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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Contextual Semantic Domains

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  • From: Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>
  • To: Karl Randolph <kwrandolph AT email.com>
  • Cc: Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Contextual Semantic Domains
  • Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2003 09:23:51 -0800

On 21/11/2003 20:02, Karl Randolph wrote:

Dear Peter:

Earlier I wrote that I thought that lexographers should write definitions as
the words are actually used, and not according to our philosophical or
theological presuppositions.

This is an example of what I mean. I read some of the verses differently than
Reinier de Blois with the result that I disagree with his detailed
definitions. I agree with the core definition that XSD means kind actions
(often not deserved) but I don’t see “*noun * = attitude of commitment
towards fulfilling one's obligations; these may be obligations defined within
the context of a covenant or agreement, or moral obligations to do well to
someone who did well to you before; ST people, deities” as part of the
definition itself, rather I see most of this as theological or philosophical
reading back into the term the presuppositions of the lexicographer.

I’m reminded of a poet who, when he heard one of his poems discussed in a
literature class, came away surprised at all the insights in the poem that he
didn’t know ever existed. Likewise, most of the definition (I looked at the
site and checked some of the verses cited) I don’t see how he got it.

Karl W. Randolph.


I think the point here is that you understand XESED quite differently from Reinier. You understand the core meaning as "kindness" (and here you agree with BDB for once!), but Reinier understands the core meaning as more like "loyalty" or "faithfulness", which are one word summaries of his definitions. These notions are not the same, as you seem to suppose, but rather fundamentally contradictory: in English, loyalty is fulfilment of obligations, whereas kindness is doing good things when there is no obligation. Which fits XESED better is not a matter of theology or philosophy but of Hebrew language usage.

--
Peter Kirk
peter AT qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/






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