـܝ ܩܪܝـ ݂ܰ ܳ ݂ ܰܕܥܠ ܰܘܗܝ ݂ ܰ ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ܰܡ ܰܣܩ ܥܰܠ ܰܡ ݂ܕ ݁ܒ ܳܚܐ ܐ ܺ ܘܪ ܐ ܐ ܺ ܡܦ ܳ ܚܪ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ. ̱ ܣܩܐ :ܘ ݂ܬ ̱ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܘܫܐܠ ̱ܘ ܘܥܰ ܶܩ ݂ܒ ̱ܘܳ :ܘ ܺ ܟܛ ܳܘ ܺ ܠܚ ݂ܒ ܶܪܗܰ :ܡ ܽܢܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܥ ݂ ܺܒ ݁ܝܕ ݁ܬܐ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐܰ . ܐܡܪܝܢ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܰ ܐܡܪܝـܢ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܽ ܳ ܘܐܫ ݂ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܥ ݂ ܺܒ ݁ܝܕ ݁ܬܐ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐ. ݁ܓ ݂ܕܥܘܢ ܒܪ ܝ
Ch. V
An angel of the Lord came, and sat under the oak in Ophrah, the town of Joash, father of Azri; his son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine press, so as to avoid the Midianites.
The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him: The Lord is with you, mighty man of strength.
Gideon said to him: I beseech you, my lord — if the Lord is with us, why have all these (things) happened to us? Where are all his wonders, of which our fathers told us? They said to us ‘The Lord brought us out of Egypt’ — but now the Lord has forsaken us, delivered us into the hand(s) of the Midianites.
The Lord turned to him and said to him: Go, strong as you are, 1 for you will save Israel from the hand(s) of the Midianites. See! I have sent you. He said to him: My lord, I beseech you — how may I save Israel — for see! my family is the poorest in (the tribe of) Manasseh, and I am the youngest of my father’s house. The Lord said to him: I shall be with you. You will lay waste the Midianites, as one man.
He said to him: If I have found favor in your eyes, give 2 me a sign, so that I may know that you are speaking to me. Do not leave here until I come to you. I shall bring out my repast and set it before you. He said to him: I shall sit (here) until you come.
Gideon went in, and prepared a kid 3 and a seah of unleavened bread. 4 He put the meat in a basket and the broth 5 in a pot, and brought them 6 out to him under the oak. He offered (it) to him.
The angel of the Lord said to him: Take the meat and the unleavened bread and set them on the rock; pour the broth over it. He did so. ‘strong as you are’: lit. ‘in this your strength’. 2 ‘give’: lit. ‘make’. 3 ‘kid’: lit. ‘kid of goats’. 4 ‘bread’: lit. ‘flour/meal’. So passim. 5 ‘broth’: lit. ‘strained’. So passim. 6 ‘them’: lit. ‘it’. 1
ܨܚ ܗ ܝܐ
ܝܒ ܝܓ
ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ ܝܚ ܝܛ ܟ
ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ ܽܝܘܐܫ ܐܝܬ ܒܥ ݂ܘܦܪ ܐ :ܩܪ ݂ ܡܬܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ ܝܬ ݁ ܶܒܛ ݂ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂ ܘ ݂ܐܬܐ ܡ� ݂ܟܗ ܕܡܪ�ܐ ܘ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܳ ݁ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕܥܰ ܺܙܪܝ݂ܶ : ܩـܕܡ ܘܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ܒܪܗ ܚ ݂ܒܛ ̱ܗܘܐ ܚܛܐ ݂ܒ ܳ ݂ܓ ݂ܬ݁ :ܕܢܥܪܘܩ ܡܢ ݂ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̱ ܶܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝܐ. ܳ ܪ�ܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ܺ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗܳ :ܡ ܳ ܚܙܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ݂ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒܪ ܰܚܝ� ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ. ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ݁ ܶܓܕ ܽܥܘܢܳ ݁ :ܒܥܶܐ ܐ ܳܢـܐ ܶܡ ܳܢـܟ ܳܡـܪܝܶ :ܐܢ ܐ ܺ ܪ�ـܐ ܥܰ ܰܡـܢܳ : ܶܘ ܰ ܝـܬ ܳܡ ܳ ܠܡ ܳܢـܐ ݂ ݂ ݂ ̱ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ܰ ݁ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܽ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܶ ݁ܶ ݁ ܰ ܐܫܬܥܺܝـ ̱ܘ ܰܠـܢ ݂ܓ ݂ܕܫ ܠܢ ܗܠܝܢ ܟ�ܗܝܢ :ܘܐܝܟܐ ܐܢܝـܢ ܟ�ܗܝـܢ ܬ݂ܕܡـ� ݂ܬܗ ܕ ܪ�ܐܳ : ܪ�ܐ ܰܘܐܫ�ܡܢܰ ܰܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰ ̈ܗܝܢܶ :ܘ ܰ ܘܗ ܳܫܐ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܰܩܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܡܪ ̱ܘ ܰܠܢ ݁ܕ ܶܡܢ ܶܡ ܶܨܪܝܢ ܰܐ ݁ܦ ܰܩܢ ܳܡ ܳ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝܐ. ܶܘܐܬ ݁ܦ ܺܢܝ ܥܠ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ܶܠـܗ :ܙܶܠ ݁ܒ ܰܚܝܠܳـ ݂ܟ ܳܗ ܳܢـܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛـܠ ݁ ܰܕܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܪ�ـܐܶ :ܘ ܰ ܘܗܝ ܳܡ ܳ ـܬ ̱ ݂݁ܶ ܽ ܺ ܳܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܶ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܳ ܬ ݂ܦܪܘܩ �ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܡܢ ܐ ݂ܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܕ��ܝܐ :ܗܐ ܫܕܪܬ ݂ܟ. ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗܳ ݁ :ܒܥܶܐ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܡ ܳܢ ݂ܟ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ݁ :ܒ ܳܡ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ݂ܦܪ ܺܩܝܘܗܝ ܺ� ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ݁ :ܕ ܳܗܐ ܰܫ ݂ ܰ ܪܒ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ̱ ݁ ܰ ܰ ̱ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܝܬ ܐ ݂ܒ ̱ܝ. ݁ܒ ܺܨ ܳܝܪ ܐ ̱ܗܝ ܒܡܢܫܐ :ܘܐܢܐ ܙܥܘܪ ܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܗܘܐ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ݂ :ܘܬܶ ܽ ܪ�ܐܶ :ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ܶ ܚܪ ݂ܘܒ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳܡ ܳ ܠܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝܐ ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܚ ݂ܕ. ـܬ ܰ� ܶ ܥܒـ ݂ܕ ܺܠــܝ ܳܐ ݂ ܳܬܐܶ :ܘ ݁ ܰܐܕܥ ݁ ܰܕܐܢ̱ـ ݁ ܚܡـܐ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈� ܰܢܝـ ݁ـܟܶ ݂ : ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡــܪ ܶܠــܗܶ :ܐܢ ܶܐ ݁ ـܬ ܫܟ ܶܚـ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܡܝ. ܡܡܠܠ ܥܰ ̱ ܶ �ـܘ ܳܬܟܰ :ܘ ݁ ܶ ܐܦـܩ ܳܫ ܽـܪ ݂ܘܬ ̱ܝ ܶܘ ܺ ܐܣܝـܡ ݂ ܳ ܳ� ݂ܬܶ ݁ܦ ܽܪܘܩ ܶܡ ݁ ܳܟܐܰ ݂ : ܩܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܝـܟ. ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ݂ ܺܕ ݂ܐܬܐ ܺ ܳ ݂ ݂ ܶ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗܶ :ܐ ܳܢܐ ܶܐ ݁ܬܶ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ܐܬܐ. ܰ ܰ ܳ ܶ ̈ܶ ܰ ܳ ܡܚـܐ ݂ ܰܦ ܺܛ ܳ ܘܒ ܳ ܝـܪ ܐܶ ݂ : ـܐܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܩ ܳ ݂ܶ ܣـܪ ܐ ܳܣـܡ ܘܓ ݂ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ܥܰܠ ݂ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܓ ݂ܕ�ܐ ݂ܕ�ܙ ܐ :ܘܣ ݂ ݁ ܰܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܡܬܐܰ : �� ܰܐ ܺ ܘܩ ܶܪ ݂ܒ ܶܠܗ. ܒܣ� :ܘܡܨ ܝܬ ݁ ܶܒܛ ݂ ܪܡܝ ݂ܒ ܶܩܣܛܐܰ :ܘ ݁ܐܦܩ ܶܠܗ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂ ܘܣܝـܡ ܥܰـܠ ݁ ܺܟ ݂ ܳ ܣـܪ ܐ ݂ ܰ ܘܦ ܺܛ ܳ ܪ�ـܐܰ :ܣ ݂ـܒ ݁ ܶܒ ܳ ܝـܪ ܐ ܺ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟـܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܦـܐ: ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܝܗܰ .ܘ ݂ ܰ ܡܨ�� ܐ ܽܫ ݂ܘܕ ܥܠ ܶ ̇ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ. ܘ
Ch.
Chapter
The Israelites did evil before the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand(s) of the Midianites (for) seven years.
The Midianites oppressed 1 Israel, so they fled from the presence of the Midianites and made 2 themselves homes 3 among the mountains, and (lived in) caves and encampments. Then, after Israel had sown, the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the children of Rakem 4 came up and lived among them.
They destroyed the whole land, as far as 5 Gaza; they did not allow Israel to preserve oxen, sheep, or asses.
For they, and their cattle, and their tents, came like a swarm of locusts: 6 they and their camels were impossible to count. 7 They came into the land to destroy it. Israel was terrified 8 in the presence of the Midianites.
The Israelites cried to the Lord because of the Midianites. 9
The Lord sent a man — a prophet — to the Israelites. He said to them: Thus says the Lord God of Israel ‘I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I brought you out of the house of servitude, I delivered you from the hand(s) of the Egyptians, from the hand(s) of all your oppressors; I slew them before you, I gave you their land.
I said to you: I am the Lord your God. Do not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live — but you did not listen to my voice.’ ‘The Midianites oppressed’: lit. ‘The hand of the Midianites was strong upon’. ‘made’: lit. ‘the Israelities/children of Israel made’. 3 ‘homes’: lit. ‘rooms/houses’. 4 ‘Rakem’: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 5 ‘as far as’: lit. ‘as far as the entrance to’. 6 ‘a swarm of locusts’: lit. ‘a locust in multitude’. So too 7:12. 7 ‘they and their camels were impossible to count’: lit. ‘to them and to their camels there was no number’. 8 ‘terrified’: lit. ‘very troubled/disturbed’. 9 ‘the Midianites’: lit. ‘the affair of Midian’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ
ܘ.
ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܪ�ـܐ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ـܐܰ :ܘܐܫܠܶـܡ ܶܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܩـܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝـܫ ݂ ܳ ܐܝـܕ ܐ ܺ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝܐ ݂ ܰ ܫܒܥ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܶ ܰ ݀ ܺܳ ܶ ̈ܳ ܳܶ ܰ ܺ � ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܘ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܶܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܥܪܩ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܥܒـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܘܥܫܢ ݂ܬ ܐ ݂ܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܕ��ܝܐ ܥ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܛ�� ܐܶ. ܶ ̈ �ܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݁ ܳܒ ݁ܬܐ ݂ܒܛܘ� ܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ܽ ܡ�� ܐ ܰܘ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ̈ܳ ܳܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝــܠܳ :ܣ ܺ ܘܡـܐ ݂ܕ ܳܙ ܰܪܥ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܳ �ܩܝــܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܡ ݂ܕ��ܝــܐ :ܘܥܡ �ܩ ̈ܝـܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ـܝ ̱ ܶ ܘܫ ܶܪܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܪܩܡܳ : ܝܗܘܢ. ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܡܚ ݁ܒܠܺܝܢ ܗ ܰܘܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܰܐ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ܰ ܪܥـܐܰ ݂ : ܰܘ ܰ ܥ� ܳܢـܐ ݂ܕ ܳܥـ ܳܐܙ ܐ :ܘ� ܳܫ ݂ܒ ܺܩܝـܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ̱ ܶ ܺ� ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݁ܕ ܰܢܐ ܽܚܘܢ ݁ ܰܬܘ ܶ� ܐܶ :ܘܐܡ ܶ� ܐܶ : ܘܚܡ ܳ� ܐ. ܝܪܗܘܢ :ܘ ܰܡ ݁ ̈ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢܰ :ܘ ݂ܒܥܺ ܽ ܫܟ ܰܢܝ ܽܗܘܢܳ :ܐ ݂ܬܶܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘܰ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܰܩ ܳ ܡـܨ ܐ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓ ܳܝـܐܐ: ܽ ܳ ܰ ܝܬ ܗ ܳܘܐ ܶܡ ܳܢܝܢ :ܘܥܰܠ ̱ܘ ܰ� ܳ ܠܓ ̈ܡܠ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܰܠܡ ܰܚ ݁ ܳܒܠ ݂ܘܬ ̇ܗ. ܝܗܘܢ ܠ ݁ ̱ ܘ�ܗܘܢ ܘ ܰ ݂ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬܙܺܝܥ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳܛ ݂ܒܶ .ܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܶܡ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳ� ܳ� ܶܝܐ. ܳ ܰܘܐܙܥ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܥܰܠ ݂ ܽܨܒ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ݂ܕܝܰܢ. ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܠܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܺ ܢܒ ܳܝܐ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܶ :ܘ ܰ ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܰ �ܗܘܢܳ :ܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܐ ܰܡܪ ݂ ܰ ܪܥܐ ܕ ܶܡ ܶܨܪܝܢܰ :ܘ ݁ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܶ :ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܐ ܶܣ ݁ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܦܩ ݁ܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܶܡـܢ ܩܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܳ ݂ ܳ ܝܬ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܽܕ ݂ܘܬܐ. ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܶ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܳܐ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܰܨ ݁ ܽ ܘܡܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟ ܽ ܝܬ ݂ ܽܟܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡܨ ܳ��ܶܐܶ : ܝܟܘܢܰ :ܘܐ ݁ܘܒ ݂ ܶܕ ݂ܬ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ݂ܘܦ ܺܨ ݂ ܽ ܰ ܩܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܽ ܝܟܘܢ :ܘܝ ܶ ݁ ܶ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܠܟܘܢ ܐܪܥ ܽܗܘܢ. ܗܒ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽ ݁ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܶܘ ܶ ܗܟܘܢ݂ � :ܬ݂ܕܚܠܘܢ � ܳܠ ̈ܗܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܽܐܡܘ ܳ��ܶܐ ݂ܕܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܺܒܝܢ ܠܟܘܢ ܕܐܢܐ ܐ̱ܢܐ ܡܪ�ܐ ܐܠ ݂ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ݂ ܳ ܰ ݁ܽ ܽ ܠܝ. ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬܘܢ ݁ ܰܒܐܪܥ ܽܗܘܢ .ܘ� ܫܡ ܥܬܘܢ ݁ܒ ܳܩ ̱
Ch.
The mother of Sisera looked out from the window, she called out from the balcony and said: Why are my son’s chariots so slow in coming, 1 why is the sound of his chariots delayed? 2
A wise woman, (one) of her hand-maidens — she too answered and said to her:
Perhaps he goes to find a great quantity of booty, gives a mule to each man, 3 a great quantity of booty, 4 dyed garments and embroideries for Sisera, dyed garments and embroideries for the despoilers to wear. 5 So may all your enemies perish, (O) Lord; may those who love you be as the rising of the sun in its might. The land was at peace (for) forty years.
