Save "Deuteronomy 32:18 - Feminine imagery
"
Deuteronomy 32:18 - Feminine imagery

צ֥וּר יְלָדְךָ֖ תֶּ֑שִׁי

וַתִּשְׁכַּ֖ח אֵ֥ל מְחֹלְלֶֽךָ׃

You neglected the Rock who begot you,

Forgot the God who labored to bring you forth.

(The above rendering comes from the RJPS translation—an adaptation of the NJPS translation.)


Scholars and recent translators seem to agree that the participle מְחֹלֵל evokes a female image that involves being in labor; see Isa 51:2; Job 39:1; cf. with the Qal stem in Deut 2:25; Isa 26:17–18; 45:10. (On the paradox of a grammatical masculine inflection with female action, see my comment at v. 13.)


As for the translation, the NJPS rendering “brought you forth” evokes a female image—although in a rather muted fashion, since it is not a common way to describe giving birth. The revised rendering conveys the female image more forthrightly.

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible on our site. Click OK to continue using Sefaria. Learn More.OKאנחנו משתמשים ב"עוגיות" כדי לתת למשתמשים את חוויית השימוש הטובה ביותר.קראו עוד בנושאלחצו כאן לאישור