Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Robert Newman" <rob AT designceramics.co.uk>]

Hi Harold, Rolf and Peter,
I'd just like to point out  that when I mentioned the word "indefinitely" and 
its meaning it was in the context of describing how I as an English reader 
understand "time indefinite". I've heard linguists say 'words have no meaning 
apart from context, only potential meanings or a semantic range'. Now some 
here seem to be insisting that the meaning of "time indefinite" should be 
judged on the bulk of glosses for "indefinite" in a dictionary. My experience 
is that as a reader of NWT the various conexts make the meaning of "time 
indefinite" specific. In my mind I naturaly associate it with the word 
"indefinately" which is very close in meaning.
Now if what lexicographers have said about olam signifying "hidden time" is 
correct, the NWT communicates in a way very similar to the Hebrew,and the 
expression "time/s indefinite" can also carry forward the plural. As a young 
teenager reading the Bible (with no special linguistic training) the said 
translation worked for me.
You may agree or disagree with this translation approach, it has advantages 
and disadvantages but I feel it at least has a place. 
Robert Newman