‘so slow in coming’: lit. ‘are they delayed to come’. ‘why … delayed’: lit. ‘what delays’. 3 ‘gives a mule to each man’: lit. ‘divides a mule a mule for the head of a man’. 4 ‘booty’ or ‘spoil’. 5 ‘for the despoilers to wear’: lit. ‘upon the necks of the spoilers’. 1 2
ܟܚ ܟܛ ܠ
�
ܶ ݁ܰ ܳ ܽ ܬ ܶܐ ܶܡܗ ݁ܕ ܺܣ ܳ ܘܤܛܪܘܢ ܶܘ ܰ ܘܬܐ ܰܐ݂ ܺܕ ܰܝܩ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܘ ܰܝ ݁ܒ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ݀ ܐܡـܪ ݂ܬ݀ܳ :ܡ ܰܢـܘ ܝܣܪ ܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ܟ ܳܣ ܶܘܡܢ ܟ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܫܬ ܰ ܐ ܘܚܪ ܰܡ� ݁ܟ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒܪ ̱ܝ ܠܡ ݂ܐܬܐ :ܘܡܢܘ ܐܘܚܪ ܙܢ ݂ܓܐ ݂ܕܡ� ܟ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܗ. ܰ ̈ܳ ܳ ܬܳ :ܘ ܳ ܬ ̇ܗ ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܺܗܝ ܳ ܰܚ ݁ ܺܟ ܰ ܥܢ ݂ ݀ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܳ� ̇ܗ. ܝܡ ݂ܬ ܥ�ܝܡ ݂ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܝܐܬܐܰ ݂ : ܘܕ ܳܢܝܐ ܺ �ܪܝܫ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܘܕ ܳܢܝܐ ݂ ܽܟ ݂ ܰ ܘܦܠܶܓ ݁ ܽܟ ݂ ܰ ـܪ ܐ: ܟ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܙܠ ܘܐܫܟܚ ܒܙܬܐ ܣܓ ݂ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܽ ̈ ݂ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ݂ܳ ܺ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܳܶ ܽ ܳܳ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܝܐܬܐ :ܘܨܘ ݂ܒ�ܢܐ :ܘܨܘ� ݂ܬܐ :ܠܣܝܣܪ ܐ :ܘܨܘ ݂ܒ�ܢܐ :ܘܨܘ� ݂ܬܐ :ܥܠ ܨܘ� ܐ ݂ܘܒ ݂ܙܬܐ ܣܓ ݂ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ܽܙ ̈ܘ ܙܶ ܐ. ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ݁ܽ ݁ ܽ ܽ ݁ ܶ ݁ ̈ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܝـܟ ܰܡ ݁ ܰܦـܩ ܶܫ ܳ ܡܫـܐ ܗ ݂ܟܢܐ ܢ ݂ܐܒܕܘܢ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܒܥ�ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ܒܝܟ ܡܪ�ܐ :ܘ�ܚܡ ܝـܟ ܐ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܰ ݀ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ݂ܒ ܰ ݂ܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܪ ݂ܘܬܗ .ܘܫ�ܝ ݂ܬ ܐ ܪܥܐ ܐ ݁ܪܒܥܺܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ.
Ch.
Zebulun was a people who risked their lives, 1 (so too) Naphtali on the height(s) of his (battle)field.
The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan. At Taanack they fought by the waters of Megiddo. They took neither cattle nor silver.
The stars made war in their courses, 2 war from the heavens against Sisera, by the river of Kishon. The river of Kishon swept them away, the river Karmin: (O) my soul, may you march on in strength! Then his horses’ hooves hammered on the ground, 3 in the roaring of the host of his mighty ones. Curse Marud, says the angel of the Lord, curse her and curse her inhabitants, for they did not come to the help of the Lord with warriors. 4 May you be blessed among women, Anael wife of Hubor the Kenite, blessed above (all) women in tent(s):
He asked for water, and she gave him milk — she brought him cream in a lordly 5 cup.
She stretched out her hand for the tent-peg, her right hand for a carpenter’s hammer; she struck Sisera, she crushed his head, she struck, she drove it into 6 his temple. At 7 her feet he knelt, he fell, he lay: in the place where he knelt, there the destroyer fell.
‘risked their lives’: lit. ‘jeopardized their lives to death’. ‘courses’: lit. ‘places’. 3 ‘hammered on the ground’: lit. ‘fell’. 4 ‘warriors’: lit. ‘men’; ‘warriors’ usually renders ܓܢܒ� ܐ, but the context requires this rendering rather than the literal ‘men’ ܓܒ� ܐ. 5 ‘lordly’: same Syriac word as that translated as ‘warriors’ elsewhere, e.g. 1:10. 6 ‘drove it into’: lit. ‘made pass through’. 7 ‘At’: lit. ‘Between’. 1 2
ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܶ ܝܚ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܬ ܺܠܝ ܥܰܠ ܰܪ ܳ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚܩܠܗ. ܘܠܘܢ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ܶܣ ݂ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ܶܫܗ ܠܡܘܬܐ .ܢ ݂ܦ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶ ܳ ݁ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ �ܟܐ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܫ ̱ܘ :ܘܗ ܝܛ ܐ ݂ܬܘ ܡ ܥܢ ݂ܟ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܫ ̱ܘ ܝܕܝܢ ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬܫ ̱ܘ ܡ�ܟܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܟܢܥܢ .ܒ ݂ܬ ܰ ܳ̈ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܥܰܠ ܡܝܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ܓܕܘ :ܩܢ�ܢܐ ݂ܘܟܣܦܐ � ܢܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ. ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܳ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܥܰܡ ܺܣ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ ݂ ܰܟ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ݂ ܶܒܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܽܕ ̈ܘ ݁ܟ ܳܝ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢܳ : ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ ܶܡܢ ܰ ܟ ݂ܰ ܝܣـܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܢܚـ� ݂ܕ ܺܩ ܽ ܝܫܘܢ. ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶܽ ܰ ܳ ܚ� ݂ܕ ܰܩ ܺ ܚ� ݂ܕ ܺܩ ܽ ܪܡܝܢ݁ .ܬ݂ܕ ܶܪ ݂ܟ ܰܢ ݂ܦܫ ̱ܝ ܰܚܝ�. ܝܫܘܢ :ܘܢ ܟܐ ݁ܓܪ ݂ܦ ܐܢܘܢ ܢ ܳ ݁ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܰܺ ܰ ܘܗܝ. ܟܒ ܗܝܕܝܢ ݂ܢܦܠ ̱ܝ ܥܩ ݂ܒܐ ݂ܕ� ݂ܟܫܗ :ܡܢ ܢܗ ݂ ܡܬܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚܝ� ݂ܕ ݂ܬܩ ̈ܝ ݂ܦ ̱ ܽ ܶ ܘܗ ܽ ܟܓ ܽܠܘܛ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ܽ ܡܪ ݂ܘܕܳ :ܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐܽ :ܠܘܛܽ ̇ ܘܠܘܛ ̱ܘ � ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒܝ ̇ܗܶ :ܡܛـܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܶܐ ݂ ܰܬܘ ܽ �ܥ ݂ܘܕ ܳܪ ܢܶܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ݂ܒ ܰ ݂ܓ ݂ܒ ܶ� ܐ. ݁ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܶ ̈ܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ̈ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܫܟ ܳܢܐ ݂ܬ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܰܪ ݂ܟ. ܟܕ ܬ ݂ܬܒܪ ݂ܟ ܡܢ ܢܫܐ ܥܢܐܝ�ܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܗ ܕܚ ݂ܘܒܪ ܩܝ�ܝܐ :ܡܢ ܢܫܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܡ ܳ ܘܚ ݂ ܳ ܬ݁ :ܒ ݂ ܳܟ ܳܣܐ ݂ܕ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܶ� ܐ ܰܩ ݂ ܰ �ܒܐ ܝ ܶܗ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ ݀ ܪܒ ݂ ݀ ܟܗ ܰܡ ܳ ̈ܝܐ ܫܐܶܠ ܰ ܬ ܶܚܐ ݂ܘܬܐ. ݂ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܰ ݀ ܰ ܺ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܠܣ ܳ ܬܗ ܺ ܝܣܪ ܐ: ܟܘ ܐ ݂ ܳܝܕ ̇ܗ ܥܰܠ ܣܟ ݂ܬܐ ܐܘܫܛ ݂ܬ :ܘܝܡܝܢܗ �ܪܙ ݂ܦ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕܢܓܪ ܐ :ܘܡܚ ݂ ܰ ݁ܶ ܬܗ ܺ ܡܚ ݂ ݀ �ܪ ܶ ܬ ܰܘ ݁ ܝܫܗܰ :ܘ ܳ ܐܥܒ ܰܪ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ܒܨܶ ݂ܕܥܶܗ. ݂ܘܦ ݂ܟ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܪ ݂ܟ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ݂ ܰ ܝܗ ݁ܒ ܰܪ ݂ܟ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܟܙ ݂ ܰ ܘܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ܬ ܶ� ݂ܓܠ ܶ ̇ ܢܦܠ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܙ ܳܘܙ ܐ. ܢܦܠ :ܘ ݂ ܫܟ ݂ܒ :ܒ ݂ܕܘܟ ݂
Ch.
My heart spoke to the lawgiver of Israel: These who are set apart from 1 the people, bless the Lord!
Those who ride on white asses, sit in the houses, walk in the ways:
Reflect on the words of those who enquire, who are among the teachers; 2 there they will impart the righteousness of the Lord, his righteousness that he has increased in Israel. 3 Then the people of the Lord went down to the gate. Awake, awake Deborah! awake, wake up, give praise! 4 Arise, Barak! Take your captives, 5 (O) son of Abinoam. At that time, a deliverer went down, to sing praises before the Lord — he went down for me, among the warriors of Ephraim —
His deeds in Amalek; following you, Benjamin, with your love; 6 a lawgiver went down from Machir; and scribes 7 from Zebulun.
The noblemen of Issachar were with Deborah, Issachar was like Barak among the peoples: 8 he was sent on foot to the division of Reuben — great were the searchings 9 of heart.
Why do you sit in the highways, 10 to hear the wild asses breathing? To the division of Reuben — great were the searchings of heart. Gad dwelt on the other side of the Jordan; Dan steers 11 ships into port; Asher dwelt at the sea-shore, will dwell at its channel.
‘set apart from’ or ‘dedicated among’. See Introduction. Addendum 3. ‘the words of those who enquire, who are among the teachers’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 3 ‘that he has increased in Israel’: see Introduction. Addendum 3. 4 ‘Awake, awake Deborah! awake, wake up, give praise’: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 5 ‘take your captives’: lit. ‘take captive your captives’. 6 ‘with your love’ or ‘in/with your debt’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 7 ‘scribes’: lit. ‘those who write with the scribe’s pen’. 8 ‘among the peoples’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 9 ‘searchings’: lit. ‘searchers’. So too 5:16. 10 ‘highways’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 11 ‘steers’: lit ‘drags’. 1 2
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ
ܡܒ ݁ܕ ܳܩ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܝܫܝܢ ݁ܒܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܶܪ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܳ ܶܠ ݁ܒ ̱ܝ ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܠ ݂ ܰ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܐܝܠܶܝܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܺܪ ܺ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܳ ܰܳܶ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܘ ܳ� ݂ܟ ݁ ܰܒܝ ܐ ݁ܬ ̈�ܐ ܶܚ ܳܘ ܳ� ݂ܬܐ :ܘܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒܝ ݁ܒ ݂ ̈ܒ ݁ܬܐܰ :ܘܡ ܰܗ ̈ܠ ݂ ܰܟܝ ݁ ܽܒܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܐ. ܰܪܢܘ ܶܡܢ ̈ܶܡ ܶ� ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ܽܨ ̈ܘ�ܶـܐ ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܝܢـܬ ܰܡ ݂ ܳ �ܦܢ̈ܶـܐܰ ݁ :ܬ ܳܡـܢ ܢܶ ݁ܬ ܽܠـܘܢ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܩـ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ: ݂ ܶ ݂ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܠܬ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܪܥܐ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡܪ�ܐܳ. ܶ ܺ ܰܙ ݁ ܺܕ ܽܝܩ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݁ ܐܣܓܝ ݂ܒܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ .ܗ ݁ܝܕܝܢ ܢܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܶ ݁ܽ ݁ ܳ ـܘܚܬܐܽ .ܩـܘܡ ܠܝ ܬܫܒ ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺܝܪ ̱ܝ :ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺܝܪ ̱ܝ݁ :ܕ ݂ ܽܒܘܪ ܐ :ܐ ݁ܬ ݁ܬܥܺܝܪ ̱ܝܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܝ ݁ ܳܕܝ :ܘܡܠ ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪܩܰ :ܘ ݂ ܺ ܫܒܝ ܳܫ ݂ ܰܒ ̈ܝ ݁ܟ݁ :ܒ ܶܪܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܺܐܒܝܢܥ ܶܡ. ܢܚ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰ ܳܗ ݁ ܶ ܩـܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܨ� ܳܢܐ ܰܠܡ ܰܫ ݁ ܳܒ ܽܚـܘ ݂ ܳ ܡܦ ܳ ܪ�ـܐܶ : ܝܕܝܢ ܶ ـܬ ܺܠـܝ ݂ܒ ܰ ݂ܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒـ ܶ� ܐ ܶܡـܢ ܢܚ ݂ ܰ ܐ ݂ܦ ܶܪܝܡ. ܘܒ ݂ܟܶ :ܡܢ ܳܡ ݂ ܺܟܝܪ ݂ ܰ ̈ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܥܡܠ ܺܝܩܳ ݁ :ܒ ݂ܬ ܳܪ ݂ܟ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ݁ܒ ܽܚ ݁ ܳ ܢܦܩ ݂ ܰ ܡܒ ݁ܕ ܳܩ ܳܢܐ: ܘܥܰ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܕ ̱ ܘܡܢ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܶ ܘܠܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܟ ݂ܬ ݁ ܺܒܝܢ ݁ܒ ܰܩ ܳܢܝܐ ݂ܕ ܳܣ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ. ܰ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ـܬ݁ ܰܕܪ ܪܘ� ݂ܒܢ ـܐ ݂ܕܐܝܣ ݂ܟــܪ ܥــܡ ܕ ݂ܒ ـܘܪ ܐ :ܘܐܝܣ ݂ܟــܪ ܐܝـ ݂ـܟ ܒ ـܪܩ ܒܥ ̱ܡܡــܐ :ܐܫـ ܳ ݁ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܘܒܝܠܰ :ܪܘ ݂ ܺ ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ܽܪ ݂ ܶ ܪܒܝܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ ̈ܕ ܰܩܝ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒܐ. ܘܗܝ ݂ ܠܦܠܓ ݂ ݁ܒ� ݂ܓܠ ̱ ܳ ݁ܽ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܫܡـܥ ܰܣ ܳ ܫܒ ̈�ـ ܶ�ܶ : ـܬ ݂ ܺ ܳ ܠܡ ܰ ـܘܬܐ ܘܩـܐ ݂ ܰܕܥـ ܳ� ݂ ܶܕ ܐ݂ : ܠܡ ܳܢܐ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ ܠܦܠܓ ݂ ܘܒܝܠܰ :ܪܘ ݂ ܺ ݂ܕ ܽܪ ݂ ܶ ܪܒܝܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ ̈ܕ ܰܩܝ ܶܠ ݁ ܳܒܐ. ܳ ܶ �ܡ ܳܐܢܐ ܳܓ ܰܐܪ ݂ ܺ ܘܪܕ ܳܢܢ ܶ ܫܪ ܐܳ ݂ :ܘܕܢ ܰܠ ܺ ݁ ܳܓ ݂ܕ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܝ ݁ ܣܦ ̈�ܢܶܐ .ܐ ܺܫܝـܪ ܝܳـ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ܥܰـܠ ݂ ܽ ܶ ݂ܳ ܪܥܬܗ ܢܶ ܶ ܫܪ ܐ. ܣܦ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ܕܝܰ ܳܡܐ :ܘܥܰܠ ݁ܬܘ ݂
Ch.
IV
Chapter On that day Deborah, and Barak son of Abinoam, sang praises, 1 saying: For the vengeance with which Israel was rewarded, 2 with the praise of the people, 3 praise the Lord!
Hear, (O) kings, give ear, (O) rulers — I shall praise the Lord, I shall sing to the Lord God of Israel.
Lord, when you set forth from Seir, when you walked through the fields of Edom, the ground shook, moisture fell from the heavens, water streamed from the clouds. 4
The mountains quaked in the presence of the Lord, this Sinai in the presence of the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.
In the time of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the time 5 of Anael, the ways were closed, those who used to walk on the straight highways went by crooked 6 ways.
They destroyed the open spaces 7 of Israel — they destroyed 8 until I, Deborah, arose — I arose, a mother in Israel.
God will choose a new (thing), 9 then (there will be) barley bread, 10 no sword or spear will be seen 11 among the forty thousands 12 of Israel. ‘Deborah, and Barak …, sang praises’: the verb is 3rd fem.sing. 2 ‘vengeance … rewarded’: same Syriac root which can also mean ‘requite’ as in 1:7. See Introduction. Addendum 1. 3 ‘with the praise of the people’: see Introduction. Addendum 3. 4 ‘moisture fell from the heavens, water streamed from the clouds’: lit. ‘the heavens dropped moisture, the clouds sprinkled water’. 5 ‘time … time’: lit. ‘days … days’. 6 ‘crooked’: lit. ‘turned aside/perverted’. 7 ‘open spaces’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 8 ‘destroyed … destroyed’: lit. ‘cut off … cut off’. 9 ‘God will choose a new (thing)’: see Introduction. Addendum 3. 10 ‘then (there will be) barley bread’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 11 ‘no sword or spear will be seen’: lit. ‘sword or spear will not be seen’. 12 ‘thousands’: military units. 1
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ: ܨܚ ܕ
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܗ.
