Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

Dear Reinier:

You are the person to correct me if I am wrong, but 
it is my impression that an over reliance on semantic 
domains can lead to incorrect definitions. Is it not 
possible for a lexeme to be used only six times in 
Tanakh, each in a separate semantic domain, with 
the result that it can given six unique definitions, one 
for each semantic domain?

 When I first learned a foreign language, I learned that 
each lexeme has one basic meaning. Sometimes that 
lexeme is used in ways that sound very strange in 
English, in semantic domains where we use different 
lexemes, but that did not negate the basic pattern 
that each lexeme has one basic meaning. The 
technique I developed for learning languages 
involved learning the vocabulary, then as part of 
learning it, learning in which semantic domains each 
lexeme may be utilized.

Further, words can be used as euphemisms or 
idiomatically to invoke a picture. With modern 
languages, it is possible to ask native speakers to 
explain such uses. In a previous message, I mentioned 
the American English use of "strike out" used as an 
idiom to mean to fail, not get anywhere, invoking a 
picture from baseball where a player fails to get on 
base, and unless he gets on base he cannot score. 
Another example is ABD "to become lost" often used 
as an euphemism for death and dying.

The word RXB is a good example. It's basic meaning is 
to become spacious, both length and distance. It is 
also used of making a mouth spacious (wide open) 
and in an idiomatic manner making strong (used of a 
nation that expands its borders, hence it is a powerful 
nation).

The statement in 1 Kings 5:9 that a broad heart 
indicates that there was a lot of room to fill with 
wisdom sounds very English (as in language) leaving 
me to wonder if it fits the Hebrew use at all. Seeing as it 
is used in an idiom, shouldn't we look for idiomatic uses 
to help understand the meaning?

For example, it used to be said that a coward "had a 
yellow streak up his back". The more cowardly, the 
broader the streak, so that a very cowardly person 
had "a broad yellow streak..." Like the example above 
with 1 Kings and Solomon, "broad" did not refer to 
having more room to fill, rather the broader the 
stronger the effect.

Now we come to "spacious of heart", an idiomatic 
phrase. You are right that the heart was where people 
considered to be the source of thinking. Therefore an 
expansive heart is an overpowering intellect. This is not 
the scintillating intellect of an Einstein or other brainy 
savant, rather the mind that is firmly rooted in its own 
verities such that it is not easily swayed by others, 
instead sways others. It can be acquired by common 
people (Psalm 119:32).

When that is practiced in humility and wisdom, people 
are attracted. But when utilized in pride and 
arrogance, people can't deal with it (Psalms 101:5) 
and is reckoned with the lamp of the wicked which 
errs (Proverbs 21:4).

Mark Eddy has raised an interesting question, and I 
tend to agree with him. The verb in Psalm 25:17 is Hiphil, 
which as far as I know requires an object of the verb. 
The only word available is "my heart". It looks that the 
interpretation that by overcoming troubles, the 
psalmist is more firmly rooted in truth is correct.

Finally, I question the universality of semantic domains. 
As far as I can tell, the ancient Hebrews had only one 
semantic domain that contained wisdom, obedience 
to God and worship, they were not separate as in 
Western thinking. The wise man was the one who 
worshipped God in the way he lived his daily life. But 
then there were different kinds of foolishness: the 
foolishness of the unlearned was not the same as the 
foolishness of the rebellious, and they were designated 
by different terms in Hebrew. So where we have one 
semantic domain for foolishness, the Hebrews had 
two. How many other examples can we find?

Thanks for your response. 

Karl W. Randolph.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Reinier de Blois" <editor AT sdbh.org>
> 
> Dear Karl,
> 
> This is a good example to illustrate how the use of semantic domains can
> help determine the meaning of a word.
> The heart is the seat of knowledge in Hebrew, comparable to the mind in
> English. A broad heart simply has plenty of space for increasing knowledge.
> There can be no doubt that that is what is meant in 1 Kings 5:9. The
> other two words in this verse belong to the domain "Wisdom", so we can
> be pretty sure that ROXAB LEB belongs there as well.
> XSR LEB is simply the opposite. Usually the same domain: "Wisdom".
> 
> Apparently the heart can be the seat of certain attitudes as well. In
> Psalm 101:5 and Proverbs 21:4 the semantic domain is the one of pride.
> This can also be determined by the presence of a word pair ("high eyes").
> 
> Isaiah 60:5 is a little more difficult, but it is quite clear that
> "Wisdom" is not the semantic domain here. "Pride" fits better, even
> though "Joy" is a viable option as well.
> I think the best explanation is the one of the CEV, I think: "your
> hearts will swell with pride".
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Reinier de Blois
> 
> Karl Randolph wrote:
> 
> > What does it mean to have a "broad heart"? In 1 Kings 5:9 God 
> > gave Solomon wisdom, insight and a broad heart. Isaiah 60:5 I 
> > admit I'm not sure what is meant. The word PXD in this context 
> > doesn't seem to fit. Psalms 101:5 it is used in parallel with a 
> > "high of eyes", an idiom I understand as referring to pride, and 
> > Proverbs 21:4 again connects it with the wicked. So along with 
> > the two hiphil uses of the verb you found in Psalms, I have found 
> > a total of six uses with mixes positive and negative contexts.
> >
> > Another thought that comes to mind is that it may be the opposite 
> > of XSR LB, "lacking heart". Without going into a detailed study, 
> > that phrase is usually connect with the immoral and/or foolish, 
> > mostly found in Proverbs. It is a sign of weakness that can lead 
> > to death.
> >
> > A tentative conclusion is that "broad of heart" is an idiom that 
> > refers to strength and vitality. In a positive sense, sureness 
> > and strength of convictions, in a negative sense arrogance and 
> > trampling down of others. What say ye?
> >
> >

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