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VERSE: Ex02-24a

======================= NA-AK means DEATH GASP ==================

BACKGROUND:
-----------
One of the 6 major Rashi functions is to translate words the
same way a dictionary does. This posting affords us a rare
glimpse at the complexity and richness of this difficult task.
This is a real peach of a Rashi on translation.

THE ROOT
--------
We deal with the Hebrew root Nun-Aleph-Kuph. Shockingly this
verse only occurs 5 times in the Bible. How can we determine
the meaning of a word that occurs so rarely

THE TEXT - A Sample text is Ex02-23:24
--------------------------------------
The Jews were ANGUISHED from the hard work
and they PRAYED;
their PRAYERS elevated to the Lord from their work
and God heard their NA-AK
(This verse will be retranslated below)

THE RASHI
---------
Rashi holds that NA-AK means SCREAM. This fits the verse nicely

THE RADACK
----------
The RADACK, Ez30-24 explains with more specificity
 -----------------------------------------------------
 NA-AK are the final gasps/cries at the moment of death
 -----------------------------------------------------
Based on this Radack we will translate NA-AK as DEATH-GASP

THE CLIMAX APPROACH
-------------------
Armed with this specific translation of RADACK we can give
a richer translation to Ex02-24. This translation reflects
a growing CLIMAX of anguish.
 ---------------------------------
 ..The Jews SIGHED form the hard word
 ..They SCREAMED (in prayer)
 ..Their PLEAING went upward to heaven
 ..God heard their DEATH-GASPS
 ---------------------------------
Note the richness of nuance that comes from a PRECISE
translation. This illustrates what a good translation can do

REFERENCES
----------
For references on Rashis on words vist
http://www.RashiYomi.com/words.htm

For references on development by CLIMAX visit
http://www.Rashiyomi.com/example9.htm

THE LISTS
---------
We present the climactic development of Ex02-24 below
in the first list. Comparison with other existing
English translations will help appreciate the precision
and richness of nuance that we achieve.

The 2nd list presents the 5 verses containing Nun-Aleph-Kuk
================================================================
PHRASE IN EX02-24                EMPHASIS IN PHRASE
========================== =====================================
Jews SIGHED from work      A SIGH is a REACTION but NON-VERBAL
& they SCREAMED(in prayer) A SCREAM is VERBAL but with ENERGY
their PLEAS went to God    PLEAS vs SCREAM indicate HELPLESSNESS
God heard their DEATH-GASP DEATH GASP=Ultimate in HELPLESSNESS
================================================================

============== NA-AK means DEATH-GASP: #2 ======================

 Here are the 5 verses with NA-AK. Note how the translation
 DEATH-GASPS vs SCREAMS gives a slightly different tone color
 to the verse*10

=================================================================
VERSE    ROUGH TRANSLATION OF VERSE (NA-AK means DEATH-GASP)
======== ========================================================
Ex02-24  God heard their DEATH-GASPS & remembered his convenant
Ex06-05  God heard the Jews DEATH-GASPS &remembered his convenant
Ju02-18  God will regret because of their DEATH-GASPS & save them
Ez30-24  They will have the DEATH-GASPS of corpses
Job24-12 DEATH-GASPS in populated cities & pleaing of corpses

NOTES
-----

---------------------- LONGER FOOTNOTES ------------------------

*10 One modern person, who has specifically sought the NUANCES
    (vs the meaning) of the text, is Dr Aviva Zornberg. She
    currently has 2 books out on Genesis & Exodus -- for those
    interested in this approach I would highly recommend her.
=================================================================

RASHI RULE USED: WORD MEANINGS
---------------------------------------------------
WARNING: The following additional references may be too wordy
However they frequently contain additional information & lists
The hyperlinks only work on the main website

Volume 12 Number 18


#*#*#*#*#  (C) 2001, RashiYomi Inc. Dr Hendel President #*#*#*#*#