ܬ ݁ܕ ܽܒ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘܺ : ܘܒ ܳܪܩ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝܢܥ ܶܡ ݁ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܳ ܠܡ ܰ ܰ ܐܡܪ. ܘܫ ݁ܒ ܰܚ ݂ ݀ ݂ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܺ ܳܶ ݁ ܶ ݁ܽ ݁ ܳ ܘܚܬܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܒܚ ̱ܘ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܒ ݂ܬܫܒ ܒ ݂ܦܘܪ�ܢ ݂ܘܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܐܬܦܪܥ ܐ ܰ ݁ ̈ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܶܐ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܒܚܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙ ܰܡܪ ܶܠܗ ܳ ܘܨܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܰܫ ܺ� ̈ܝ ܳܛܢܶܐܶ :ܐ ܳܢܐ ܳ ܰ �ܟܐܽ : ܠܡ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܫܡܥܘ ܡ ܰ ܳ ܳ ̱ܺ ܳܶ ܐܠܗܐ ݂ܕܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܺ ݁ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܳ ܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܽܐܕܘܡ ܰܐ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܳܙܥܰـ ݂ ݀ ܬ: ܡܪ�ܐ ݂ܒܡܦܩ ݂ܟ ܕܡܢ ܣܥܝܪ :ܟ ݂ܕ ܗܠ ݂ܟܬ ܒܝܢ ݂ܬ ܚܩܠ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܳܶ ܳ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܰ ܫܡ ܳܝܐ ܰܢܛ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ :ܘ ܥ�ܢ̈ܐ ܰ�ܣ ̱ܝ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ. ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܶ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܩܕܡ ܡܪ�ܐ ܩܕܝܫܐ ݂ܕ ܩܕܡ ܡܪ�ܐ :ܘܗܢܐ ܣܝܢܝ ܡܢ ݂ ܘܛܘ� ܐ ݂ ܳܕܠ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܡܓ ـܪ ݁ ܰܒ ـܪ ܳ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰܫ ݁ ܰ ـܬܐ. ـܬܰ :ܘ ݂ܒ ܰ� ـ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ݁ܒ ܰ� ̈ܘ ܰܡ ـ ܥܢܐܝــܠ ݁ܦ ܰܣܩ ـ ̱ܘ ܐܘ�ܚـ ݂ ܥܢـ ݂ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܺ ܶ ܺ ܡܗ ݂ ܺ ܘܕ ܰ ݂ܰ ܫܒ ̈�� ݂ܬ�ܝܨܶ ܐܰ :ܗ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܒܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬܐ ܡܥܰ ̈ܩ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ. ܠܟܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ ܒ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܳ ݁ܦ ܰܣܩ ̱ܘ ܶܫܛ ̈ܶܚܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ݁ :ܦ ܰܣܩ ̱ܘ ݂ ܰ ـܬ ܐ ܳܡـܐ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕ ܳܩ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ܐ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܒـܘܪ ܐܳ :ܩ ܶܡ ݂ ܺ ܳܶ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ݂ܒ ܣ�ـ ܶ� ܐ :ܘ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ܚܡـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܕܝܢ ܰܠ ܳ ܚܕ ݁ ܳܬܐܳ : ܘܡܚـܐ ܳ� ܢܶ ݂ܬ ܶ ܘܗ ݁ ܶ ܢܶ ݂ܓ ݁ ܶܒܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ݂ ܰ ܝܦـܐ ܽܘܪ ܳ ܚـܙ ܐ ܰ ܳ ܰ݁ ܺ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ݂ܒܝܢ ݂ܬ ܐܪܒܥܝܢ ܐܠ ݂ܦܐ ݂ܕ
Ch.
He said to her: Give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty. She opened a skin 1 of milk, let him drink, and covered him up.
He said to her: Stand at the entrance of the tent, and if a man comes, asking you, saying ‘Is there a man here?’ say to him ‘There is not’.
Anael, Heber’s wife, took a tent-peg, picked up 2 a hammer, and went to him while he slept: she drove the tent-peg into his temple, it sank into the ground while he slept, for he was exhausted, and he died. See! Barak pursued Sisera — Anael went out to meet him, and said to him: Come! I will show you the man whom you seek. He went in with her, and he saw — See! Sisera lying on the ground, 3 dead, with the tent-peg in his temple.
That day, the Lord defeated Nabin king of Canaan, before the Israelites.
The hand of the Israelites grew strong 4 against Nabin king of Canaan: eventually 5 they killed him. 6
‘skin’ or ‘leathern bottle’. 2 ‘picked up’: lit. ‘took in her hand’. 3 ‘lying on the ground’: lit. ‘thrown’. 4 ‘grew strong’: lit. ‘was going and prevailing’. 5 ‘eventually’: lit. ‘until’. 6 ‘him’: lit. ‘Nabin king of Canaan’. 1
ܰ ܳܺ ܽ ܳ ܺ ܝܬܰ .ܘ ܳ ܝـܨ ܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݂ ܳ ܝܛ ܶܘ ܰ ܫܪ ݂ܬ݀ ܚܠ ܺ ܳ �ܒـܐ ܐܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗ :ܐ ܝܢܝ ܰܩܠܝܠ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ ܶܡܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܺܨܗ ݂ ܫܩܐ ̱ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܣܝ ݂ܬܗ. ܘܐܫܩܝ ݂ܬܗ ݂ܘܟ ݁ ܰ ܬ ܳ ܟ ܶܘ ܰ ܫܟ ܳܢܐܶ :ܘܐܢ ܽܗܘ ݂ ܳܕ ݂ܐܬܶܐ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ ܳܫܐܶܠ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ܳܘ ܰ ܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܐܡـܪ ܘܡܝ ܒ ݂ ܐܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗ ܽܩ ܶ ̱ ܐܝܬ ݁ܬ ܳ�ܢ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ :ܐ ܰܡܪ ̱ܝ ܶܠܗ ܰܠ ݁ ܝܬ. ݁ ܺܕ ݂ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݀ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ݀ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܬܐ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܐܝـܕ ̇ܗ: ـܬܐ ݂ܕܡܫܟܢـܐ :ܘܐܚـܕ ݂ܬ ܐܪܙ ܶ ݂ܦـ ݂ ܟܐ ܘܢܣܒ ݂ܬ ܥܢܐܝ�ܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܗ ܕܚ ݂ܘܒܪ ܣܟ ݂ ܳ ܬ ܥܠ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܘܥܶܠ ܰ ݂ ݀ ܩܫ ݂ ݀ ܬ ܶܣ ݁ܟ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒܨܶ ݂ܕܥـܗ :ܘܛ ݂ܒܥܰـ ݂ ݀ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܽܗܘ ݂ܕ ܺܡ ݂ܝܟ :ܘܢܶ ܰ ܬ ݁ ܰܒܐܪܥـܐ ̱ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܽܗܘ ݂ܕ ܺܡ ݂ܝܟܶ :ܘ ݁ܐܬ ܰܛ ܰܪ ݂ܦ ܺ ܝܬ. ܘܡ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܬܪ ܺܣ ܳ ܥܢܐܶܝـܠ ܽ�ܘܪܥܶـܗܳ :ܘ ܳ ܬ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܐ :ܘܢܶ ݂ܦ ܰܩ ݂ ݀ ܐܡـܪ ܐ ܶܠـܗ݁ :ܬܐ ܟܒ ܶܘܗܐ ݂ܒܪܩ ܪ ܕ ݂ܦ ܒ ݂ ܳ ܳ ݂ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܳ ݁ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܝܬ: ܠܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܥܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ .ܘܥܠ �ܘ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ ܘܚܙ ܐ :ܘܗܐ ܣܝܣܪ ܐ ܪܡܐ ܘܡ ݂ ܐ ܰܚܘ ݂ܝܟ ܳ ݂ ܶ ܘܣ ݁ܟ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒܨܶ ݂ܕܥܶܗ. ܳ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ �ܢ ݂ ܺܒܝܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ݂ܒ ܰܝ ܳ ܘܡܐ ܰܗܘ ܳ ܟܓ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ݂ ܰܒܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܩܕܡ ܒܢܝ ܐ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܰܢܥܢ ݂ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳܐ ܳܙ ̱� ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܳ ܫܢܐ ܥܰܠ ܳܢ ݂ ܺܒܝܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܘܥ ܳ ܟܕ ܺܘ ݂ ܳ �ܟـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܰܢܥـܢܰ ݂ : ܥܕ ܳܡـܐ ̱ ܽ �ܢ ݂ ܺܒܝܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܘܗܝ ܳ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܰܢܥܢ. ݂ܕ ܰܩܛܠ ̱
Ch.
Heber the Kenite, from the family of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, had left Ken. 1 He pitched his tent by the oak in Zaanannim, near Rakem. They told Sisera that Barak, son of Abinoam, had come up to Mount Tabor. Sisera assembled all his chariots — nine hundred iron chariots — and all the people with him, from Harosheth of the nations as far as the river of Kishon.
Deborah said to Barak: Rise up! for this is the day on which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hands — See! the Lord goes out before you. So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men with him.
The Lord defeated Sisera, destroyed 2 all his chariots, and his whole troop, with the sword, before Barak: but Sisera abandoned 3 his chariot and fled on foot. 4 Barak pursued his chariots, and his troop, as far as Harosheth of the nations; Sisera’s whole troop fell by the sword: not one man escaped alive.
Sisera fled on foot, to 5 the tent of Anael, the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Nabin king of Hazor and Heber the Kenite. Anael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him: Come here, 6 my lord, come here to me, do not be afraid. So he went 7 to her, into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. 8
‘Heber the Kenite, from the family of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, had left Ken’ or possibly ‘Heber the Kenite, had left the Kenite tribe, descended from Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law’. 2 ‘defeated Sisera, destroyed’: lit. ‘broke Sisera and all’. See too 4:23. 3 ‘abandoned’: lit. ‘descended from’. 4 ‘on foot’: lit. ‘on his feet’. A different Syriac word is used than in 4:17. 5 ‘to’: lit. ‘entered/went into’. 6 ‘Come here … come here’: lit. ‘Turn aside … turn aside’. 7 ‘he went’: lit. ‘he turned aside’. 8 ‘rug’ or ‘garment’. 1
ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ
ܝܗ
ܝܘ
ܝܙ ܝܚ
ܘܒܪ ܺܩ ܳܝܢܢܰ ݂ : ـܘܒ ݂ܒ ܽ ܘܚ ݂ ܳ ܢܦܩ ܶܡܢ ܺܩܝܢ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܽܚ ݂ ܳ ܽ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܽܡ ܶ ܘܫـܐܰ :ܘ ܰܢܩـܫ ܚܡـ ̱ ܳ ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܒܨܥܺ ܺܝܢܝܢ ݁ܕܥܰܠ ݁ ܶܓܢ ݂ܒ ܶ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܶ ܰܡ ݁ ܫܟܢܶܗ ݂ ܰ ܪܩܡ. ܠܒܛܡ ݂ ̱ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܠܣ ܳ ܘܚ ܺܘܝ ̱ܘ ܺ ܰ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܒܘܪ. ܝܣܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕܣܠܩ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪܩ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܐ ݂ ܺܒܝܢܥ ܶܡ ܠܛ ܰܶ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܘܟܠܗ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܘ ݂ܟܢܫ ܣܝܣܪ ܐ ݂ܟ�ܗܝܢ ܡ� ܟ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܗ :ܬܫܥܡܐܐ ܡ� ܟ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦܪܙ�݂ : ܰ ܳ ܚ� ݂ܕ ܺܩ ܽ ݂ܕܥܰ ܶܡܗܶ :ܡܢ ܰܚ ܰ ܪܫ ݂ܬ ݁ܕܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܫܘܢ. ܥܕ ܳܡܐ �ܢ ܐܡܪܬ݀ ݁ܕ ܽܒ ܳ ܠܣ ܳ ܠܒ ܳܪܩܽ :ܩܘܡܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳܗ ܰܢܘ ܝܰ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܺ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܳ ܘܡܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܫܠܶܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣـܪ ܐ ܶܘ ܰ ݂ ݂ ܢܚܬ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪܩ ܶܡܢ ܛܽ ܳ ـܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܬ ݂ ܽܒـܘܪ :ܘܥ ܶ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܳܢ ݂ ܶܦܩ ݂ ܳ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟܳ .ܗܐ ܳܡ ܳ ܣـܪ ܐ ܩܕ ܰܡ ݁ܝܟܰ .ܘ ܶ ݂ ܰ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ. ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܶ ـܪ ܐ ܰܘ ݂ ܽ ܠܣܝܣـ ܳ ܠܟ ܶ ܪ�ــܐ ܺ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܒ ـܪ ܳܡ ܳ ـܬܗ �ܗܝــܢ ܡ� ܟ ݂ܒ ـ ݂ܬܗ :ܘ ݂ ܠܟ�ــܗ ܡܫܪܝـ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܶ ـܬܗܰ :ܘܥـ ܰ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܡـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ ܪܒـܐ ܩـ ݂ ܳ ـܕܡ ݁ ܳܒـ ܳܪܩܰ :ܘ ܶ ـܪܩ ـܬ ܺܣܝܣــܪ ܐ ܡــܢ ܡܪܟ ݂ܒـ ܢܚـ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܘܗܝ. ݁ܒ� ݂ܓܠ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܠܚ ܰ ܝܬܗܰ ݂ : ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ـܬ ݁ܕܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡـܐ: ܪܫ ܶ ݂ ݂ܘܒܪܩ ݂ܪܕ ݂ܦ ܒ ݂ܬܪ ܡ� ܟ ݂ܒ ݂ܬܗ ݂ܘܒ ݂ܬܪ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݀ ݁ܽ ܳ ̇ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܝܬܗ ݁ܕ ܺܣ ܳ ܰ ܝܣܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ ܳ ܳ ݁ ܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ܪܒܐ :ܘܐ̱ܢـܫ � ܐ ݂ܬܦܠـܛ ݁ܟـ ݂ܕ ܘܢ ݂ܦܠ ݂ܬ ܟ�ܗ ܡܫܪ ݂ ܰܚܝ. ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܘܣ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܐ ܰ ܺ ـܬ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ݂ ܳ ـܘܒܪ ܺܩ ܳ ܥܪܩ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܶ ܝ� ܳܝـܐ: ܪܓـܠ :ܘܥܰـܠ ܠܡܫܟܢـܐ ݂ܕܥܢܐܝ�ܢ ̱ ܺ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ ܝܬ ܳܢ ݂ ܺܒܝܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ �ܟܐ ݂ܕ ܳܚ ܽܨܘܪ ݂ ܶ ܝܬ ܽܚ ݂ ܳ ܘܒܪ ܺܩ ܳ ܝ� ܳܝܐ. ܫ� ܳܡܐ ܐ ݂ ܝܬ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܒ ݂ ܺ ܺ ܝܣܪ ܐ ܳܘ ܳ ܥܢܐܶܝܠ ܽ�ܘܪܥܶܗ ݁ܕ ܺܣ ܳ ܤܛـܝ ܳ ܬ ܳ ܘܢܶ ݂ܦ ܰܩ ݂ ݀ �ـܘ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܶܠܗ :ܤܛܝ ܳܡܪ ̱ܝ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܳ̇ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܺ ݁ܳ ܝܠܬܐ. ܘ� ݂ܬ݂ܕ ܰܚܠܰ .ܘܤܛܐ �ܘ ݂ܬܗ ܠܡܫܟܢܐ݂ :ܘܟܣܝ ݂ܬܗ ܒܚܡ
Ch.
Chapter
Again the Israelites did evil before the Lord, after Ahur died.
The Lord delivered them into the hand of Nabin, the king of Canaan, who ruled in Hazor. The captain of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth of the nations. The Israelites cried out to the Lord — for he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he enslaved the Israelites, with violence, for twenty years. Deborah, a prophetess, 1 the wife of Lapithor, judged Israel at that time.
Deborah would sit under a palm tree, between Ramtha and Bethel, which was in the mountain-country of Ephraim; the Israelites would go up to her for judgment.
She sent and called Barak, the son of Abinoam, from Rakem-ofNaphtali. She said to him: Did the Lord God of Israel not command you to go, to take up a position 2 on Mount Tabor, taking with you ten thousand men from the children of Naphtali and the children of Zebulun?
They will come with you to the river 3 of Kishon, to (attack) Sisera, the captain of Nabin’s army, his chariots, and his army, and I will deliver him into your hands.
Barak said to her: If you will go with me, I will go; if you will not go with me, I will not go.
She said to him: Indeed, I will go with you — however, Barak, this venture will bring you no glory, 4 for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman. Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Rakem. Barak assembled Zebulun and Naphtali to (go to) Rakem: ten thousand men went up with him. Deborah too went up with him.
‘a prophetess’: lit. ‘a woman, a prophetess’. ‘to take up a position’: lit. ‘and dwell’. 3 ‘river’ or ‘valley’ or ‘wadi’. So passim. 4 ‘this venture will bring you no glory’: lit. ‘you will not shine on the way that you go’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܛ
ܝ
ܕ.
ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ݁ ܽܬ ݂ܘܒ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝܫ ݂ ܳ ܝܬ. ܪ�ܐܳ :ܘ ܽܐܗܘܪ ܺܡ ݂ �ܟـܐ ܰܕܟ ܰܢܥـܢ ݁ ܰܕܐܡܠܶـܟ ݁ܒ ܳܚـ ܽܨܘܪܰ : ܪ�ـܐ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܰܘܐܫܠܶܡ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܪ ݁ܒ ݂ ܐܝـܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܳܢ ݂ ܺܒܝـܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ݂ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ݂ܒ ܰܚ ܰ ܪܫ ݂ܬ ݁ܕܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ. ܚܝܠܗ ܣܝܣܪ ܐ :ܘܗܘ ܝ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܰܘܐܙܥ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܪ�ܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܬ ܰܫ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܝـܬ ܥܡܐܐ ܰܡ� ݁ܟ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦـܪܙ� ܐ ݂ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܺ ܺ ܝܪ ܐ ܥ ܶ ܺ ܩܛ ܳ ̱ܗ ܰ ̈ܘܝ ܶܠܗܽ : ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܒ ܣܪܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܘܗܘ ܡܫܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܗܘܐ ܠ ݂ܒܢܝ ܐ ܳ ݀ ݁ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܽ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ ݁ܒـ ܰܗܘ ܝـܬܘܪܺ :ܗܝ ܗܘ ݂ܬ ܕܝܢـܐ � ـܬ ݂ܬ ݂ ܘ݂ܕ ݂ܒܘܪ ܐ ܐܢ̱ܬ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܢܒ ݂ ܠܦ ݂ ܝܬܐ :ܐܢ ̱ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢܐ. ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܡـܬܐ ݂ ܶ ܝـܬ ܐܺܝـܠ ܝـܬ ܪ ݂ ܝـܬ ݁ ܶܕܩـ�ܶ ݁ :ܒ ݂ܶ ܘܗܝ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܒܘܪ ܐ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܳܒܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂ܳ ܝـܬ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܒ ݂ ݁ ܰܕܒ ܽܛ ܳ �ܘ ݂ܬ ̇ܗ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܺܪܝܡܰ :ܘܣܠ ܶܩ ̱ܘ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ ܺ �ܕ ܳܝܢܐ. ݂ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܪܩـܡ ݁ܕ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬ ܺܠـܝܳ :ܘ ܳ ܠܒ ܳܪܩ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܐ ݂ ܺܒܝܢܥܶـܡ ܶܡـܢ ܶ ܘܫ ݁ܕ ܰܪ ݂ܬ݀ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ܬ ݀ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ܐ ܶܠـܗ� : ܺ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܳܶ ܶ݁ ܶ ݁ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܩܕ ݂ܟ ܡܪ�ـܐ ܐܠـܗܐ ݂ܕ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬ ݂ ܽܒـܘܪ݂ :ܘܬ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܐܝܣܪܐܝـܠ݁ :ܕ ݂ܬ ܰܐܙܠ ݂ܘܬܬ ݂ܒ ܒܛـ ݂ܦ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܺ ܺ ܽ ܶ ܳ ̈ ̈ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ ܥܣܪ ܐ ܐܠ ݂ܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ�ܝܢܶ :ܡܢ ݁ܒܢܝ ܰܢ ݂ܦ ݁ܬܠܝܶ : ܘܡܢ ݁ܒܢܝ ݂ ܳܙܒܘܠܘܢ. ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܝܫـܘܢ :ܥܰـܠ ܺܣ ܳ ܚـ� ݂ܕ ܺܩ ܽ ܝܣـܪ ܐ ܰܪ ݁ܒ ܰܚܝـ� ݂ܕ ܳܢ ݂ ܺܒܝـܢ :ܘܥܰـܠ ܺܘܢ ݂ܐܬܘܢ ܥܰ ܳܡـ ݂ܟ �ܢ ܶ ܶ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܺܒ ̈ ܐܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ܝܟ. ܰܡ� ݁ܟ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܗ :ܘܥܰܠ ܰܚܝܠܗܰ :ܘܐܫ� ܺܡܝ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܳ � ܳܢـܐܶ .ܘܐܢ ܳ� ܳܐ ܳܙ ̱� ܰܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܡـܝ� : ـܬ ̱ܝ ܥܰ ̱ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪܩ :ܐܢ ܐ ܳܙ ̱� ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ̱ܝ ܥܰ ̱ ܡܝ :ܐ ܙܶ ̱ � ܳܢܐ. ܐ ܙܶ ̱ ݁ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܺ ܰ ܳ ܳܐܡـ ܳ � ܳ ܘܪܚ ـܐ ـܐܙ� ܳܙ ̱� ܐ̱ ܳܢــܐ ܥܰ ܳܡ ـ ݂ܟ :ܒ ـܪܡ ܒ ـܪܩ � ݂ܬܫܬ ݂ܒــܗܪ ܥ ـܪ ܐ ܶܠــܗ .ܡـ ܠܣ ܳ ܝܣـܪ ܐܳ . ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ ܳܬܐ ܰܢ ܺ ܪ�ـܐ ܺ ܘܩ ܰܡـ ݂ ݀ ܘܗܝ ܳܡ ܳ ݂ ܳܕܐܙܶ ܰ�ܢ ̱ ݁ܬܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܬ ܫ�ܡܝـ ̱ ݁ܕ ܽܒ ܳ ܬ ܥܰܡ ݁ ܳܒ ܳܪܩ ܰܠ ܶ ܘܪ ܐ ܶܘܐ ܰܙ ̱ܠ ݂ ݀ ܪܩܡ. ݂ ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܘܟܢܶــܫ ݁ ܳܒـ ܳܪܩ ܰܠ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܪܩــܡܰ .ܘܣܠ ܶܩـ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܶܡــܗ ܥܶܣـ ܳ ܬ ܺܠــܝ ܰܠ ܶ ݂ܰ ـܪ ܐ ܘܠــܘܢ :ܘ�ܢ ݂ܦ ܳ ܬ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ ܐܦ ݁ܕ ܽܒ ܳ ܘܣ ܰ ܰܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢܶ : �ܩ ݂ ݀ ܘܪ ܐ. ݂ ݂
Ch.
At that time, they slew about ten thousand Moabite men: all were rich, all were mighty, and not one man escaped. At that time the Moabites were broken by the hand of Israel, and there was peace in the land 1 for eighty years.
After him came Shamgar the son of Anath; he slew six hundred Philistines with an ox-goad, he too saved Israel.
1
‘there was peace in the land’: lit. ‘the land lived in peace’.
ܟܛ ܠ �
ܰ ܶ ܶ ܽ ̈ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܣܪ ܐ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢܽ ݁ :ܟܠ ݁ܕܥܰ ݁ܬܝـܪ ܘܩܛܠ ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܡܘܐ ݂ܒܝܐ ݂ܒܗܘ ܙ ݂ܒܢܐ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܥ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݂ܽ ܝܠܬܢ :ܘ� ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܦܠܰܛ ܐ̱ ܳܢܫ. ܘܟܠ ݁ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܚ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܝـܕ ܐ ݂ ܺܕ ܳ ܬ ܰܐ ܳ �ܝـ ݂ ݀ ܐܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠܶ : ܝـܬ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳ ܘܫ ܰ ܪܥـܐ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܒܪ ̱ܘ ܽܡ ̈ܘܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܶܝܐ ݂ܒ ܰܗܘ ܰܙ ݂ܒ ܳܢـܐ ݂ܬ ܶܚ ݂ ܺ ݂ܬ ܳܡ ܺܢܐܝܢ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܳ ܥܢ ݂ܬܰ :ܘ ܰ ܘܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ ܳ ܳ ܡܓܪ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܰܫ ݁ ܰ ܚܪ ݂ܒ ܶܡܢ ݁ܦ ܶ� ̈ܫ ݁ܬ�ܶـܐܶ :ܫ ݂ܬ ܳܡـܐܐ ݂ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝـܢ ݁ ݂ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܳܶ ܒܡܣܣܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܬܘ� ܐ :ܘ ݂ܦܪܩ ܐ ݂ܦ ܗܘ �ܝܣܪܐܝܠ.
Ch. III
Ahur came to him; he was sitting alone in the upper room which was for his personal use. 1 Ahur said: I have a word from God which I will tell you. Eglon got up from his chair.
Ahur stretched out his left hand and took his sword from his right thigh, and drove it into his belly.
The hilt of the sword too went in, after the blade; 2 the fat closed over the wound, 3 for he did not withdraw the sword from his belly. He 4 left hurriedly. Ahur went out onto the balcony, shutting the doors of the upper room in his face; he went out.
He went out; his servants went up and saw that the doors of the upper room were closed. They said: Doubtless he has gone out to the latrine, in the inner (part of the) upper room. They waited for a long time, and saw that he did not open the doors of the upper room. They took the keys, and opened (the doors): they saw their lord, thrown to the ground, dead. While those (men stood) dismayed, Ahur went back 5 to the stone quarry and made his escape: he ran to Shiarath.
When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the mountain-country of Ephraim; the Israelites came down with him from the mountain, with him at their head. 6 He said to them: Come, follow me! for the Lord has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hands. So they went down, following him, 7 and took the Jordan crossing from Moab, and let no man cross over.
‘his personal use’: lit. ‘possessed to him’. ‘blade’: lit. ‘blow’. 3 ‘closed over the wound’: lit. ‘stopped the blow’. 4 ‘He’ or ‘It’ (if the reference is to the sword). 5 ‘went back’: lit. ‘passed over’. 6 ‘with him at their head’: lit. ‘he was before them’. 7 ‘Come, follow me … following him’: lit. ‘Come after me … after him’. 1 2
ܨܚ ܓ
ܶ ܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܩܢـܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ �ܘ ݂ܬܶܗܽ : ܟ ܳܘ ܽܐܗܘܪ ܥܰܠ ܳ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܰܡ ݂ܬ ܳ �ܚ ݂ ܰ ܝܬܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ܘܗܘ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܗܘܐ ݂ܒܥܠ ݂ ܘܕ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܺ ܠܬܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܳܠ ݂ܟܳ : ܝܬ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܺܕ ܰ ܘܩܡ ܥ ܶ ݂ܓܠܘܢ ܶܡـܢ ܠܗ .ܘ ܐܠ ܳܗܐ ܐ ݂ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܽܗܘܪ :ܡ ݂ ݁ ܽܟ ܶ ܘܪܣܝܗ. ܢܣ ݂ܒ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܶܡܢ ܥܰ ܶ ܝܕܗ ݁ܕ ܶܣ ܳܡ ܳ�ܰ :ܘ ܰ ܟܐ ܰܘ ܶ ܐܘܫܛ ܳܐ ܽܗܘܪ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܛܡܗ ݁ܕܝܰ ܺܡ ܳܝܢܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܡܚܝـ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܒ ݂ ܰܟ ܶ ܪܣܗ. ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ܳ ܰ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܟܒ ܘ ݂ܐܬܐ ܡܪܩܩــܗ ܒ ـ ݂ܬܪ ـܘܬܐܶ :ܡܛــܠ ݁ܕ� ܡܚ ـ ݂ܘܬܗ :ܘܣ ݂ܟــܪ ̇ܗ ܚ ܺ�ܒ ـܐ ܠܡܚـ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܡܛܗ ܰܣ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܝܬ. ܫ ܝܦܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܟܪܣܗ :ܘ ݂ܢܦܩ ܡܣܪ ݂ ܗܒܐ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܐܦ ̈ܘܗܝ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܢܦܩ. ܟܓ ܘ ݂ ܢܦܩ ܐ ܽܗܘܪ ܰܠ ݂ܟ ܳܣܘܤܛܪܘܢ :ܘܐܚ ݂ܕ ܬ�ܥܐ ݂ܕܥܠ ݂ ܝܬܐ ݂ ܰܒ ݁ ̱ ܰ ܳܶ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝـܬܐ ݂ ܶ ܟܕ ܽܗܘ ݂ ܰ ܛܦܝـܢܳ :ܘ ܺ ܐܡܪܝـܢ݁ :ܟ ݂ ܰܒـܪ ܢܦܩ ܘܥܰ ݂ ̈ܒ ݁ ܰܕܘ ̱ܗܝ ܥܰܠـ ̱ܘ :ܘܚܙܝـܢ ܬ�ܥـܐ ݂ܕܥܠ ݂ ܰ ܽ ݁݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳܳ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ. ܠ ݂ܦܪܘܬܕܩܐ ݂ܢܦܩ ܒ ݂ܬܘܢܐ ݂ܕܥܠ ݂ ܰ ܳܶ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܢܣ ݂ܒܘ ܺ ܩ� ̈� ݂ ܶܕ ܐ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ݂ܬܚ ̱ܘ: ܟܗ ݂ ܘܟ ݁ܬܪ ̱ܘ ܰܣ ݁ ܺܓܝ :ܘܚܙܝܢ � ݂ܦ ݂ܬܚ ܬ�ܥܐ ݂ܕܥܠ ݂ ܝܬܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܝܬ. ܘܚܙܝܢ ܡܪܗܘܢ ܪܡܐ ܥܠ ܐܪܥܐ ܘܡ ݂ ܟܘ ܘܥܰـ ݂ـܕ ܶܗ ܽܢــܘܢ ܶܡ ݁ܬ ݁ ܰܬ ܺ ܥܒ ـܪ ܰܠ ݂ܦ ܺܣܝܠܺܝــܢ ܶܘ ݂ܐܬ ݁ ܰܦܠܰــܛܰ :ܘ ܶ ܘܗܝــܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘܳ :ܐ ܽܗܘܪ ݂ ܰ ܪܗܛ ܠܫ ܰ ܺ ܝܥܪ ݂ܬ. ܰ ܶ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܘܪ ܐ ܒ ܽܛ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܶܐ ݂ ܳܬܐܳ : ܟܙ ݂ ܰ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝܡܰ :ܘ ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܶܡܢ ܢܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܥܡܗ ܒܢܝ ܐ ܩܪ ܐ ݂ܒ ܺܫ ݂ܝܦ ݂ ܛܽ ܳ ܩܕ ܰܡ ܽ ܘܪ ܐܽ : ܘܗܘ ݂ ܳ ܝܗܘܢ. ܳ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܪ�ܐ ܰܠ ݂ܒܥܶ� ݁ ̈ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܰܒ ݁ ܽ ܐܡܪ ܽ ܟܚ ܶܘ ܰ ܬܪ ̱ܝܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕܐܫܠܶܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܟܘܢ ܽܡ ̈ܘܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܶܝܐ �ܗܘܢ :ܬܘ ܒ ݂ ܰ ܶ ݁ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ ݁ ܳ ݁ ܽ ܳ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ݁ ܽ ܘܐ ݂ܒܳ :ܘ� ݂ ܰ ܫܒܩـ ̱ܘ ܝܟܘܢ .ܘܢܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܒ ݂ܬܪܗ :ܘܐܚ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܡܥܒـܪܬܐ ݂ܕܝـܘܪܕܢܢ ܕܡـ �̱ ܳܢܫ ݁ܕܢܶܥ ݁ ܰܒܪ.
Ch.
The hand of the Lord was with him, and he judged Israel. He went out to battle, and the Lord delivered Cushan the Wicked, king of Aram-naharin, into his hands: his hand prevailed over Cushan the Wicked.
The land was at peace 1 for forty years; then Othniel son of Kenaz died. Again the Israelites did evil before the Lord, so the Lord strengthened Eglon, king of Moab, against Israel, because they had done evil before the Lord. He assembled against them the Ammonites and Amalek: they went and attacked Israel, and took possession of the city of the palm trees. The Israelites served Eglon, king of Moab, for eighteen years.
The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up a savior for them: Ahur, the son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, a lefthanded man. 2 The Israelites sent, by his hand, an offering to Eglon the king of Moab.
Ahur made himself a double-edged sword, 3 (only) a cubit long, and bound it inside his clothes, on his right thigh.
He brought the offering to Eglon the king of Moab. King Eglon was a very stupid 4 man. When he had presented 5 the offering, he dismissed the people who had carried the offering. He turned back from the stone quarry near Gilgal, and said to him: I have a secret to tell you 6 (O) king — between me and you. The king said ‘Go from there’; then all these who were standing by him withdrew.
