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Document Details : Title: Haggai 2,17 Subtitle: A New Analysis Author(s): ROGLAND, M. Journal: Biblica Volume: 88 Issue: 4 Date: 2007 Pages: 553-557 DOI: 10.2143/BIB.88.4.3189020 Abstract : The syntax of the phrase ואין־אתכם אלי in Hag 2,17 has proven difficult to analyze, causing many scholars to suspect that the text is corrupt. This article argues, on the contrary, that the current Masoretic Text is understandable syntactically and that emendation is unnecessary. Examples from Qumran Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew are adduced to demonstrate that the syntagm אין־אתכם is to be understood as a type of possessive clause. The usage of the preposition אל and the function of the clause as a whole are also analyzed, and it is argued that the phrase ought to be rendered 'while you had nothing directed towards me' or 'because you had nothing directed towards me'. The phrase thus indicates that the judgment experienced by the people was due to their failure to direct that their material possessions towards the Lord for the rebuilding of his temple (cf. Hag 1,1-11). |
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