Trope
Trope
Although the Masoretes may have attempted to do a good job they interpreted trope[1] and rhetorical schemes.[2] according to their own preconceived notions, concepts and beliefs.
A trope system was codified by the Masoretes text between the 7th and 10th centuries CE, over a thousand years after many biblical books were written may have imposed doctrines of men containing a religious bias held at the time.
Metaphor
The Shalshelet (שַׁלְשֶׁ֛לֶת), often translated as the "Chain" appears several times in Genesis 19:16:
- 16 "And while he lingered (wayyiṯmahmāh וַֽיִּתְמַהְמָ֓הּ׀)[3] , the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city."
This may be one of the most debated usage which occurs in the story of Lot fleeing Sodom.
The Hesitation of Lot
The Shalshelet is placed on this single word as the trope metaphorically illustrates Lot’s psychological paralysis. The question may occur as to why?
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers interprets this, "And while he lingered.—Heb., and he lingered. Lot still clung to his wealth, and could not make up his mind to leave it, and so at length the angels took him by the hand and compelled him to quit the doomed city."
He was torn between the divine command to flee but was it doubt or fear spawned from a lack of faith. Or as the Shalshelet Cantillation Mark, the "chain", suggests he was shackled by materialism or his wavering faith.
Critics argue that this musical interpretation imposes a specific psychological narrative onto the text that may not be inherent in the consonants alone. The plain text says he "lingered"; the trope interprets this as "agonizing internal conflict." Without the trope, one might simply read this as disobedience or slowness, rather than a complex emotional struggle.
Is the Shalshelet revealing the true spiritual depth of the event, or is it a later rabbinic projection of moral psychology onto a simple or false narrative ?
The prayer of all helpers
We see this chain trope also appear in Genesis 24:12:
- "And he said(wayyōmar וַיֹּאמַ֓ר׀)[4], O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed[5] this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham."
On the word wayyōmar ("and he said"), reflecting Eliezer’s (Abraham’s servant) internal conflict about finding a wife for Isaac, a mission that would end his own hopes of inheritance.
Rashi (citing Genesis Rabbah) suggest Eliezer had a daughter he hoped Isaac would marry. The Shalshelet suggests his hesitation in praying for success would ultimately dash his own ambitions.
Rabbi Avi Weiss, argue that the Shalshelet highlights the humanity of Abraham's servant, traditionally identified as Eliezer.
- Genesis 15:2 "And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?"
A steward(מֶ֣שֶׁק MemShinKuf heir or possessor)[6] of my house (בֵּיתִ֔י) is called Eliezer(AlefLamedYod אֱלִיעֶזֶר) of Dammesequs[7]?
Was there an individual or a way that inherits the earth?[8]
The people were his only offspring and born of his faith but not of his flesh.
In Genesis 2:8 we saw the word "help"[9]meet[10] Abram had many who followed him because of his compassionate sacrifice for others. He walked in the way of Melchizedek.
Who was Eliezer of Damascus?
Was there a man named Eliezer?
Was he from a place called Damascus?
By his nature was he in conflict when he prayed that he did well for Abraham?
Was the trope of Genesis 24:12: "And he said(wayyōmar וַיֹּאמַ֓ר׀)[4]" an actual conflict for the heart of the servant with the name Eliezer of Damascus or was his prayer the natural utterance of a man who lived by faith?
Simile
What trope in the Pentateuch demonstrates a controversial Simile[11]?
Similes are common in the Pentateuch because of the vivid imagery of the language of scripture. Deuteronomy 32:10-12 (part of the Song of Moses), with related imagery.
God finds Israel "in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye" (Deuteronomy 32:10).
More pointedly controversial are similes in Deuteronomy 28:37 (curses for disobedience, doing other than the will of God).[12]
Is God portrayed as a warrior-like or parental similes (e.g., God as a consuming fire or avenger) but where does the simile stop. Is his wrath built into his creation and our own God given nature?
Some imagine that Israel being scattered "like" chaff raises questions about equity, free will but choice, while flexible is given with an existing structure.
And choice begins with the two trees. Depending on that choice remaining options are effected. The literal vs. figurative readings, authorship, and moral application must remain with the spirit or tree of life.
