Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

On 29/04/2005 15:55, Sujata wrote:

> Is it an eagle or is it a vulture?
> http://www.forward.com/issues/2000/00.10.20/arts4.html
> Best wishes,
> Sujata
>  

Thanks for this amusing article. Tristram's argument is fallacious even 
for biblical Hebrew, because the meaning of a word does not come from 
its etymology but from its contemporary usage. But there is some 
evidence for NE$ER meaning "vulture": not only Micah 1:16, but Prov 
30:17 and perhaps Deut 28:29, Jer 49:22, Habakkuk 1:8, Hosea 8:1 
(perhaps images of vultures gathering in anticipation of death) seem 
more appropriate for vultures than for eagles. On the other hand, most 
references "eagle" is more appropriate. This probably the meaning was 
not as specific as English "eagle". But I stand by "eagle" for Psalm 103:5.

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



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