Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

On 07/09/2004 06:04, Karl Randolph wrote:

> Peter:
>
> I didn’t mention a couple times (M H)RC in Genesis refers to the Canaanites 
> living in Canaan during the days of the Patriarchs. ...

But I did mention them. My point was that H)RC is the *land* of Israel, 
not that the people are Israelites.

> ... And you have to agree that the unspecified reference to the land in 
> Exodus 5:5 refers to Egypt.
>  

Probably, but not necessarily. It is possible that, even as put on 
Pharaoh's lips, H)RC is "that land" i.e. the people who came from that 
land of Israel.

> As for 1 Chronicles 7:21, the context of Ephraim’s life indicates that he 
> lived only in Egypt, making the unspecified reference to “land” connected 
> with Ephraim to be Egypt. But the reference is so brief and unspecified that 
> different people can read it different ways without being able to prove any 
> one reading is correct. Because of its unspecificity, I try to avoid using 
> such verses as proof texts.
>  

I agree that it is underspecified and so uncertain.

> I think the reference, HNWLDYM B)RC indicates that these “men of Gath” were 
> not born in Gath, rather born somewhere else. But right now I can’t prove it.
>  

I must say it is a strange expression, which presumably contrasts them 
with other people of Gath, i.e. perhaps with Egyptian-born people whose 
family origin was Gath.

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