In the system of cantillation the "trope" alters the literal by aiding interpretation creating controversial passages with the trope configured by the tree of knowledge through scholarship produced far from the tree of life. .
Irony
Much of scholarship is hewn from the tree of knowledge.The imagery of the author may present an irony or incongruity between the literal and the implied meaning. The "Rock" (Tzur) metaphor/trope in the Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32), especially its ironic application and later interpretive extensions.
There should be no debates over divine sovereignty vs. human responsibility when we understand the nature of judgment/mercy, and language such as God "hiding His face". We fled and hid from God because we feared the light and embraced the darkness. The consequences of that may be called "vengeance"(vv.20, 40–42). God is stable, perfect, faithful, as the source of life and protection but we are tossed to and fro when we turn from Him.[13]
Paul identifies "the Rock was Christ" which is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit the sacramental theology and eschatology become the extensions of the "doctrines of men" at the mercy of the tree of Knowledge.
The irony of rejecting the Holy Spirit and replacing it with human traditions of legalism, idolatry, and denominationalism will bring its own consequences. e.g. the ironic elements in Mark 7:7–13; the golden calf (Exodus 32) or the error of Balaam’s oracles (Numbers 22–24]).
- ↑ Trope. A rhetorical figure of speech that consists of a play on words, i.e. using a word in a way other than what is considered its literal or normal form. In general literature and criticism, a trope as a figure of speech it may be a storytelling convention that uses language in a non-literal way to create a specific effect. Examples may include Metaphor, simile (directly compares two unrelated things), irony (incongruity between the literal and the implied meaning), and hyperbole (Deliberate exaggeration).
- ↑ Schemes or elocution are when a word or phrase departs from straightforward, literal language.
- ↑ 04102 מָהַהּ mahahh maw-hah’ apparently a denominative from 04100 מָהַ what, how, why; v; [BDB-554b] {See TWOT on 1150 } AV-tarry 5, linger 2, delayed 1, stay 1; 9
- 1) (Hithpalpel) to linger, tarry, wait, delay
- see trope
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 0559 אָמַר ‘amar [aw-mar’] a primitive root AlefMemReish; v; [BDB-55b] [{See TWOT on 118 }] AV-said 4874, speak 179, answer 99, command 30, tell 29, call 7, promised 6, misc. 84; 5308
- 1) to say, speak, utter
- 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one’s heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
- 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
- 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
- 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
- 1) to say, speak, utter
- ↑ 07136 קָרָה qarah kaw-raw’ a primitive root; v; [BDB-899b, BDB-900a] {See TWOT on 2068 } {See TWOT on 2068 @@ "2068e" } AV-happen 7, meet 5, beams 4, befall 3, brought 1, misc 7; 27
- 1) to encounter, meet, befall, happen, come to meet
- 1a) (Qal)
- 1a1) to encounter, meet
- 1a2) to befall
- 1b) (Niphal)
- 1b1) to encounter, meet (without pre-arrangement)
- 1b2) to chance to be present
- 1b3) to come to meet
- 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to meet, appoint
- 1a) (Qal)
- 2) to build with beams
- 2a) (Piel) to lay the beams of, furnish with beams
- 1) to encounter, meet, befall, happen, come to meet
- ↑ 04943 מֶשֶׁק mesheq meh’-shek from an unused root meaning to hold; n m; [BDB-606b] {See TWOT on 1261 @@ "1261a" } AV-steward 1; 1
- 1) acquisition, possession, son of possession, heir
- ↑ 01834 דַּמֶּשֶׂק Dammeseq dam-meh’-sek or דומשׂק Duwmeseq doo-meh’-sek or דרמשׂק Darmeseq dar-meh’-sek of foreign origin, Greek 1154 δαμασκος; n pr loc; [BDB-199b] {See TWOT on (?) 433 @@ "433" } AV-Damascus 44, Syriadamascus 1; 45
- Damascus= "silent is the sackcloth weaver"
- Qumranic Darmeśeq (דרמשק), and Darmsûq (ܕܪܡܣܘܩ) in Syriac, meaning "a well-watered land"
- 1) an ancient trading city, capital of Syria, located in the plain east of Hermon, 130 (205 km) miles northeast of Jerusalem
- ד Dalet Selflessness – Charity, back and forth or through a door or pathway, to enter like a fish (Numeric value: 4)
- ר Reish Process of Clarification The "head" or "beginning". Life's revelation. [Head... Person head highest] (Numeric value: 200).
