Texts in Conversation
2 Samuel 16:12 is traditionally listed among the “tiqqun soferim,” or scribal corrections of the Masoretic tradition. The original may have described God looking directly into David’s eye, a phrase suggesting a human-like action, later changed to say that God noticed his affliction instead.
Share:
2 Samuel 16:12
Hebrew Bible
11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son, my very own flesh and blood, is trying to take my life. So also now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone so that he can curse, for the Lord has spoken to him. 12 Perhaps the Lord will notice my affliction and this day grant me good in place of his curse.” 13 So David and his men went on their way. But Shimei kept going along the side of the hill opposite him, yelling curses as he threw stones and dirt at them.
Date: 6th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Jonathan 2 Samuel 16:12
Targum
11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son whom I begot seeks to kill me; how much more now this son of the tribe of Benjamin. Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has said him so. 12 It may be that the tear of my eye will be revealed before the Lord, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him, cursing as he went, and threw stones at him and flung dust.
Date: 200-300 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Tags:
Search:
Notes and References
"... The tiqqune sopherim, or emendations of the scribes, represents another way some ancient writers responded to specific portrayals of God they felt were inappropriate. At specific places, it appears that scribes altered the Hebrew text of the Old Testament to modify views of God they found offensive. These modifications are thought to have been made between 400 BCE and 100 CC. Although it is unclear exactly how many changes of this nature were made, tradition puts the total at eighteen (Genesis 18:22; Numbers 11:15; 12:12; 1 Samuel 3:13; 2 Samuel 16:12; 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16; 2 Chronicles 10:16; Job 7:20; 32:3; Psalm 106:20; Jeremiah 2:11; Lamentations 3:20; Ezekiel 8:17; Hosea 4:7; Zechariah 2:8; Habakkuk 1:12; Malachi 1:13) ..."
Seibert, Eric A.
Disturbing Divine Behavior: Troubling Old Testament Images of God
(p. 56) Fortress Press, 2009
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.