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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Alter and poetry v. prose (was Alter on Translation)

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  • From: "B. M. Rocine" <brocine AT twcny.rr.com>
  • To: "hebrew" <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Alter and poetry v. prose (was Alter on Translation)
  • Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 08:13:00 -0400

>

B-Haverim,

Here's a passage from Alter's Genesis that he formats as prose. There is
one other detail about the passage that supports his determination that I
forgot to mention in my previous post. The numbers in the passage go from
20 to 14 to 6; in other words, they decrease in value. This would be quite
unusual in BH poetry where number values almost always *increase* in value.

Shalom,
Bryan

> Gen 31:41-42 (PROSE):
> These twenty years in your household I served you, fourteen years for your
> two daughters, and six years for your flocks, and you switched my wages
ten
> times over. Were it not that the God of my father, the God of Abraham and
> the Terror of Isaac, was with me, you would have sent me off empty handed.
> My suffering and the toil of my hands God has seen, and last night He
> determined in my favor.
>


B. M. Rocine
Living Word Church
6101 Court St. Rd.
Syracuse, NY 13206

ph: 315.437.6744
fx: 315.437.6766





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