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b-hebrew - Re[2]: Gen 1.1-2, hyh

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  • From: Peter_Kirk AT sil.org
  • To: b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: Re[2]: Gen 1.1-2, hyh
  • Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1999 23:49 -0500 (EST)



This raises a question: does the X-HYH clause provide the setting or
background for what precedes it, or only for what follows it? In other
words, should be understand something like 1, or something like 2?

1.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
[Then, at some later time] The earth was formless and empty... and
then God said...

2.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
[Before that] The earth had been formless and empty... and then [as
the next step] God said...

This is a question of Hebrew grammar testable by looking at
occurrences of X-HYH - and it can help distinguish 1 = "gap theory"
from 2 = creation from pre-existent matter.

And I always thought that what went on in the "gap", according to some
who try to take the account literally, was not just the creation and
fall of Satan but also the "big bang", the expansion of the universe
(galaxies, quasars etc) and the entire geological history of the earth
(fossils, dinosaurs etc) until a few days before the appearance of
man! ;-^)

Peter Kirk


______________________________ Reply Separator
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Subject: Re: Gen 1.1-2, hyh
Author: ButhFam at CompuServe
Date: 06/01/1999 09:40


>X-HYH is used for beginning states or situations when providing setting
or background
>for a narrative, e.g. Gen. 3:1 .

exactly.
good to see this knowledge circulating.
randall buth







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