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Madonna's new Hebrew tattoo might not mean what she thinks it does

Pop legend boasts new ink reading "Ve'yishakhu," which she says means "kiss" but is taken from a verse of Genesis frequently interpreted as indicating that Esau loathed Jacob.

by  Inbal Chiat
Published on  11-29-2021 16:32
Last modified: 11-30-2021 09:59
Madonna's new Hebrew tattoo might not mean what she thinks it doesMadonna via Instagram

Madonna's tattoo might not mean what she thinks it means | Screenshot: Madonna via Instagram

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Pop legend Madonna is sporting a new tattoo, in Hebrew, no less.

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On Sunday, Madonna posted a picture of herself in her tattoo parlor of choice and showed of her wrist, which bore a newly-inked tattoo of the Hebrew word "Ve'yishakhu."

In an accompanying video clip, Madonna explains to her daughter that the word means "kiss" in Hebrew.

But Hebrew has a word for kiss ("neshika"), and that is not what the singer's tattoo says. "Ve'yishakhu" is taken from a verse of the Book of Genesis. When Jacob leaves Haran, he is afraid of encountering his brother Esau, so divides his camp of followers into two. When the brothers meet, the Bible says, "Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept." (Genesis 33:4)

Not only can "Ve'yishakhu" be literally translated as "and kissed him," rather than the simple noun for "kiss," but this verse is also interpreted as indicating that Esau's heart was not behind the kiss he bestowed on Jacob. In fact, "Esau hates Jacob" is a saying used to express the sense that other nations will always hate the Jews.

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Tags: Book of GenesisHebrewMadonnatattoo

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