Biblical Hebrew Forum

[dwashbur AT nyx.net]

On 17 Jul 2006 at 3:36, JAMES CHRISTIAN READ wrote:

> Dave:
> What's your source for this definition?  Rochelle has said several times 
> that it's not a 
> Hebrew word and nobody has challenged that, so I assume she's correct, plus 
> it doesn't 
> look like a Hebrew word.  Do we know what language it is?  Seems to me we'd 
> need to know 
> that in order to nail down such a specific definition.  
> END QUOTE
> 
> JCR: According to New International Dictionary of Old 
> Testament Theology & Exegesis liwyathan comes from 
> hebrew root 'lwh' meaning to accompany, to join.
> 
> Article 4293 deals closer with liwyathan itself and 
> claims it is cognate with Ugaritic 'ltn', a seven 
> headed monster smitten by Baal (ANET 137-38).

I ask because Doug gave a very specific definition, and I'm curious where it 
comes from.
 
> Anyway, whatever the root of liwyathan no reference to 
> creation battles between it and Yah are depicted so 
> liwyathan constitutes no evidence that Genesis creation
> account in a respin of Enuma Elish.

Agreed.


Dave Washburn
Encephaloriasis: That condition generated when the person you are dealing 
with is so 
incredibly stupid, you can actually feel your own brain cells drying up and 
flaking off.