Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Vadim Cherny" <vadim_lv AT center-tv.net>]

Karl Randolph wrote:

> The pre-Masorites were able to read Tanakh quite well, and I find that I 
> prefer to read the unpointed text as it often makes more sense. <

In other words, unpointed text offers more leeway to reach preconceived 
meaning.

> All you need is to read in context, know Biblical Hebrew grammar and what 
> are the possible pronunciations and acceptable alternate spellings, have an 
> understanding of Biblical Hebrew vocabulary, <

Surely not. Take lamo, bmotaw - they are misinterpreted, unless vowels are 
fixed.

What you are seemingly trying to prove is that evil Masoretes invented 
vocalization to confuse Christians. No. Masoretes only put down whatever they 
heard. And when they heard the word they don't understand, they wrote it down 
"as is" and marked accordingly. This is the honesty. Masoretes needed not to 
invent vowels: every Jewish boy learned them since bar Sheta. Tanakh was a 
living tradition.

Vadim Cherny
>From gfsomsel AT juno.com  Fri Dec 17 13:56:48 2004
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To: vadim_lv AT center-tv.net
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 13:57:07 -0600
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Isaiah 53:8
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On Fri, 17 Dec 2004 20:26:51 +0200 "Vadim Cherny"
<vadim_lv AT center-tv.net> writes:
> Karl Randolph wrote:
>
> > The pre-Masorites were able to read Tanakh quite well, and I find
> that I prefer to read the unpointed text as it often makes more
> sense. <
>
> In other words, unpointed text offers more leeway to reach
> preconceived meaning.
>
> > All you need is to read in context, know Biblical Hebrew grammar
> and what are the possible pronunciations and acceptable alternate
> spellings, have an understanding of Biblical Hebrew vocabulary, <
>
> Surely not. Take lamo, bmotaw - they are misinterpreted, unless
> vowels are fixed.
>
> What you are seemingly trying to prove is that evil Masoretes
> invented vocalization to confuse Christians. No. Masoretes only put
> down whatever they heard. And when they heard the word they don't
> understand, they wrote it down "as is" and marked accordingly. This
> is the honesty. Masoretes needed not to invent vowels: every Jewish
> boy learned them since bar Sheta. Tanakh was a living tradition.
>
> Vadim Cherny
> _______________________________________________

"Evil Massoretes"?  "To confuse Christians"?  Who said that?  I think you
have a bit of a persecution complex. Get over it!

george
gfsomsel
___________