Balaam, Balak and the 24,000, Part 3

This is a continuation of my review of the Lord’s patience with the 24,000 killed by Moses, Phineas and the judges or tribes of Israel after joining themselves to Baal of Peor. At Marah He taught them to trust Him and his word more than their own experience or assessment of a situation (Exodus 15:22-27 ESV).

Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

A note (68) in the NET following and the Lord showed him reads:

U. Cassuto notes that here is the clue to the direction of the narrative: Israel needed God’s instruction, the Law, if they were going to enjoy his provisions (Exodus, 184).

tn The verb is וַיּוֹרֵהוּ (vayyorehu, “and he showed him”). It is the Hiphil preterite from יָרָה (yarah), which has a basic meaning of “to point, show, direct.” It then came to mean “to teach”; it is the verb behind the noun “Law” (תּוֹרָה, torah).

In another essay I mentioned that Rashi, “Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac (Shlomo Yitzhaki)…one of the most influential Jewish commentators in history,”1 understood “the allegory of the vineyard as a reference to…Adam.”2 His commentary on Isaiah 5:6 (following 5:7 in The Complete Jewish Bible) reads:

(6) And I made it a desolation. I made him dwell in desolation, for I did not give the Torah in his days.
It shall neither be pruned nor hoed. They will learn from him neither merit nor good deeds.
The shamir and desolation will come up. Temptation ruled over him and his posterity, to perform corrupt deeds.
And I commanded the clouds. I appointed guards over him to guard the way of the Tree of Life.

Steve Rodeheaver in an article titled, “Exodus 15:22-27: Bitter Water and Sweet Wood” on The Voice online, wrote:

The journey takes place externally and internally. The external journey is the obvious one…

The internal journey is less obvious, but it is the one on which the text focuses. Our English translations obscure this focus because of the difficulty in translating the verb for Yahweh “showing” or “directing” Moses to a tree/piece of wood. The verb used actually means to instruct or teach. Yahweh instructed/taught Moses a tree. That does not make much sense, but it is important to note because this verb is the root verb of the word “Torah”. Torah means instruction, and it specifically refers to the instruction/law that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai for how the Israelites were to live in covenant with this God who brought them up out of Egypt. We might say that Yahweh “torah-ed” Moses a tree.

I found Mr. Rodeheaver’s article searching for something else instead, and might have missed this because of my tendency to go deeper when the Masoretic text and Septuagint diverge. But since Israel and the 24,000 are on the way to “Mount Sinai” to hear and receive “the instruction/law that God gave Moses…for how the Israelites were to live in covenant with this God who brought them up out of Egypt,” I’ll consider the word וַיּוֹרֵ֤הוּ, a form of יָרָה (yārâ), in some detail.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 15:25 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:25 (NET)

Exodus 15:25 (NETS)

Exodus 15:25 (English Elpenor)

And he cried unto HaShem; and HaShem showed him (וַיּוֹרֵ֤הוּ) a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them; He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him (yārâ, ויורהו) a tree. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became safe to drink. There the Lord made for them a binding ordinance, and there he tested them. Then Moyses cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him (καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ) wood, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There he set for him statutes and judgments, and there he tested him. And Moses cried to the Lord, and the Lord shewed him (καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ) a tree, and he cast it into the water, and the water was sweetened: there he established to him ordinances and judgments, and there he proved him,

The first two occurrences of forms of יָרָה (yārâ) in Exodus are found in Moses’ final objections to doing what the Lord called him to do (Exodus 4:10-12 ESV).

But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

A more detailed table of Exodus 4:12 follows.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 4:12 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:12 (NET)

Exodus 4:12 (NETS)

Exodus 4:12 (English Elpenor)

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee (וְהֽוֹרֵיתִ֖יךָ) what thou shalt speak.’ So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you (yārâ, והוריתיך) what you must say.” And now go, and I will open your mouth and teach you (καὶ συμβιβάσω σε) what you are going to speak.” And now go and I will open thy mouth, and will instruct thee (καὶ συμβιβάσω σε) in what thou shalt say.

The Greek verb συμβιβάσω is a 1st person singular form of συμβιβάζω in the active voice and indicative mood. In other words, as far as the rabbis who translated the Hebrew into Greek in the Septuagint were concerned, the Lord promised Moses: “I will prove logically, teach, instruct, bring together, reconcile, put together, compare, examine, advise, guide, conclude, deduce, infer, figure and decide you.” It’s quite an excellent translation of וְהֽוֹרֵיתִ֖יךָ, a 1st person singular Hiphil stem of יָרָה (yārâ) according to the Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon [scroll down the page].

According to articles on Biblical Hebrew online:

The Hiphil stem in Biblical Hebrew primarily conveys a causative action. It allows the speaker or writer to express that the subject causes someone or something else to perform an action or be in a certain state. This causative nuance makes the Hiphil one of the most dynamic and versatile verb stems in the Hebrew language.3

The Hiphil stem in Biblical Hebrew is causation carved into grammar—giving speakers the power to transform simple verbs into agents of divine action, historical change, and theological intensity. With its hallmark morphology and presence across all verbal forms, Hiphil makes subjects into instigators: from causing cherubim to dwell in Eden (Genesis 3:24) to divinely hardening Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 10:1). More than just linguistic architecture, Hiphil is the syntax of sovereignty—where YHWH doesn’t simply act, but sets events in motion, declares deliverance, and redefines reality through causative verbs.4

The הִפְעִיל (Hiphil) stem in Biblical Hebrew expresses causative action, often turning a simple verb into one that makes another perform the action.5

Did Moses understand the Hiphil stem (Exodus 4:13-16 ESV)?

But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both (וְהֽוֹרֵיתִ֣י, another 1st person singular Hiphil form of יָרָה, yārâ; Septuagint: καὶ συμβιβάσω ὑμᾶς) what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.

This time I’m completely primed to hear, Behold my servant, whom I uphold,6 and all that entails regarding the old human (τὸν παλαιὸν ἄνθρωπον), your old self born of Adam, fathered by the devil even, and the contrast to the new human Jesus: Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.7 The next occurrence of a form of יָרָה (yārâ) in Exodus is found in the song Moses and the people of Israel sangto the Lord after crossing the sea on dry ground (Exodus 15:1-4 ESV).

“I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name [Table].

“Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.

Excited by the Hiphil stem I wanted to use Mr. Rodeheaver’s whimsical translation here: Pharaoh’s chariots and his host Yahweh “torah-ed” into (or “in”) the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. Now he is not God of the dead, Jesus told the Sadducees, but of the living, for all live to him.8 And in the one brief glimpse He offered into death, none other than Abraham speaks, to the dead on both sides of a great chasm, about Moses and the prophets: They [e.g., “the living”] have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.9 While Israel was on the way to be “torah-ed,” Pharoah’shostand his chosen officers took the low road, so to speak, through death to the same end.

But יָרָ֣ה (yārâ) in the Masoretic text of Exodus 15:4 is not a Hiphil stem. It’s practically a different word.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 15:4 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:4 (NET)

Exodus 15:4 (NETS)

Exodus 15:4 (English Elpenor)

Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath He cast (יָרָ֣ה) into the sea, and his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea. The chariots of Pharaoh and his army he has thrown (yārâ, ירה) into the sea, and his chosen officers were drowned in the Red Sea. “The chariots of Pharao and his host he threw (ἔρριψεν) into the sea; choice riders, third-ranked officers, he drowned in the Red Sea. He has cast (ἔρριψεν) the chariots of Pharao and his host into the sea, the chosen mounted captains: they were swallowed up in the Red Sea.

This is the Qal stem:

The Qal stem is the structural heart of Biblical Hebrew, anchoring verbs in their most elemental and active form. It expresses straightforward action—whether movement, speech, emotion, or creation—without added layers of causation or intensity. From כָּתַב (“he wrote”) to בָּרָא (“he created”), Qal verbs frame the narrative and theological core of the Hebrew Bible, serving as the foundation for other stems like Piel and Hiphil. By mastering Qal, one grasps not only Hebrew syntax but the pulse of biblical storytelling itself—where simplicity carries divine power and poetic depth.10

The Qal (קַל) stem is the most foundational and frequently occurring verbal stem (or binyan) in Biblical Hebrew. The term “Qal” means “light” or “simple,” reflecting its role as the base form from which other stems are derived. It typically expresses simple, active voice with no additional nuance of causation, reflexivity, or intensity—functions that are represented in other stems such as Piel, Hiphil, or Niphal.11

The rabbis who translated the Septuagint chose ἔρριψεν, a form of ῥίπτω: “to throw, throw away, throw off, throw down; to scatter abroad; to put down, lay down; to bring under notice, present; to cast away, reject.” It is the same word they chose in Exodus 5:1b.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 15:1b (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:1b (NET)

Exodus 15:1b (NETS)

Exodus 15:1b (English Elpenor)

the horse and his rider hath He thrown (רָמָ֥ה) into the sea. the horse and its rider he has thrown (rāmâ, רמה) into the sea. horse and rider he threw (ἔρριψεν) into the sea. horse and rider he has thrown (ἔρριψεν) into the sea.

Here, however, the Hebrew word in the Masoretic text is not יָרָ֣ה (yārâ), but another Qal stem: רָמָ֥ה (rāmâ). Likewise in Exodus 15:21.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 15:21 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:21 (NET)

Exodus 15:21 (NETS)

Exodus 15:21 (English Elpenor)

And Miriam sang unto them: Sing ye to HaShem, for He is highly exalted: the horse and his rider hath He thrown (רָמָ֥ה) into the sea. Miriam sang in response to them, “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and its rider he has thrown (rāmâ, רמה) into the sea.” And Mariam took their lead, saying: “Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously he has glorified himself. Horse and rider he threw (ἔρριψεν) into the sea.” And Mariam led them, saying, Let us sing to the Lord, for he has been very greatly glorified: the horse and rider has he cast (ἔρριψεν) into the sea.

It makes me wonder about the different Qal stem in Exodus 15:4. Was it a mistake, chosen simply for variety, or intentionally placed there because the Hiphil stem of יָרָ֣ה (yārâ) “is the verb behind the noun ‘Law’ (תּוֹרָה, torah)”?12 The last occurrence of a form of יָרָה (yārâ) in Exodus that I’ll consider here is found in words the Lord spoke to Moses after they arrived at Sinai, after God spoke all these words13 (Exodus 20:1-23:33), and after:

Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.”14

After Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel,15 the Lord said to Moses (Exodus 24:12 ESV):

“Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.”

A detailed table follows:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 24:12b (Tanakh)

Exodus 24:12b (NET)

Exodus 24:12b (NETS)

Exodus 24:12b (English Elpenor)

and I will give (וְאֶתְּנָ֨ה) thee (לְךָ֜) the (אֶת) tables (לֻחֹ֣ת) of stone (הָאֶ֗בֶן), and the law (וְהַתּוֹרָה֙) and the commandment (וְהַמִּצְוָ֔ה), which (אֲשֶׁ֥ר) I have written (כָּתַ֖בְתִּי), that thou mayest teach them (לְהֽוֹרֹתָֽם).’ and I will give (nāṯan, ואתנה) you (לך) the (et, את) stone (‘eḇen, האבן) tablets (lûaḥ, לחת) with the law (tôrâ, והתורה) and the commandments (miṣvâ, והמצוה) that (‘ăšer, אשר) I have written (kāṯaḇ, כתבתי), so that you may teach them (yārâ, להורתם).” And I will give (καὶ δώσω) you (σοι) stone (τὰ λίθινα) tablets (τὰ πυξία), the law (τὸν νόμον) and the commandments (καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς) that (ἃς) I wrote (ἔγραψα) to legislate for them (νομοθετῆσαι αὐτοῖς).” and I will give (καὶ δώσω) thee (σοι) the (τὰ) tables (πυξία) of stone (τὰ λίθινα), the law (τὸν νόμον) and the commandments (καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς), which (ἃς) I have written (ἔγραψα) to give them laws (νομοθετῆσαι αὐτοῖς).

The first Hebrew word in the Masoretic text וְאֶתְּנָ֨ה, a form of נָתַן (nāṯan), and I will give (Tanakh, NET), was translated καὶ δώσω, And I will give (NETS), and I will give (English Elpenor), in the Septuagint. Then comes לְךָ֜, thee (Tanakh), you (NET), translated σοι, you (NETS), thee (English Elpenor), which is followed by אֶת (et), a definite article the (Tanakh, NET), translated τὰ, the (English Elpenor), in the Septuagint. Then לֻחֹ֣ת, a form of לוּחַ (lûaḥ), tables (Tanakh), tablets (NET), translated πυξία, tablets (NETS), tables (English Elpenor), is followed by הָאֶ֗בֶן, a form of אֶבֶן (‘eḇen), of stone (Tanakh), stone (NET), translated τὰ λίθινα, stone (NETS), of stone (English Elpenor), in the Septuagint.

The next Hebrew word is וְהַתּוֹרָה֙, a form of תּוֹרָה (tôrâ), and the law (Tanakh), with the law (NET), translated τὸν νόμον, the law (NETS, English Elpenor), in the Septuagint. The Hebrew word תּוֹרָה (tôrâ) is the noun derived from the verb יָרָה (yārâ). The Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon explains that the feminine noun תּוֹרָה (tôrâ), “direction, instruction, law” comes “possibly in first instance from casting lots.” So, יָרָ֣ה (yārâ), he cast (ESV), in Exodus 5:4 was not a word choice made only for variety in a stanza praising the Lord’s casting of the lot for Israel, against their pursuers (Exodus 15:4-7 ESV).

“Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea. The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.

It was no mistake: ἔρριψεν, a form of ῥίπτω is a very good translation of יָרָ֣ה (yārâ), he cast (ESV), in Exodus 15:4. If I were to question the originality of one or the other, I would wonder more about ἔρριψεν as a translation of רָמָ֥ה (rāmâ), he has thrown (ESV), in Exodus 15:1 and 21, where “he has beguiled into the sea” would probably be more accurate: He beguiled them with the deceitful desires of their old human, despite their fearful knowledge that they should flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.16 But I can understand some reticence to cast the Lord as deceitful, though He proved over and over to be a man of war,17 a master of battle tactics and strategy.

The next word of the Hebrew word string in Exodus 24:12 in the Masoretic text is וְהַמִּצְוָ֔ה, a form of מִצְוָה (miṣvâ), and the commandments (Tanakh, NET), translated καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς, and the commandments (NETS, English Elpenor), in the Septuagint. This is followed by אֲשֶׁ֥ר (‘ăšer), which (Tanakh), that (NET), translated ἃς, that (NETS), which (Englsih Elpenor), and כָּתַ֖בְתִּי, a form of כָּתַב (kāṯaḇ), I have written (Tanakh, NET), translated ἔγραψα, I wrote (NETS), I have written (English Elpenor), in the Septuagint. And finally, there is לְהֽוֹרֹתָֽם, another form of יָרָה (yārâ), that thou mayest teach them (Tanakh), so that you may teach them (NET).

Though I expected this Hiphil infinitive to be translated something like συμβιβάσαι αὐτοῖς in the Septuagint, as וְהֽוֹרֵיתִ֖יךָ (another form of יָרָה, yārâ) was translated in Exodus 4:12 above (καὶ συμβιβάσω σε), it was translated νομοθετῆσαι αὐτοῖς, to legislate for them (NETS), to give them laws (English Elpenor), instead. The rabbis who translated the Septuagint were willing to recognize the “causative action18…of divine action,”19 “the syntax of sovereignty,”20 in the Hiphil stem when God was teaching Moses, or Moses and Aaron, but would not extend this power to Moses teaching the people of Israel. Why not?

From the moment all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do,”21 one of the more monotonous themes of the Old Testament is the repetitive tale of their failure to keep that promise. As Paul wrote and the Septuagint confirms by translating a Hiphil stem with νομοθετῆσαι, a form of νομοθετέω: Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law [Table]. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith [Table]22 in God who “causes someone…else to perform an action,”23 the Hiphil stem in action, but as if it were based on works.24

And that brings me to the topic I originally intended to pursue: the misunderstandings the deceitful desires of the old human engender.

When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”25

The old human is frustrated, disbelieving that God would lead it to Marah, to bitter water. Why not go directly to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees26 in the first place? But no, the Lord showed [Moses] a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.27 But Moses didn’t even name the log, so the old human can’t know what to do if it ever encounters bitter water again—except trust Moses, and God maybe.

“If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”28

The old human knows a quid pro quo when it hears one. A Hiphil stem? The old human scoffs, knowing that this is about potable water and disease, real stuff, not the causative grammar or sovereign syntax of some ancient language. Of course, Paul, who wrote about both the old human and the new human (Ephesians 4:17-24) not only understood the Hiphil stem in Hebrew, he lived it (Galatians 2:20 EXP11):

By means of Christ I have been crucified, but I live hereafter not I but He lives within me, Christ, so who now I live within flesh, by faithfulness I live by means of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

“Jesus is our Torah,” Steve Rodeheaver concluded, “our transforming Word from Yahweh on and for life.”29 As for finding hope for those Egyptians cast into the sea30 because the Hebrew word translated he cast in a song celebrating it is יָרָ֣ה (yārâ) in the Masoretic text, the verb from which the noun תּוֹרָה (tôrâ) is derived? Admittedly, that hope probably has more to do with faith that The Lordis patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,31 and that the judgment of the One to whom All authority in heaven and on earth has been given32 to draw all to Himself will prevail ultimately over the deceitful desires of the old human.

Tables comparing Exodus 15:22; 15:23; 15:24; 15:25; 15:26; 15:27; Isaiah 5:6; Exodus 4:10; 4:11; 4:12; 4:13; 4:14; 4:15; 4:16; 15:1; 15:2; 15:4; 15:21; 24:3; 24:9; 24:10; 24:12; 15:5; 15:6 and 15:7 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing the Greek of Exodus 15:22; 15:23; 15:24; 15:25; 15:26; 15:27; Isaiah 5:6; Exodus 4:10; 4:11; 4:12; 4:13; 4:14; 4:15; 4:16; 15:1; 15:2; 15:4; 15:21; 24:3; 24:9; 24:10; 24:12; 15:5; 15:6 and 15:7 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Exodus 15:22 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:22 (KJV)

Exodus 15:22 (NET)

And Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. Then Moses led Israel to journey away from the Red Sea. They went out to the wilderness of Shur, walked for three days into the wilderness, and found no water.

Exodus 15:22 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐξῆρεν δὲ Μωυσῆς τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ἐρυθρᾶς καὶ ἤγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Σουρ καὶ ἐπορεύοντο τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ οὐχ ηὕρισκον ὕδωρ ὥστε πιεῖν ᾿Εξῇρε δὲ Μωυσῆς τοὺς υἱοὺς ᾿Ισραὴλ ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ἐρυθρᾶς καὶ ἤγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Σούρ· καὶ ἐπορεύοντο τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ οὐχ ηὕρισκον ὕδωρ ὥστε πιεῖν

Exodus 15:22 (NETS)

Exodus 15:22 (English Elpenor)

Then Moyses removed the sons of Israel from the Red Sea and led them into the wilderness of Sour. And they were journeying for three days in the wilderness and were not finding water to drink. So Moses brought up the children of Israel from the Red Sea, and brought them into the wilderness of Sur; and they went three days in [t]he wilderness, and found no water to drink.

Exodus 15:23 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:23 (KJV)

Exodus 15:23 (NET)

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. Then they came to Marah, but they were not able to drink the waters of Marah, because they were bitter. (That is why its name was Marah.)

Exodus 15:23 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἦλθον δὲ εἰς Μερρα καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο πιεῖν ἐκ Μερρας πικρὸν γὰρ ἦν διὰ τοῦτο ἐπωνομάσθη τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου πικρία ἦλθον δὲ εἰς Μερρᾶ καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο πιεῖν ἐκ Μερρᾶς, πικρὸν γὰρ ἦν· διὰ τοῦτο ἐπωνόμασε τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου Πικρία

Exodus 15:23 (NETS)

Exodus 15:23 (English Elpenor)

And they came to Merra and could not drink water from Merra, for it was bitter. Therefore the name of that place was called Bitterness. and they came to Merrha, and could not drink of Merrha, for it was bitter; therefore he named the name of that place, Bitterness.

Exodus 15:24 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:24 (KJV)

Exodus 15:24 (NET)

And the people murmured against Moses, saying: ‘What shall we drink?’ And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? So the people murmured against Moses, saying, “What can we drink?”

Exodus 15:24 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ διεγόγγυζεν ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν λέγοντες τί πιόμεθα καὶ διεγόγγυζεν ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ Μωυσῇ λέγοντες· τί πιόμεθα

Exodus 15:24 (NETS)

Exodus 15:24 (English Elpenor)

And the people were complaining against Moyses, saying, “What shall we drink?” And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Exodus 15:25 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:25 (KJV)

Exodus 15:25 (NET)

And he cried unto HaShem; and HaShem showed him a tree, and he cast it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There He made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them; And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, He cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When Moses threw it into the water, the water became safe to drink. There the Lord made for them a binding ordinance, and there he tested them.

Exodus 15:25 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:25 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐβόησεν δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ κύριος ξύλον καὶ ἐνέβαλεν αὐτὸ εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ ἐγλυκάνθη τὸ ὕδωρ ἐκεῖ ἔθετο αὐτῷ δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις καὶ ἐκεῖ ἐπείρασεν αὐτὸν ἐβόησε δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς Κύριον, καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ Κύριος ξύλον, καὶ ἐνέβαλεν αὐτὸ εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ ἐγλυκάνθη τὸ ὕδωρ. ἐκεῖ ἔθετο αὐτῷ δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις καὶ ἐκεῖ αὐτὸν ἐπείρασε

Exodus 15:25 (NETS)

Exodus 15:25 (English Elpenor)

Then Moyses cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him wood, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There he set for him statutes and judgments, and there he tested him. And Moses cried to the Lord, and the Lord shewed him a tree, and he cast it into the water, and the water was sweetened: there he established to him ordinances and judgments, and there he proved him,

Exodus 15:26 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:26 (KJV)

Exodus 15:26 (NET)

and He said: ‘If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of HaShem thy G-d, and wilt do that which is right in His eyes, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians; for I am HaShem that healeth thee.’ And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. He said, “If you will diligently obey the Lord your God, and do what is right in his sight, and pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, then all the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians I will not bring on you, for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

Exodus 15:26 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:26 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν ἐὰν ἀκοῇ ἀκούσῃς τῆς φωνῆς κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου καὶ τὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ποιήσῃς καὶ ἐνωτίσῃ ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ φυλάξῃς πάντα τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ πᾶσαν νόσον ἣν ἐπήγαγον τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις οὐκ ἐπάξω ἐπὶ σέ ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι κύριος ὁ ἰώμενός σε καὶ εἶπεν· ἐὰν ἀκοῇ ἀκούσῃς τῆς φωνῆς Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ σου καὶ τὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ποιήσῃς καὶ ἐνωτίσῃ ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ φυλάξῃς πάντα τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ, πᾶσαν νόσον, ἣν ἐπήγαγον τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις, οὐκ ἐπάξω ἐπὶ σέ· ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι Κύριος Θεός σου ὁ ἰώμενός σε

Exodus 15:26 (NETS)

Exodus 15:26 (English Elpenor)

And he said, “If you by paying attention listen to the voice of the Lord, your God, and do before him pleasing things, and give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, every disease which I brought upon the Egyptians, I will not bring upon you. For I am the Lord who heals you.” and said, If thou wilt indeed hear the voice of the Lord thy God, and do things pleasing before him, and wilt hearken to his commands, and keep all his ordinances, no disease which I have brought upon the Egyptians will I bring upon thee, for I am the Lord thy God that heals thee.

Exodus 15:27 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:27 (KJV)

Exodus 15:27 (NET)

And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water, and three score and ten palm-trees; and they encamped there by the waters. And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the water.

Exodus 15:27 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἤλθοσαν εἰς Αιλιμ καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ δώδεκα πηγαὶ ὑδάτων καὶ ἑβδομήκοντα στελέχη φοινίκων παρενέβαλον δὲ ἐκεῖ παρὰ τὰ ὕδατα Καὶ ἤλθοσαν εἰς Αἰλείμ, καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ δώδεκα πηγαὶ ὑδάτων καὶ ἑβδομήκοντα στελέχη φοινίκων· παρενέβαλον δὲ ἐκεῖ παρὰ τὰ ὕδατα

Exodus 15:27 (NETS)

Exodus 15:27 (English Elpenor)

And they came to Ailim, and twelve springs of water and seventy date palm trunks were there. And they camped there by the waters. And they came to Aelim, and there were there twelve fountains of water, and seventy stems of palm-trees; and they encamped there by the waters.

Isaiah 5:6 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 5:6 (KJV)

Isaiah 5:6 (NET)

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. I will make it a wasteland; no one will prune its vines or hoe its ground, and thorns and briers will grow there. I will order the clouds not to drop any rain on it.

Isaiah 5:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 5:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀνήσω τὸν ἀμπελῶνά μου καὶ οὐ μὴ τμηθῇ οὐδὲ μὴ σκαφῇ καὶ ἀναβήσεται εἰς αὐτὸν ὡς εἰς χέρσον ἄκανθα καὶ ταῖς νεφέλαις ἐντελοῦμαι τοῦ μὴ βρέξαι εἰς αὐτὸν ὑετόν καὶ ἀνήσω τὸν ἀμπελωνά μου καὶ οὐ τμηθῇ οὐδὲ μὴ σκαφῇ, καὶ ἀναβήσονται εἰς αὐτὸν ὡς εἰς χέρσον ἄκανθαι· καὶ ταῖς νεφέλαις ἐντελοῦμαι τοῦ μὴ βρέξαι εἰς αὐτὸν ὑετόν

Isaiah 5:6 (NETS)

Isaiah 5:6 (English Elpenor)

And I will abandon my vineyard, and it shall not be pruned or dug, and a thorn shall come up into it as into a wasteland, and I will command the clouds, that they send no rain to it. And I will forsake my vineyard; and it shall not be pruned, nor dug, and thorns shall come up upon it as on barren land; and I will command the clouds to rain no rain upon it.

