Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Karl Randolph" <kwrandolph AT email.com>]

I have read a third option, with which I 
agree, which states that often the 
references to body parts refer not to the 
physical objects, but to actions. An 
"upraised arm" is one that is involved with 
action, such as work or warring. "Open eyes" 
are looking. A reference to "feet" points to 
movement. And so forth.

I wonder if metaphor is a sufficient term to 
apply to such thinking? In a society where 
action seems to have been the basis of 
thought (contrast to most Western philosophy 
where form, hence also physical, forms the 
basis of consideration), would not much that 
we would take as descriptions of form be 
references to actions? It seems so to me.

Karl W. Randolph.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Kirk" <peterkirk AT qaya.org>
> 
> On 06/09/2005 02:08, Kevin Graham wrote:
> 
> ...
> 
> >
> > Ancient Judaism understood God anthropomorphically. He had human 
> > form. Yahweh was enthroned in the temple, and had humanity 
> > created after his image. This eventually took a drastic turn 
> > towards the abstract, however, when Judaism became hellenized. 
> > Particularly with Arisobulus.
> 
> 
> I think you would have to work hard to support your thesis that anyone,
> at least in the theological mainstream which condemned idolatry,
> believed that Yahweh had literal body parts, that the language about his
> body parts is to be understood as anything other than metaphorical.
> Sure, the Hebrew Bible authors could write for example that God had eyes
> - but also that these eyes run around, 2 Chronicles 16:9 and Zechariah
> 4:10. This can only be metaphorical language.
> 
> 
> --
> Peter Kirk
> peter AT qaya.org (personal)
> peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
> http://www.qaya.org/

-- 
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