Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Noel O'Riordan" <nor AT iol.ie>]

Hi Walter

Just a few bits that you may already know

The basic etymological meaning of the term 'ibr  is "might" or "strength"
and this attribute is best represented as the strength of a Bull.  In the
Ugarit texts from Ras Shamra   'ibr  means bull.  And in a number of other
OT texts it is used to signify a bull. (Psa 34:7 Pss 22:!2, 50:!3) (Taken
from ABD IV.1005)

The use of the term in the OT is in keeping with its frequent use of ANE
epithets and is similar to such ANE epithets as Bull EL.

The urge to translate the text as the 'mighty one of Jacob' suits the OT as
it is not so clear a reflection of an ANE epithet although it is probably
closer to its original meaning to use the term 'the Bull of Jacob'

Regards

Noel O'Riordan