The verse in the original does NOt say G_d regretted - the verb used is: says: "Vayinachem" - which actually means G-d changed [his relationship] how he connects to Man -[here from mercy to judgment - same verb used in numbers 23, dueteronomy 32, exodus 32, samuel I ch 15 -all use the verb 'nicham' which means -change of thought/direction on relations with]....
With all due respect for your linguistic abilities, can you suggest
- any lexicon that differs sunstantially from Strong's 05162, and/or
- any version of Genesis 6:6 that reflects your interpretation.
With regards to the first question, consider the following footnote:
quote:
Or "was grieved"; "was sorry." In the Niphal stem the verb can carry one of four semantic meanings, depending on the context: (1) "to experience emotional pain or weakness," "to feel regret," often concerning a past action (see Exod 13:17; Judg 21:6, 15; 1 Sam 15:11, 35; Job 42:6; Jer 31:19). In several of these texts yk ("because") introduces the cause of the emotional sorrow. (2) Another meaning is "to be comforted" or "to comfort oneself" (sometimes by taking vengeance). See Gen 24:67; 38:12; 2 Sam 13:39; Ps 77:3; Isa 1:24; Jer 31:15; Ezek 14:22; 31:16; 32:31. (This second category represents a polarization of category one.) (3) The meaning "to relent from" or "to repudiate" a course of action which is already underway is also possible (see Judg 2:18; 2 Sam 24:16 = 1 Chr 21:15; Pss 90:13; 106:45; Jer 8:6; 20:16; 42:10). (4) Finally, "to retract" (a statement) or "to relent or change one's mind concerning," "to deviate from" (a stated course of action) is possible (see Exod 32:12, 14; 1 Sam 15:29; Ps 110:4; Isa 57:6; Jer 4:28; 15:6; 18:8, 10; 26:3, 13, 19; Ezek 24:14; Joel 2:13-14; Am 7:3, 6; Jon 3:9-10; 4:2; Zech 8:14). See R. B. Chisholm, "Does God 'Change His Mind'?" BSac 152 (1995): 388. The first category applies here because the context speaks of God's grief and emotional pain (see the following statement in v. 6) as a result of a past action (his making mankind). For a thorough study of the word, see H. Van Dyke Parunak, "A Semantic Survey of NHM," Bib 56 (1975): 512-32.
- see netbible
As for the second question, I notice that:
- my Stone Edition Tanach employs the 2nd of the "four semantic meanings", i.e. 'regret', as does the Etz Hayim, the JPS, and the Kaplan Torah
- furthermore, 'regret' is the translation found in Targum Onkelos and Targum Pseudo-Jonathan shown here.
In summary, there appears to be a good deal of Judaic scholarship, likewise "fluent hebrew and ... aramaic", that is similarly guilty of an "error or at least some terrible misaccuracy".
I read, write, and speak fluent hebrew and can read a decent aramaic so can view the material in the orginal.
Parenthetically, what you read is
not the original, but, instead, a redaction and harmonization of source material probably no older that the Second Temple Period.
You might find
Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, by
Emanuel Tov, very much worth reading in this area.
[This message has been edited by ConsequentAtheist, 11-02-2003]