The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5
The Hebrew word ‘אפים’ in Samuel 1:5 presents significant challenges for both ancient translations and modern English translations of the Bible. In ancient texts, the Masoretic text presents ‘אַפָּיִם’ or ‘nostrils’ (face or anger). The Aramaic Targum offers a different perspective, rendering it as...
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2025-06-01
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| Series: | HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10656 |
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| author | Philip S. Chia |
| author_facet | Philip S. Chia |
| author_sort | Philip S. Chia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Hebrew word ‘אפים’ in Samuel 1:5 presents significant challenges for both ancient translations and modern English translations of the Bible. In ancient texts, the Masoretic text presents ‘אַפָּיִם’ or ‘nostrils’ (face or anger). The Aramaic Targum offers a different perspective, rendering it as ‘בחיר’ or ‘(one) approved (portion)’, while the Syriac Peshitta opts for ‘ܐܦܥܐ’ or ‘double’. The Latin Vulgate provides a thought-provoking interpretation, using the word ‘tristis’ or ‘sad’. The LXX, however, prefers ‘πλήν’. In modern English Bible translations, the Jewish Publication Society renders it as one portion (cf. New Living Translation [NLT] ‘only one choice portion’), whereas the New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible (NASB) and New International Version (NIV) describe it as a double portion. The King James Version (KJV), on the other hand, interprets it as a worthy portion.
Contribution: Consequently, this research attempts to unveil this mysterious Hebrew word with textual criticism as its methodology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-71429ed5b34c47e2b7be8b6049d61ad2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0259-9422 2072-8050 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
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| series | HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-71429ed5b34c47e2b7be8b6049d61ad22025-08-20T03:29:27ZafrAOSISHTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies0259-94222072-80502025-06-01811e1e510.4102/hts.v81i1.106566141The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5Philip S. Chia0Department of Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Pretoria, PretoriaThe Hebrew word ‘אפים’ in Samuel 1:5 presents significant challenges for both ancient translations and modern English translations of the Bible. In ancient texts, the Masoretic text presents ‘אַפָּיִם’ or ‘nostrils’ (face or anger). The Aramaic Targum offers a different perspective, rendering it as ‘בחיר’ or ‘(one) approved (portion)’, while the Syriac Peshitta opts for ‘ܐܦܥܐ’ or ‘double’. The Latin Vulgate provides a thought-provoking interpretation, using the word ‘tristis’ or ‘sad’. The LXX, however, prefers ‘πλήν’. In modern English Bible translations, the Jewish Publication Society renders it as one portion (cf. New Living Translation [NLT] ‘only one choice portion’), whereas the New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible (NASB) and New International Version (NIV) describe it as a double portion. The King James Version (KJV), on the other hand, interprets it as a worthy portion. Contribution: Consequently, this research attempts to unveil this mysterious Hebrew word with textual criticism as its methodology.https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10656old testamenttextual criticism1 samuelאפיםtranslation |
| spellingShingle | Philip S. Chia The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5 HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies old testament textual criticism 1 samuel אפים translation |
| title | The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5 |
| title_full | The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5 |
| title_fullStr | The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5 |
| title_full_unstemmed | The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5 |
| title_short | The enigmatic Hebrew word ‘אפים ’ in 1 Samuel 1:5 |
| title_sort | enigmatic hebrew word אפים in 1 samuel 1 5 |
| topic | old testament textual criticism 1 samuel אפים translation |
| url | https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/10656 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT philipschia theenigmatichebrewwordʼpymin1samuel15 AT philipschia enigmatichebrewwordʼpymin1samuel15 |