Biblical Hebrew Forum

[<gs02wmr AT panther.Gsu.EDU>]

Shalum,

What follows this introduction seems to almost entirely exclude
Hieroglyphic, ancient Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and/or
Persian writings, languages, and etymologies -  but I found this
discussion on a newsgroup and would like to hear some of your opinions on
it.

An individual on a newsgroup made the claim that the Hebrew language is
directly derived from Arabic, or classical Arabic. To support this, he
quotes the Hebrew linguist Saadia Gaon:

"Saadia expresses himself unreservedly about his indebtness to Arabic
authors, who served him as models in the composition of his work. "It is
reported," he says, "that one of the worthies among the Ishmaelites,
realizing to his sorrow that the people do not use the Arabic language
correctly, wrote a short treatise for them. From which they might learn
proper usages. Similarly, I have noticed that many of the Israelites even
the common rules for the correct usage of our (Hebrew) language, much less
the more difficult rules, so that when they speak in prose most of it is
faulty, and when they write poetry only a few of the ancient rules are
observed, and majority of them are neglected. This has induced me to
compose a work in two parts containing most of the (Hebrew) words." "

"The rules of the Hebrew grammer adverted to in the fragments of this work
possessed by us - only a little more than the introduction has been
preserved - like wise reveal the influence of the school of Arabic
grammarians."

"In all probability the language of the Koran had become the vernacular of
most of the Jews and the Samaritans soon after the Hegrah. This being the
case, it is obvious that Saadia could make use of the literature of the
Arabs as well as the works of Judeo-Arabic authors." [pp. 37]

Henry Malter, "Saadia Gaon: His Life And Works", 1921, The Jewish
Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, pp. 39-40.


Your Thoughts????

Shalum Achshaav,

Wondell M. Rachman