30:31a
a strutting rooster: This phrase refers to a rooster or a cock that raises its head high as it walks around. In languages that do not describe the way a rooster struts, some other ways to translate this phrase are:
• Use a different word that describes the appearance of a rooster. For example:
those proud roosters (Contemporary English Version)
• Omit the description. It is implied from 30:29a–b. For example:
a rooster (New Century Version)
a he-goat: A male goat that is protecting the females in his flock from rival goats walks in an aggressive way.
30:31b
and a king with his army around him: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as army occurs only once in the OT. Its meaning is uncertain. Scholars have proposed different vowels for the Hebrew consonants and different ways of dividing the Hebrew words. As a result, there are three main ways to interpret this line:
(1) In the Masoretic Text (MT), it refers to a king who is leading or accompanied by his army. For example:
and a king whose army is with him (English Standard Version)
-or-
a king as he leads his army (New Living Translation (2004))
(2) In the LXX, it refers to a king in front of his people. For example:
and kings in front of their people (Good News Translation)
(3) In the Latin Vulgate, it refers to a king who faces no revolts or resistance. For example:
the king whom none dares resist (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions. A cognate word in Arabic means “band of soldiers.” With this interpretation, it is not necessary to change the Masoretic Text.
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