Commentary on the Functions and Rendering of אִישׁ

Edited version of working notes created during the preparation of the RJPS translation of the Tanakh (published in 2023 by The Jewish Publication Society). Discusses the functions of the noun אִישׁ, on its gender ascriptions, and on why changes were made (or not) to the NJPS base translation. Only the passage’s plain-sense meaning is considered. ¶ Ultimately, this commentary will consist of more than 500 entries on instances whose rendering differs from the NJPS base translation, or about 1 in 4 of all instances of אִישׁ. Thus far, about 150 comments have been published, covering the books of Genesis, Joshua, Judges, and Samuel. My goal is to continue with Exodus — and stay just ahead of the weekly Torah portion in the year 5784. ¶ These notes presuppose an orientation to אִישׁ as a situating noun, as described in the document linked below, pp. 11–16. (Disclaimer: The scholarly views expressed in these comments are mine alone; I do not purport to speak for The Jewish Publication Society or its staff.)