‘at peace’: lit. ‘had rest’. 2 ‘a left-handed man’: lit. ‘a man whose right hand was maimed’. 3 ‘double-edged sword’: lit. ‘a sword of two mouths’. 4 ‘stupid’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 5 ‘presented’: lit. ‘finished presenting’. 6 ‘secret to tell you’: lit. ‘secret word which I will say to you’. 1
ܝ
ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ
ܝܘ ܝܙ ܝܚ ܝܛ
ܗܘܬ݀ ܥܠ ܰ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܢܦܩ ܰܠ ܳ ܪ�ܐܳ ݂ :ܘܕܢ ܺ� ܳ ܘܗܝ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐܰ :ܘܐܫܠܶܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܕܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܰܘ ܳ ݂ ̱ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕܘܗܝ ݂ ܽ ܘܫܢ ܰ� ܳܘ ܳ� ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܫܢـ ݂ ݀ �ܟܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܳܐܪܡ ܰܢܗ ܺ�ܝܢ :ܘܥ ܶ ܰ ܬ ܐܺ ݂ ܶ ܝـܕܗ ܥܰـܠ ݁ ܽܟـ ܳ ܠܟ ܳ ܘܫܢ ܳ ̱ ܰ� ܳܘ�. ܶ ܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܪܥܐ ܰܐ ݁ܪܒܥܺܝܢ ܫ ܺܢ̈ܝܢܺ : ܝܚ ݂ ݀ ܶܘ ݁ܐܬ ݁ܬ ܺ� ܰ ܝܬ ܥܰ ݂ܬ ܳܢܐܝܠ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܰܩܢܙ. ܘܡ ݂ ܐܘܣ ݂ܦ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܶ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠ ܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܘܚ ܶܝـܠ ܳܡ ܳ ܩـܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܒـ ݂ܕ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝـܫ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ـܐܰ : ܪ�ـܐ ܺ ܶ ܶ ܽ ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ ܳ ܘܐ ݂ܒ ܥܰ� ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝܫ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. �ܥ ݂ܓܠܘܢ ܡ�ܟܐ ݂ܕܡ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܘ ݂ ܰܟܢܶܫ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ: ܥܡܠܝـܩܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠـ ̱ܘ ܘܡܚـܘ � ܝܗܘܢ ܰܠ ݂ܒܢ̈ـܝ ܥܰ ܽܡـܘܢ ܘܠ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܺܘ ܶ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܶܕ ̈ܩ�. ܝܪ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ܩܪ ݂ ܳ ܺ ܰܘ ݂ܦܠ ܰܚ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ �ܥܶܓܠܽܘܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ �ܟܐ ݂ܕ ܽܡܘܐ ݂ܒ ݁ܬ ܳܡ ܰ�ܥܶܣ ܶ� ܐ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ݂ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܳܽ ܳ ܳ ܩܪܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܘܩـܐܽ � :ܗܘܪ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘ ܺܐܩܝـܡ �ـܗܘܢ ܡܪ�ـܐ ݂ܦܪ ܝܓـܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ ݀ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܝـܕܗ ݁ܕܝܰ ܺܡ ܳܝܢـܐ :ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܰܓ ܳܐܪ ܐ ܰܡܢ ܰܫ ݂ܒ ܳܛܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢܰ ݁ :ܓ ݂ܒ ܳܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܦ ܺܫ ܳ ـܕܪ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܐܝܕܗ �ܥܶܓܠܽܘܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܘܪܒ ܳܢܐ ݂ ܺ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܽܩ ݁ ܳ ܶ �ܟܐ ݂ܕ ܽܡܘܐ ݂ܒ. ܒ ݂ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܳ ܝܦܐ ݂ ܰܕܬ ܶܪܝܢ ݁ ܽܦ ̈ܘ ܰܡܘܗܝܰ ݂ : ܰ ܶ ܩܦـܣ ܐ ܽ ݁ ܶ ܠܓـܘ ܘ ݂ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܠܗ ܐ ܽܗܘܪ ܰܣ ݁ ݂ ̱ ܘܪܟـܗ :ܘܐܣـܪܗ ܰ ݂ ܘܫܗ ܥܰܠ ܥܰ ܶ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܽ ܠܒ ܶ ܛܡܗ ݁ܕܝܰ ܺܡ ܳܝܢܐ. ܶ ܽ ܰ ݁ܳ ܽ ܳ �ܟـܐ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܘܐ ݂ܒ :ܘܥܶܓܠܽܘܢ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܘܩ ܶܪ ݂ܒ ܽܩ ݁ ܳ ـܪ ܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܘܪܒ ܳܢܐ �ܥ ݂ܓܠܘܢ ܡ�ܟܐ ݂ܕܡ ݂ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ݂ܕ ݂ܒܪܝܪ ܛ ݂ܒ. ܫܪ ܐ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܺ ܘܪܒ ܳܢܐܳ : ܘܟ ݂ܕ ݁ ܰܓ ܰܡܪ ܰܠ ܰ ݂ܰ ܫܩ ̈ܝܠܰܝ ܽܩ ݁ ܳ ܡܩ ܳܪ ݂ ܽܒܘ ܽܩ ݁ ܳ ܘܪܒ ܳܢܐ. ܶ ܳ ܘܗܘ ݂ ܰ ܽ ܠܓـ ܳ�ܶ :ܘ ܰ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ܶܡܢ ݁ܦ ܺܣܝܠܺܝـܢ ݁ܕܥܰـܠ ݁ ܶܓܢ̱ ݂ـܒ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܳ ܠـܬܐ ܐܡـܪ ܶܠـܗ :ܡ ݂ ܕ ܶܣܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܐ ܺ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܰܝܢܝ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܳܠ ݂ܟ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܘܠ ݂ܟܶ :ܘ ܰ ܝܬ ܺܠܝ ݂ ܺܕ ܰ �ܟܐ ݂ ܰ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܶܡـܢ ݂ ݂ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܽ ݁ܽ ܽ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ݁ ݁ܬ ܳܡܢ :ܘ ݂ܦܪܩ ̱ܘ �ܗܘܢ ܟ�ܗܘܢ ܐܝܠܝܢ ܕܩܝܡܝܢ ̱ܗܘܘ �ܘ ݂ܬܗ.
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These nations which the Lord had left so that with them he might test Israel, all those who had not known all the wars of the Canaanites,
(He left) solely so that the generations of the Israelites, who had not yet learned, would know how to make war 1 — at least 2 those who had not learnt in former times. 3 The five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites and Sidonians, the Hivites living on the mountain-country of Lebanon, from the mountain of the children of Hermon 4 as far as the entrance to Hamath.
These (he left) so that with them he might test Israel, so that he would know whether they were obeying the commandments of the Lord which he had commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
So the Israelites lived among the Canaanites, the Hivites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hittites, and the Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage, they gave their (own) daughters to their sons, they served their gods.
The Israelites did evil before the Lord: they went astray from 5 the Lord their God, they served Baal and the Ashtaroth. The Lord was angered by Israel. He delivered them into the hand of Cushan the Wicked, king of Aram-naharin, 6 and the Israelites served Cushan the Wicked for eight years. The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up a savior for the Israelites: Othniel, the son of Kenaz, the younger brother of 7 Caleb, saved them.
‘make war’: lit. ‘know that they might learn war’. ‘at least’: lit. ‘only’. 3 ‘those who had not learnt in former times’: lit. ‘(those who) before had not known’. 4 ‘from the mountain of the children of Hermon’: see Introduction. Addendum 2. 5 ‘went astray from’ or ‘forgot’. 6 ‘Aram-naharin’ or, literally, ‘Aram (of) the rivers’. So too 3:10. 7 ‘the younger brother of’: lit. ‘the brother … who was littler than him’. 1 2
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ܶܩ ݂ܦ� ܳܘܢ :ܓ. ܳ ܶ ܰ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠܽ ݁ :ܟܠ ݁ܕ� ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕܥـ ̱ܘ ܫܒܩ ܡܪ�ܐ ܠܡܢܣܝܘ ݂ܒܗܘܢ � ܘܗܠܝܢ ܥ ̱ܡܡܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ̈ ݂ܽ ܠܟ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ܩ ܳ� ݂ ܶܒܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܟ ܰ�ܥ ܳ� ܶܝܐ. ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠ ݁ܕ ܺܢ ݁ ܽ �ܚ ݂ܘܕ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕܢܶ ݁ܕ ܽܥܘܢ ݁ ܳܕ ܶ� ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܐܠܦـܘܢ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒـܐܰ ݁ :ܒ ܽ ݁ ܰܒ ܽ ـܘܕ �ܚ ݂ ܳ ܰܩ ݂ ̈ܕ ܳܡ ܶܝܐ � ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܘ. ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܶ ̈ ݁ܳ ܘܚ ܳܘ�̈ܶܐ ܝܳܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒـܝ ܛܽ ܳ ܬ�ܶܐܽ ݂ : ܘܟ ܽ ܘܨ ܝ ̈ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܶܝܐܰ : �ܗܘܢ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ̈ ܳ� ܶܝܐ ܰ ـܘܪ ܐ ܚܡܫܐ ܛ�ܘܢܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦ�ܫ ݂ ܰ ܘܡܢ ܛܽ ܳ ܳ ̈ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܢܝ ܶܚ ܽ ݂ܕ ܶܠ ݂ܒ ܳܢܢܶ : ܠܡܥ� ܳܢܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܪܡܘܢܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܚܡ ݂ܬ. ܡܢ ܳܣ ܽܝܘ ݂ܒ ܽܗܘܢ ܺ� ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ݁ :ܕ ܶ� ݁ ܰܕܥ ܶܐܢ ܳ ܰ ܗܘܘ ܰܠ ܰ ܫܡ ܺ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܝـܢ ݁ ܽܦ ̈ܘ ݁ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ: ܩܕ ܰܢـ ̱ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ܽܡ ܶ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܦ ܶܩ ݂ܕ ܰ� ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܘܫܐ. ܰ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܘܚ ܳܘ�̈ܶ ـܐܳ :ܘ ܽܐܡܘ ܳ��ܶــܐܰ ݂ : ـܬ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ̈ ܳ� ܶܝــܐܰ : ܘܦ� ܳܙ�ܶــܐ: ܘ ݂ܒܢ ـܝ ܐ ܝܣܪܐܝــܠ ܝܺ ݂ܬ ݂ܒ ـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܒ ܳܝܢـ ݂ ܺ ܳ ̈ ܘܚ ̈ܝ ݂ܬ�ܶܐ :ܘܝܳ ݂ ܽܒܘ ܳܣ ܶܝܐ. ܳ ܶ ܢܣ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ܒ ܳܢ̈ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܽ ܰܘ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܢܶ ̈ܫܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܒܢ̈ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ݂ܒ ܰ� ̈ܝـ ܽܗܘܢܰ :ܘ ݂ܦܠ ܰܚـ ̱ܘ ܰ � ܳܠ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ. ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܪ�ـܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܽ ܪ�ـܐܰ :ܘܛܥܰـܘ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ ܩـܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝـܫ ݂ ܳ ـܗܗܘܢ: ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܣܬ ܳ� ݂ܬܐ. ܠܒ�� ܘ� ܰܘ ݂ܦܠܚ ̱ܘ ݂ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ � ܳ ܘܫܢ ܰ� ܳـܘ ܳ� ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܽܟـ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܰ :ܘܐܫܠܶܡ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ �ܟـܐ ܘܐܬܚܡܬ ܡܪ�ܐ ܥ ܳ ݂ܳ ܰ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܰ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܳܳ ܳ ܶ ܺ ̈ ܠܟܘܫܢ �ܘ� ݂ܬܡܢܐ ܫܢܝܢ. ݂ܕܐܪܡ ܢܗ�ܝܢ :ܘ ݂ܦܠܚ ̱ܘ ܒܢܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ݂ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܩܪܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ܳ ܠܡ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ: ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘ ܺܐܩܝܡ ܡܪ�ـܐ ݂ܦܪܘܩـܐ ܠ ݂ܒܢـܝ ܐ ܰܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪܩ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܥܰ ݂ܬ ܳܢܐܶܝܠ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܰܩܢܙ ܰܐ ܽܚܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܟܠ ܳ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܕ ܽ ܙܥܘܪ ܶܡܢܶܗ. ̱
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When the Lord raised up judges for them, he 1 was with the judges: throughout the time of the judges he delivered them from their enemies: the Lord heard their groans in their affliction, in their oppression. 2
But when the judges died, they relapsed, 3 they corrupted (the ways of) their fathers, they went after other gods, to serve them, to worship them. They did not amend 4 their deeds, nor (depart) from their evil ways. The Lord was angry with Israel and said: Because this people has transgressed my covenant with which I charged their fathers, and have not obeyed my voice,
So too, I shall no more drive out before them a (single) man of the nations whom Joshua had left when he died. For with them the Lord will test Israel, (to see) whether they guard the way of the Lord, whether they walk in it, as their fathers guarded it — or not. So the Lord left these nations, he did not hasten to drive them out, he 5 did not deliver them into Joshua’s hand.
‘he’: lit. ‘the Lord’. ‘in their affliction, in their oppression’: lit. ‘before their afflicters and their oppressors’. 3 ‘relapsed’: lit. ‘returned’. 4 ‘amend’: lit. ‘diminish’. 5 ‘he’: lit. ‘the Lord’. 1 2
ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܰܐ ܺܩܝܡ ܽ ܝܚ ݂ ܰ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܶܐܳ : ܪ�ܐ ܥܰܡ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܶܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪܩ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡـܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܳܡ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܝـܕ ܐ ܶ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܥܶ� ݁ ̈ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ܩܬ ܽܗܘܢܶ :ܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܝܗܘܢܽ ݁ .ܟܠ ܰܝ ̈ܘ ܰܡܝ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܶܐܳ :ܫ ܰܡܥ ̱ܗ ܳܘܐ ܳܡ ܳ ܩܕܡ ܪ�ܐ ܐ ܰܢ ݂ ܳܐ ܽ� ̈ܘ ܰܨ ܽܝܗܘܢܳ ݂ :ܘܕ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܰܩ ܽ ܝܗܘܢ. ܰ ܰ ܶ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܺܡܝܬܘ ݁ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܶܐܰ ݂ : ܘܚ ݁ ܶܒܠ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ̈ـ ܽܗܘܢܺ : ܝܛ ݂ ܰ ܠܡ ܰ ܗܦ ݂ܟ ̱ܘ ܰ ـܐܙܠ ݁ ܳܒـ ݂ܬܪ ܐ ܳܠـ ̈ܗܐ ݂ ̱ ܶ ܳ ܣܓ ݂ܕ ܽ ܥܒ ݂ ܰܕ ܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢܶ : ܐ̱ܚ ܳ� ܢܶܐܶ : �ܗܘܢ :ܘ� ݂ ܰܒ ܰܨܪ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܳ ܠܡ ݂ܦܠ ܰܚ ܐ ܽܢܘܢܰ :ܘܠ ܶܡ ݁ ܰ ܘܡـܢ ܽ ܳ ܐܘ� ܳܚ ݂ܬ ܽܗܘܢ ݁ ܺܒ ̈ܝ ܳܫ ݂ܬܐ. ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ � ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠܶ :ܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܥܰܠ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܥܒܪ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܳܗ ܳܢܐ ܥܰܠ ܳ ܡـܝ ܟ ܘ ݂ܐܬܚܡ ݂ܬ ܡܪ�ܐ ܥ ܩܝ ̱ ܳ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܠܝ. ܕ ݂ܦ ݂ ܩܕ ݂ܬ � ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ :ܘ� ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ ܒܩ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܩܕ ܰܡ ܽ ܘܣ ݂ܦ ܠ ܰܡ ݁ ܳ ܟܐ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ � ܐ ܶ ܝـܗܘܢܶ :ܡـܢ ܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡـܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܘܒ ݂ ܽܕܘ �̱ ܳܢـܫ ܶܡـܢ ݂ ܳ ܫܒـܩ ܝ ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ܺ ܝܬ. ܘܡ ݂ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝـܠܶ :ܐܢ ܳܢ ܺ ܪ�ـܐ ܺ� ܳ ܛܪܝـܢ ܐ ܽ ܶ ܘܪܚـܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܟܒ ܶܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ ܰܕ ܰܢܢ ܶܣܐ ݂ܒـ ܽܗܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܪ�ـܐܶ :ܘܐܢ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܡܗ ݂ ܺ ܰ ܠܟܝܢ ݁ ܳܒ ̇ܗ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܰܕܢܛܪ ̱ܘ ܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ܐܘ �. ܳ ܰ ܶ ܪ�ܐ �ܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢܳ :ܘ� ܰܐ ݁ ܶ ܟܓ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܫܒܩ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܒ ݂ܕ ܶܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܰ ܥܓـܠ :ܘ� ܐܫܠـܡ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕܝ ܶ ܽܫܘܥ.
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They buried him at the border of his inheritance, in Timnath-serah in the mountain-country of Ephraim, to the north of the mountain of Gaash.
All that generation too was gathered to their fathers, and there arose after them another generation that did not know the Lord, nor his works which he had done for Israel. The Israelites did evil before the Lord: they served Baal.
They abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, (those) of the nations who surrounded them; they worshiped them, they angered the Lord. They abandoned the Lord; they served Baal and the Ashtaroth.
The Lord was angry with Israel. He delivered them into the hand(s) of plunderers who despoiled 1 them, he delivered them into the hand(s) of their enemies who surrounded them: 2 they could no longer make a stand against their enemies. Wherever they went, 3 the hand of the Lord was against them to do them harm, 4 as the Lord had said, as the Lord had sworn to them — they suffered very greatly. 5
The Lord raised up judges among Israel; they delivered them from the hand(s) of those who despoiled them. But they did not listen to their judges either, 6 for they went astray after other gods, and worshiped them; they hastened to turn aside from the way on which their fathers went, to obey the commandments of the Lord — they did not act thus.
