78:61 He allowed the symbol of his strong presence to be captured; 1
he gave the symbol of his splendor 2 into the hand of the enemy. 3
78:64 Their 4 priests fell by the sword,
but their 5 widows did not weep. 6
1 tn Heb “and he gave to captivity his strength.” The expression “his strength” refers metonymically to the ark of the covenant, which was housed in the tabernacle at Shiloh.
2 tn Heb “and his splendor into the hand of an enemy.” The expression “his splendor” also refers metonymically to the ark of the covenant.
3 sn Verses 60-61 refer to the Philistines’ capture of the ark in the days of Eli (1 Sam 4:1-11).
4 tn Heb “his.” The singular pronominal suffix is collective, referring back to God’s “people” (v. 62).
5 tn Heb “his.” The singular pronominal suffix is collective, referring back to God’s “people” (v. 62).
6 sn Because of the invading army and the ensuing panic, the priests’ widows had no time to carry out the normal mourning rites.