Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - na`arah

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: George Athas <gathas AT mail.usyd.edu.au>
  • To: B-HEBREW <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: na`arah
  • Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 13:20:36 +1000


John Ronning wrote:

> > That's, in essence, my point. The root N(R does imply inexperience.
> > Therefore, when it's
> > applied to the word _na`arah_, it implies a girl who has had no sexual
> > experience - ie, a
> > girl who is not yet married but ready to be married.
>
> Problem with that George - Ruth (a widow) is called NA`ARAH
> Ruth 4:12 etc.

Well pointed out, John. Widows who had no children had their status changed
from "wife" to
"virgin/maiden" (_na`arah_) because they returned to their paternal household
(_beyt-'ab_) and
could be married off again. Being a "virgin" in ancient Palestine was not so
much about
physical status as marital status. Ruth is an exceptional case in that she
choses not to return
to her paternal household - ie, she goes completely against the logical norm
of the day.

The root N(R does still imply "inexperience". That is why it is used in a
range of situations
with meanings such as "apprentice", "junior", "acolyte", "lad", "girl", etc.
Eg, at 40 years
old, Rehoboam was a _na`ar_. The word commonly translated as "maiden" or
"virgin" has its
etymology in this understanding.

Best regards!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
GEORGE ATHAS
Dept of Semitic Studies,
University of Sydney
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tel Dan Inscription Website is at
http://members.xoom.com/gathas/teldan.htm
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::






Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page