Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Siman
Subjects in this Topic:
( ñַéîָï ), like the Greek óçìåῖïí , óῆìá , a sign or a symbol, denotes among the Masorites:
1. A chapter of a book or the number of a psalm. In the Pentateuch neither book nor chapter is quoted, but always the section, which is called ôøùä , or ñãø and ñãøà . Thus the Masora Finalis on ëàìä remarks: ñéîïé å â åñéîðéäåïðîñø áéøîéä ñéîïð à åàøåá øéù , i.e. “it occurs three times, and the passages are found in Jeremiah 51, and in Job at the beginning of ch. 16.” On, ìôðé àìäé the Masorah remarks: ã åñéîðéäåïðîñø áúìé íñéîïð æ , i.e.” — it occurs four times, and the passages are quoted in Psalms 56.” On, àîø àìäé it is remarked, áôøùú áøàùéú å 8 åñéîðåäåïðîñø , i.e. “it occurs six times, and the passages are quoted in the section Bereshith” [i.e. Gen_1:1-6; Gen_1:8. By comparing the Masoretic note in the Rabbinic Bible, it will be found that the passages are quoted at the beginning of the third chapter, since the phrase àîø àìäé occurs here for the first time].
2. It denotes passages, examples, which are quoted in order to confirm the Masoretic notes.
3. It is used as a symbol or memotechnical sign. Thus when a word occurs three times, four times, etc., as often as it occurs a corresponding symbol, which is generally of a very artificial character, is given. Thus “the Masora Parva remarks on é÷ç (Gen_18:4), ãâáøà ôøæìà ð åñéîïîåé , i.e.” it occurs three times, and the symbol is the water of the mighty, iron.” Now each of these three words represents a symbol, signifying the passage in which the word é÷ç occurs. Thus îåé , “water,” is the symbol of the passage in which we read, é÷ç ðà îòè îé , “let a little water be fetched” (Gen_18:4). The second word, ãâáøà , “of the mighty,” refers to the passage â íùáé âáåø é÷ç , “even the Captivity of the mighty shall be taken away” (Isa_49:25). The third word, ôøæìà , “iron,” refers to îòôø é÷ç áøæì , “iron is taken out of the earth” (Job_28:2). In the same verse the Masorah remarks on åøçöå , “and wash,” â 8 åñé 8 îéà ãòáãà ãëéà , i.e. “it occurs three times, and its symbol is ‘the waters, of the servant, are clean.'” The first word, îéà , “the waters,” refers to that verse in which before åøçöå is read, îé [i.e. in the same verse]; the second word, ãòáãà , “of the servant,” refers to, òáãë , “your servant,” which occurs in Gen_19:2. The third word, ãëéà , “clean,” refers to Isa_1:16, øçâå äæëå , “wash you, make you clean.”
4. The word ñéî stands alone without any addition or explanation, and in this position it serves as a monitor:
a. When one word differs from a similar one, either by its prefix or through another letter, and in this instance it calls the attention to the difference. Thus in Lev_25:25 we read ëéàּéîåàִçé , “if thy brother be waxen poor;” but in Lev_25:35 we read åëéàּéîåàִçé , “and if thy brother,” etc. To the latter passage the Masorah adds ñéî , to call attention to the ëé in Lev_25:25, and åëé in Lev_25:35.
b. When the difference is caused by another word. Thus in Num_4:6; Num_4:14, we read åùîå áãéé , “and shall put in the staves thereof;” but in Num_4:8; Num_4:11 we read áãéå åùîå àú , “and shall put,” etc. Here, in this instance, the Masorah places ñéî to the first form. Comp. also Lev_19:5; Lev_22:29; Psa_56:5; Psa_56:12.
c. When a difference consists in the accents. Thus in Num_4:30 we read òåã áïàּçîùé íùðä , “even until fifty years;” but in Num_4:35 we read áïàּçîùé íùðä . In this instance the attention is called to the difference of the accents, viz. the first åòã has the Tebir., the second the Tiphcha, These few examples will show the importance of the meaning of the ñéî in its different stages. See Buxtorf, Tiberias, seu Massoreticus Commentarius, p. 259 sq.; Frensdorff, Massora Magna, introd. p. 9. (B.P.)