The Problematic Word of מִכְתָּם: A Dialogue Between Biblical Studies and Christian Education

Abstract

The Hebrew word מִכְתָּם creates a problem because its meaning is controversial. The Hebrew lexicon, BDB (1906) and TWOT lexicon (2003) confirm this difficulty, saying, »the meaning of this word is unknown«. PONS Kompaktwörterbuch Althebräisch (2015) states that this word is untranslated, while other sources translate it as song, prayer, or epigram. Allen P. Ross (2012, 48), a Hebrew scholar, indicates that its meaning is disputed. Ibn Ezra (2009, 112) interprets that this word refers to a very precious Psalm. He compares it with ketem paz or the finest gold in Song of Songs 5:11 because both words are derived from the same root. This perplexity also occurs in the ancient texts as they differ in their translations. This article, therefore, attempts to study and solve this dilemmatic word in ancient texts with a textual criticism and a contextual study as its methodology. At the end, the meaning of מִכְתָּם will be applied into Christian education field.

Keywords

• translation
• word study
• psalms
• textual criticism
• christian education