Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Harold R. Holmyard III" <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear Vadim,

> The translation of "coastland" is perfectly reasonable. However, can we
> disregard the established meaning of the word and attach it the sense, which
> we think suits it better? This approach can lead as far away.

HH: "Coastland" is a well-established meaning for the word.

> Besides, the Tanakhic authors had pretty good grasp on geography. They
> probably could distinguish between an island and a coastland, even more so
> since a large part of their country was a coastland or very close to it.

HH: Yes, but if the Hebrew word could emphasize land that is in 
contact with water, then the distinction between island and coastland 
would be immaterial.

                                Yours,
                                Harold Holmyard