A Nation that Dwells Alone/2
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A Nation that Dwells Alone
Exegetical Approaches
Secure
Bilaam's words refer to the security of the nation of Israel.
Meaning of "בָדָד"
- Alone – The Targumim, Rashi, and Seforno understand the word to mean alone, and assert that Bilaam is prophesying that in the future the Children of Israel alone will inherit the Land and not be destroyed with other nations.
- Secure – R"Y Bekhor Shor and Chizkuni, in contrast, explain that the word simply means secure, pointing to the parallel verse, "וַיִּשְׁכֹּן יִשְׂרָאֵל בֶּטַח בָּדָד" as support.1 R"Y Bekhor Shor does suggest an etymological connection to the meaning of "alone", suggesting that one who is not afraid is called "בדד" because he does not need others.
"וּבַגּוֹיִם לֹא יִתְחַשָּׁב" – These sources disagree regarding how they understand this part of the verse and its relationship to the previous clause:
- Elaboration – According to Onkelos and Rashi this clause parallels the first, reinforcing the message of safety. In the future, Israel will not be counted amongst the nations when Hashem judges and destroys them.
- Reason for future security – According to Targum Pseudo-Jonathon, this phrase expresses the reason for the nation's ultimate status. Because they do not take on the customs of the surrounding nations, they will merit to inherit the world.
- Reason for present security – R"Y Bekhor Shor maintains that Israel, sitting securely, is not considered as the rest of the nations that it can be cursed.
The full blessing – According to this position the rest o fthe belssing is not intricately connected to the concept of the nation's security.
"ה' בָּדָד יַנְחֶנּוּ וְאֵין עִמּוֹ אֵל נֵכָר" – The commentators disagree regarding what is the meaning and referent of the word "בָּדָד" and thus how they understand the verse:
- Secure guiding – Both R"Y Bekhor Shor and Rashi assume that "בָּדָד" is an adverb and describes how Hashem guided the nation securely during their trek through the wilderness.2 Rashi adds that none of the foreign gods had power to fight against them.
- Israel alone – Seforno maintains that the subject of the word "בָּדָד" is the Nation of Israel, and read the verse in line with his explanation of Bilaam's words in Bemidbar that it refers to the future when Israel alone will survive Hashem's judgement and there will be no more idolaters.
- Hashem alone – The Targumim, in contrast, assume that the word refers back to Hashem and is emphasizing how in the future Hashem alone will guide the nation, as there will no longer be any worship of foreign gods.
Are we meant to be part of the larger world? According to most of these commentators,3 neither the verse in Bemidbar nor in Devarim is speaking of the need for the nation to live apart and unconnected to the larger world.
Separate
Meaning of "בָדָד"
Special
Bilaam was prophesying about the unique status of the Children of Israel, Hashem's chosen nation.
