Op1c

From the study of Isaiah 26:12

Range of meaning

The preposition lᵉ ('to, for, belonging to') plus 'us'. It means 'for us, to us, on our behalf'. It does not normally mean 'in us' (Hebrew would use bᵉ or bᵉqirbēnû, 'within us').

Against the English

Every modern version translates both occurrences as 'for us'. The KJV has 'for us' the first time and 'in us' the second, which changes the image from God acting on behalf of the people to God working inside them.

How it drifted

The KJV's 'in us' may reflect Latin interpretive tradition (the Vulgate's nobis is ambiguous) and later reflection on grace. Compare Philippians 2:13, 'God which worketh in you'.

Used elsewhere in the period

The same phrase pā‘altā lānû in Psalm 68:28 is universally rendered 'for us'. The repeated lānû frames the verse: peace 'for us', works done 'for us'.

From the study of Isaiah 6:8

Range of meaning

The preposition le- ('to, for') with 'us' attached: 'to us', 'for us', 'on our behalf'. Here it marks the go-between, the one acting for a group.

Against the English

BSB and NASB capitalize 'Us', which signals that the translators take it as divine persons. KJV, WEB and most others use lowercase 'us', which leaves the question open. The Hebrew has no capital letters, so the capitalization is the translators' interpretation, not a feature of the text.

How it drifted

From the early church onward, Christian readers heard the plural as a hint of the Trinity, alongside Gen 1:26. Capitalized 'Us' in some modern translations reinforces that reading.

Used elsewhere in the period

The closest parallel is 1 Kings 22:19-22. The prophet Micaiah sees YHWH on his throne with 'all the host of heaven' standing beside him. YHWH asks 'Who will entice Ahab?', the council discusses it, and one spirit volunteers. Other scenes in God's heavenly court: Job 1-2; Psalm 82:1; Jeremiah 23:18, 22 (a true prophet 'stood in the council of YHWH'). Plural divine speech also appears at Gen 1:26; 3:22; 11:7. Older Near Eastern myths have similar assemblies of gods asking for a volunteer: the Babylonian Enuma Elish, where Marduk volunteers as champion, and the Ugaritic council of El.

From the study of Jeremiah 42:5

Range of meaning

The preposition be- with 'us'. Its everyday meanings include 'in', 'among', 'with' and 'by'. Combined with witness language, it has the established sense 'against'.

Against the English

BSB, ESV, NIV, NASB and YLT say 'against us'. KJV says 'between us' and WEB says 'among us', which make the witness sound neutral or even protective.

How it drifted

'Between' matches the Latin Vulgate's inter nos and may have come into the English tradition by that route. A reader of the KJV can easily take the line as a mutual pledge.

Used elsewhere in the period

Compare Numbers 5:13, Deuteronomy 19:15-16, 1 Samuel 12:3-5, Micah 1:2 and Malachi 3:5, all using be- for testimony against someone. Hebrew has a separate word for 'between' (bên), used in Genesis 31:50 and Judges 11:10, and it does not appear here. Most tellingly, Jeremiah 42:19 uses the same construction: 'I have testified against you (bakhem) today.'