Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - [b-hebrew] And Samuel turned back after Saul: the meaning of 1 Samuel 15:31

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Jay Frank <jif95 AT mac.com>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [b-hebrew] And Samuel turned back after Saul: the meaning of 1 Samuel 15:31
  • Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:27:49 -0500

James,

You offer: "Beware of idolatry. It is possible to idolise men as well as
statues." All manner of things are possible, including a propensity to argue
by means of baseless insinuation. I episodically idolize my grandchildren -
little else.

In terms of Torah study, I rely on the JPS Torah commentary supplemented by
Plaut, with frequent reference to Everett Fox, Friedman, and Alter, and I am
more than satisfied with provisionally rejecting Alter's rendering of 1
Samuel 15:31. At the same time, I have been led to believe that Alter has
considerable expertise and artistry in the field, certainly enough to warrant
respect, hence the provisional nature of my rejection. Your strong suspicion
"that Alter has theological reasons for his interpretation" is simply
insufficient to leave me uninterested in the possibility of getting further
clarification from the author.

It is interesting that you now write: "You yourself provided his agenda when
you opened this thread." Apparently, what started as a strong suspicion has
achieved the status of self-evident observation. Such is the magic of
certitude ...

Thank you anyway for your input.

Jay





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page