Silla
TextsWhat is the meaning of Silla in the Bible?
The Hebrew term 'silla' in 2 Kings 12:20 presents a textual variant where the Masoretic Text reads it as a common noun meaning 'highway' or 'path,' while the Septuagint and some ancient versions interpret it as a proper name, 'Silla,' likely referring to a person or place associated with the assassination of King Joash.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Examining this variant aids readers in understanding how scribal traditions and translation choices influence the narrative of royal assassinations in the Hebrew Bible, revealing the complexity of reconstructing the original historical context from divergent textual witnesses.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Silla in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Silla clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.