‘plunderers … despoiled’: same Syriac root. 2 ‘surrounded them’: lit. ‘were in their surroundings’. 3 ‘went’: lit. ‘were going out’. 4 ‘to do them harm’: lit. ‘for evil’. 5 ‘they suffered very’: lit. ‘it (fem. sing., i.e. ‘the hand’) distressed them’. 6 ‘either’: lit. ‘also’. 1
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ
ܝܗ ܝܘ ܝܙ
ܳ ݁ܽ ܶ ݁ ܰ ـܪܚ ݁ ܰܕܒ ܽܛـ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝ ݁ ܰܒ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ܳ ܬ ܰ ـܘܪ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܐܦ ܶܪܝــܡܶ :ܡــܢ ܡܢ ݂ܬܣـ ܰ ݂ ܘܡــܐ ݂ܕܝ ـܪܬ ݂ܘܬܗ ܒ ݂ ܘܩ ݂ܒــܪ ̱ ܽ ܠܛ ܳ ܘܪ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܳܓ ܳܥܫ. ݁ ܰܓ ݁ܪܒ ܳܝܐ ܳ ܰ ܘܩـܡ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܐ ܺ �ܘ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢܳ : ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ݁ ܽܟܠܶܗ ݁ ܳܕ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܗܘ ܶܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܟܢܶܫ ̱ܘ ܳ ܚܪ ܳܢـܐ ݂ ܳܒـ ݂ܬ ܽܪܗܘܢ ݁ܕ� ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ̈ ݁ܰ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ܥܒ ݂ܕ � ܺܝ ݂ ܰܕܥ ̱ܘ ܠܡܪ�ܐ :ܘ ݂ܐܦ� ܠ ݂ܥܒ ݂ܕܘ ̱ܗܝ ܕ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܐ ܺ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܩܕܡ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣܪ ܶܐܝܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܺܒܝܫ ݂ ܳ ܠܒ��. ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܦܠܚ ̱ܘ ݂ ܪ�ܐ ܰܐ ܳܠ ܳܗܐ ܰܕ ܳܐܒ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢܰ ݁ :ܕ ݁ ܶ ܐܦܩ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܰܐ ܳ ܫܒܩ ̱ܘ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ ܪܥـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡ ܶܨܪܝـܢܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠـ ̱ܘ ݂ ݂ ݁ܳ ܰ ܣܓ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܽ ܬܪ ܰܐ ܳܠ ̈ܶܗܐ ܐ̱ܚ ܳ� ܢܶܐ ݂ܕܥܰ ̱̈ܡ ܶܡܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܐܪܓܙ �ܘ ܳ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ �ܗܘܢܰ :ܘ ݁ ܶ ܪ�ܐ. ܒ݂ ܚܕ �ܝܗܘܢ :ܘ ݂ܶ ܰ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܫܒܩ ̱ܘ ܳ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܡ ܳ ܣܬ ܳ� ݂ܬܐ. ܠܒ�� :ܘ� ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ܦܠܚ ̱ܘ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܶܽ ݁ ܺ ܳ ܳ ܽ ̈ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳܶ ܘܒـܙ �ܘ ܐ ܽܢـܘܢ: ܘ ݂ܐܬܚܡ ݂ܬ ܡܪ�ܐ ܥ� ܐܝـܕ ܐ ܶ ݂ܕ ݂ܒـܙܘ ܙ ܐ ܽ ݂ ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܘܐܫܠـܡ ܐܢـܘܢ ܒ ݂ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܰܘܐܫܠ ܶܡ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ݁ ܺܒ ݂ ܳ ݁ ܐܝܕ ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ܒܥ ݁ ܚܕ �ܝܗܘܢ :ܘ� ܐܫܟܚ ̱ܘ ܬ ݂ܘܒ ܠܡܩܡ �ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ܒܝܗܘܢ ݁ܕ ݂ܒ ݂ �ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ ܰܒ ܽ ܩܕܡ ݁ܒܥ ܶ ݁ ̈ ݂ܳ ܝܗܘܢ. ܺ ݁ܳ ܰ ܘ�ـܐ ̱ܗ ܳܘ ݂ܬ݀ ܥܠ ܰ ܽ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܟܪ ݁ܕ ܳܢ ݂ܦ ܺܩܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ :ܐ ܺ ݂ ܶ ܪ�ـܐ ܳܗ ܳ ܝـܕܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܝـܟ ܝـܗܘܢ ܠ ݂ܒ ܝܫـܬܐ :ܐ ݂ ܳܰ ݀ ܽ ܳ ܝܡܐ ܽ ܐܝܟ ݁ ܺܕ ܳ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ �ܗܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܛ ݂ܒ. ܪ�ܐ :ܘܥܩ ݂ܬ ܪ�ܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܶ ܺ ܳܶ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰܘ ܺܐܩܝܡ ܡ ܝܣܪܐܝܠܰ :ܘ ݂ܦ ܰܪܩ ̱ܘ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܐ ܺ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ܽܙ ̈ܘ ܰܙ ܽܝܗܘܢ. ܝܬ ܐ ܪ�ܐ ݂ ܰܕ ܳ�ܢ̈ܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܶ ܽ ݁ܰ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ �ܕ ܳ� ܰ� ̈ܝ ܽܗܘܢ ܳ� ܰ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ݂ ܰ ܬܪ ܰܐ ܳܠـ ̈ܶܗܐ ܐ̱ܚ ܳ� ܢܶـܐ ܰܘ ݂ܶ ܣܓـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܫܡܥ ̱ܘ :ܡܛܠ ܕܛܥـܘ ܒـ ݂ ܽ ܘܪܚـܐ ݂ ܶܕ ܰܐܙܠـ ̱ܘ ݁ ܳܒـ ̇ܗ ܰܐ ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗܝ̈ـ ܽܗܘܢܶ : ܠܡ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܥܓܠ ܶܡـܢ ܐ ܽ ܳ ܫܡـܥ �ܗܘܢ :ܘܤܛܘ ݁ܒ ܰ ݂ܳ ܪ�ܐ :ܘ� ݂ ܰ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ݁ ܽܦ ̈ܘ ݁ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ. ܩܕ ܰܢ ̱
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Chapter
II
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bechian, and said to the Israelites: Thus says the Lord ‘I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I took you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; I said that I would not abrogate my covenant that I made 1 with you in perpetuity. 2 You must not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land. Demolish their altars — you did not listen to my voice — why have you acted thus?’
Thus too I spoke: I will not drive them out 3 from your presence; 4 they will be vanity for you, 5 and their gods will be stumbling-blocks for you. When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to Israel, all the people lifted up their voice(s) and wept.
The people named that place Bechian, and they sacrificed there to the Lord. Joshua sent the people (away), and the Israelites went; each to his (own) inheritance, to possess the land. The people served the Lord throughout the life 6 of Joshua, and throughout the lives 7 of the elders who survived Joshua; they saw all the works of the Lord and the great deeds which he did for Israel. Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died; he was one hundred and ten years old.
‘that I made’: lit. ‘which’. ‘in perpetuity’: lit. ‘forever’. 3 ‘drive … out’: same Syriac root as ‘slaughter’ in e.g. 1:20. 4 ‘your presence’: lit. ‘before you’. Similarly passim. 5 ‘they will be vanity for you’ where ‘vanity’ refers to ‘idol worship’: lit. ‘they will be nothingness/an idol/vanity to you’. Another suggestion is ‘you must take no note of them’. See Introduction. Addendum 3. 6 ‘throughout the life’: lit. ‘all the days’. 7 ‘lives’: lit. ‘all the days’. 1 2
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ:
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܨܚ ܒ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܒ.
ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ: ܠܒ ݂ܟܝـܢ :ܘܐܡـܪ ܠ ݂ܒܢـܝ ܐ ܘܣܠܩ ܡ� ݂ܟܗ ܕܡ ܶܪ�ܐ ܡܢ ݁ܓܠܓـ� ݂ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܩܬ ݂ ܽܟـܘܢ ܶܡـܢ ܐܪܥـܐ ݂ܕ ܶܡܨܪܝـܢܰ :ܘ ݁ ܪ�ܐ :ܐ ܳܢܐ ܰܐ ܶܣ ݁ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢܐ ܳܐ ܰܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܬ ݁ܟـܘܢ �ܪܥـܐ ܐܝܬ ݂ ܝܬ ܰ� ݂ ܳܒ ܰܗ ̈ܝ ݁ ܽܟܘܢܶ :ܘ ܶ ܡܝ ݁ܕܥܰ ݂ ܽ ܡܟܘܢ ܳ ݂ ܺܕ ܺ ܐܡܪ ݂ܬ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܶܐ ݁ ܰܒ ܶܛܠ ܳ �ܥܠܰܡ. ܝܡ ݂ ܩܝ ̱ ܳ ܩܝ ܳܡـܐ � ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒـܝ ܰܐ ܳ ܰܘܐܢ ̱ ݁ ܽܬܘܢ ܳ� ݂ܬ ܺܩ ܽ ܝܡܘܢ ܳ ܪܥـܐ ܳܗ݂ ܶܕ ܐܰ :ܡ ݂ܕ ݁ ̈ܒ ܰܚܝـ ܽܗܘܢ ܥܰ ܰܩـܪ ̱ܘ .ܘ� ܳ ܳ ܳ ܰܳ ܰ ܽ ܰ ݁ܽ ܥܬܘܢ ܳ ܥܒ ݁ܕ ݁ܬܘܢ. ܫܡ ܠܝ :ܠܡܢܐ ܗ ݂ܟܢܐ ݂ ܠܩ ̱ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳܐ ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢــܐ ܳܗ ݂ ܰܟ ܳܢــܐ ܐܡـ ܶ ـܗܘܘܢ ݂ ܽ ܩܕ ܰܡ ݁ ܽ ܝܟــܘܢ :ܘܢܶـ ܽ ـܪ ݂ܬ݁ :ܕ ܳ� ܰܐ ݁ ܶ ܘܒـ ݂ـܕ ܐ ܽܢــܘܢ ܶܡــܢ ݂ ܳ ܠܟــܘܢ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܘܬܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܗܘܘܢ ݂ ܽ ܐܠ ܰܗܝ ̈ ܽܗܘܢ ܢܶ ܽ ܠܬܐ. ܠܬܘܩ ݂ ܠܟܘܢ ݂ ܠܣܪܝܩ ݂ ܶ ܶ ܪ�ܐ ̈ܶܡ� ܳܗ ܶܠܝܢ ܺ� ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝܠܰ :ܐ ܺܪܝܡ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ݂ ܽܟܠܶܗ ܳܩ ܽ ݂ܰ ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܶܐ ܰܡܪ ܰܡ ܰ� ݂ ܶܟܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ �ܗܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ݂ ܰܟܘ. ܰܘ ܳ ܩܪ ܐ ܥܰ ܳܡܐ ܶ ܘܕ ݁ ܰܒܚ ̱ܘ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܳ ܫܡܗ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܬ ܳܪ ܐ ܰܗܘ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ܟ ܰܝܢܰ ݂ : ܠܡ ܳ ܪ�ܐ. ܳ ݁ܽ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܰ ݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܠܡ ܰ ـܪܬ ݂ܘܬܶܗ ܺ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ ݁ܓ ݂ ܰܒـܪ �ܝ ܘ ܰܫ ݁ ܰܕܪ ܝ ܶ ܽܫܘܥ �ܥܡܐ :ܘܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܒܢـܝ ܐ ـܐܪ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ܳ ܪܥܐ. ܳ ܳ ܽ ܽ ܰ ̈ܳ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܬܗ ݁ܕܝ ܶ ܽܫــܘܥܽ ݂ : ܘܟ�ـ ܽ ـܗܘܢ ܰܝـ ̈ܘ ܳܡ ݂ܬܐ ܰܘ ݂ܦܠܚـ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܳܡــܐ ܠܡܪ�ـܐ ݂ܟ�ــܗܘܢ ܝـܘܡ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ̈ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܚܙܘ ݁ ܽܟ ܽ �ـܗܘܢ ݂ ܳ ܬܪ ܝ ܶ ܽܫܘܥܰ :ܘ ܰ ـܕ ̈ܘ ̱ܗܝ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ ܰ ـܬܐ ܕܩܫܝܫܐ ܕ ܪ�ـܐ :ܘܪܘ� ݂ܒ ݂ ܐܓܪ ̱ܘ ܒ ݂ ݂ܰ ܰ ܺ ݂ ܳ ܶ ܥܒ ݂ܕ �ܝܣܪܐܝܠ. ݂ܕ ݂ ܺ ܺ ܪ�ܐܰ ݁ :ܒܪ ܳܡܐܐ ܰܘ ܰ ܝܬ ܝ ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܽܢܘܢ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܥܣܪ ܫܢ̈ܝܢ. ܘܡ ݂
Ch.
Manasseh did not lay waste Beth-shean 1 and its hamlets, Taanach and its hamlets, the inhabitants of Dor and its hamlets, the inhabitants of Abineam 2 and its hamlets, the inhabitants of Megiddo and its hamlets; nor did he subjugate the Canaanites living in that land. When Israel grew strong they forced the Canaanites to pay tribute, but they did not completely destroy them. Ephraim did not destroy the Canaanites living in Gezer; the Canaanites lived among them in Gezer.
Zebulun did not destroy the inhabitants of Kitron nor the inhabitants of Jahlil: the Canaanites lived among them but were forced to pay tribute. Asher did not destroy the inhabitants of Acco, the inhabitants of Sidon, Lahbel, Jezbel, Helbah, Aphek, 3 or Rehob.
Asher lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, for he did not destroy them. Naphtali did not destroy the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, or the inhabitants of Beth-anath. They lived among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land, the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but they were forced to pay tribute. The children of Dan left the Amorites, for the mountain-country, 4 for the Amorites 5 did not allow them to live on the plain.
The Amorites agreed to live 6 in the land of Hedes, in the mountaincountry, in Aijalon and Shaalbin, but the hand of the house of Joseph was powerful and they were forced to pay tribute. The Amorites’ border (ran from) the ascent of Ekron, from the rock and upwards.
