אם שלמים or משל מים in Nah. 1.12: A study of the ancient translations
Abstract
Is the phrase אם שׁלמים or משׁל מים found in Nah. 1.12? The textual tradition is divided. The Septuagint (LXX) and the Peshitta support the reading משׁל מים in Nah. 1.12, whereas the Masoretic text, the Targum, and the Vulgate preserve אם שׁלמים (‘though they are at full strength‘ or ‘though they are complete’). This disagreement prompts significant inquiries regarding the verse’s initial phrasing, its interpretation, and the origins of the differing readings that arose during the transmission process. This article utilizes textual criticism as its main approach—analyzing manuscript evidence, assessing the likelihood of transcription and translation variations, and considering contextual and linguistic elements—to identify the most probable original text and to explore the potential explanations for the discrepancies among these ancient sources.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Historical and Linguistic Studies
Botanical Research and Chemistry
Biblical Studies and Interpretation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Volume
- 50
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 437–452
- Publication date
- 25 February 2026
- Language
- EN