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Genesis 15:6

From: Randall Buth <ButhFam AT compuserve.com>
To: "Bill Ross" <wross AT farmerstel.com>
Cc: Biblical Hebrew <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Subject: Genesis 15:6
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 06:53:34 -0400

Bill Ross sha'al:

re: Gn 15.6 uhe'emin ... vayyaHsheveha

>What, precisely, is the significance in these tenses? How would you
>translate the verse?
>
>Many thanks,<

The significance is that the 'believing' is not implied to have begun at
story moment of 15.6 and it is not implied to have been completed at
that point.
Avraham's 'believing' is being described as a process. (Theoretically, it
could include the actions of chapter 12 and be left open for chapters
17 and 22. )

As for translation, that is a whole 'nother game. One could bring out
different aspects or expectations,
perhaps starting from:
"Avram was believing and he counted it for him as a good deed."

blessings
Randall Buth

Genesis 15:6, Randall Buth, 10/17/2001
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- RE: Genesis 15:6, Bill Ross, 10/17/2001