To: fortheDeclaration
http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/9874/showrashi/true armed: Heb. חִמֻשִׁים וַחִמֻשִׁים [in this context] can only mean armed. (Since He led them around in the desert [circuitously], He caused them to go up armed, for if He had led them around through civilization, they would not have [had to] provide for themselves with everything that they needed, but only [part,] like a person who travels from place to place and intends to purchase there whatever he will need. But if he travels a long distance into a desert, he must prepare all his necessities for himself. This verse was written only to clarify the matter, so you should not wonder where they got weapons in the war with Amalek and in the wars with Sihon and Og and Midian, for the Israelites smote them with the point of the sword.) [In an old Rashi]) And similarly [Scripture] says: and you shall cross over armed (חִמֻשִׁים) (Josh. 1:14). And so too Onkelos rendered מְזָרְזִין just as he rendered: and he armed (וְזָרֵיז) his trained men (Gen. 14:14). Another interpretation: חִמֻשִׁים means divided by five, [meaning] that one out of five (חִמִֹשָה) [Israelites] went out, and four fifths [lit., parts of the people] died during the three days of darkness [see Rashi on Exod. 10:22]. [from Mechilta, Tanchuma, Beshallach 1]
107 posted on
01/15/2013 3:02:44 AM PST by
jjotto
("Ya could look it up!")
To: jjotto
You are bit confused.
1st, no Jew died during the days of darkness, the darkness occured only among the Egyptians (see vs.Ex.10:23)
2nd. The Jews are said to have come out in armies in Ex. 12:51).
Thus, Ex.13:18 tells us that they came out 'harnessed',(by fives) in other words, by ranks.
So, in the beginning of your comment you state that the Hebrew can only mean 'armed' but then state that it can also mean 'divided by five'.
That is how the KJB translated it, hence the word 'harnessed'.
Other modern versions have 'orderly ranks' (NKJ) or 'martial array'(NAU).
The point being they left in order not as a mob.
194 posted on
01/15/2013 11:46:33 AM PST by
fortheDeclaration
(Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:but sin is a reproach to any people)
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