Biblical Hebrew Forum

[KELowery AT cs.com]

On 15 Apr 2000, at 9:38, Steve Novak wrote:

> This is my first post to this mailing list. I may be repeating a frequently 
> debated or commonly knows question, or it may be a stupid question that has 
> been bothering me for some time. If that is the case then I apologize.

Welcome aboard! No need to apologize, but it is indeed a "FAQ." One which has 
been hotly debated, even in the not-so-distant past.

> According to Jewish tradition, the Torah was written by Moses. I would like 
> to find out if this is historically possible. Was the Hebrew language in 
> which the Torah is currently written, spoken at the time of Moses? Did the 
> children of Israel speak this language while they were in Egypt? When was 
> this language first spoken? Similarly for the Hebrew alphabet, was the 
> alphabet that is used in the Torah today, in existance in the times of 
> Moses? Is it possible that he actually wrote the Torah?
> 
> Any answers or links to where such answers may be found would be 
> appreciated.

I think this an excellent idea: where on the Internet or in print are good 
summaries or even detailed explanations which represent the various 
positions? 
It would be nice to have a convenient summary to post when this question 
comes 
up.

On behalf of the list moderators, I ask that we limit ourselves to pointing 
Steve to the sources and literature on the historicity question, rather than 
rehashing the old arguments and risking yet another flame war. Thanks!

As for the language question, besides the standard encyclopedias and 
dictionary 
articles, might I suggest Angel Saenz-Badillos, A History of the Hebrew 
Language (Cambridge, 1993), as an excellent resource and beginning point -- 
even for the non-specialist, with many pointers to the technical literature...

Blessings,

Kirk
B-Hebrew Co-chair
________________________________________________________
Kirk E. Lowery, Ph.D.             Email: KELowery AT cs.edu
Associate Director                Phone: 215-572-3854
The Westminster Hebrew Institute    Fax: 215-887-5404
Westminster Theological Seminary
P.O. Box 27,009
Philadelphia, PA 19118