[b-hebrew] Abraham's origin

James Read J.Read-2 at sms.ed.ac.uk
Sat May 23 11:38:35 EDT 2009


Hi Jim,

another big clue which helps us pinpoint the geography is that found  
in Genesis 31:20

Laban is called 'Laban ha-arami' in the Hebrew text. In the Greek  
translation he is called λαβαν τὸν σύρον (Laban ton syron) or Laban  
the Syrian. This is a definite reference to what you call northern  
Mesopotamia.

I think your confusion arises from your trying to use too broad a  
definition of Mesopotamia. We need to bear in mind that Mesopotamia  
was a Greek translation of Padan-Aram.

James Christian





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