Leaving our Father

[stillsmallvoice]

Hi all!

Genesis 44:22 (part of Judah's plea to Joseph & from this coming Saturday's weekly Torah reading)) says:


"...for if he should leave his father, he will die."

Versions such as the KJV, NKJV & RSV which read, "...for if he should leave his father, his father will die," are wrong. The original Hebrew (v'azav et aviv va'met is ambiguous & does not specify who would die; the translation I have given is more accurate.

Some of our Sages interpret this passage metaphorically and say that if we leave our Father in Heaven (as a Jew, I would say, our Father in Heaven whose Torah is the source of all life, see Deuteronomy 32:46-47), then we will die (figuratively, i.e. inwardly, spiritually).

Be well!

ssv :hi:

[Paul]

Does anyone know what the LXX says?

[JohnStevenson]

Versions such as the KJV, NKJV & RSV which read, "...for if he should leave his father, his father will die," are wrong. The original Hebrew (v'azav et aviv va'met is ambiguous
You are correct, the Hebrew text of this particular verse is ambiguous if taken only by itself. On the other hand, the ambiguity disappears if we read the context, for in verse 31 Judah says, It will come about when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. Thus your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow.

When in doubt, read the context.

[stillsmallvoice]

Hi!

JohnStevenson, are you assuming that Judah is repeating himself? The wording in 44:31 is precise; the wording in 44:22 is not. I would respectfully submit that the context, in this case, is of no help.

Also, our Sages certainly did not mean that their homiletic interpretation is the interpretation, merely an interpretation. Our Sages teach that the Torah is like a multi-faceted diamond, with each facet offering a unique view of the wondrous jewel. I would submit that debates over fine points of Hebrew grammar & syntax are less important than the myriad moral/ethical lessons we can derive from every verse, word and letter of the scripture.

Be well!

ssv :hi: