Today I’m going to show you why knowing Hebrew is extremely advantageous for studying Scripture.
Take a look at the latter half of verse 20.
Doesn’t really make a lot of sense, does it?
The truth is there is some humorous wordplay going on here that can only be understood in the original language.
Let’s take a lot at how a couple of other translations render the verse.
The King James version says…
“Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.”
The NIV says…
“Now do not let my blood fall to the ground far from the presence of the Lord. The king of Israel has come out to look for a flea—as one hunts a partridge in the mountains.”
Unfortunately, none of these translations capture the true essence of what’s really being communicated here.
They’re all basically saying the King of Israel is pursuing a worthless man like a hunter goes after a partridge.
It seems to make sense, but not really.
So let me tell you what’s really going on here.
First, the Hebrew word for partridge here is HA-QOREH.
This literally means “the caller.”
So David is referring to himself as “the caller.”
Next, let’s back up to verse 14 where Avner asks the following:
MI ATTA HA-QOREH?
This means “Who is it that is calling?”
Or, “Who are you, O caller?”
David flips the script on Avner by pointing to himself as the HA-QOREH or “the caller.”
Do you see how this is funny?
This is humorous in Hebrew because HA-QOREH can mean both “one who calls” and a “partridge.”
David has cleverly incorporated BOTH meanings into his response to Avner.
He’s saying…
“I am the hunted partridge who is calling out to you.”
Of course, this is impossible to translate into English because “partridge” does not have the alternate meaning of “to call” in English.
But in Hebrew, this for sure drew much laughter around the campfire when the story was told.
This leads us to our takeaway for today.
Don’t forget that many of our beloved stories from Scripture were handed down from the younger to older generations by word of mouth.
It was only later that everything was compiled into the written Bibles we use today.
This is just one of the many delightful wordplays that can only be understood and enjoyed if you know Hebrew.
Ya feel me?
I have been studying Hebrew for years, with little advancement, and I learn as much from your messages as I do online on my own. 🙂
Thanks. This ain’t necessarily original. I got this info and interpretation from Tom Bradford’s Torah Class. Be blessed!
AND God definitely has a sense of humor — this has been proven to me many times. (Many view scriptures in a very grim light, devoid of joy and focused on austerity only — which I feel is erroneous)
My favorite example of how God has a sense of humor is a story I read about the conversion of a former ISIS member.
This man was a devoted Muslim, and accepted a suicide bombing mission, firmly and sincerely believing that God would accept it as an offering and this would get him to heaven.
He survived! Later that day he was found lying on the battle field by the nuns who were helping the wounded soldiers as part of their convent mission. When they saw that the man was still alive, they brought him to their monastery where he received medical help.
Later he shared that he actually did die and went to hell, but begged God to spare him for not knowing any better and to give him a to second chance. When he came to consciousness, he ended up talking to someone from the medical personnel who lead him to believe in Christ.
An awesome story.
But think about it: so he dies for Allah… and wakes up surrounded by 72 virgins… in a women’s monastery!
Shalom Helena,
It’s great to see you interacting with me here!
WOW!!! That’s an incredible story! So inspiring…and yes the humorous aspect of it shouldn’t be overlooked.
By the way, from August I’ll lead a Bible study for a group of believers in Pakistan.
Would appreciate your prayers.
Be blessed!
Our prayers are with you.