impale. There is no scholarly
consensus on the exact form of execution, except that it obviously involves
exhibiting the corpses. Some understand it as a king of crucifixion. (Robert
Alter, The Hebrew Bible, 3 vols. [New York: W. W. Norton & Company,
2019], 2:404)
6 The exact meaning of the hiph form of the verb יקע
is uncertain, and this problem is reflected by the differing translations both
ancient and modern. G may suggest crucifixion in the sun (similarly Tg. and Vg)
while Syr. thinks of a sacrifice. The same variety is also attested by the
modem versions: “hang them” (rsv, RAV), “hurl them down” (neb), “dismember
them” (nab), etc. (A. A. Anderson, 2 Samuel [Word Biblical
Commentary 11; Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1989], 249)
The meaning of the verb
translated hang is uncertain. In the
story of Jacob wrestling with the angel, it seems to mean “dislocated” (rsv
“put out of joint”; Gen 32:25). In Jer 6:8 it is translated “alienated.” And in
Ezek 23:17–18 the meaning appears to be “turned away from.” Holladay gives the
meaning for the form of the verb here as “be exposed with broken limbs.” In the
present context it has been translated in a variety of ways, including “impale”
(njps, Fox, and nrsv), “hurl … down” (reb), “dismember” (nab and njb),
“crucify” (Knox), and “be killed” (niv), as well as the traditional
understanding, “hang” (rsv, tev, Goldman, and others). The idea of being
impaled or fastened onto a stake after having been run through by it may be the
best translation of a very uncertain term. (Roger L. Omanson and John
Ellington, A Handbook on Second Book of Samuel [UBS Handbook Series; New
York: United Bible Societies, 2001], 1092)
Here is the Aramaic of Targum Jonathan to the Prophets for 2
Sam 21:6:
יִתיַהבוּן לַנָא שִבעָה גֻברִין מִבְנֹוהִי וְנִצלֹובִנוּן
קֳדָם יְיָ בְגִבעְתָא דְשָאוּל בְחִירָא דַיְיָ וַאְמַר מַלכָא אְנָא אַתֵין׃
Here is an English translation:
6. let there be given to us seven men from his sons and let us
hang them before the Lord in Gibeah
of Saul, the chosen of the Lord.” And the king said: “I will give (them).” (Targum
Jonathan of the Former Prophets [trans. Daniel J. Harrington and Anthony J.
Saldarini; The Aramaic Bible 10; Collegeville, Minn.: The Liturgical Press,
1990], Logos Bible Software edition)