‘Beth-shean: in the ‘parallel’ of Joshua 17:11 ‘Beth-jashan’. 2 ‘Abineam’: in Joshua 17:11 ‘Nibleam’. 3 ‘Aphek’: P has normalized with ( ܐܦܩused elsewhere for )אפקrather than follow the unique MT ‘ אפיקAphik’. 4 ‘The children of Dan left the Amorites, for the mountain-country’: see Introduction. Addendum 3. 5 ‘the Amorites’: lit. ‘they’. 6 ‘agreed to live’: lit. ‘were persuaded (to live)’. 1
ܳ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ̇ ܰ ܰ ܟܙ ܳܘ� ܚـ ܰ ܥܢ ـ ݂ܟ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܡܢ ܶܫــܐ ݂ ܶ ـܪ ݂ܒ ܰ ܠܬ ܰ ܠܟ ݂ܦ ܽ�ܘܢܶܝـ ̇ ـܗ: ـܬ ܫــܐܢ ܘ ݂ ܠܒܝـ ݂ ܠܟ ݂ܦ�ܘܢܝــܗ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܝܗܰ :ܘ� ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܰܐ ݂ ܺܒܝܢܥ ܶܡ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܰܘ� ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ݁ ܽܕܘܪ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܟ ݂ܦ ܽ�ܘܢܶ ̇ ܠܟ ݂ܦ ܽ�ܘܢܶ ̇ ܝܗܰ :ܘ� ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒـܝ ܰ ݁ܽ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ̇ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܰ ݁ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܬ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܪܥܐ ܳܗܝ. ܡ ݂ܓܕܘ ܘ ݂ ܠܟ ݂ܦ�ܘܢܝܗ :ܘ� ܐܫܬܥܒ ݂ܕ ܟܢܥ�ܝܐ ݂ܕܝ ݂ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܶ ݁ ܰ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܰ � ܳ ܘܒ ݂ ܽܕܘ � ܐ ݁ܘܒ ݂ ܶܕܗ. ܝܣܪܐܝܠ :ܟ ݂ܒܫܗ ܠ ݂ܟܢܥ�ܝܐ ݂ܒܡܕ ݂ܐܬܐ :ܘܡ ܟܚ ݂ܘܟ ݂ܕ ܐ ݂ܬܚܝ ܰ ܶ ܳ ܰ ݁ܶ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܺ ܶ ̈ ـܬ ܽܗܘܢ ܝܬ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ ܳ� ܶܝـܐ ݂ ܰܒ ܳܝܢ ݂ ـܬ ݂ܒ ܒ ݂ܓـܙܪ :ܘ ݂ ܟܛ ܘ ݂ܐܦܪܝܡ � ܐܘܒ ݂ܕ ܠ ݂ܟܢܥ�ܝـܐ ݂ܕܝ ݂ ݁ܒ ܳ ݂ܓ ܳܙܪ. ܺ ܶ ܛܪܘܢ ܰܘ� ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܝܰ ܺ ܠ ܰܘ ݂ ܳܙܒ ܽ ܘܒ ݂ܕ � ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܶܩ ܽ ܘܠܘܢ ܳ� ܰܐ ݁ ܶ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ ̈ ܳ� ܶܝܐ ܗܠܝܠ .ܘ ݂ ܳ ܥܰ ܶܡܗܶ :ܘܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܟ ݂ ܶܒܫ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܬܐ. ܝـܕܘܢܰ : ܘܠ ݂ ܶ ܐܫܝܪ ܳ� ܰܐ ݁ ܶ ܚܒـܠܺ :ܘ� ݂ ܶ � ܳܘ ܺ ܘܒ ݂ܕ � ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ܥܰ ݁ ܽܟܘܰ :ܘ� ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒـܝ ܰܨ ݁ ܽ ܝܙܒـܠ: ܠܚ ܳ� ݂ ܳܒܐܳ :ܘ� ݂ ܳܦܩܰ :ܘ ܳ ܰܘ ܳ �ܪ ܽܚ ݂ܘܒ. ܺ ܶ ܳ ܺ ݁ ܰ ܳ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܳ ݁ ܰ̈ ܰ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܰ ݁ ܶ ܶ ܘܒ ݂ܕ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ. ܝܬ ݂ܒ ܐܫܝܪ ܒܝܢ ݂ܬ ܟ�ܥ�ܝܐ ܝ ݂ܬܒܝ ܐܪܥܐ :ܡܛܠ ܕ� ܐ ܠܒ ܘ ݂ ܳ ܺ ܶ ܰ ܰ ܰ ݁ܳ ܝܬ ܶ ܬ ܺܠܝ ܳ� ܰܐ ݁ ܶ ܝܬ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ܝܓ ܘܢ ݂ܦ ܝܬ ܥܢ ݂ܬ :ܘ ݂ ܫܡܫܰ :ܘ� ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒܝ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܒ ݂ܕ � ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ̈ܒܝ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܳ ݁ܰ ݁ ܶ ݁ ܰ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܳ ݁ ܰ̈ ܰ ܳ ܳ ݁ ܰ ̈ ̈ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܳ ݁ ݁ ـܬ: ܝـܬ ܥܢ ݂ ܝـܬ ܫܡـܫ :ܘܝ ݂ܬܒـܝ ܒ ݂ ܝܬ ܟ�ܥ�ܝܐ ܝ ݂ܬܒܝ ܐ ܳܪܥܐ :ܘܝ ݂ܬܒܝ ܒ ݂ ܒ ݂ ܶܘܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܟ ݂ ܶܒܫ ̱ܘ ܽ �ܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܬܐ. ܰ ܶ ܶ ܳ ܽ ܰ ܠܛ ܳ ܫܒܩـ ̱ܘ ܶܐ ܽܢـܘܢ ܶ ܘܪ ܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ݂ ܰ ـܬ ܐܪܚܩ ̱ܘ ܐ ܽܢܘܢ � ܽܡܘ ܳ��ܶܐ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܳܕܢ ܠܕ ܘ ܠܡ ܰܚ ݂ ܽ ܳ �ܥܘܡܩܐ. ܳ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܶ ݁ܰ ܚܕܣ ݁ܒ ܽܛ ܳ ܠܗ ܶܘܐ ݁ܬ ݁ ܺ ܬ ݂ܒ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܘܪ ܐܺ ݁ :ܒܐܝܠܽـܘܢ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܫܥ ݂ ܺ ܐܪܥܐ ݂ ܰܕ ݂ ܶ �ܒܝـܢ: ܛܦܝܣ ̱ܘ ܐܡܘ��ܐ ܠܡ ܳ ܫܢ ݀ ܺ ܝܬ ܝܰ ܶ ܘܣ ݂ܦܶ :ܘܐ ݂ܬ ݁ܟ ݂ ܶܒܫ ̱ܘ ݁ܒ ܰܡ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ܐܬܐ. ܘܥ ܶ ܰ ݂ ܬ ܐ ݂ ܳܝܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܫܩ ݂ ܳ ܣܩ ܳܢܐ ݂ܕܥ ܶ ܽ ܩܪܘܢ ܶܡܢ ܺ ܘܡܐ ݂ ܳܕ ܽܐܡܘ ܳ��ܶܐܶ :ܡܢ ܰܡ ܳ ܠܘ ܰܘ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ܳ ܝܦܐ ܰܘ�ܥܶܠ.
Ch.
Simeon went with Judah his brother. They attacked 1 the Canaanites who were living in Zophath, and put (the town) under the ban. 2 They named the town Hormah.
Judah conquered Gaza and its territories, Ashkelon and its territories, and Ekron and its territories. 3
The Lord was with Judah. They took possession of the mountaincountry (only), for they could not 4 massacre the inhabitants of the plain who had chariots of iron. They gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had instructed, and there they slew, they slaughtered the three sons of warriors.
The Benjaminites did not destroy the Jebusites living in Jerusalem: the Jebusites have lived with the Benjaminites, in Jerusalem, until the present day. (Some of) those of the house of Joseph, they too went up to Bethel; the Lord was with them.
(Some of) those of the house of Joseph remained 5 in Bethel. The name of the city formerly was Luz. The guards saw a man leaving the city. They said to him: Show us where the entrance to the city is — we will treat you well. 6
He showed them the entrance to the city, and they attacked the city and put it to the sword, 7 but they did not harm 8 that man nor any of his family.
That man went to the Hittites’ land and built a city (there); he named it Luz, and that is its name until the present day. ‘attacked’: lit. ‘smote’. So too passim. A different Syriac root is involved than that in e.g. 1:10. 2 ‘put (the town) under the ban’ (i.e. designated it as a town devoted to God) or ‘completely destroyed it’. 3 ‘territories … territories … territories’: lit. ‘borders … borders … borders’. So passim. As in Joshua sometimes place names define ‘borders’ and sometimes point to ‘areas’. 4 ‘could not’: lit. ‘did not’. 5 ‘remained’: see Introduction. Addendum 1. 6 ‘treat you well’: lit. ‘do with you peace’. 7 ‘and put it to the sword’: lit. ‘with the mouth of the sword’. 8 ‘did not harm’: lit. ‘let alone/let go’. 1
ܰ ܡܚـܘ ܰܠ ݂ܟ ܰ�ܥ̈ ܳ� ܶܝـܐ ܕܝܳܬ ݁ ܺܒܝـܢ ݁ܒ ܽܨ ݁ ܰ ܽ ܘܗܝܰ :ܘ ܰ ܘܦـ ݂ܬ ݂ ݂ ܝܙ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܶܫܡܥܘܢ ܥܰܡ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܐ ܽܚـ ̱ ܳ ̇ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܘܗܰ :ܘ ܰ ܰܘܐܚ ܽ ܝܬܐ ܶܚ ܳ ܪܡ ̇ ܪܡܐ. ܩܪܘ ܫܡܗ ܕܩܪ ݂ ܝܗܰ :ܘ�ܥ ܶ ܽ ܫܩܠܽـܘܢ ܰ �ܥ ܳܐܙ ܐ ܰ ܝܚ ܰܘ ݂ܟ ݁ ܰܒܫ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܳ ܝܗܰ :ܘ� ܳ ܘܠ ݂ܬ ܽܚـ ̈ܘ ܶܡ ̇ ܘܠ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܶܡ ̇ ܩـܪܘܢ ܰ ܘܠ ݂ܬ ܽܚ ̈ܘ ܶܡ ̇ ܝܗ. ܝܪܬܘ ܛܽ ܳ ܚܪ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ � ܳܝ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒـܝ ܽܥ ܳ ܘܪ ܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ܳ� ܰ ܝܛ ܰܘ ܳ ܗܘܐ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܡܩـܐ: ܪ�ܐ ܥܰܡ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܺܘ ܶ ݂ ̱ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܝܬ ܽ �ܗܘܢ. ݁ܕ ܰܡ� ݁ܟ ݂ ܳܒ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܦܪܙ� ܐ ݂ ܰ ܟ ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ݂ ܳ ܘܫـܐܰ : ܘܩ ܶܛܠـ ̱ܘ ܰܘ ݁ ܶ ܠܟܠ ܳ ݂ܒ ܶܚ ݂ܒ ܽܪܘܢ ܰܐ ݂ܝܟ ݁ ܶܕ ܰ ܐܡـܪ ܽܡ ܶ ܐܘܒـ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ܶܡـܢ ݁ܬ ܳܡـܢ ܳ ܰ ݁ܬ ܳܠ ݂ܬܐ ݂ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܶ� ܐ. ܺ ܶ ܰ �ܝ ܽܒ ̈ܘ ܳܣ ܶܝܐ ܕܝܳܬ ݁ ܺܒܝܢ ݁ ܽܒ ܶ ܐܘܪܫܠܶܡܰ �ܳ :ܐ ݁ ܶ ܝܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܝܳ ݂ ܽܒ ̈ܘ ܳܣ ܶܝـܐ ܟܐ ܰܘ ܳ ݂ ݂ ݂ ܘܒ ݂ܕ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ :ܘ ݂ ܥܰܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܶܒ ܳܢܝ ܶܡܝܢ ݁ ܽܒ ܶ �ܝ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܐܘܪܫܠܶܡ ݂ ܰ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ. ܶ ܪ�ܐ ܥܰ ܽ ܘܣ ݂ܦ ܳܘ ݂ܐܦ ܶܗ ܽܢܘܢ ݂ ܶ ܝܬ ܐܺܝܠ ܳ ܝܬ ܝܰ ܶ ܘܡ ܳ ܡܗܘܢ. ܟܒ ܰܘܣܠܩ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܠܒ ݂ ܰ ܳ ̇ ݁ܰ ܺ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܝܬ ܝܰ ܶ ܝܬܐ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܺ ܩܕܝܡ ܽܠܘܙ. ܝܬ ܐܝܠ :ܘܫܡܗ ܕܩܪ ݂ ܟܓ ݂ܘܦܫ ̱ܘ ݁ܕ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܣ ݂ܦ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܽ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܐܡܪܝܢ ܶܠـܗܰ :ܚ ܳـܘܢ ܰܐ ܰܝܢـܘ ܰܡ ܳ ܝܬܐ ܳܘ ܺ ܥ� ܳܢـܐ ܟܕ ܘܚܙܘ ܢܛܘ� ܐ ݂ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕܢ ݂ܦܩ ܡܢ ܩܪ ݂ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܥܒ ݂ܕ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ ܳ ܝܬܐ :ܘܢܶ ݁ ܶ ܫ� ܳܡܐ. ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ܶ ܰܺ ܽ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܺ ܳ ܡܚܘ ܰܠ ܺ ܠܓ ݂ܒ ܳ ܩܪ ݂ ܳ ܽ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܝܬܐܰ :ܘ ܰ ـܪ ܐ ܟܗ ܘܚܘܝ ܐܢܘܢ ܡܥ�ܢܐ ݂ܕܩܪ ݂ ܝܬܐ ݂ܒ ݂ܦܘܡܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ܪܒܐ :ܘ ܰ ݂ ܶ ܽ ܳ ܽ ܘܗܝ. ܰܗܘ ܰܘܠ ݂ܟ� ̇ܗ ܰܫ ݁ܪܒ ݂ܬܗ ܰܫ ݂ܒܩ ̱ ܶ ܰ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܺ ̈ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܳ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐܰ :ܘ ܳ ܫܡ ̇ܗ ܽܠـܘܙܽ : ܩܪ ܐ ܳ ܘܗ ܽ ܘܝـܘ ܟܘ ܘܐܙܠ ܓ ݂ܒܪ ܐ ܗܘ �ܪܥܐ ݂ܕܚܝ ݂ܬ�ܐ ܘ ݂ܒܢܐ ܩܪ ݂ �ܝ ܳ ܳ ܥܕ ܳܡܐ ܰ ܫܡ ̇ܗ ݂ ܰ ܘܡ ܳܢܐ.
Ch.
After that, the Judeans went down to fight against the Canaanites, those living in the mountain-country, 1 the south, and the plain. Judah attacked 2 the Canaanites who were living in Hebron (the name of Hebron formerly was Koriath-arba). They slew Sheshai, Ahiman, and Tolmi, sons of warriors. 3
They went from there to attack the inhabitants of Debir (the name of Debir formerly was Koriath-sepher). Caleb said: Whoever will conquer Koriath-sepher and lay it waste, to him will I give my daughter Achsah in marriage. 4
Othniel, son of Kenez, the younger brother of Caleb, conquered it; he gave him his daughter Achsah in marriage.
When she came, she was tempted 5 to ask her father for a field. She dismounted from the ass. Caleb said to her: What do you want, my daughter? She said to him: Give me a blessing: for you have given me land in the south, give me some well-watered land. So Caleb gave her some high land that was well-watered, and some low-lying 6 well-watered land. The children of Keni, the father-in-law of Moses, went up from the city of palm trees (together) with the children of Judah, to the wilderness of Judah in the south of Adar. They went, they settled the people. 7
‘mountain-country’: lit. ‘mountain’. So passim. ‘attacked’: lit. ‘went against’. Soo too 1:11. 3 ‘sons of warriors’ or ‘mighty men’. So too e.g. 1:20. 4 ‘in marriage’: lit. ‘(as a) wife’ (the same Syriac is used for both ‘wife’ and ‘woman’). So passim. 5 ‘tempted’: lit. ‘provoked’. 6 ‘high … low-lying’: lit. ‘upper … lower’. 7 ‘settled the people’: lit. ‘made the people dwell’. 1 2
ܛ
ܝ ܝܐ ܝܒ ܝܓ ܝܕ ܝܗ
ܝܘ
ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܳ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܬ ܽܫܘ ܥܰܡ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ ̈ ܳ� ܶܝܐ :ܝܳܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒـܝ ܛܽ ܳ ܬܪ ܳܗ ݁ ܶ ܝܕܝܢܶ : ـܘܪ ܐ ܢܚ ݂ܬ ̱ܘ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܠܡ ݂ܬܟ ݂ ݂ܘܒ ݂ ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܥܬܐ. ܘ ݂ܬܝܡܢܐ ܘ ݂ܦܩ ݂ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܥܰܠ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ̈ ܳ� ܶܝܐ ݂ܕܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܺܒܝܢ ݁ܒ ܶܚ ݂ܒ ܽܪܘܢܰ :ܘ ܳ ܫܡ ̇ܗ ݁ܕ ܶܚ ݂ܒ ܽܪܘܢ ܶܡܢ ݂ ܺ ܩܕܝـܡ ܰ ܶ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܺ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܰ ܠܬ ܰ ܽܩܘܪܝܰ ݂ܬ ܰܐ ݁ ܰ ܪܒܥ: ܘܠܡܝ ݁ܒܢ̈ܝ ݁ ܰܓܢ̱ ݁ ܳܒ ܶ� ܐ. ܘܩܛܠ ̱ܘ ܠܫܝܫܝ :ܘ�ܚܝܡܢ :ܘ ݂ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܶܡܢ ݁ ܰܬ ܳܡܢ ܥܰܠ ܝܳ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰ ̈ܒܝ ݁ ܳܕ ݂ ܺܒܝـܪܰ :ܘ ܳ ـܗ ݁ܕ݂ ܳܕ ݂ ܺܒܝـܪ ܶܡـܢ ݂ ܺ ܫܡ ̇ ܩܕܝـܡ ܽܩـܘܪܝܰ ݂ܬ ܳܣ ݂ܦ ܳܪ ܐ. ܶܶ ـܗ ܽ ܠܩــܘܪܝܰ ݂ܬ ܳܣ ݂ܦ ـ ܳܪ ܐ ܘܢܶܚ ݂ ܺ ܶܘ ܰ ܪܒܝـ ̇ ܐܡــܪ ݁ ܳܟܠܳـ ݂ـܒܰ :ܡــܢ ݁ܕܢܶ ݂ܟ ݁ܒ ܺܫܝـ ̇ ـܗ :ܐ ݁ܬܠ ܶܠــܗ ܰ ܳ �ܥܰ ݁ܟ ܳܣܐ ݂ܒ ܰܪ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ. ܘ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܒ ܳܫ ̇ܗ ܥܰ ݂ܬ ܳܢܐܶܝـܠ ݁ ܰܒـܪ ܰܩܢـܙ ܰܐ ܽܚـܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܟܠ ܳ ݂ـܒ ݁ ܰܕ ܽ ܙܥـܘܪ ܶܡܢܶـܗ .ܘܝܰـ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ܶܠـܗ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܳ �ܥܰ ݁ܟ ܳܣܐ ݂ ܰܒ ݂ܪܬܗ ܐܢ ̱ ݁ܬ ݂ܬܐ. ܰ ܳ ܰ ܚܡ ܳ ܬ ܶ ܬ ܶܡـܢ ܳ ܪܓ ݂ ݀ ܩـ�ܶ :ܘ ݂ܐܬ ܰܪ ݂ܟ ܰܢـ ݂ ݀ ܘ ݂ ܰܟ ݂ܕ ܳܥ ܳܐ�ܶ :ܐ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܓ ݁ ܰ ܠܡ ܰܫܐܠ ܶܡܢ ܐ ݂ ܽܒ ̇ ـܘܗ ܚ ـܪ ܐ. ܳ ܳ ܐ ܰܡܪ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ ܳܟܠ ݂ܒܳ :ܡܐ ܶܠ ݂ܟ ̱ܝ ݁ܒ ܰܪ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ. ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܬܐܶ :ܡ ܽܛܠ ݁ܕ ݂ ܰܒ ܳ ܐܪܥܐ ݂ܕ ݂ ܰܬ ܳ ܢـܝܰ :ܗ ݂ܒܠـܝ ܐܡܪ ܐ ܠܗ .ܗ ݂ܒ ܠܝ ݂ܒܘܪܟ ݂ ܝܡܢـܐ ܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ݁ܬ ̱ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܳ ܶ ܳ ܝـܬܐ ݂ ܶ ܩܝـܐ ܥܠ ݁ ܝܬ ܶܫ ܳ ܝܬ ܶܫ ܳ ܝـܬ ܶܫ ܳ ܩܝـܐ ݂ ܶܒ ݂ ܩܝܐ ݂ܕ ܰܡ ̈ܝܐ .ܘܝܰ ̱ܗ ݂ܒ ܳ� ̇ܗ ݁ܟܠ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܒ ݂ ܘܒ ݂ ܰ ݁ܳ ܳ ܚܬ ݁ܝܬܐ. ݂ܬ ܶ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝܬܐ ݂ܕ݂ ܶܕ ̈ܩـ� ܥܰـܡ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ـܝ ܝܺ ܽ ܰܘ ݂ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܺܩ ܰܝܢܝ ܽ ܘܗܝ ݁ܕ ܽܡ ܶ ـܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ: ܘܫܐ :ܣܠܩ ̱ܘ ܡܢ ܩܪ ܶ ݂ ܚܡ ̱ ܰ ݁ ܳ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܰ ܰ ܝܡܢܐ ݂ܕ ܳ� ݂ ܳܕܪܶ :ܘ ܰܐܙܠ ̱ܘ ܰܘ ݁ ܬ ܳ ܐܘܬ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ �ܥܰ ܳܡܐ. ܠܡ ݂ܕܒܪ ܐ ݂ܕܝܗ ݂ܘܕ ܐ ݂ܕ ݂ܒ ݂
Ch.
