volgadon Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 There is an anonymous piyut (Jewish hymn) dating from between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD.It is sang before the morning recitation of the shma.The verses don't rhyme, but they descend alphabetically.Those who would like to see the Hebrew can take a look hereI'll leave my commentary to a minimum.To the Lord for all his doingsBlessed and blessed by the mouth of every soulHis greatness and goodness fill the world [or universe]Knowledge and wisdom surround his gloryWho takes pride in the holy creaturesAnd is resplendent in honour [or glory] on the chariotRighteousness and and integrity [or justice] are before his throneGrace and mercy fill his glory [or honour]Good are the lights created by our GodHe has created them in [by] knowledge, understanding and intellectPower and authority has put in themTo be rulers in the universeFull of radiance and glowFair is their radiance throughout the world[People] are joyous when they come out [rise] and rejoice when they arrive [set]Fearful they do the will of their purchaser [maker] They give all glory and honour to his name [they magnify and glorify his name]Singing and rejoicing in remembrance of his reignHe has called the sun and light shoneHe saw and corrected the shape of the moonThe entirew host of heaven gives him praiseMagnificience and greatness- seraphs and creatures [or beasts] and the holy wheels [of the chariot]. Link to comment
CV75 Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Fearful they do the will of their purchaser [maker]Could "purchaser" also mean "redeemer"? Link to comment
maklelan Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Could "purchaser" also mean "redeemer"?That participle (קוֹנֵיהֶם) has a long and sorted history. It originally referred to procreation, or begetting, and it was one of the early titles of El (Begetter of the Earth - see also Deut 32:6), but the procreative qualities were largely lost by the time it was fully incorporated into the biblical texts. It still maintained a sense of creation, but only peripherally. By the time of the composition of this piyyut, it would have carried the exclusive sense of "purchaser/owner/lord." It is used in parallel with the verb "to redeem," so "redeemer" would be a loose, but not terribly inaccurate translation in this context. Link to comment
volgadon Posted July 20, 2009 Author Share Posted July 20, 2009 Their redeemer would properly be podeihem, but it is a good synonym. Link to comment
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