Psalms 58:4-5

58:4 Their venom is like that of a snake, ¹ 

like a deaf serpent ²  that does not hear, ³ 

58:5 that does not respond to ⁴  the magicians,

or to a skilled snake-charmer.

Jeremiah 8:17

8:17 The Lord says, ⁵ 

“Yes indeed, ⁶  I am sending an enemy against you

that will be like poisonous snakes which cannot be charmed away. ⁷ 

And they will inflict fatal wounds on you.” ⁸ 

[58:4]  ¹ tn Heb “[there is] venom to them according to the likeness of venom of a snake.”

[58:4]  ² tn Or perhaps “cobra” (cf. NASB, NIV). Other suggested species of snakes are “asp” (NEB) and “adder” (NRSV).

[58:4]  ³ tn Heb “[that] stops up its ear.” The apparent Hiphil jussive verbal form should be understood as a Qal imperfect with “i” theme vowel (see GKC 168 §63.n).

[58:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “does not listen to the voice of.”

[8:17]  ⁵ tn These words which are at the end of the Hebrew verse are brought forward to show at the outset the shift in speaker.

[8:17]  ⁶ tn Heb “Indeed [or For] behold!” The translation is intended to convey some of the connection that is suggested by the Hebrew particle כִּי (ki) at the beginning of the verse.

[8:17]  ⁷ tn Heb “I am sending against you snakes, poisonous ones which cannot be charmed.” In the light of the context literal snakes are scarcely meant. So the metaphor is turned into a simile to prevent possible confusion. For a similar metaphorical use of animals for enemies see 5:6.

[8:17]  ⁸ tn Heb “they will bite you.” There does not appear to be any way to avoid the possible confusion that literal snakes are meant here except to paraphrase. Possibly one could say “And they will attack you and ‘bite’ you,” but the enclosing of the word “bite” in quotations might lead to even further confusion.