Why the Ma’oz Tzur author says ‘prepare a slaughter’?

Some English translations have 'censored' this line.

In the Hanukkah song Ma’oz Tzur, arguably the most famous piyyut, or liturgical poem, of all time, the 3rd and 4th line read:

לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּחַ מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּחַ

.אָז אֶגְמוֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹר חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ

“When you have prepared a slaughter of the barking foe,
I will complete with song and psalm the dedication of the altar.”

In this video, I discuss who is the enemy and why the author, a 12th or 13th century Mordecai, is using such violent words?

About the Author

Born in Israel. Served in the army. Studied a bit of aeronautical engineering at the Technion. Completed a law degree at Bar Ilan University. Interned at the Nazareth Public Defender's Office. Received a Master's degree from American University Washington College of Law. Worked as a defense lawyer in traffic law and human rights law. But my true passion is the Hebrew language. For the past 15 years, I have been an adjunct professor of Hebrew at various institutions of higher learning. I am also the Baal Kore at my shul. In this blog, I will explore the evolution of the Hebrew language, and focus on fascinating connections between language, religion and culture.