Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

On 27/05/2004 13:48, Harold R. Holmyard III wrote:

> Dear Chris,
>
> > Are there any meaningful implications that can be drawn from the 
> > common use
> > of the word: 'BaCHoR' Firstborn and the idea attached to 'PeTeR' as 
> > in for
> > example 'PeTeR RaCHaM'' at first I thought nothing more of it until I 
> > saw
> > the Verses from Exodus 13:12-16 where there is constant interchanging
> > between the two manners of expressing the 'Firstborn'?
>
>
> HH: I think they are two slightly different expressions of the same 
> essential reality. PTR indicates that which first opens or separates 
> the womb, while BKWR simply stresses being the first-born.
I remember that when translating this passage we had to be careful to 
distinguish between the firstborn son and the firstborn child of either 
gender. I think BKWR is always a son, but PTR RXM can be a son or a 
daughter.

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