And
formed the spirit of man within him: The Hebrew word translated
formed suggests the work of a potter
in shaping his clay. This word is the same word as that used in Gen 2:7, which
this description refers back to. If translators cannot retain the metaphor,
they may simply state the meaning as “and gave life to human beings.” (David
J. Clark and Howard A. Hatton, A Handbook on Zechariah [UBS Handbook
Series; New York: United Bible Societies, 2002], 309)
Then
the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground: then
translates the ordinary Hebrew linking form waw;
but here it marks a transition to the opening of a creative act, everything
before having been description of the setting. Translators should show that
this is a step forward in the story action. For Lord God see verse 4.
Formed
translates a word meaning “to shape, mold, fashion.” In Isa 29:16; 41:25, the
word is used to refer to the work of a potter. See also Psa 94:9; 95:5; 104:26.
The term is used more figuratively in Isa 27:11 with the sense of shaping a
nation, or of determining historical events in Isa 22:11 (“planned it”); 37:26
(“planned”); 46:11 (“purposed”). (William David Reyburn and Euan
McG. Fry, A Handbook on Genesis [UBS Handbook Series; New York: United
Bible Societies, 1998], 63)
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