Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peter.r.kirk AT ntlworld.com>]

On 25/07/2003 08:54, Jim West wrote:

> At 04:50 PM 7/25/03 +0100, you wrote:
>  
>
> > A friend has asked me if I can throw any light on the Hebrew roots of 
> > the name Gabriel (Dan 8:15, 9:21).
> >    
>
> "warrior of God" or "strong one of God" or more precisely, "warrior of El".
>
>  
>
> > I'm aware that there are various alternatives suggested, but wondered 
> > if people here had any views which might contribute to a fuller 
> > understanding?
> >    
>
> well, gibbor means warrior and el is the name of the canaanite god.
>
>
>
>  
Maybe, but there is no dagesh in the bet and no O vowel in Gabriel. So 
the first part is more likely GEBER "man" (as distinct from women and 
children) than GIBBOR. The second E in GEBER is "anaptyctic", thanks Ken 
for this word, i.e. added for ease of pronunciation, and the first vowel 
may originally have been A. So I would go more for "man of El". Which is 
in fact exactly what BDB said.

--
Peter Kirk
peter.r.kirk AT ntlworld.com
http://web.onetel.net.uk/~peterkirk/