Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Shoshanna Walker <rosewalk AT concentric.net>]

Since Aristotle's ideas were mentioned, I can mention the Oral 
Torah's teaching.

There exists nothing but G-d, and always has.

In order to emanate "creation", G-d "withdrew" from its center, 
creating a space which at first was void, perhaps this is "Tohu" - 
before creation took actual form(s)

You don't learn this from the literal texts, though.

Shoshanna



> Jason,
>
> I will not pursume to speak for Liz, however I believe her reference was to
> Isa. 45:18
>
> "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that 
> formed the
> earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he
> formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else." (KJV)
>
> The word in the passage for vain is tohu

But this passage is not necessarily saying that God did not create "tohu"
(and I do not have the original message, so I am not sure if Jason is
correctly citing Liz). The NRSV offers a legitimate reading that does not
require one to read the passage as denying that God created tohu, but rather
than what he created was not intended to *remain* tohu.

For thus says the LORD,
    who created the heavens
        (he is God!),
    who formed the earth and made it
        (he established it;
    he did not create it a chaos,
        he formed it to be inhabited!):
    I am the LORD, and there is no other.

> "Jason A. Hare" wrote:
>
> > Liz,
> >
> > You mentioned Isaiah denying God's creation of 'tohu.'  Seeing my complete
> > lack of reference materal (save a couple of minor-level dictionaries) at
> > my disposal, I would like to ask for a reference.  I'm sorry to be a
> > burden, but I think it would be great to be able to use that in
> > discussion.  And if I knew where to find it, it would add more weight.
> > ;-)
> >
> > Regards,
> > Jason


Cb
cbrady @ tulane.edu
--
To attack a man for talking nonsense is like
finding your mortal enemy drowning in a swamp
and jumping in after him with a knife.
                                --Karl Popper


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