Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

On 20/12/2004 14:45, Vadim Cherny wrote:

> ...
>
> It only implies that etymological analysis "may" be flawed. In fact, Hebrew
> etymology, due to the root system, is much more stable that in Germanic
> languages. ...
>  

Really? This is a very surprising statement. Do you have any evidence 
for it?

I can find a number of examples of semantic shift between cognates 
within the Semitic triliteral system. A simple one is "shalom" = "peace" 
(Hebrew) and "salaam" = "greetings" (Arabic). Semantically linked, of 
course, but the Arabic meaning is significantly weakened.

> No doubt, the contemporaries, speaking the living language, knew the correct
> meaning contextually. We don't possess this knowledge. Our best bet is
> etymological. Or do you think four (?) entries of lamo make  a context? ...
>  

Not four, but 55 for lamo plus four for lmo, which makes "dozens". 
That's enough to establish regular usage, although not enough to be 
certain that there are no exceptions.

> ... I was learning English largely contextually, with little of formal 
> grammar,
> and from some point without vocabulary. I can tell you empirically that
> meaning even of nouns is not clear from few instances. Service words, like
> lamo, need dozens of instances to clarify the meaning. Etymology is the best
> we have for Hebrew, though not without shortcomings.
>
>  
In some cases, something very bad is better than nothing at all. A crust 
of dry bread is better than starvation. But that doesn't stop it being 
very bad.

> > If you are not convinced, follow George's excellent advice and read
> > James Barr.
> >    
>
> Why do you assume I didn't? ...

From your failure to learn the basic lessons he teaches. But I see that 
in fact you have theological objections to his conclusions. I'm not sure 
if that says more about Barr's theology or yours.

> ... Barr's most cherished concern is protection of
> the sacred pasture of theology from outsiders. He is perfectly willing to
> infuse his theological views in the semantics instead of reading the plain
> text.
>
> Vadim Cherny
>
>
>
>
>
>  


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