The Use of Aposiopesus in Scripture
Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2023 8:33 am
Do any of you know of any other examples where the writer breaks off and leaves the reader to fill in the missing words? I came accross Psalm 27:13 and noticed the word : לׅׄוּלֵׅׄ֗אׅׄ הֶ֭אֱמַנְתִּי לִרְא֥וֹת בְּֽטוּב־יְהוָ֗ה בְּאֶ֣רֶץ חַיִּֽים that is usualy translated as a straightforward 'Unless', 'Perhaps' or 'Maybe'. This must have been very common in everyday speech, as it is with all languages no doubt, and its use here is quite interesting as I never expected to see such a literary device being used in scripture.
Also, I could only find one reference as to the extra nikud, and that was in Sefaria here QUOTE : "" The dots that appear over the word luleh in the text indicate doubt and uncertainty of his piety, and whether he was deserving of a place in the land of the living "". Naturally I find this somewhat ridiculous, there has to be a more rational explanation as to why the scribes thought it necessary to do this. Anybody know please?
Thank you
Chris Watts
Also, I could only find one reference as to the extra nikud, and that was in Sefaria here QUOTE : "" The dots that appear over the word luleh in the text indicate doubt and uncertainty of his piety, and whether he was deserving of a place in the land of the living "". Naturally I find this somewhat ridiculous, there has to be a more rational explanation as to why the scribes thought it necessary to do this. Anybody know please?
Thank you
Chris Watts