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New Reading of 1 Samuel 19:19

The generally accepted interpretation of 1 Samuel 19:19, based on the classical versions, is reflected in new translations, including Russian ones. The Synodal translation reads: “And he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing. He had twelve yoke [of oxen], and he himself was with the twelfth. And Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle upon him.” This reading raises questions, among them: did twelve yoke of oxen really pull one plow? If the prophet was with the twelfth team, were the remaining eleven yoke left to fend for themselves? And what became of the remaining oxen after Elisha slaughtered two and used the yoke and the plow for firewood (1 Samuel 19:21)? The report will offer a new reading of the verse based on an analysis of the Hebrew Masoretic text, as well as well-known ancient and modern translations that reflect a certain logic in the interpretation of the biblical text.