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I can't speak for the OP, but in my research, the translation works out to be: "Let me die with the foreigners" I usually see "foreigners" replaced with "Phil
by Mtinie 1mo ago
I can't speak for the OP, but in my research, the translation works out to be:
"Let me die with the foreigners"
I usually see "foreigners" replaced with "Philistines" (as noted above). It's Samson's line just before he braces against the pillars and brings the building down on himself and the thousands of Philistines inside, so I understand why it is usually translated that way.
Also, ψυχή here renders Hebrew nephesh, which is closer to "life" or "self", but when I think about the attributed statement it just reads better with the personal attachment (vs. "Let my self|life|soul die with..."). Which is the fun of translation, as each translator seeks to reveal a meaningful rendition which will resonate with their audience.
- jibal 1mo agoBut the original Hebrew word is "פְּלִשְׁתִּים֒" which is "Philistines", not "foreigners". P.S. My only reaction to the response is "whoosh!".
- Mtinie 1mo agoIn that case I'll consider myself whooshed.
- Mtinie 1mo agoI don't think that disagrees with what I said. I was translating the Greek, not the Hebrew. But you're right the Hebrew פְּלִשְׁתִּים֒ is unambiguously "Philistines." The Greek quoted above is from the Septuagint, and those translators rendered that word as ἀλλόφυλοι, roughly "those of another tribe." So "foreigners" is the closest I have in English to the Greek word, and "Philistines" is who it refers to. I'm no scholar here, just a dabbler, so I'm happy the discussion is happening at all.
- schoen 1mo agoIt's funny to be randomly reminded of the phyles from The Diamond Age, also from φυλή (it's an English word borrowed directly from the Greek, but not a very familiar one in many contexts today). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diamond_Age#Phyles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diamond_Age#Phyles