Biblical Hebrew Forum

[ben.crick AT argonet.co.uk (Ben Crick)]

On Wed 12 May 99 (22:47:23), whu AT gcts.edu wrote:
> Can someone please help me with the 'bet' in Prov. 8:2? BDB (p. 108) says 
> it is the fem. form of the prep. 'ben'. But do prepositions also have 
> grammatical genders? If yes, how do they function?

 Dear Wesley

 In the title you ask about BeYT; but in your text you seem to be asking
 about the preposition B: in the first word of the verse, B:Ro'$-M:RoWMiYM

 BeYT is the construct singular of BaYiT, a house, temple, dwelling-place;
 or just a stopover place like a crossroads. Here in construct with
 N:TiYBoWT, footpaths, it means a Crossroads, where there might be a refuge
 for travellers, or at least somewhere to pitch a tent.

 B: in B:Ro'$-M:RoWMiYM is the locative preposition, at the place where:
 here, at the "head" or top of M:RoWMiYM, hills or vantage points. (B: can
 also mean "at the time when..."; according to the context.)

 Prepositions do not have grammatical genders; but they can have pronominal
 suffixes which may be masc, fem or common gender.

 HTH

 Ben
-- 
 Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
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