Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Joe Baker <joebaker AT cygnus.uwa.edu.au>]

It seems to me that "N'ARIM", in most of its uses, can be translated by
English "lads". As both terms can be applied to a wide age group and carry
similar connotations of behaviour.

Terms like, "he's a bit of a lad", "the're a bunch of likely lads" and "put
your backs into lads" describe louts, larrikans, conscripts, etc. Young men
with nothing, or nothing to do and plenty of energy, banding/bonding
together to establish an identity. Undisciplined and unruly gangs to
outsiders, but within, keeping set rules of mateship. Sharing adventures in
daring, love and war - boy's own stuff, etc.

Regards
Joe Baker ===========\
Perth                |
Western Australia ===/