I
Chapter
After Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, had died, the children 1 of Israel asked the Lord, saying: Who will go up first 2 for us against the Canaanites, to fight against them? 3 — The Lord said: Judah will go up. See! I have delivered the land into his hands.
Judah said to his brother Simeon: Come up with me to my allotted portion, and we will fight the Canaanites; then I will also go with you to your allotted portion. So Simeon went with him.
So Judah went, and the Lord delivered into their hands the Canaanites and the Perizzites: they massacred them in Bezek, (they killed) ten thousand men.
They found Adoni-bezek 4 in Bezek and fought with him; they massacred the Canaanites and the Perizzites.
Adoni-bezek fled, but they pursued him and seized him. They cut off his thumbs and big toes. 5
Adoni-bezek said: Seventy kings, their thumbs and big toes cut off, gather (scraps of) food under my table. As I have done, so God has requited me. They took him to Jerusalem, and he died there. The Judeans fought against Jerusalem and conquered it; they put (the people) to the sword, 6 they burnt its towns. 7
‘children’ or ‘sons’ or when the context permits, followed by a tribal name: ‘Israelites’, ‘Benjaminites’, ‘Ammonites’, ‘Judeans’. So passim. 2 ‘first’: lit. ‘at the head/beginning’. 3 ‘against them’: lit. ‘with them in battle’. 4 ‘Adoni-bezek’ or ‘the lord of Bezek’. 5 ‘thumbs and big toes’: lit. ‘the thumbs of his hands and of his feet’. So too 1:7. 6 ‘put the people to the sword’: lit. ‘they struck it with the mouth of the sword’. This idiom occurs frequently: see e.g. 1:25. 7 ‘towns’ or ‘cities’. So passim. It is not always possible to be sure from the context which is meant. 1
ܶ ܶܩ ݂ ܰܦ� ܳܘܢ: ܨܚ ܐ
ܐ
ܒ
ܓ
ܕ
ܗ
ܘ
ܙ
ܚ
ܐ.
݁ ܰ̈ ܺ ܳ ܶ ܶ ܰ ܶ ܝܬ ܝ ܶ ܽܫܘܥ ݁ ܰܒܪ ܽܢܘܢ ܥܰ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶܕܗ ݁ܕ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܣܪܐܝـܠ ܪ�ـܐܰ :ܫܐܠـ ̱ܘ ܒܢـܝ ܐ ܘܡܢ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬܪ ݁ܕ ܺܡ ݂ ܳ ܪ�ܐ ܳܘ ܺ ܐܡܪܝـܢܰ :ܡ ܽܢـܘ ܢܶ ܰܣـܩ ܰܠـܢ ܥܰـܠ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ̈ ܳ� ܶܝـܐ ݂ܒ ܺܪ ܳ ݁ܒ ܳܡ ܳ ܝܫـܐ :ܠ ܶܡ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟ ݁ܬ ܽܫـܘ ܡܗܘܢ ݁ ܰܒ ܳ ܥܰ ܽ ܩܪ ݂ ܳܒܐ. ܪ�ܐ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܢܶ ܰܣܩܳ :ܗܐ ܰܐܫܠ ܶ ݁ ܳ ܰ ܳ ܶܘ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܘܗܝ. ܡܬ ̇ܗ �ܪܥܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܺ ܽ ܳ ܶ ܽ ܰ ܰ ܡـܝ ݁ܒ ݂ ܶܦـ ܰܨ ݂ܬ ̱ܝ :ܘܢܶ ݂ܬ ݁ ܰܟـ ݁ܬܫ ܥܰـܡ ܘܐܡܪ ܝـܗ ݂ܘܕ ܐ ܘܗܝ ܳܰ :ܣـܩ ܥܰ ̱ ܠܫ ܶܡܥـܘܢ ܐ ܽܚـ ̱ ܳ ܶ ܽ ݁ܟ ܰ�ܥ̈ ܳ� ܶܝܐܺ :ܘ ܰܐܙ� ݂ܦ ܐ ܳܢܐ ܥܰ ܳܡ ݂ܟ ݁ܒ ݂ܦ ݂ܨܬ ݂ܟܶ .ܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܥܰ ܶܡܗ ܶܫܡܥܘܢ. ܪ�ܐ ܰܠ ݂ܟ ܰ�ܥ̈ ܳ� ܶܝܐܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܦ� ܳܙ�ܶܐ ݂ ܺܒܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽܝܗܘܢܰ :ܘ ܰ ܶܘ ܰܐܙܠ ܝܺ ܽܗ ݂ ܳܘܕ ܐܰ :ܘܐܫܠܶܡ ܶܐ ܽܢܘܢ ܳܡ ܳ ܚܪ ݂ܒ ̱ܘ ܶ ܳ ܰ ܶܡ ܽ ܣܪ ܐ ܐ ̈ܠ ݂ ܺܦܝܢ ݁ ܰܓ ݂ܒ ܺ�ܝܢ. ܢܗܘܢ ݁ܒ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܙܩ :ܥ ܳ ܳ ̇ ݁ ܳ ܳ ݁ ܳ ܳ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܫـ ̱ܘ ܥܰ ܶܡـܗܰ :ܘ ܰ ܶܘ ݁ ܚܪ ݂ܒـ ̱ܘ ܰܠ ݂ܟ ܰ�ܥ ̈ ܳ� ܶܝـܐ ܘܗܝ ܠܡܪܗ ܕ ݂ܒܙܩ ܒ ݂ܒܙܩ :ܘ ݂ܐܬܟ ܐܫܟ ܽܚ ̱ ܰܘ ݂ ܰ ܠܦ� ܳܙ�ܶܐ. ܰ ܳ ܰ ܰܘ ܰ ܥܪܩ ܳܡ ܳܪ ̇ܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܒ ܳܙܩܰ :ܘ ݂ ܰܪܕ ݂ܦ ̱ܘ ݁ ܳܒ ݂ܬ ܶܪܗ ܰܘ ݁ ܽ ܘܗܝ ܘܗܝ݂ :ܘܦ ܶܣܩـ ̱ܘ ݁ܟـ� ܳܘ ݂ܬܐ ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝـ ݂ ܰܕ ̱ ܐܚـܕ ̱ ܶ ܰ ܘܗܝ. ܰܘ݂ܕ� ݂ܓܠ ̱ ـܪ ̇ܗ ݁ܕ ݂ ܳܒـ ܳܙܩܰ :ܫ ݂ܒܥܺܝـܢ ܰܡ� ݁ ܺ̈ܟܝـܢ ݁ ܰܕ ݂ ܰ ܐܡܪ ܳܡ ܳ ܡܦ ̈ܣ ܳܩـܢ ̱ܗ ܰ ̈ܘܝ ݁ܟـ ܰ� ܳܘ ݂ ܳܬܐ ݂ ܺܕܐ ̈ܝ ݂ ܰܕ ܽ ܶܘ ܰ ܝـܗܘܢ ܰ ܺ ܰܘ݂ܕ ܶ�ܓܠ ܰ ܽ ܩܛܝܢ ̱ܗ ܰܘܘ ܰܠ ܳ ܝܬ ݁ ܳܦ ݂ ܽܬܘܪ ̱ܝܰ :ܐ ݂ܝܟ ܳܡܐ ݂ܕܥ ܶ ݂ܒ ݁ ܶ ܝܗܘܢ :ܡܠ ـܕ ݂ܬ ܚܡܐ ܶܡܢ ݁ܬ ܶܚ ݂ ݁ܰ ܳ ܰ ݂ܳ ܰ ܰ ܰ ܳ ܳ ܰ ܽ ܽ ܶ ܶ ܺ ܳ ܝܬ ܬܡܢ. ܘܗܝ �ܘܪܫܠܡ :ܘܡ ݂ ܗ ݂ܟܢܐ ݂ܦܪܥ ̱ ܢܝ ܐܠܗܐ .ܘܐܥܠ ̱ ܰ ܰ ܽ ܶ ݁ܰ ݁ܰ ܬܫܘ ݁ܒ ܰܢ̈ܝ ܝܺ ܽܗ ܳܘܕ ܐ ܽܒ ܶ ܐܘܪܫܠܶـܡ ݂ ܰ ܘܗ ݁ܒ ݂ ܽܦ ܳ ܘܡـܐ ݂ܕ ܰܚ ݁ ܳ ܡܚـܐ ̇ ܘܟ ݂ܒ ܽܫ ̇ ܪܒـܐ: ـܘܗ :ܘ ܘ ݂ܐܬܟ ݂ ݂ ̱ܰ ܘܩܕܘ ݁ܒ ܽܢܘܪ ܐܳ. ܰܘ ܽ ܶ ܠܩܘ�ܝܳ ̇ܗ ܐ ݂ ̱
ܣܦܪܐ ܕܕܝ̈ܢܐ ܕܒܢ̈ܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܕܡܬܩܪܐ ܥܒܪܐܝܬ ̈ ܫܒܛܐ
ܥܘܬܕܐ
ܚܡܠ ܟܬܒܐ ܗܢܐ ܠܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܣܦܪܐ ܕܕܝ̈ܢܐ ̈ ܕܒܢܝ ܐܝܣܪܐܝܠ ܕܡܬܩܪܐ ܥܒܪܐܝܬ ̈ ܫܒܛܐ ܠܦܘܬ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܕܡܬܩܪܝܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ܆ ܥܡ ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܬܐ .ܐܬܦܚܡܬ ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܗܕܐ ܥܠ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ܇ ܕܒܝܕ ܡܪܝ ܩܠܝܡܝܣ ܝܘܣܦ ܕܘܝܕ ܐܬܦܪܣܬ ܡܕܢܚܐܝܬ ܫܢܬ ܐܦܦܙ ـ ܐܦܨܐ܇ ̈ ܢܘܩܙܝ ܒܬܪ ܡܐ ܕܫܚܠܦܢܢ ܠܣܪܛܗ ܡܢ ܡܕܢܚܝܐ ܠܡܥܪܒܝܐ܆ ܘܐܘܣܦܢܢ ܪܘܟܟܐ ܘܩܘܫܝܐ ܓܡܝܪܐܝܬ܆ ܘܢܝܫܐ ܕܡܒܛܠܢܐ ܠܦܘܬ ܡܫܠܡܢܘܬܐ ܕܝܘܡܢ. ܦܚܡܢܢ ܕܝܢ ܠܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ ܥܡ ܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܥܬܝ̈ܩܐ .ܘܐܫܟܚܢܢ ̈ ܫܘܚܠܦܐ ܒܨܝ̈ܪܐ ܒܩ̈ܪܝܢܐ܇ ܗܪܟܐ ܘܬܡܢ܇ ܒܝܬ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ ܕܐܝܬ ̈ ܘܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܥܬܝܩܐ .ܘܙܕܩ ܠܡܕܥ ܕܣܘܓܐܐ ܕܗܠܝܢ ܩ̈ܪܝܢܐ ܕܒܡܦܩܬܐ ܡܘܨܠܝܬܐ ܫܟܝܚܝܢ ܘܠܘ ܒܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܕܥܠ ܫܟܝܚܘܬ ܐܘ ܚܣܝܪܘܬ ̈ ܐܬܘܬܐ ܒܕܘܠܝܬܐ ܐܢܘܢ܆ ܘܕܥܠ ܫܟܝܚܘܬ ܐܘ ܚܣܝܪܘܬ ̈ ̈ ܣܝܡܐ ܐܢܘܢ ܘܫܪܟܐ .ܣܕܪܐ ܕܗܠܝܢ ܩ̈ܪܝܢܐ ܥܠ ܕܦܐ XXXIܫܟܝܚ ܒܓܒܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܐ. ܘܬܪܢܨ ܠܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܠܦܘܬ ܡܫܠܡܢܘܬܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܬܐ ܡܥܪܒܝܬܐ ܕܝܘܡܢ ܪܕܝܐ .ܐܝܬܐ ܠܡܐܡܪ :ܟܬܒܢܢ ܺܪܝܫ ܚܠܦ ܺܪܫ ܘܫܪܟܐ. ܣܟܐ ܕܝܢ ܩܘܒܠܛܝܒܘܬܐ ܡܩܪܒܝܢܢ ܠܡܠܦܢܐ ܐܢܕܪܐܘܣ ܝܘܟܝܠ ܕܥܕܪ ܬܘܕܝܢ ܕܐܠ ̈ ܒܦܘܚܡܐ ܥܠ ܣ̈ܪܝܛܐ ܥܬܝ̈ܩܐ .ܘܠܡܪܝܐ ܠܐܗܐ ̈ ̈ ܡܘܦܝܢ܀ ܐܝܢ ܘܐܡܝܢ܀ ܕܘܟܪܢܐ ܕܡܪܝ ܬܐܘܡܐ ܫܠܝܚܐ܆ ܓ ܬܡܘܙ ܒܝܗ ܡ ܓܘܪܓܝ ܒܪ ܐܢܛܘܢ ܕܒܝܬ ܟܝܪܐܙ ܕܝܪܝܐ ܝܘܣܦ ܒܐܠܝ
ܗ
̈ ܙܕܩܐ ܢܛܝܪܝܢ܀
ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܐܝܟ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ ܥܡ ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܬܐ
ܣܦܪܐ ܕܕܝ̈ܢܐ ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܣܘܪܝܐܝܬ
ܓܘܪܓܝ ܒܪ ܐܢܛܘܢ ܕܒܝܬ ܟܝܪܐܙ ܕܝܪܝܐ ܝܘܣܦ ܒܐܠܝ
ܒܝܗ ܡ ܓܘܪܓܝܐܣ ܦܪܣ
ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܐܬ
ܕܘܢܐܠܕ ܡ .ܘܐܠܬܪ ܔܝܠܝܐܢ ܓܪܝܢܒܝܪܓ
ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ
̈ ܡܦܚܡܢܝ ܫܫܠܐܬ
ܓܘܪܓܝ ܒܪ ܐܢܛܘܢ ܕܒܝܬ ܟܝܪܐܙ
ܐܢܕܪܐܘܣ ܒܪ ܘܐܠܬܪ ܕܒܝܬ ܝܘܟܝܠ
ܨܘܪܬ ܟܬܒ ܐܝܟ ܡܦܩܬܐ ܦܫܝܛܬܐ ܥܡ ܡܥܒܪܢܘܬܐ ܐܢܓܠܝܫܝܬܐ
ܣܦܪܐ ܕܕܝ̈ܢܐ