Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Yitzhak Sapir" <yitzhaksapir AT gmail.com>]

On 1/11/07, kenneth greifer wrote:
> In Daniel 5:18, I think G-d Most High is singular, but in Daniel 7:18, I
> think it is plural. Does Daniel 7:18 say "holy ones of the Most High" or
> "highest holy ones"?
>
> Also, I think the plural one is only used after "holy ones", and the
> singular is used other times. I don't know Aramaic at all, so maybe I am
> misunderstanding totally, but what do these quotes really say?

Dear Kenneth,

I recommend you take your questions on Aramaic to an aramaic list
such as: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aramaic

You can read a little background here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aramaic/message/1

Note that the aramaic list is a moderated list with an emphasis on
scholarly discussion.

In any case, the above is translated by HALOT as "the holy ones (the saints)
of the Most High."  The word (lywnyn is compared to Hebrew )lhym as a
plural word for God.  While both 5:18 and 7:18 use similar words to mean
"Most High," these are two different words.

Yitzhak Sapir