Genesis 6:16
| 254 | to an ammah you are finishing her from-to-top-ward. Hebrew וְאֶל־אַמָּה֙ תְּכַלֶ֣נָּה מִלְמַ֔עְלָה (ve-el ammah t’kalennah milmalah). The word milmalah is literally from-to-top-ward. Or “Literally, from above to above;” Pulpit Commentary. There is a unique double set of prepositions prefixing the word top-part, as though Yahweh was commanding Rest to build in a specific way (direction?), as in building from the top and to the top. The suffix -ah adds -hers/herself. The whole phrase has confounded translators and commentators from time immemorial. There are lots of conjectures and speculations. But maybe it’s an enigma: “It behooves you to be born from above [top?]” John 3:7. This word construct is found 24 times in Scripture. Translator’s definitions vary. But compare some of the other places it is used including the “ark” lid: “And you have given אֶת-the Cover upon the Chest from-to-the-top-her,” Exodus 25:21 RBT |