- מ ם Mem Fountain of water, a flow, a fountain of the Divine Wisdom [massive, overpower chaos] (Numeric value: 40)
- ש Shin Eternal Flame of Spiritual Revelation, bound to the coal of righteousness, the Divine Essence. [sun... teeth... consume destroy] (Numeric value: 300)
- ק Kuf or Kof Omnipresence - Redemption of Fallen Sparks The paradoxical union Reish and a Zayin holiness or separateness omnipresence of God [Cord and needle 𐤒 ... back of head neck... the last or least] (Numeric value: 100)
- ↑ To inherit or not inherit
- 1 Corinthians 6:9 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
- 1 Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."
- Galatians 5:18 "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
- Hebrews 12:13 "And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
- ↑ 05828 עֵזֶר ‘ezer [ay’-zer] from 05826; n m; [BDB-740b] [{See TWOT on 1598 @@ "1598a" }] AV-help 19, help meet 2; 21
- 1) help, succour
- 1a) help, succour
- 1b) one who helps
- ע Ayin also U. Divine Providence "eye" or "fountain" of five states of kindness or severity. AlefYodNun or nothingness as opposed to AlefShin something [eye, watch] (Numeric value: 70)
- זָ ז Zayin The "Crowned" head. Seen with the contradictory meaning of "Service with Valor", but also "Sustenance with Nourishment". Associated with "cut bread" and also "war and provision", meaning literally "sword or weapon" and "crown or ornament". [To Cut or cut off, manacle] (value 7)
- ר Reish Process of Clarification The "head" or "beginning". Life's revelation. [Head... Person head highest] (Numeric value: 200).
- In Hebrew AyinZayinReish does not mean subordinate nor inferior but is only used of an equal or even a superior. It other text it is often in a role of a saviour, rescuer, or protector. Exodus 18:4; בְּעֶזְרִ֔י "And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:" Deuteronomy 33:7. עֵזֶר "And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies."
- 1) help, succour
- ↑ 05048 נֶגֶד neged [neh’-ghed] NunGimelDalet from 05046 NunGimelDalet tell or declare or cause something "to be conspicuous" by its presence; subst/adv/prep; [BDB-617a] [{See TWOT on 1289 @@ "1289a" }]
AV-before, against, in the presence, about; 23
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim; subst/adv/prep; [BDB-617a] [{See TWOT on 1289 @@ "1289a" }] AV-before, against, in the presence, about; 23
- subst
- 1) what is conspicuous, what is in front of
- adv
- 2) in front of, straight forward, before, in sight of
- 3) in front of oneself, straightforward
- 4) before your face, in your view or purpose
- with prep
- 5) what is in front of, corresponding to
- 6) in front of, before
- 7) in the sight or presence of
- 8) parallel to
- 9) over, for
- 10) in front, opposite
- 11) at a distance
- prep
- 12) from the front of, away from
- 13) from before the eyes of, opposite to, at a distance from
- 14) from before, in front of
- 15) as far as the front of
- נ ן Nun Heir to the Throne, Aramaic fish in the Mem (fish moving in flowing waters) or in the Hebrew the Nun may mean the kingdom with a double Nun suggesting spiritual insight in two realms. [fish moving... Activity life] (Numeric value: 50)
- ג Gimel Reward and Punish, Cause and effect, 'justified repayment'. Do to others as they should do. Written like a Vav with a Yod as a "foot". Camel, [throwstick, pride, to lift up] (Numeric value: 3)
- ד Dalet Selflessness – Charity, back and forth or through a door or pathway, to enter like a fish (Numeric value: 4)
- ↑ Simile is a directly explicit comparisons using "like" or "as" of two unrelated things
- ↑ Doeth or doeth not
- James 4:17 "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
- 1 John 3: "8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."
- 3 John 1:11 "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."
- John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love... 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
- 1 John 2:3 "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
- 1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
- Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
- ↑ To and fro
- Ephesians 4:14 "That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
- Proverbs 21: 1 "The king s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.