Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Shoshanna Walker <rosewalk AT concentric.net>
To: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: 2 Ki 2:23-24


> No, I am claiming that G-d wrote it, 

I agree.

> not ancient writers, 

Based on Ex. 17:14; 34:27; & Deut. 31:24, i can't agree with your dichotemy. 

> that the Torah is
> much more than a literary work,

I agree. It's much *more* than mere literature, but a divine revelation does 
not exclude a literary character. Deuteronomy is in the form of a suzerain's 
covenant treaty common to Moses' day, for example. The literary structure 
thus emphasizes the message of the book.

God used common human literary forms and structures, as well as common human 
grammar and vocabulary, as part of the vehicle whereby He communicated His 
truth to man. What problem do you have with this concept?

> and that every single letter is there for a
> reason, and that the reason is not for variety.

I possibly agree, in theory, since i believe God's providence is extended to 
all things, including each letter you and i may be writing in these e-mails. 
But what do you do with the many places where the letters are different in 
different extant MSS? How do you select the original spelling and identify 
the devious (variant) spelling(s)? Is God still giving out the information to 
you concerning which variant is the correct one today -- or must it be 
induced scientifically (by textual criticism)?

Dan Wagner

> 
> Shoshanna
> 
> 
> 
> Shoshanna,
> 
> Are you claiming that ancient BH writer(s) were incapable of free variation?
> Is that a uniquely modern literary discovery? Is it not a acceptable
> "reason" to use a particular word for literary/stylistic purposes alone?
> 
> (I am not intending to argue for free variation in this particular context
> necessarily, but asking the larger question of whether it is possible in
> general.)
> 
> Dan Wagner
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Shoshanna Walker <rosewalk AT concentric.net>
> To: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 12:25 PM
> Subject: Re: 2 Ki 2:23-24
> 
> 
> >
> > In the Torah, every single word is there for a reason, even some words are
> > missing letters, etc. - it is all very precise.
> >
> > You can't really have a full understanding by just brushing it off as
> > "variety"
> >
> > Rashi says that his voice was that of a youth.
> >
> > I don't have all the commentators in front of me, nor would I be able to
> > understand them all, but they do address this.
> >
> > Shoshanna
> 
> 
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