Exodus 4:10 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:10 (KJV)

Exodus 4:10 (NET)

And Moses said unto HaShem: ‘Oh L-rd, I am not a man of words, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

Exodus 4:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς κύριον δέομαι κύριε οὐχ ἱκανός εἰμι πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς οὐδὲ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης ἡμέρας οὐδὲ ἀφ᾽ οὗ ἤρξω λαλεῖν τῷ θεράποντί σου ἰσχνόφωνος καὶ βραδύγλωσσος ἐγώ εἰμι εἶπε δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς Κύριον· δέομαι, Κύριε, οὐχ ἱκανός εἰμι πρὸ τῆς χθές, οὐδὲ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης ἡμέρας, οὐδὲ ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἤρξω λαλεῖν τῷ θεράποντί σου· ἰσχνόφωνος καὶ βραδύγλωσσος ἐγώ εἰμι

Exodus 4:10 (NETS)

Exodus 4:10 (English Elpenor)

But Moyses said to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I am incompetenet—before yesterday or the third day or since you began to speak to your attendant. I am weak-voiced and slow-tongued.” And Moses said to the Lord, I pray, Lord, I have not been sufficient in former times, neither from the time that thou hast begun to speak to thy servant: I am weak in speech, and slow-tongued.

Exodus 4:11 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:11 (KJV)

Exodus 4:11 (NET)

And HaShem said unto him: ‘Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh a man dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? is it not I HaShem? And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? The Lord said to him, “Who gave a mouth to man, or who makes a person mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?

Exodus 4:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν τίς ἔδωκεν στόμα ἀνθρώπῳ καὶ τίς ἐποίησεν δύσκωφον καὶ κωφόν βλέποντα καὶ τυφλόν οὐκ ἐγὼ ὁ θεός εἶπε δὲ Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· τίς ἔδωκε στόμα ἀνθρώπῳ, καὶ τίς ἐποίησε δύσκωφον καὶ κωφόν, βλέποντα καὶ τυφλόν; οὐκ ἐγὼ ὁ Θεός

Exodus 4:11 (NETS)

Exodus 4:11 (English Elpenor)

Then the Lord said to Moyses, “Who gave a mouth to a person, and who made him deaf and mute, seeing and blind? Is it not I, the Lord God? And the Lord said to Moses, Who has given a mouth to man, and who has made the very hard of hearing, and the deaf, the seeing and the blind? have not I, God?

Exodus 4:12 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:12 (KJV)

Exodus 4:12 (NET)

Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt speak.’ Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you must say.”

Exodus 4:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ νῦν πορεύου καὶ ἐγὼ ἀνοίξω τὸ στόμα σου καὶ συμβιβάσω σε ὃ μέλλεις λαλῆσαι καὶ νῦν πορεύου, καὶ ἐγὼ ἀνοίξω τὸ στόμα σου, καὶ συμβιβάσω σε, ὃ μέλλεις λαλῆσαι

Exodus 4:12 (NETS)

Exodus 4:12 (English Elpenor)

And now go, and I will open your mouth and teach you what you are going to speak.” And now go and I will open thy mouth, and will instruct thee in what thou shalt say.

Exodus 4:13 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:13 (KJV)

Exodus 4:13 (NET)

And he said: ‘Oh L-rd, send, I pray Thee, by the hand of him whom Thou wilt send.’ And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. But Moses said, “O my Lord, please send anyone else whom you wish to send!”

Exodus 4:13 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς δέομαι κύριε προχείρισαι δυνάμενον ἄλλον ὃν ἀποστελεῖς καὶ εἶπε Μωυσῆς· δέομαι, Κύριε, προχείρισαι δυνάμενον ἄλλον, ὃν ἀποστελεῖς

Exodus 4:13 (NETS)

Exodus 4:13 (English Elpenor)

And Moyses said, “Please, Lord, appoint another capable person, whom you will send.” And Moses said, I pray thee, Lord, appoint another able [person] whom thou shalt send.

Exodus 4:14 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:14 (KJV)

Exodus 4:14 (NET)

And the anger of HaShem was kindled against Moses, and He said: ‘Is there not Aaron thy brother the Levite? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee; and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. Then the Lord became angry with Moses, and he said, “What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak very well. Moreover, he is coming to meet you, and when he sees you he will be glad in his heart.

Exodus 4:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ θυμωθεὶς ὀργῇ κύριος ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν εἶπεν οὐκ ἰδοὺ Ααρων ὁ ἀδελφός σου ὁ Λευίτης ἐπίσταμαι ὅτι λαλῶν λαλήσει αὐτός σοι καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς ἐξελεύσεται εἰς συνάντησίν σοι καὶ ἰδών σε χαρήσεται ἐν ἑαυτῷ καὶ θυμωθεὶς ὀργῇ Κύριος ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν εἶπεν· οὐκ ἰδοὺ ᾿Ααρὼν ὁ ἀδελφός σου ὁ Λευΐτης; ἐπίσταμαι ὅτι λαλῶν λαλήσει αὐτός σοι· καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς ἐξελεύσεται εἰς συνάντησίν σοι καὶ ἰδών σε χαρήσεται ἐν ἑαυτῷ

Exodus 4:14 (NETS)

Exodus 4:14 (English Elpenor)

And enraged with anger towards Moyses the Lord said, “Look, is not Aaron your brother, the Leuite? I know that when he speaks, he will speak for you. And look, he will come out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in himself. And the Lord was greatly angered against Moses, and said, Lo! is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he will surely speak to thee; and, behold, he will come forth to meet thee, and beholding thee he will rejoice within himself.

Exodus 4:15 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:15 (KJV)

Exodus 4:15 (NET)

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. “So you are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And as for me, I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you both what you must do.

Exodus 4:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ δώσεις τὰ ῥήματά μου εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐγὼ ἀνοίξω τὸ στόμα σου καὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ συμβιβάσω ὑμᾶς ἃ ποιήσετε καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ δώσεις τὰ ρήματά μου εἰς τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐγὼ ἀνοίξω τὸ στόμα σου καὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ συμβιβάσω ὑμᾶς ἃ ποιήσετε

Exodus 4:15 (NETS)

Exodus 4:15 (English Elpenor)

And you shall speak to him and put my words in his mouth. And I will open your mouth and his mouth and will teach you what you shall do. And thou shalt speak to him; and thou shalt put my words into his mouth, and I will open thy mouth and his mouth, and I will instruct you in what ye shall do.

Exodus 4:16 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:16 (KJV)

Exodus 4:16 (NET)

And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him in G-d’s stead. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. He will speak for you to the people, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were his God.

Exodus 4:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ αὐτός σοι προσλαλήσει πρὸς τὸν λαόν καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται σου στόμα σὺ δὲ αὐτῷ ἔσῃ τὰ πρὸς τὸν θεόν καὶ αὐτός σοι λαλήσει πρὸς τὸν λαόν, καὶ αὐτὸς ἔσται σου στόμα, σὺ δὲ αὐτῷ ἔσῃ τὰ πρὸς τὸν Θεόν

Exodus 4:16 (NETS)

Exodus 4:16 (English Elpenor)

And he shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, but you shall be to him the things pertaining to God. And he shall speak for thee to the people, and he shall be thy mouth, and thou shalt be for him in things pertaining to God.

Exodus 15:1 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:1 (KJV)

Exodus 15:1 (NET)

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto HaShem, and spoke, saying: I will sing unto HaShem, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously, the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

τότε ᾖσεν Μωυσῆς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τὴν ᾠδὴν ταύτην τῷ θεῷ καὶ εἶπαν λέγοντες ᾄσωμεν τῷ κυρίῳ ἐνδόξως γὰρ δεδόξασται ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν ΤΟΤΕ ᾖσε Μωυσῆς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ τὴν ᾠδὴν ταύτην τῷ Θεῷ καὶ εἶπαν λέγοντες· ᾄσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ, ἐνδόξως γὰρ δεδόξασται· ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν

Exodus 15:1 (NETS)

Exodus 15:1 (English Elpenor)

Then Moyses and the sons of Israel sang this song to God and spoke, saying, “Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously he has glorified himself; horse and rider he threw into the sea. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to God, and spoke, saying, Let us sing to the Lord, for he is very greatly glorified: horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:2 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:2 (KJV)

Exodus 15:2 (NET)

HaShem is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation; this is my G-d, and I will glorify Him; my father’s G-d, and I will exalt Him. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

βοηθὸς καὶ σκεπαστὴς ἐγένετό μοι εἰς σωτηρίαν οὗτός μου θεός καὶ δοξάσω αὐτόν θεὸς τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ὑψώσω αὐτόν βοηθὸς καὶ σκεπαστὴς ἐγένετό μοι εἰς σωτηρίαν· οὗτός μου Θεός, καὶ δοξάσω αὐτόν, Θεὸς τοῦ πατρός μου, καὶ ὑψώσω αὐτόν

Exodus 15:2 (NETS)

Exodus 15:2 (English Elpenor)

