Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Daniel Wagner" <dan.wagner AT netzero.net>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <GregStffrd AT aol.com>
To: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2001 12:41 PM
Subject: Re: _)aSHER_ in Ex. 3:14 (was "I AM")


> Now that my points seem to be coming into clearer focus, I will reiterate 
> some things: First, 'ANI 'EHYEH is no more unlikely an introductory formula 
> than 'EHYEH 'ASHER 'EHYEH could be considered unlikely. Indeed, the 
> verbless > clause with a verb-form nominal as the proper name predicate 
> fits right in 
> line with how YHWH, another verb in form which functions as a proper name, 
> is 
> used in verbless introductory clauses. 

Greg,

The parallel between a noun clause introduced by a 1CS pronoun followed by 
YHWH (as a standard proper name which is *not* a 1CS finite verb), and a noun 
clause introduced by a 1CS pronoun but followed by _)EHYEH_ (which *is* a 1CS 
finite verb but not a standard or common name) just will not stand. One is 
fully communicative in Hebrew; the other is ambiguous and ultimately 
non-communicative. 

But concerning the basis for my view, it centers in (1) the ambiguity above 
giving necessity to some alternative to the standard noun clause 
introduction, which i find easily remedied in good Hebrew in the present 
construction with a subordinating _)aSHER_, (2) a correct understanding of 
the function of _)aSHER_, (3) recognizing the clarifying comment in 14b as 
delimiting of the actual *full* name of Moses' God to simply _)EHYEH_, or as 
i prefer, "I-AM," the constantly-covenanting, 
all-that's-needed-by-virtue-of-who-He-is God. Moses' God can be defined as 
the very essence of a covenant-in-action. What better answer for the 
Israelites?

Dan Wagner

PS I think the "prove-to-be" translation of KB is partly true, but is reading 
in something too specific and too limiting. It misses the covenant-in-action 
aspect i think i see in the grammar of "I-AM" and in the surrounding context.

> So then we ask: Would not a commonly used verb form such as 'EHYEH have 
> been > confusing if used as a proper name predicate in 'ANI 'EHYEH? I do 
> not believe 
> so, and the reason is as I have stated before: I don't believe it would 
> have 
> been confusing because of the grammatical function which would have been 
> associated with it in 'ANI 'EHYEH. This construction could, in my opinion, 
> only make sense by taking 'ANI as the subject with an implied copula and 
> 'EHYEH as a proper name predicate. Hence, no confusion. 
> 
> But to suggest that in 'EHYEH 'ASHER 'EHYEH there would not have been 
> confusion in finding "I am" as a subject/copula in the first 'EHYEH and 
> then 
> a predicate/proper name (hence, not a verb in FUNCTION) in the second 
> 'EHYEH, > is a serious reach IMO. I think it is far less likely that a 
> native speaker 
> would have been confused by the use of a common introductory formula such 
> as 
> 'ANI 'EHYEH, which would essentially have left only one grammatical option 
> and that is to view 'EHYEH as a proper name. To suggest that there would 
> have 
> been confusion or any desire to interpret it in its finite verbal function 
> with 'ANI is an even greater reach.  
> 
> I believe 'EHYEH is verbal in both instances in 3:14. I am simply arguing 
> against Dan's view by noting that if, as he claims, 'EHYEH is a proper name 
> in the second instance then we might expect to find the same introductory 
> formula as we find elsewhere when YHWH introduces or identifies himself. I 
> also do not believe there has been sufficient support for his understanding 
> of the first 'EHYEH either, namely, as the subject/copula "I am." 
> 
> I believe the translation of 3:14 should be, "I will prove to be who I will 
> prove to be," as we find in the new KB lexicon. This fits perfectly with 
> the 
> context and the primary sense of 'EHYEH. 
> 
> But I appreciate the discussion and am always open to new views. However, 
> misrepresentations are never welcome or appreciated. 
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Greg Stafford
> 
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to b-hebrew as: [dan.wagner AT netzero.net]
> To unsubscribe, forward this message to $subst('Email.Unsub')
> To subscribe, send an email to join-b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu.
> 
> 



NetZero Platinum
No Banner Ads and Unlimited Access
Sign Up Today - Only $9.95 per month!
http://www.netzero.net