|
Todays Rashi presents a map, a geographical description, of Israeli geography
and the surrounding Biblical countries. The map is presented below and appropriate
footnotes outline Rashi's comment. Because Rashi clarifies diagrammatic material
we classify this Rashi as non-Verse.
===========================================================
MAP OF SOUTHERN BORDER OF ISRAEL AND SURROUNDING COUNTRIES
===========================================================
' | |
' | NORTH |-----
' | ISRAEL | |
' | | | Sichon, Og
' |W E | --------------
' Pelishtim |E A | | |
' |S S | J | |
' |T T | O | |
' | | R | |
' | | D | MOAB |
' | ISRAEL | A | |
' | SOUTH | N | |
' | | | |
----------------------|-----------------| |
' | | |
' Egypt | Edom = Seir |-------------
' | |
' | |
' | |
' | |
' | |
Rashi comments on the above map.
- The southern border of Israel is from East to West,
part of Moab, all of Edom and part of Egypt.
- Dt02-05 explicitly states that Esauv inherited Mount Seir;
and Gn25-30 explicitly identifies Edom with Esauv; Furthermore
Gn25-25 identifies Seir which means hair with Esauv who was hairy.
- Using the above diagram and correspondences we would translate Dt02-01:08
....we travelled around Mount Seir=Edom many days. God said to Moses....enough...
face northward [Rashi: From the south to the north along the Eastern border of Edom]
and command the nation.....Don't incite the Esauvites [Rashi: Who dwell in Edom.].....and we passed [Rashi: Northward...]
towards the Moab desert [Rashi: Travelling on the northern route on the easter side of Edom we
passed into Moab]
For further commentary on this verse see rule #1, references.
Military activity is often vigorously described
using animal metaphors. Here we use the symbolism
principle that items can symbolize their function.
Examples are plentiful
- Nu24-09 states
He couched, he lay down as a
lion, and as a great
lion. Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he who blesses you, and cursed is he who curses you.
- Jr05-06 states
Therefore a lion from the forest shall slay them,
and a wolf of the deserts shall destroy them,
a leopard shall watch over their cities;
every one who goes out there shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, and their apostasies are great.
- Jr46-12 states
Her sound is like that of a serpent on the move;
for they shall march with force, and come against
her with axes, like wood cutters.
- Dt01-44a states
And the Amorites,
who lived in that mountain,
came out against you,
and chased you,
as bees do,
and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
The interpreter's task is to identify the unique military
characteristics of each animal. Rashi commenting on the last
verse Dt01-44a states
The military characteristic of the bee is the swiftness
of conquest without exertion of power. That is a bee kills
thru an instantaneous sting with venom, not by the type of
power and interactive fight shown by a lion.
|