Helper and defender he has become to me, for deliverance; this is my God, and I will glorify him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. He was to me a helper and protector for salvation: this is my God and I will glorify him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Exodus 15:4 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:4 (KJV)

Exodus 15:4 (NET)

Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath He cast into the sea, and his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The chariots of Pharaoh and his army he has thrown into the sea, and his chosen officers were drowned in the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἅρματα Φαραω καὶ τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν ἐπιλέκτους ἀναβάτας τριστάτας κατεπόντισεν ἐν ἐρυθρᾷ θαλάσσῃ ἅρματα Φαραὼ καὶ τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν, ἐπιλέκτους ἀναβάτας τριστάτας κατεπόντισεν ἐν ἐρυθρᾷ θαλάσσῃ

Exodus 15:4 (NETS)

Exodus 15:4 (English Elpenor)

“The chariots of Pharao and his host he threw into the sea; choice riders, third-ranked officers, he drowned in the Red Sea. He has cast the chariots of Pharao and his host into the sea, the chosen mounted captains: they were swallowed up in the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:21 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:21 (KJV)

Exodus 15:21 (NET)

And Miriam sang unto them: Sing ye to HaShem, for He is highly exalted: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Miriam sang in response to them, “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Exodus 15:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐξῆρχεν δὲ αὐτῶν Μαριαμ λέγουσα ᾄσωμεν τῷ κυρίῳ ἐνδόξως γὰρ δεδόξασται ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν ἐξῆρχε δὲ αὐτῶν Μαριὰμ λέγουσα· ᾄσωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ, ἐνδόξως γὰρ δεδόξασται· ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν

Exodus 15:21 (NETS)

Exodus 15:21 (English Elpenor)

And Mariam took their lead, saying: “Let us sing to the Lord, for gloriously he has glorified himself. Hors and rider he threw into the sea.” And Mariam led them, saying, Let us sing to the Lord, for he has been very greatly glorified: the horse and rider has he cast into the sea.

Exodus 24:3 (Tanakh)

Exodus 24:3 (KJV)

Exodus 24:3 (NET)

And Moses came and told the people all the words of HaShem, and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said: ‘All the words which the L-rd hath spoken will we do.’ And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do. Moses came and told the people all the Lord’s words and all the decisions. All the people answered together, “We are willing to do all the words that the Lord has said,”

Exodus 24:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 24:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἰσῆλθεν δὲ Μωυσῆς καὶ διηγήσατο τῷ λαῷ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα ἀπεκρίθη δὲ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς φωνῇ μιᾷ λέγοντες πάντας τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἐλάλησεν κύριος ποιήσομεν καὶ ἀκουσόμεθα εἰσῆλθε δὲ Μωυσῆς καὶ διηγήσατο τῷ λαῷ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα· ἀπεκρίθη δὲ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς φωνῇ μιᾷ λέγοντες· πάντας τοὺς λόγους, οὓς ἐλάλησε Κύριος, ποιήσομεν καὶ ἀκουσόμεθα

Exodus 24:3 (NETS)

Exodus 24:3 (English Elpenor)

And Moyses went in and recounted to the people all God’s words and statutes. And all the people answered with one voice, saying, “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do and heed.” And Moses went in and related to the people all the words of God and the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, saying, All the words which the Lord has spoken, we will do and be obedient.

Exodus 24:9 (Tanakh)

Exodus 24:9 (KJV)

Exodus 24:9 (NET)

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up,

Exodus 24:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 24:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀνέβη Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων καὶ Ναδαβ καὶ Αβιουδ καὶ ἑβδομήκοντα τῆς γερουσίας Ισραηλ Καὶ ἀνέβη Μωυσῆς καὶ ᾿Ααρὼν καὶ Ναδὰβ καὶ ᾿Αβιοὺδ καὶ ἑβδομήκοντα τῆς γερουσίας ᾿Ισραήλ

Exodus 24:9 (NETS)

Exodus 24:9 (English Elpenor)

And Moyses and Aaron and Nadab and Abioud and seventy of the elders’ council of Israel went up. And Moses went up, and Aaron, and Nadab and Abiud, and seventy of the elders of Israel.

Exodus 24:10 (Tanakh)

Exodus 24:10 (KJV)

Exodus 24:10 (NET)

and they saw the G-d of Israel; and there was under His feet the like of a paved work of sapphire stone, and the like of the very heaven for clearness. And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear like the sky itself.

Exodus 24:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 24:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶδον τὸν τόπον οὗ εἱστήκει ἐκεῖ ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Ισραηλ καὶ τὰ ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ ἔργον πλίνθου σαπφείρου καὶ ὥσπερ εἶδος στερεώματος τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τῇ καθαριότητι καὶ εἶδον τὸν τόπον, οὗ εἱστήκει ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ· καὶ τά ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ ἔργον πλίνθου σαπφείρου καὶ ὥσπερ εἶδος στερεώματος τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τῇ καθαριότητι

Exodus 24:10 (NETS)

Exodus 24:10 (English Elpenor)

And they saw the place where the God of Israel stood, and that which was beneath his feet, like something made from lapis lazuli brick and like the appearance of the firmament of heaven in purity. And they saw the place where the God of Israel stood; and under his feet was as it were a work of sapphire slabs, and as it were the appearance of the firmament of heaven in its purity.

Exodus 24:12 (Tanakh)

Exodus 24:12 (KJV)

Exodus 24:12 (NET)

And HaShem said unto Moses: ‘Come up to Me into the mount and be there; and I will give thee the tables of stone, and the law and the commandment, which I have written, that thou mayest teach them.’ And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandments that I have written, so that you may teach them.”

Exodus 24:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 24:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἀνάβηθι πρός με εἰς τὸ ὄρος καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ καὶ δώσω σοι τὰ πυξία τὰ λίθινα τὸν νόμον καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς ἃς ἔγραψα νομοθετῆσαι αὐτοῖς καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· ἀνάβηθι πρός με εἰς τὸ ὄρος καὶ ἴσθι ἐκεῖ· καὶ δώσω σοι τὰ πυξία τὰ λίθινα, τὸν νόμον καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς, ἃς ἔγραψα νομοθετῆσαι αὐτοῖς

Exodus 24:12 (NETS)

Exodus 24:12 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord said to Moyses, “Come up to me into the mountain, and be there. And I will give you stone tablets, the law and the commandments that I wrote to legislate for them.” And the Lord said to Moses, Come up to me into the mountain, and be there; and I will give thee the tables of stone, the law and the commandments, which I have written to give them laws.

Exodus 15:5 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:5 (KJV)

Exodus 15:5 (NET)

The deeps cover them–they went down into the depths like a stone. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. The depths have covered them; they went down to the bottom like a stone.

Exodus 15:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πόντῳ ἐκάλυψεν αὐτούς κατέδυσαν εἰς βυθὸν ὡσεὶ λίθος πόντῳ ἐκάλυψεν αὐτούς, κατέδυσαν εἰς βυθὸν ὡσεὶ λίθος

Exodus 15:5 (NETS)

Exodus 15:5 (English Elpenor)

With open sea he covered them; they sank down into the deep like a stone. He covered them with the sea: they sank to the depth like a stone.

Exodus 15:6 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:6 (KJV)

Exodus 15:6 (NET)

Thy right hand, O HaShem, glorious in power, Thy right hand, O HaShem, dasheth in pieces the enemy. Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. Your right hand, O Lord, was majestic in power; your right hand, O Lord, shattered the enemy.

Exodus 15:6 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἡ δεξιά σου κύριε δεδόξασται ἐν ἰσχύι ἡ δεξιά σου χείρ κύριε ἔθραυσεν ἐχθρούς ἡ δεξιά σου, Κύριε, δεδόξασται ἐν ἰσχύϊ· ἡ δεξιά σου χείρ, Κύριε, ἔθραυσεν ἐχθρούς

Exodus 15:6 (NETS)

Exodus 15:6 (English Elpenor)

Your right hand, O Lord, has been glorified in power; your right hand, O Lord, crushed enemies. Thy right hand, O God, has been glorified in strength; thy right hand, O God, has broken the enemies.

Exodus 15:7 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:7 (KJV)

Exodus 15:7 (NET)

And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou overthrowest them that rise up against Thee; Thou sendest forth Thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble. And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. In the abundance of your majesty you have overthrown those who rise up against you. You sent forth your wrath; it consumed them like stubble.

Exodus 15:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ τῷ πλήθει τῆς δόξης σου συνέτριψας τοὺς ὑπεναντίους ἀπέστειλας τὴν ὀργήν σου καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτοὺς ὡς καλάμην καὶ τῷ πλήθει τῆς δόξης σου συνέτριψας τοὺς ὑπεναντίους· ἀπέστειλας τὴν ὀργήν σου καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτοὺς ὡς καλάμην

Exodus 15:7 (NETS)

Exodus 15:7 (English Elpenor)

And in the abundance of your glory you scattered the adversaries; you sent your anger, and it consumed them like stubble. And in the abundance of thy glory thou hast broken the adversaries to pieces: thou sentest forth thy wrath, it devoured them as stubble.

