Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

On 01/09/2005 22:42, Bill Rea wrote:

> ...
>
> If you think that's what I was saying you should look back at the archives
> and re-read my posts. ...

Maybe you didn't quite say this, Bill, but it is how your position seems 
to have been understood. If you don't in fact think this, good.

> ... Several participants have run down the current
> system of peer-reviewed journals, calling them things like ``incestuous''.
> Such criticisms are just hot air. The shear volume of research output
> requires some mechanism to sift the wheat from the chaff. In Karl's
> case he has said that he had a chance to do a Ph.D. but is glad that
> he didn't. He doesn't appear to work at any place which supports
> research into the Hebrew language. Those are the choices he made, ...
>  

I don't know much about Karl's personal circumstances, but there may be 
compelling reasons which we don't know about why he has no choice about 
not working at such a place. One very probable one is that he probably 
needs to earn a living, and paid positions in Hebrew research are rather 
few. In other words, this may not be his choice at all.

But speaking for myself, I did and do have the opportunity to study for 
a PhD at a recognised institution, and indeed seriously considered this 
(in fact I have done so three times in my life, and in three different 
subjects!), but then decided that there was really little point in doing so.
...

> In reference to Gen 24:63 Peter wrote:-
>
>  
>
> > I don't think this is a good example.
> >    
>
> Okay, I'll take your word on that one. What I was looking for is
> something like:-
>
> I went to town and while I was there I juluxipofeld then I came
> home.
>
> You can't determine from the context the meaning of juluxipofeld. ...
>
>  
I take your point with this example. In such a case, what we have to go 
on may be limited to ancient translations and commentaries, as well as 
the context which may provide some constraints. Sometimes other words 
with the same root can be helpful, although this needs a lot of care. We 
can also look at cognate words in other languages; although this also 
needs a lot of care, it is more useful than Karl seems to give credit for.

> If you know of a better example I'd be interested in looking at it.
>  

Perhaps some of the unclean birds in Leviticus 11?

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



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