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Secondly, he, of course, implies that it is used in this sense by Onkelos in the
passage in question. Now, the answer to all this is very simple, but quite conclusive.
First, the Hebrew verb referred to is always used in the Targumim for "bruise," or
"rub off," as will be seen by a reference to Levy's well-known Dictionary of the
Targumim, Vol. 2, pp. 462b, 463a.^2
Secondly, neither the word nor the rendering in question occurs in the Targum
Onkelos, nor anything at all like it^3 (as implied in the language of Kuenen); while,
Thirdly, it is used, not indeed in the Targum Onkelos, but in the so-called Targum
(Pseudo-) Jonathan and in the Jerusalem Targum (which in the whole of this history
closely follow Jewish traditionalism), but in the sense of "bruise," with evident
mystic reference - and what is more, with express mention of its application to
Messiah the King!
I will not be so rash as to say, Ex una disce omnes, but this instance may at least
point the moral to our caution. In conclusion, I can only repeat the apostolic
assurance, as in this sense also expressive of the feelings with which I close the
present part of my investigations:
"NEVERTHELESS THE FIRM FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH!"
ALFRED EDERSHEIM
LODERS VICARAGE, BRIDPORT.
(^)