אָנָה

From the study of Proverbs 12:21

Range of meaning

A rare verb meaning "to meet, come opportunely, be brought about." In the active form it means to cause something to meet someone, to let it happen. In the passive form (used here) it means to be made to meet, to befall. In the reflexive form it means to seek an occasion against someone. The related noun tōʾănāh means "occasion, pretext."

Against the English

"Befall" (BSB, ESV, NASB), "overtake" (NIV), "happen" (KJV, WEB) and "come to" (NLT) all describe something that simply happens. None of them carries the Hebrew passive's hint that the harm is allowed or brought to meet someone. YLT's "is desired by" takes the verb from a different root altogether (see textual notes).

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus 21:13: an accidental killing is one where "God let it come to his hand" (ʾinnāh, the active form). Psalm 91:10: "No evil shall be made to befall you" (lōʾ-təʾunneh ʾēlêkā rāʿāh), the same passive form and almost the same promise. 2 Kings 5:7: the king of Israel says Aram's king "is seeking an occasion against me" (reflexive form). Judges 14:4: Samson's marriage was from the LORD, who "was seeking an occasion" (tōʾănāh).

From the study of 2 Kings 5:7

Range of meaning

The root means to meet, befall, or happen at the right time (Exod 21:13, of God "letting" an accidental death occur). In the reflexive form used here it means to make an occasion for oneself, to look for a pretext. The related noun to'anah means "occasion, pretext" (Judg 14:4, where Samson is "seeking an occasion against the Philistines").

Against the English

"Seeking a quarrel" (KJV, WEB, BSB, ESV, NASB) or "picking a quarrel" (NIV). YLT's "presenting himself to me" is too literal and loses the hostile sense.

How it drifted

In modern English a "quarrel" sounds like a spat or an argument. In the 9th-century BCE setting this is about a pretext for war: an impossible demand that, once refused, gives Aram a reason to invade.

Used elsewhere in the period

Judg 14:4 (to'anah, occasion for hostilities). The Septuagint renders it prophasizetai, "he is making a pretext," and the Vulgate occasiones quaerat, "he seeks occasions." Both read it as pretext-hunting.

From the study of Psalm 91:10

Range of meaning

A rare root meaning "to meet, come upon." In the active causative form (Piel) it means "to let something meet someone, to cause it to happen to them" (Exodus 21:13). In the passive form (Pual), which is used here, it means "to be made to meet, be allowed to befall" (Proverbs 12:21; Psalm 91:10). In a reflexive form it means "to seek an occasion" against someone, to pick a quarrel (2 Kings 5:7).

Against the English

KJV, BSB and NASB say "befall," which is accurate but impersonal. ESV's "shall be allowed to befall" keeps the passive and its implied agent. NIV's "overtake" and NLT's "conquer" bring in pictures of a chase or a battle that the verb does not contain.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exodus 21:13 is the key parallel. In the law on accidental killing, "God let it happen to his hand" (ha'elohim 'innah leyado). There the same root explains a death no human planned as something God allowed. Proverbs 12:21 makes a close wisdom parallel to our verse: "No harm is allowed to befall the righteous" (lo-ye'unneh latsaddiq kol-'awen). HALOT and BDB both list the Pual sense "be allowed to happen, befall."