Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Dave Washburn" <dwashbur AT nyx.net>]

Jason,
> I have been shocked by how many non-literalists I have seen here.  How many 
> here truly believe that the narrative of the HB represents true history and 
> is the Word of the Lord?

Put me down as one.

> I don't want to be disrespectful toward my "opponents," but I think it 
> interesting that there are so many skeptics in the area of Hebrew studies.  
> Toward the opposite extreme (if I can be bad for a moment) it seems that 
> the more I study Greek the more I am convinced of the authenticity of the 
> NT.  Will the study of the HB lead, inevitably, to a doubt of its content?  
> I would hope not.

It hasn't for me.  The problem I see is not so much the content of 
the evidence as varying interpretations of it.  This list is geared 
toward kicking those interpretations around, sharing information 
and discoveries about the language, and enabling all of us to (one 
would hope) refine personal views and spark further research.  I try 
to confine myself to matters of Hebrew grammar, though I 
sometimes let myself get sucked into other topics.

> Wilbur Fields, a wonderful professor from my college, has studied Hebrew 
> for MANY years and he is the one of whom I spoke earlier saying that he 
> goes to Israel regularly.  He is brilliant and totally involved in 
> archaeology over in Palestine, yet the more he studies, the more is faith 
> confirmed.  What is up?  How can Hebrew, the language that God delivered 
> His message through, become a stumbling block for so many?

I hope this last sentence doesn't start a flame war, and far be it 
from me to agree with Ian :-) but as he pointed out, "the language 
that God delivered His message through" is an assumption that 
many don't share.  I happen to, but this is not the forum to try and 
discuss it.

> I would encourage you to not become so wrapped up in opinions about 
> insignificance that you forget overall pictures.  I don't intend anything 
> offensive toward anyone, but it seems the study of Hebrew leads most toward 
> a skeptic attitude toward God.  Be careful.

Like your professor, the more I study the text in its historical 
context, the more convinced I become of its accuracy. More 
important for this list, the more I delve into the intricacies of the 
language, especially at the syntactic level, the more I fall in love 
with it.  I hope the same is true for you throughout your life.


Dave Washburn
http://www.nyx.net/~dwashbur
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.
                                   Psalm 86:11