‘We Really Should Stop Translating נִיר in Kings as “Light” Or “Lamp”’: A Response’

Abstract

This essay responds to Deuk-il Shin’s recently published ‘The Translation of the Hebrew Term NĪR: “David’s Yoke”?’ I contend that Shin’s argument does not do enough to counteract Douglas Stuart’s call to stop translating נִיר in Kings as ‘light’ or ‘lamp’. Among other things, Shin does not consider important contributions to the discussion, which therefore renders his argumentation deficient. All things considered, Ehud Ben Zvi’s suggestion of territorial dominion is most appropriate.