Ruth 1:13c
Posted byRichard C. McDonaldPosted inRuth 1 VideosTags:Negative Clause, Negative Particle, Purpose Clause
Published by Richard C. McDonald
I am married to Nancy McDonald and we have two boys, Noah and Stephen. I am a high school history teacher at Whitefield Academy in Louisville, KY. I am also an adjunct instructor of Old Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College. I am a fan of LSU, and college football in general. My family and I are members at Sojourn Church-JTown in Louisville, KY. View more posts
your hebrew tutor 
A lot of translators understand מִן differently – ‘it grieves me very much for your sakes’ – NKJV, ASV, ESV. Holladay (6) has ‘designates logical cause’ – I can see the ‘from’ idea there – from the cause of.. which is similar to ‘on account of’. Can only see that in BDB (7) with infinitives.
The NASB has ‘it is harder for me than for you’ & note: ‘Lit.: more bitter’.
If it’s a comparison, then could the מְאֹד֙ be affecting the מִן directly – it’s bitter for me, much more than for you – rather than it modifying the verb – it’s very bitter for me, more than for you. ?
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An earlier question – are impersonal (subjectless) verbs common in biblical Hebrew – ie here מַר – where we have to supply a subject.
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This is certainly a valid translation. As you’ve pointed out, several major English translations go this route. There are other translations that go the comparative route: JPS, NASB, NIV, and even the Targums and the LXX. I believe the Vulgate is the basis of the NKJV, KJV, ASV, ESV renderings. I really think either translation is acceptable. In situations like this, I like to look to the Targum, LXX, and the Vulgate to help me choose the best option.
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