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  • From: Pere Porta <pporta7 AT gmail.com>
  • To: K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>
  • Cc: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Fact of language?
  • Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 08:00:09 +0200

Hi, all.
We have in Is 51:9 (word last but one) MXOLELET, of XLL, with a clear active
meaning: a female subject who pierces.
We know also of noun M$ORERET, poetess, also with a clear active meaning.

But in today Hebrew this pattern is also used with a passive meaning (I
think no sample thereof -passive- is found in the Bible). For instance,
MSOBEBET, a female subject who is surrounded.

Is there any "logical" basis for this double and somewhat contrary meaning:
active and passive at a time, surrounding and surrounded?

Or is it merely a "fact of language" what means that the language works this
way and no especial reason is given to explain it?

Pere Porta
(Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain)



  • Re: [b-hebrew] Fact of language?, Pere Porta, 05/29/2010

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