1 From “Who Was Rashi?,” an article on My Jewish Learning online.

6 Isaiah 42:1a (ESV) Table

7 Matthew 12:18a (ESV)

8 Luke 20:38 (ESV)

9 Luke 16:29b (ESV) Table

12 NET note 68.

13 Exodus 20:1 (ESV) Table

14 Exodus 24:3 (ESV)

15 Exodus 24:9, 10a (ESV)

16 Exodus 14:25b (ESV) Table

17 Exodus 15:3 (ESV)

20 Ibid.

21 Exodus 24:3b (ESV)

22 Romans 9:31, 32a (ESV)

24 Romans 9:32b (ESV) Table

25 Exodus 15:23, 24 (ESV)

26 Exodus 15:27a (ESV)

27 Exodus 15:25b (ESV)

28 Exodus 15:26 (ESV)

30 Exodus 15:4 (ESV)

31 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) Table

32 Matthew 28:18b (ESV) Table

Nothing True, Part 5

Eliphaz continued his response to Job’s lament:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Job 4:9 (Tanakh/KJV)

Job 4:9 (NET)

Job 4:9 (NETS)

Job 4:9 (English Elpenor)

By the blast (מִנִּשְׁמַ֣ת) of God they perish, and by the breath (וּמֵר֖וּחַ) of his nostrils are they consumed. By the breath (nᵊšāmâ, מנשמת) of God they perish, and by the blast (rûaḥ, ומרוח) of his anger they are consumed. By the command (ἀπὸ προστάγματος) of the Lord they will perish, and by the breath (ἀπὸ δὲ πνεύματος) of his anger they will disappear. They shall perish by the command (ἀπὸ προστάγματος) of the Lord, and shall be utterly consumed by the breath (ἀπὸ δὲ πνεύματος) of his wrath.

In another essay I came to a draw, more or less, considering whether there was “nothing true” in Eliphaz’s argument. But here he spoke specifically about the Lord, and I admit what he said sounds similar to other descriptions in the Old Testament. So, I’ll pause here to consider some of those other descriptions, to see if I can understand why God was angered by Eliphaz’s words.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 30:33 (Tanakh/KJV)

Isaiah 30:33 (NET)

Isaiah 30:33 (NETS)

Isaiah 30:33 (English Elpenor)

For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath (נִשְׁמַ֚ת) of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. For the burial place1 is already prepared; it has been made deep and wide for the king. The firewood is piled high on it. The Lord’s breath (nᵊšāmâ, נשמת), like a stream flowing with brimstone, will ignite it. for you will be deceived before those days; was it also for you to reign that it was made ready with a deep trench, wood piled, fire and wood in abundance? The wrath ( θυμὸς) of the Lord is like a ravine burning with brimstone. For thou shalt be required before [thy] time: has it been prepared for thee also to reign? nay, God has [prepared for thee] a deep trench, wood piled, fire and much wood: the wrath ( θυμὸς) of the Lord [shall be] as a trench kindled with sulphur.

Here, in the Masoretic text God is imagined as a fire-breathing dragon, lighting the funeral pyre of the king of Assyria and, presumably, the army that oppressed (and punished) the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 15:17-18:12). Assyria then moved on to threaten the southern kingdom of Judah (2 Kings 18:13-19:37), angering God (2 Kings 19:34) with blasphemy. But Isaiah comforted Hezekiah king of Judah:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

2 Kings 19:7 (Tanakh)

2 Kings 19:7 (NET)

4 Reigns 19:7 (NETS)

4 Kings 19:7 (English Elpenor)

Behold, I will put a spirit (ר֔וּחַ) in him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.’ Look, I will take control of his mind (rûaḥ, רוח); he will receive a report and return to his own land. I will cut him down with a sword in his own land.”’” Behold, I myself am putting a spirit (πνεῦμα) in him, and he shall hear a message and return to his own land, and I will strike him down by a sword in his own land’.” Behold, I send a blast (πνεῦμα) upon him, and he shall hear a report, and shall return to his own land; and I will overthrow him with the sword in his own land.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 37:7 (Tanakh/KJV)

Isaiah 37:7 (NET)

Isaiah 37:7 (NETS)

Isaiah 37:7 (English Elpenor)

Behold, I will send a blast (ר֔וּחַ) upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. Look, I will take control of his mind (rûaḥ, רוח); he will receive a report and return to his own land. I will cut him down with a sword in his own land.”’” Look, I will put a spirit (πνεῦμα) in him, and when he hears a report, he will return to his country, and he will fall by the dagger in his own land’.” Behold, I [will] send a blast (πνεῦμα) upon him, and he shall hear a report, and return to his own country, and he shall fall by the sword in his own land.

Eliphaz spoke of more ordinary sinners who were not an immediate threat to the lives of those God intended to protect. Was Eliphaz justified appropriating such imagery of God for that purpose? Was he justified using such imagery against Job?

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Job 1:19 (Tanakh/KJV) Table

Job 1:19 (NET)

Job 1:19 (NETS) Table

Job 1:19 (English Elpenor)

And, behold, there came a great wind (ר֨וּחַ) from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. and suddenly a great wind (rûaḥ, רוח) swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!” suddenly a great wind (πνεῦμα) came from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and the house fell on your children, and they died, but I alone escaped, and I came to tell you.” suddenly a great wind (πνεῦμα) came on from the desert, and caught the four corners of the house, and the house fell upon thy children, and they are dead; and I have escaped alone, and am come to tell thee.

It seems as if Eliphaz found an open wound in Job’s heart and ground his heel into it. Two verses follow from the song of David (2 Samuel 22, Psalm 18), the Lord’s anointed king and a soldier, praising God for rescuing him (and his men) in combat.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

2 Samuel 22:16 (Tanakh) Table

2 Samuel 22:16 (NET)

2 Samuel 22:16 (NETS) Table

2 Samuel 22:16 (English Elpenor)

And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of HaShem, at the blast (מִנִּשְׁמַ֖ת) of the breath (ר֥וּחַ) of His nostrils. The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by the Lord’s battle cry, by the powerful (nᵊšāmâ, מנשמת) breath (rûaḥ, רוח) from his nose. And emissions of sea were seen, and foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast (ἀπὸ πνοῆς) of the breath (πνεύματος) of his anger. And the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast (ἀπὸ πνοῆς) of the breath (πνεύματος) of his anger.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Psalm 18:15 (Tanakh/KJV) Table

Psalm 18:15 (NET)

Psalm 17:16 (NETS) Table

Psalm 17:16 (English Elpenor)

Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast (מִ֜נִּשְׁמַ֗ת) of the breath (ר֣וּחַ) of thy nostrils. The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by your battle cry, Lord, by the powerful (nᵊšāmâ, מנשמת) breath (rûaḥ, רוח) from your nose. And the springs of the waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were uncovered at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast (ἀπὸ ἐμπνεύσεως) of the breath (πνεύματος) of your wrath. And the springs of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were exposed, at thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blasting (ἀπὸ ἐμπνεύσεως) of the breath (πνεύματος) of thy wrath.

Here again, the violent imagery of God is used to praise Him for his rescue from dire and immediate threat, rather than to threaten ordinary sinners who were no immediate threat. What follows is from a song of Moses, celebrating God’s rescue from impending destruction when Israel crossed the Red Sea.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 15:8 -10 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:8 -10 (NET)

Exodus 15:8 -10 (NETS)

Exodus 15:8 -10 (English Elpenor)

And with the blast (וּבְר֤וּחַ) of Thy nostrils the waters were piled up–the floods stood upright as a heap; the deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea. By the blast (rûaḥ, וברוח) of your nostrils the waters were piled up, the flowing water stood upright like a heap, and the deep waters were solidified in the heart of the sea. And through the breath (καὶ διὰ πνεύματος) of your wrath the water separated; the waters were congealed like a wall; the waves were congealed in the midst of the sea. And by the breath (καὶ διὰ πνεύματος) of thine anger the water parted asunder; the waters were congealed as a wall, the waves were congealed in the midst of the sea.
The enemy said: ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ The enemy said, ‘I will chase, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’ The enemy said, ‘In pursuit I will overtake; I will divide spoil; I will destroy with my dagger; my hand shall dominate’. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoils; I will satisfy my soul, I will destroy with my sword, my hand shall have dominion.
Thou didst blow with Thy wind (בְרֽוּחֲךָ֖), the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters. But you blew with your breath (rûaḥ, ברוחך), and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. You sent your breath (τὸ πνεῦμά σου); the sea covered them; they sank like lead in violent water. Thou sentest forth thy wind (τὸ πνεῦμά σου), the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty water.

