Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Robert Vining <rvining AT log.on.ca>]

Re: Gen. 19:26- "Lot's wife looked back, and she thereupon turned into a
pillar of salt"

On 10/19/00, Banyai Michael wrote-

The salt pillar is a word game between "melah" salt and
"Meluhha"/Amalek.
That should mean, those looking back became Amalekites. We should assume

the same for Benjamin, in the later story.

RV: If this is valid, it, along with 19:36-38, sure put the enemies of
ancient Israel in their place. The Moabites and Ammonites came from
incestuous rape, and the Amalekites from those disobedient to God by
looking back  (Lot's wife being the eponymous figure). Meanwhile,
Abraham and  his descendants are the saved people of God. This then
becomes a story with etiological purposes, although perhaps not its main
thrust.

Robert Vining, Owen Sound, Ontario      rvining AT log.on.ca