Exodus 25:22

Hebrew Bible

21 You are to put the atonement lid on top of the ark, and in the ark you are to put the testimony I am giving you. 22 I will meet with you there, and from above the atonement lid, from between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will command you for the Israelites. 23 “You are to make a table of acacia wood; its length is to be 36 inches, its width 18 inches, and its height 27 inches.

Onkelos Exodus 25:22

Targum

21 And you will set the propitiatory upon the Ark over above, and within the ark you will put the Testimony that I will give you. 22 And I will summon my Memra with you there; and I will speak with you from above the Propitiatory, from between the two Cherubim that are upon the Ark of the Testimony, all that I may command you for the sons of Israel. 23 And you will make a Table of sittin woods, two cubits the length of it, and a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height.

 Notes and References

"... Bible: 'and I will meet with you there.' Onkelos avoids the anthropomorphic divine appearance with memra, meaning 'word,' 'wisdom,' 'command,' 'will,' 'teaching,' 'inspiration,' 'power,' or 'protection.' The targumist does not use 'glory' or Shekhinah, because of the context of the passage. The verse states: 'I will speak with you,' therefore 'word'" or 'wisdom' is appropriate. However, the Babylonian Talmud (Sukkah 5a and Sanhedrin 7a), since it is not a biblical translation and does not follow the targumic style, mentions Shekhinah in reference to this verse ..."

Drazin, Israel, and Stanley M. Wagner Onkelos on the Torah, Exodus: Understanding the Bible Text (p. 169) Gefen, 2006

 User Comments

Do you have questions or comments about these texts? Please submit them here.