Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Yigal Levin" <leviny1 AT mail.biu.ac.il>]

By me. Or, to put it more precisely, I had always been told that the use of 
the plural is a form of honorific. I made the connection with the French 
"vous" when I first took French, and have been using the comparison ever 
since. But I say "partial", because I am aware that that's over-simplifying 
the issue. 

Yigal
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Uri Hurwitz 
  To: Yigal Levin ; b-hebrew 
  Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 5:32 PM
  Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Hebrew plural


  When you say "partial explanation" , do you remember by whom?

  Uri

  Yigal Levin <leviny1 AT mail.biu.ac.il> wrote:
    It's simply a matter of etiquette, sort of like addressing a single person
    "vous" in French. That is also at least a partial explanation for the 
plural
    form of Elohim and Adonai.

    Yigal
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Karl Randolph" 
    To: "b-hebrew" 
    Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 7:15 AM
    Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Hebrew plural


    > John:
    >
    > I noticed that it is not uncommon for people who are in a superior 
status,
    such as master or lord, are often referred to in the plural when a single
    individual is meant. I first noticed it while reading through Deuteronomy,
    but it is found in other places as well.
    >
    > I don't think it is the royal plural, but I have no explanation for it.
    >
    > Karl W. Randolph.
    >
    > ----- Original Message -----> From: John Cordaro 
    >
    > > Can someone please elaborate on Eccl 12:1 and Isaiah 54:5. Is it true
    > > that "Creator" is plural in Eccl 12:1 and "husband" and "Maker" are
    > > plural in Is 54:5?
    > > If so, how does one determine it is plural and how should we then
    > > understand these verses? Is it similar to a plural of majesty or are 
we
    > > to believe there are two Creators (or more) which is contrary to Is
    > > 44:24 which states YHWH created "alone" and by Himself?
    > >
    > > Thanks,
    > > John
    > --
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