Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Harold Holmyard <hholmyard AT ont.com>]

Dear Yitzhak,

> That is, until the 20th
> century, only migratory forms of doves, namely the turtledove,
> were known in Israel.


HH: Well if that is true, this fact answers your original question about 
why Jer 8:7 would mention doves in a context of migration.


> In your message, you referenced your reply to Karl. Was that
> meant as a response to my analysis of Psalm 104, or as
> additional information on Jer 8:7?


HH: If you read the post, you will see that it has information on both 
passages.

HH: As far as your analysis of Ps 104 goes, I can't speak to it since 
you only shared part of it, but what you did share is not bad. You say:

In these two cases we seem to be able to discern the main theme of the
poem: praising god for creating the earth suitable for man.


HH: The psalmist does praise God for that, of course, and all the praise 
in the psalm is a reflection of that. But some things don't relate 
directly to our having a place suitable for us. For example, the sea 
monsters that frolic in the water do not necessarily make the world any 
more suitable for man. The point is that their frolicking magnifies the 
wisdom of God, who displays his glory through them. The birds singing in 
the branches are happy birds. God gave them a suitable home. The psalm 
is not just about God providing for man but for all creatures:

Psa. 104:27 These all look to you to give them their food at the proper 
time.
Psa. 104:28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open 
your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
Psa. 104:29 When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take 
away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
Psa. 104:30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew 
the face of the earth.

HH: Man is one of the creatures that look to God. "These all" in 104:27 
looks back to previously mentioned creatures, the inclusion probably 
going back to the first mention of creatures in verse 11. And the 
immediately preciding verse 26 speaks of both ships and sea monsters.

HH: The psalm is about the glory of God displayed in the earth, His 
great wisdom seen in all things, whether or not they directly benefit 
man. The Lord takes delight in them all as His works:

Psa. 104:31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD 
rejoice in his works —

HH: I think verse 31 takes us back to the beginning of the psalm, where 
God is praised for His splendor and majesty, which are seen in His creation:

Psa. 104:1 Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very 
great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
Psa. 104:2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out 
the heavens like a tent
Psa. 104:3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He 
makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.
Psa. 104:4 He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.
Psa. 104:5 He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard