Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Charles David Isbell" <cisbell AT cox.net>]

Since Ewan has moved the discussion back to the Hebrew text, I assume that
it is OK for me to respond.  If not, I apologize to the moderator and the
list.

From a grammatical perspective, Ewan, your suggestion is surely possible.  I
note, for example, that this precise construction occurs twice in the
`Aqedah.  22.2, the original instructions from God to Abraham, has ha`alehu
sham LE-`olah.  22.13, describing Abraham's substitution of the 'ayil for
Isaac, has va-ya`alehu [i.e., the 'ayil] LE-`olah.

I further think Ewan's suggestion that the annual mourning over the
"virginity" is plausible.  A daughter dedicated "to YHWH" would presumably
refrain from sexual intercourse, and this condition, forced upon her by the
rash vow of her father rather than any religious reason of her own, would be
cause for grief.

The text is, however, silent on whether there is any connection with Hannah
and Samuel, although both narratives describe the taking of a "vow" with the
same idiom [Jdg 11.30; 1 Sam 1.11].  So Ewan's suggestion should be
considered, again if the moderators will allow within the parameters of
Hebrew language and text.

Charles David Isbell