LIST090b
(C) Dr Hendel, Jan-04
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List of Pronouns in Dt32 2 possible references(antecedent / context)(Jew/Non-Jew)
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VERSE
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TEXT OF VERSE
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JEWS SINNED
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NON-JEWS SINNED
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R*8
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Dt32-21
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The Jews sinned
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-------
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-------------------------------
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Dt32-26
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I wanted to destroy the Jews
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Dt32-27a
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But I didnt lest non-Jews say*1
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Dt32-27b
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We did it not God*1
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Dt32-28
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For THEY dont understand
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JEWS
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NON JEWS
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Dt32-29a
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If THEY were smart THEY-d see:
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JEWS
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NON JEWS
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Dt32-29a
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If THEY were smart THEY-d see:
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JEWS
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NON JEWS
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Dt32-30a
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How can 1 non-Jew pursue 1000 Jews
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Dt32-30
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Unless THEIR God sold out on them
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JEWISH
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-------
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---------------------------------
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Dt32-31
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Because THEIR God is not like ours
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JEWISH
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Dt32-31
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How then could our enemies judge us
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Dt32-32a
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For THEIR wine is Sedomite wine
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JEWISH DEEDS
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NON JEWISH DEFEAT
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k-n
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Dt32-32d
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Bittle clusters are for THEM
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JEWISH DEFEAT
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NON JEWISH DEFEAT
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k
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Dt32-33a
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vicious venom for THEIR wine
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JEWISH DEFEAT
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NON JEWISH DEFEAT
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k
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Dt32-34
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Is THIS not hidden with me
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JEWISH SINS
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NON JEWISH DEFEAT
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Dt32-35a
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Revenge on THEM is mine
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TO JEWS*1
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TO NON-JEWS*1
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k
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Dt32-35b
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when THEY are weak
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JEWS*2
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NON JEWS*2
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-------
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---------------------------------
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Dt32-36a
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WHEN*3 God will JUDGE*4 His nation
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k
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Dt32-36k
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RATHER*3 God will AVENGE*4 HisNation
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Dt32-36
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God will regret Jewish treatment
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Dt32-37a
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God will say: 'Where are YOUR gods'
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Jewish idols
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NonJewish Idols
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k
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Dt32-37b
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God will say: 'Where are YOUR gods'
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Jewish Idols
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NonJewish idols
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k
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Dt32-38
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God will say: 'Where is YOUR gods'
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Dt32-39a
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YOU see now that I alone am God
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TO JEWS
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To NON JEWS
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k
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Dt32-39b
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No ONE can be saved from me
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JEWISH SINNERS
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NonJewish Sinner
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l
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Dt32-40a
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I will RAISE-TO-HEAVEN*5 my HAND*6
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Dt32-40k
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I will RETREAT TO HEAVEN
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Dt32-40b
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I will indeed live forever*7
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Dt32-40L
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Punishment to non Jews will come
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Dt32-41b
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I will sharpen my sword
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AGAINST NON-JEWS
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k
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Dt32-42
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My sword will consume flesh
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Dt32-43
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Non Jews will praise His nation
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Dt32-43
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He will avenge Jewish blood
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Dt32-43
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Jewish enemies will pay
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COMMENTS
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*1 Rashi also discusses the possibility that the Hebrew
word $LM (SheeLayM) is a NOUN vs a VERB. In this digest
however we are concentrating on the REFERENTS OF PRONOUNS
*2 Rashi gives an example of how Jews can be weak:
When the merit of their Patriarchs and Matriarchs
stops.
*3 The Hebrew word KI can equally mean
- RATHER or WHEN
Rashi selects a meaning based on the context
The context in turn is defined by the translation
of pronouns as referring back to Jews or Non Jews*10
*4 The Hebrew word TO JUDGE can equally mean
- to ATTACK and AVENGE
- to DEFEND HONOR
Rashi selects a meaning based on the context
The context in turn is defined by the translation
of pronouns as referring back to Jews or Non Jews*10
*5 The phrase RAISE-TO-HEAVEN can equally mean
- to SWEAR IN OATH
- to RETREAT TO HIGH PLACES (Militarily good)
Rashi selects a meaning based on the context
The context in turn is defined by the translation
of pronouns as referring back to Jews or Non Jews*11
*6 The word HAND can equally refer to
- an OATH
- a STRONGMAN hideout
Rashi selects a meaning based on the context
The context in turn is defined by the translation
of pronouns as referring back to Jews or Non Jews*11
*7 One form of OATHS is swearing by the LIFE OF GOD*11
*8 Here is HOW to read this list
- The first two columns give VERSE REFERENCES and BRIEF
summaries
- PRONOUNS like YOU, THEM are capitalized
- the pronouns can refer to EITHER Jews or Non Jews
This is emphasized in the next two columns
For example in the verse text
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Is THIS not hidden with me
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the THIS could equally refer to
- the defeat of NON JEWISH ENEMIES
- JEWISH SINS.
By studying each column separately one can glean the two interpretations
- Finally a word about Rashi notation:
Normally a verse occurs ONCE in Rashi then we number the Rashis
a,b,c,d etc
However Rashi explains the chapter twice---one during the chapter
and the other time after Dt32-43. The Rashis the second time are
labeled k,L,m,n etc.
Thus the first Rashi on Dt32-32 is called Dt32-32a. The second
interpretation after Dt32-43 is called Dt32-43k. In this way one can
see side by side the two Rashi interpretations.
A final word about this pronoun interpretation controversy
I would go a step further---I would argue that we do not have controversy
here but rather deliberate ambiguity. In other words, the Biblical Author,
God, deliberately stated His threats ambiguously--as it were God turned
to both Jews and non-Jews and said YOU WILL BE PUNISHED. God in essence
asked them: WHOM DO YOU THINK I AM REALLY ANGRY WITH. Thus the ambiguity
is intrinsic to the poem since it emphasizes to the reader choice in future
behavior--God does not show favoritism---rather God favors those who serve him.
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LONGER FOOTNOTES
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*10 For further details on the meanings of KI visit
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/words.htm
The 7 possible meanings of KI are listed there
with examples.
*11 See http://www.Rashiyomi.com/h22n11.htm#LIST955g
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