A new proposal for an old crux in Ezek 2:6

Abstract

The well-known text-critical problem in Ezek 2:6 with regard to the phrase כִּי סָרָבִים וְסַלּוֹנִים אוֹתָךְ has given rise to various interpretations. The one currently most widely accepted was made by Zimmerli in his commentary on Ezekiel, but this does not solve all the problems related to this phrase. Some scholars accept the reading of the Masoretic Text, albeit with a different interpretation of the words in the phrase. Others propose emendations, but the proposals do not solve all the problems. The versions demonstrate that they had a problem with the reading as well. In the proposed solution to the problem, it is accepted that the Septuagint and the Masoretic text contain two different editions of the book of Ezekiel, and that different proposals are needed for the two editions. Proposals are made for solving this problem in each of the two editions. The problems with the reading of the Masoretic text are discussed first, followed by a discussion of the renderings of this phrase in the versions. It is proposed that the text underlying the Masoretic text should have been כִּי סַלּוֹנִים וְסָרָבִים סְבִיבוֹתֶיךָ