הוּן

From the study of Deuteronomy 1:41

Range of meaning

This exact verb appears only here in the Bible. It is usually linked to an Arabic root hwn, “to be easy, light, of little account.” In the causative form that gives “to treat as easy, make light of.” Some lexicons list it under a root hyn, with a meaning like “to be reckless, to dare.”

Against the English

KJV and YLT: “ye were ready.” BSB/NIV/ESV: “thinking/thought it easy.” NASB: “regarded it as easy.” NLT: “thinking it would be easy to attack.” WEB: “presumed.” The Jewish Publication Society's version (NJPS) uses the idea of acting recklessly. “Ready” sounds neutral or even praiseworthy. The other renderings keep the note of rash overconfidence.

How it drifted

KJV's “were ready” probably follows an old Jewish explanation (preserved in Rashi) that links the word to hinnenu, “here we are,” the people's words in Num 14:40. To a modern reader “ready” just means “prepared.” The critical tone is lost.

Used elsewhere in the period

Rashi explains it as the people saying “Here we are, we will go up” (Num 14:40). The Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate appear to paraphrase rather than translate it directly. They describe the people gathering or setting out armed for the mountain. Modern lexicons (BDB, HALOT) and commentators such as Tigay and Weinfeld mostly prefer “regard as easy / act rashly,” supported by v. 43 vattazidu (“you acted presumptuously”) and Num 14:44 vayya'pilu (“they presumed, dared”).