[b-hebrew] Zech 6:8
Karl Randolph
kwrandolph at email.com
Fri Dec 9 15:02:43 EST 2005
Dear Steve:
You sound like you have read too much theological works
whereas I am simply a linguist. Theologians like too much
(for my tastes) to make mountains out of molehills, often to
defend predetermined outcomes. I don't own a theological
dictionary, and after looking at a few definitions in one or
two, I have been inoculated against ever wanting one.
Whereas English has grammaticized tense, Hebrew has
grammaticized mode and aspect: modes such as simple
active, stative, causative and their passives, and reflexive;
and aspect. The claim that these grammaticizations lead
to completely different definitions doesn't make sense,
unless your argument is that what I understand as
grammaticizations are really indicators for different
lexemes.
As for Zachariah 6:8, the unpointed text gives no
indication that this is a Hiphil verb, nor does the context.
The context indicates that this is a Qal verb, with the
person to whom the cry was made being indicated by the
accusative pronoun. As a Qal verb, there is no question
as to what the verse means, as a Hiphil, it leads to the
convoluted long discussion we've been having. Why
should we not recognize that this verse is another place
where the Masoretes got the points wrong?
As a translator, you might make such a case that a hiphil
grammaticization translates better using a different verb,
but in this case a translator speaks, not a linguist
analyzing the language itself.
Your argument was hurt by your admission, SM: Herman,
thanks very much. I did not know any of this. I can only
read English. I cannot read Hebrew, whether pointed or
not, well enough to understand it without helps.
In conclusion, it looks as if you are trying to defend a
theological dictionary, not the Hebrew text.
Yours, Karl W. Randolph.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Miller" <smille10 at sbcglobal.net>
>
> Thanks Karl,
> I appreciate your sharing the word $W(. This word is very similar to Z(Q,
> often used in the same verse. The difference seems to me to be that $W(
> involves humbling oneself while Z(Q does not.
>
> All the examples you give below where Z(Q does not mean a cry for help or in
> distress are not the Qal form. The Qal form always is a cry for help or in
> distress. The Niphal and Hiphil forms are derived from the Qal, but would
> not be expected to have the same meaning as the Qal.
>
> The Niphal is always to be assembled for an emergency. That is the case in
> Judges 18:22-23. To be assembled for an emergency is to be made to hear a
> cry for help.
>
> The Hiphil is the question. One meaning is to assemble people or things for
> an emergency, the exact active form of the Niphal. This is the case in
> Judges 4:13. Sisera assembled his chariots because he was being attacked by
> Barak.
>
> But there is at least one Hiphil that cannot mean "assemble" (Job 35:9).
> Jonah 3:7 probably means the king caused the people to cry out. Or maybe it
> could mean that the king assembled the people, but there is no direct
> object. In either case it was for an emergency. They believed Jonah's
> message that God was going to destroy them.
>
> The Theological Wordbook of the OT says re. Z(Q: 'The basic meaning of this
> root is "to cry for help in time of distress." It is used mainly in the
> QAL, but occurs a few times in the Niphal and Hiphil, where it carries
> distinctive meanings. ...
> In the Qal stem, the word is used almost exclusively in reference to a cry
> from a disturbed heart, in need of some kind of help. The cry is not in
> summons of another, but an expression of the need felt. ... In only one
> instance is the idea of summons involved, and that is when Jephthah called
> for Ephraimites to assist him against the Ammonites (Jud. 12:2). This is
> still a cry for help.'
> Yours,
> -Steve
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karl Randolph Wednesday, December 07, 2005 12:50 PM
>
> Steve:
>
> I will back up HH in this. Z(Q, though often used in the
> context that such a cry was a cry for help, was not in itself
> a cry for help. The word for "to cry for help" is $W(.
>
> In Judges 4:13, Siserah cried out, giving commands as
> the commander, this was not a cry for help. Again in
> Jonah 3:7 the king cried out, giving commands.
>
> In Judges 18:22-23, Mikah"s crying out was one of
> complaint, that the tribe of Dan was stealing from him.
> He was not calling out to them for help.
>
> Now if I did a full study of all the occurrences, I expect to
> find many more such examples. Basically, the verb means
> to cry out, and the context tells what is the content of that
> crying out.
>
> Karl W. Randolph.
--
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