John T. Strong, «Verb Forms of sm( in Ezekiel and Lamentations», Vol. 88 (2007) 546-552
Verb forms from the root sm( are defined in the lexicons as 'to dim, darken,'
drawing upon Arabic for guidance. This definition, however, does not allow for
a consistent translation in the texts where these verb forms appear. It is proposed
here that the verb forms be understood as denominatives from the common noun
s(a and the preposition s(i, which are a part of the semantic family, indicating an
agnate relationship. This understanding is applied to the four instances in the
Hebrew Bible where these verb forms appear: Ezek 28,3; 31,8; Ezek 32,19; and
Lam 4,1. Each verse addresses a question of association or belonging. The
development of these denominative forms reflects concerns over the issue of
status for the Judean exiles in the sixth century BCE.
Verb Forms of µm[ in Ezekiel and Lamentations
Verb forms of the root µm[ appears three or perhaps four times in the Hebrew
Bible, three of which are in the book of Ezekiel: Ezek 28,3; 31,8; 32,19 (as
will be argued here); and once in Lam 4,1. The standard lexicons do not guide
the translator by drawing upon standard, classic Hebrew semantic families,
but rather typically turn to the Arabic cognate of gµamma, “to cover, veil,
conceal†(1). This direction leaves the translator with a great deal of freedom,
allowing the reader to be guided by context and his or her instincts. At stake
is whether or not the ancient writers lead the modern student of these texts
toward an understanding of these verses, and with this, a consistency in
translation of the verb forms of µm[ in these verses.
BDB links the verb forms in Ezek 28,3, 31,8, and Lam 4,1 with a second
meaning of µm[, and defines it as “to darken, dim†(2). Similarly, HALOT
understands the verb at its base to mean “to coverâ€, but leading to the
meaning of “to cause one to complain†(3). In regard to Ezek 32,19, both
HALOT and BDB derive this instance from µ[n, “to be lovely†(4). In this
article, I will argue that these verb forms should be viewed as denominatives
derived from the common noun µ[' and the preposition µ[i. Moreover, all four
instances belong to this same root and semantic range, and once read in this
light, a more precise and consistent reading of these four verses is possible.
The problem with µm[ rests in the fact that there is not an easily
identifiable root or verb form in Hebrew. Turning to Arabic, however, is not
satisfying in the end. The context of each of the four verses (Ezek 28,3; 31,8;
32,19 and Lam 4,1) in which a verb form of µm[ is read is not covered by a
semantic range meaning “to darken or dimâ€, or even “to grieveâ€. To begin
with, it is a stretch to derive the sense that no mystery is too difficult for the
Prince of Tyre in Ezek 28,3, if one understands the basic meaning of µm[ to
be to darken or dim in Ezek 31,8. This semantic range does make some sense
within the context of a garden of trees in Ezek 31, but here the verb is used
actively, i.e., no other tree overshadows the cedar. In Lam 4,1, it is a passive
concept (Hp-stem); the gold itself grows dim. To unify these two meanings
under one semantic umbrella of “to darken or dimâ€, while possible, still does
not seem natural. In addition, tm[n in Ezek 32,19 is not connected with the
root µm[ by scholars or the lexicons, but rather with the root µ[n (“to be
lovelyâ€). And yet, the context here seems to call for a verb of association, not
sardonic praise of Egypt’s beauty.
If, however, one turns to the noun µ[' and the preposition µ[i from which
to derive the semantic range, then the four verb forms cohere together quite
well, with clarity and insight being brought to the Biblical texts in question.
(1) See H. WEHR – I. COWAN – J. MILTON, A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic
(Ithaca, NY 1976) 683.
(2) BDB, 770.
(3) HALOT, II, 846.
(4) HALOT, II, 705; BDB, 653.