In this same song the Lord was called a man (אִ֣ישׁ) of war (מִלְחָמָ֑ה) in the Masoretic text. The rabbis who translated the Septuagint understood this as συντρίβων (a form of συντρίβω) πολέμους (a form of πόλεμος), or they translated a word other than אִ֣ישׁ they found here in an older Hebrew manuscript.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 15:3 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:3 (NET)

Exodus 15:3 (NETS)

Exodus 15:3 (English Elpenor)

HaShem is a man (אִ֣ישׁ) of war (מִלְחָמָ֑ה), HaShem is His name. The Lord is a warrior [NET note 10: Heb “man (‘îš, איש) of war (milḥāmâ, מלחמה)”]—the Lord is his name. The Lord, when he shatters wars (συντρίβων πολέμους), the Lord is his name. The Lord bringing wars to nought (συντρίβων πολέμους), the Lord [is] his name.

In the verse that follows Isaiah praised the Lord, but the rabbis who translated the Septuagint didn’t understand ר֥וּחַ (rûaḥ) in quite the way English translators understand it now:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 25:4 (Tanakh/KJV)

Isaiah 25:4 (NET)

Isaiah 25:4 (NETS)

Isaiah 25:4 (English Elpenor)

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast (ר֥וּחַ) of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. For you are a protector for the poor, a protector for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm, a shade from the heat. Though the breath (rûaḥ, רוח) of tyrants is like a winter rainstorm, For you have become a helper to every humble city and a shelter to those who are dispirited because of poverty; you will rescue them from evil persons—a shelter for the thirsty and breath (καὶ πνεῦμα) for ill-treated persons, For thou hast been a helper to every lowly city, and a shelter to them that were disheartened by reason of poverty: thou shalt deliver them from wicked men: [thou hast been] a shelter of them that thirst, and a refreshing air (καὶ πνεῦμα) to injured men.

And finally, Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus follows:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 11:1-4 (Tanakh/KJV)

Isaiah 11:1-4 (NET)

Isaiah 11:1-4 (NETS)

Isaiah 11:1-4 (English Elpenor)

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse (Matthew 1:1-16), and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s root stock (Luke 3:23-28), a bud will sprout from his roots. And a rod shall come out of the root of Iessai, and a blossom shall come up out of his root. And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a blossom shall come up from [his] root:
And the spirit (ר֣וּחַ) of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit (ר֧וּחַ) of wisdom and understanding, the spirit (ר֚וּחַ) of counsel and might, the spirit (ר֥וּחַ) of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; The Lord’s Spirit (rûaḥ, רוח) will rest on him—a Spirit (rûaḥ, רוח) that gives extraordinary wisdom, a Spirit (rûaḥ, רוח) that provides the ability to execute plans, a Spirit (rûaḥ, רוח) that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord. And the spirit (πνεῦμα) of God shall rest on him, the spirit (πνεῦμα) of wisdom and understanding, the spirit (πνεῦμα) of counsel and might, the spirit (πνεῦμα) of knowledge and godliness. and the Spirit (πνεῦμα) of God shall rest upon him, the spirit (πνεῦμα) of wisdom and understanding, the spirit (πνεῦμα) of counsel and strength, the spirit (πνεῦμα) of knowledge and godliness shall fill him;
And shall make him of quick understanding (וַֽהֲרִיח֖וֹ) in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: He will take delight (rîaḥ, והריחו) in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by mere appearances or make decisions on the basis of hearsay. The spirit (πνεῦμα) of the fear of God will fill him. He shall not judge on the basis of repute or convict on the basis of report, the spirit (πνεῦμα) of the fear of God. He shall not judge according to appearance, nor reprove according to report:
But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath (וּבְר֥וּחַ) of his lips shall he slay the wicked. He will treat the poor fairly and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth and order the wicked to be executed [NET note 14: Heb “and by the breath (וברוח) of his lips he will kill the wicked”]. but he shall administer justice to a humble one and convict the humble ones of the earth, and he shall strike the earth with the word of his mouth, and with breath (καὶ ἐν πνεύματι) through his lips he shall do away with the impious. but he shall judge the cause of the lowly, and shall reprove the lowly of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the word of his mouth, and with the breath (καὶ ἐν πνεύματι) of his lips shall he destroy the ungodly one.

Viewed through an Old Testament lens alone this could be the most relevant passage to justify Eliphaz’s usage of violent imagery against ordinary sinners including Job. Knowing Jesus, however, the image of bloodied corpses lying on a battlefield does not come immediately to mind here. It reminds one instead of that death of which the redeemed partake in Christ (Romans 6:3, 4; Galatians 2:20 NET):

Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life.

I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Regardless, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.2 I’ll pick this up in another essay.

Tables comparing Job 4:9; Isaiah 30:33; 2 Kings 19:7; Isaiah 37:7; Exodus 15:8; 15:9; 15:10; 15:3; Isaiah 25:4; 11:1; 11:2; 11:3 and 11:4 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing the Greek of Job 4:9; Isaiah 30:33; 2 Kings (4 Reigns, 4 Kings) 19:7; Isaiah 37;7; Exodus 15:8; 15:9; 15:10; 15:3; Isaiah 25:4; 11:1; 11:2; 11:3 and 11:4 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Job 4:9 (Tanakh)

Job 4:9 (KJV)

Job 4:9 (NET)

By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.

Job 4:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Job 4:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀπὸ προστάγματος κυρίου ἀπολοῦνται ἀπὸ δὲ πνεύματος ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ ἀφανισθήσονται ἀπὸ προστάγματος Κυρίου ἀπολοῦνται, ἀπὸ δὲ πνεύματος ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ ἀφανισθήσονται

Job 4:9 (NETS)

Job 4:9 (English Elpenor)

By the command of the Lord they will perish, and by the breath of his anger they will disappear. They shall perish by the command of the Lord, and shall be utterly consumed by the breath of his wrath.

Isaiah 30:33 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 30:33 (KJV)

Isaiah 30:33 (NET)

For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. For the burial place is already prepared; it has been made deep and wide for the king. The firewood is piled high on it. The Lord’s breath, like a stream flowing with brimstone, will ignite it.

Isaiah 30:33 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 30:33 (Septuagint Elpenor)

σὺ γὰρ πρὸ ἡμερῶν ἀπαιτηθήσῃ μὴ καὶ σοὶ ἡτοιμάσθη βασιλεύειν φάραγγα βαθεῖαν ξύλα κείμενα πῦρ καὶ ξύλα πολλά ὁ θυμὸς κυρίου ὡς φάραγξ ὑπὸ θείου καιομένη σὺ γὰρ πρὸ ἡμερῶν ἀπαιτηθήσῃ· μὴ καὶ σοὶ ἡτοιμάσθη βασιλεύειν, φάραγγα βαθεῖαν. ξύλα κείμενα, πῦρ καὶ ξύλα πολλά; ὁ θυμὸς Κυρίου ὡς φάραγξ ὑπὸ θείου καιομένη

Isaiah 30:33 (NETS)

Isaiah 30:33 (English Elpenor)

for you will be deceived before those days; was it also for you to reign that it was made ready with a deep trench, wood piled, fire and wood in abundance? The wrath of the Lord is like a ravine burning with brimstone. For thou shalt be required before [thy] time: has it been prepared for thee also to reign? nay, God has [prepared for thee] a deep trench, wood piled, fire and much wood: the wrath of the Lord [shall be] as a trench kindled with sulphur.

2 Kings 19:7 (Tanakh)

2 Kings 19:7 (KJV)

2 Kings 19:7 (NET)

Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.’ Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. Look, I will take control of his mind; he will receive a report and return to his own land. I will cut him down with a sword in his own land.”’”

2 Kings 19:7 (Septuagint BLB)

4 Kings 19:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ δίδωμι ἐν αὐτῷ πνεῦμα καὶ ἀκούσεται ἀγγελίαν καὶ ἀποστραφήσεται εἰς τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ καὶ καταβαλῶ αὐτὸν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ δίδωμι ἐν αὐτῷ πνεῦμα, καὶ ἀκούσεται ἀγγελίαν καὶ ἀποστραφήσεται εἰς τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ, καὶ καταβαλῶ αὐτὸν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ

4 Reigns 19:7 (NETS)

4 Kings 19:7 (English Elpenor)

Behold, I myself am putting a spirit in him, and he shall hear a message and return to his own land, and I will strike him down by a sword in his own land’.” Behold, I send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a report, and shall return to his own land; and I will overthrow him with the sword in his own land.

Isaiah 37:7 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 37:7 (KJV)

Isaiah 37:7 (NET)

Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. Look, I will take control of his mind; he will receive a report and return to his own land. I will cut him down with a sword in his own land.”’”

Isaiah 37:7 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 37:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβαλῶ εἰς αὐτὸν πνεῦμα καὶ ἀκούσας ἀγγελίαν ἀποστραφήσεται εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτοῦ καὶ πεσεῖται μαχαίρᾳ ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐμβάλλω εἰς αὐτὸν πνεῦμα, καὶ ἀκούσας ἀγγελίαν ἀποστραφήσεται εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτοῦ καὶ πεσεῖται μαχαίρᾳ ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ

Isaiah 37:7 (NETS)

Isaiah 37:7 (English Elpenor)

Look, I will put a spirit in him, and when he hears a report, he will return to his country, and he will fall by the dagger in his own land’.” Behold, I [will] send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a report, and return to his own country, and he shall fall by the sword in his own land.

Exodus 15:8 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:8 (KJV)

Exodus 15:8 (NET)

And with the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were piled up–the floods stood upright as a heap; the deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. By the blast of your nostrils the waters were piled up, the flowing water stood upright like a heap, and the deep waters were solidified in the heart of the sea.

Exodus 15:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ διὰ πνεύματος τοῦ θυμοῦ σου διέστη τὸ ὕδωρ ἐπάγη ὡσεὶ τεῖχος τὰ ὕδατα ἐπάγη τὰ κύματα ἐν μέσῳ τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ διὰ πνεύματος τοῦ θυμοῦ σου διέστη τὸ ὕδωρ· ἐπάγη ὡσεὶ τεῖχος τὰ ὕδατα, ἐπάγη τὰ κύματα ἐν μέσῳ τῆς θαλάσσης

Exodus 15:8 (NETS)

Exodus 15:8 (English Elpenor)

And through the breath of your wrath the water separated; the waters were congealed like a wall; the waves were congealed in the midst of the sea. And by the breath of thine anger the water parted asunder; the waters were congealed as a wall, the waves were congealed in the midst of the sea.

Exodus 15:9 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:9 (KJV)

Exodus 15:9 (NET)

The enemy said: ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.’ The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. The enemy said, ‘I will chase, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my desire will be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, my hand will destroy them.’

Exodus 15:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν ὁ ἐχθρός διώξας καταλήμψομαι μεριῶ σκῦλα ἐμπλήσω ψυχήν μου ἀνελῶ τῇ μαχαίρῃ μου κυριεύσει ἡ χείρ μου εἶπεν ὁ ἐχθρός, διώξας καταλήψομαι, μεριῶ σκῦλα, ἐμπλήσω ψυχήν μου, ἀνελῶ τῇ μαχαίρᾳ μου, κυριεύσει ἡ χείρ μου

Exodus 15:9 (NETS)

Exodus 15:9 (English Elpenor)

The enemy said, ‘In pursuit I will overtake; I will divide spoil; I will destroy with my dagger; my hand shall dominate’. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoils; I will satisfy my soul, I will destroy with my sword, my hand shall have dominion.

Exodus 15:10 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:10 (KJV)

Exodus 15:10 (NET)

Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

Exodus 15:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀπέστειλας τὸ πνεῦμά σου ἐκάλυψεν αὐτοὺς θάλασσα ἔδυσαν ὡσεὶ μόλιβος ἐν ὕδατι σφοδρῷ ἀπέστειλας τὸ πνεῦμά σου, ἐκάλυψεν αὐτοὺς θάλασσα· ἔδυσαν ὡσεὶ μόλιβος ἐν ὕδατι σφοδρῷ

Exodus 15:10 (NETS)

Exodus 15:10 (English Elpenor)

You sent your breath; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in violent water. Thou sentest forth thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty water.

Exodus 15:3 (Tanakh)

Exodus 15:3 (KJV)

Exodus 15:3 (NET)

HaShem is a man of war, HaShem is His name. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. The Lord is a warrior—the Lord is his name.

Exodus 15:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 15:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

κύριος συντρίβων πολέμους κύριος ὄνομα αὐτῷ Κύριος συντρίβων πολέμους, Κύριος ὄνομα αὐτῷ

Exodus 15:3 (NETS)

Exodus 15:3 (English Elpenor)

The Lord, when he shatters wars, the Lord is his name. The Lord bringing wars to nought, the Lord [is] his name.

Isaiah 25:4 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 25:4 (KJV)

Isaiah 25:4 (NET)

For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. For you are a protector for the poor, a protector for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm, a shade from the heat. Though the breath of tyrants is like a winter rainstorm,

Isaiah 25:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 25:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐγένου γὰρ πάσῃ πόλει ταπεινῇ βοηθὸς καὶ τοῖς ἀθυμήσασιν διὰ ἔνδειαν σκέπη ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπων πονηρῶν ῥύσῃ αὐτούς σκέπη διψώντων καὶ πνεῦμα ἀνθρώπων ἀδικουμένων ἐγένου γὰρ πάσῃ πόλει ταπεινῇ βοηθὸς καὶ τοῖς ἀθυμήσασι δι᾿ ἔνδειαν σκέπη, ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπων πονηρῶν ῥύσῃ αὐτούς, σκέπη διψώντων καὶ πνεῦμα ἀνθρώπων ἀδικουμένων

Isaiah 25:4 (NETS)

Isaiah 25:4 (English Elpenor)

For you have become a helper to every humble city and a shelter to those who are dispirited because of poverty; you will rescue them from evil persons—a shelter for the thirsty and breath for ill-treated persons, For thou hast been a helper to every lowly city, and a shelter to them that were disheartened by reason of poverty: thou shalt deliver them from wicked men: [thou hast been] a shelter of them that thirst, and a refreshing air to injured men.

Isaiah 11:1 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 11:1 (KJV)

Isaiah 11:1 (NET)

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: A shoot will grow out of Jesse’s root stock, a bud will sprout from his roots.

Isaiah 11:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 11:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐξελεύσεται ῥάβδος ἐκ τῆς ῥίζης Ιεσσαι καὶ ἄνθος ἐκ τῆς ῥίζης ἀναβήσεται ΚΑΙ ἐξελεύσεται ῥάβδος ἐκ τῆς ρίζης ᾿Ιεσσαί, καὶ ἄνθος ἐκ τῆς ρίζης ἀναβήσεται

Isaiah 11:1 (NETS)

Isaiah 11:1 (English Elpenor)

And a rod shall come out of the root of Iessai, and a blossom shall come up out of his root. And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a blossom shall come up from [his] root:

Isaiah 11:2 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 11:2 (KJV)

Isaiah 11:2 (NET)

And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; The Lord’s Spirit will rest on him—a Spirit that gives extraordinary wisdom, a Spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a Spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord.

Isaiah 11:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 11:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀναπαύσεται ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ πνεῦμα σοφίας καὶ συνέσεως πνεῦμα βουλῆς καὶ ἰσχύος πνεῦμα γνώσεως καὶ εὐσεβείας καὶ ἀναπαύσεται ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν πνεῦμα τοῦ Θεοῦ, πνεῦμα σοφίας καὶ συνέσεως, πνεῦμα βουλῆς καὶ ἰσχύος, πνεῦμα γνώσεως καὶ εὐσεβείας

Isaiah 11:2 (NETS)

Isaiah 11:2 (English Elpenor)

And the spirit of God shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and godliness. and the Spirit of God shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and godliness shall fill him;

Isaiah 11:3 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 11:3 (KJV)

Isaiah 11:3 (NET)

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: He will take delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by mere appearances or make decisions on the basis of hearsay.

Isaiah 11:3 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 11:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐμπλήσει αὐτὸν πνεῦμα φόβου θεοῦ οὐ κατὰ τὴν δόξαν κρινεῖ οὐδὲ κατὰ τὴν λαλιὰν ἐλέγξει ἐμπλήσει αὐτὸν πνεῦμα φόβου Θεοῦ. οὐ κατὰ τὴν δόξαν κρινεῖ οὐδὲ κατὰ τὴν λαλιὰν ἐλέγξει

Isaiah 11:3 (NETS)

Isaiah 11:3 (English Elpenor)

The spirit of the fear of God will fill him. He shall not judge on the basis of repute or convict on the basis of report, the spirit of the fear of God. He shall not judge according to appearance, nor reprove according to report:

Isaiah 11:4 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 11:4 (KJV)

Isaiah 11:4 (NET)

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. He will treat the poor fairly and make right decisions for the downtrodden of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth and order the wicked to be executed.

Isaiah 11:4 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 11:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀλλὰ κρινεῖ ταπεινῷ κρίσιν καὶ ἐλέγξει τοὺς ταπεινοὺς τῆς γῆς καὶ πατάξει γῆν τῷ λόγῳ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν πνεύματι διὰ χειλέων ἀνελεῖ ἀσεβῆ ἀλλὰ κρινεῖ ταπεινῷ κρίσιν καὶ ἐλέγξει τοὺς ταπεινοὺς τῆς γῆς· καὶ πατάξει γῆν τῷ λόγῳ τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν πνεύματι διὰ χειλέων ἀνελεῖ ἀσεβῆ

Isaiah 11:4 (NETS)

Isaiah 11:4 (English Elpenor)

but he shall administer justice to a humble one and convict the humble ones of the earth, and he shall strike the earth with the word of his mouth, and with breath through his lips he shall do away with the impious. but he shall judge the cause of the lowly, and shall reprove the lowly of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the word of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he destroy the ungodly one.