The Meaning of “mamleket kohanim” in Exodus 19:6 Revisited

Abstract

This study explores the meaning of ????????? ?????????? in Exodus 19:6, and considers its proper translation. ????????? ?????????? have been interpreted in various senses in the ancient and modern interpretation history. In the contemporary scholarly views, the interpretation falls into three categories. First, it is interpreted in the sense of “a kingdom ruled by priests”. Secondly, it is read as a priestly kingdom or a kingdom set apart from the nations. Thirdly, some scholars read it as “a royal priesthood”. William Moran and Georg Fohrer argue that “ ???????? ? ”? means “kings”, not “kingdom”. However, if we read it as “kings”, the meaning of the construct would be rather confusing (kings of priests). Rather, “ ???? ? ” and “ ???????? ? ”? should be regarded as a common word pair which refers to the same entity (Israel). Moreover, scholars in favour of “a kingdom ruled by priests” take the meaning of “ ????????? ? ” as literal (i.e., the cultic officers), not as figurative. Arie Van der Kooij contends that ????????? ?“ ” was not figuratively employed in the OT. However, we find metaphorical usage of “ ????????? ? ” in 2 Kings 4:5 and 2 Samuel 8:18. Furthermore, Moran and van der Kooij maintain that ???????? ? ????????? ? and ????? ???????? form the totality of Israel together and that ???????? ? ????????? ? refers to leaders of Israel. However, in the context of the covenantal privilege in Exodus 19, it would seem that designating the political entity for Israel does not fit with the context. Rather, “ ???????? ? ????????? ? ”? should be interpreted as attributive genitive which refers to the privileged status of Israel among the nations. Yet, ????????? ? does not mean “holy”. In the context of Exodus 19:22, ????????? ?“ ” may indicate the feature of priests who can approach near to God. Therefore, “ ???????? ? ????????? ? ”? refers to Israel’s covenantal status as a kingdom near to God. In addition, the proper translation of “ ???????? ? ????????? ? ”? should be a priestly kingdom or a kingdom near to God.