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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] b-hebrew Digest, Vol 114, Issue 10

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  • From: "Nir cohen - Prof. Mat." <nir AT ccet.ufrn.br>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] b-hebrew Digest, Vol 114, Issue 10
  • Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:33:17 -0200


i do not see the word ESAU as a derivative of EC, as suggested by jim,
as from the linguistic point of view the transformation C-->S is not a natural
one, nor does it make good sense textually. but there are
two alternative readings of this name within west semitic.

1. the root ($ or ($$ does exist in hebrew, it means "be dark" or "become
dark" [at the moment i cannot quote the biblical occurrences nor
necessarily restrict "dark" to "dark red"] referring e.g. to losing
eyesight. ($ is also used as a moth or dark insect - i dont know
if also biblically. also PR($ (flea) which is dark. the name ($T for
certain types of iron may be explained by its dark color [and ($TWNWT or
($TWT may then be explained as secondary, derived from "tough"]. we
also have ($N (smoke) which is also dark.

this may suggest that ESAU simply signified: dark-skinned. the association
with the red color in particular may have been a later association of a
geographic or ethnic nature, added to the text. observe that david was also
described as reddish.

2. alternatively, or in addition, one can conjecture some connection
between the name (SW and (SB (=grass).

nir cohen

On Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:00:28 -0400, b-hebrew-request wrote
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  • Re: [b-hebrew] b-hebrew Digest, Vol 114, Issue 10, Nir cohen - Prof. Mat., 06/19/2012

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