Biblical Hebrew Forum

["K Randolph" <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>]

Chris:

I think we need to keep in mind that exact rules of spelling were not
invented before Samuel Johnson in England, or Noah Webster in the U.S.
I remember a comment that someone somewhere posted that Mr. Lewis,
while on the Lewis and Clark expedition, once spelled bear (the big,
furry, growly critter) three different ways in one sentence, and no
one at that time thought it unusual.

I have found the same pattern in Biblical Hebrew, especially
noticeable when reading the unpointed text. Even the Masoretes may
have had a certain amount of latitude that they allowed for spelling
of pronunciation.

Karl W. Randolph.

On 9/11/06, Chris and Nel <wattswestmaas AT eircom.net> wrote:
> Dear Karl,
>
> Well that clears a little bit up, but still, Karl, whichever method they
> used could not account for some of the rather almost unnoticeable vowel
> changes which appear far more picturesque than practical.  It is rather like
> me saying: "I feel good" and another writing "I feeil good" in one place and
> everywhere else writing the standard:  "I feel good",  Do you see my point.
> Whether transcribed OR pronounced it still 'Sounds' the same in everyones'
> ears.
>
> Chris