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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] prepositions & grammar

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  • From: "Vadim Cherny" <VadimCherny AT mail.ru>
  • To: <kgraham0938 AT comcast.net>, <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] prepositions & grammar
  • Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 22:06:09 +0300

Sure. But notice the pattern correctly, not only in part: hih l is not "something became something else," but "something became similar to (as) something else." This is well established, sure, the comparative sense, consistent with dative (lit., 'similar to whom').
If a pile of dust was made a living soul, then the notion "similar to" is inapplicable. Through patent magic, the dust actually became a living being, not similar to it. A plausible way of reading "similar to" into the phrase is that the man who was 'similar to dead" from draught became 'similar to living' when taken to Eden.

Sorry for jumping in so late in the convo, but it seems to me that no one is ignoring the preposition here. What I find is that whenever you have HAYAH + L: = Become.

If you look at any of the examples given by Michael Abernathy, I think you will discover the pattern.

Exodus 4:3 WAY:HIY L:NAXA$ = and it became a serpent.

No! The rod became like a serpent, not actually a serpent. No magic here.

Joshua 7:5 WAY:HIY L:MAYIM = and the heart of the people became water.

Like water, of course

Judges 1:33 WB"YT `A:NAT HAYW LAHEM LAMAS = and Beth Anath became forced labor for them.

like slaves, not actually slaves

Ruth 4:13 VAYYIQAX BO`AZ ET RWT VATT:HIY-LW = and Boaz took Ruth and she became to him.

you know, she did not actually become his wife


So, I don't think anyone is ignoring anything, just noticing a pattern. That HAYAH + L: = Become.





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