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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Definite Article 7:14 - HNH

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  • From: Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>
  • To: JoeWallack AT aol.com
  • Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Definite Article 7:14 - HNH
  • Date: Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:20:14 -0400

Joseph,

1. The word HINEH = HI-NA-HI consists of the two personal pronouns, or identity markers, HI-HI for the thing referred to, and the Hebrew existence marker N = AN-NA, corresponding to the English substantives on-in. Thus HINEH declares that a thing exists, or is soon to materialize [and therefore for the moment is just imagined]. It is not 'behold' nor 'here is' in the locative sense, but only in the existential sense. The related word HENAH means 'to me'.
2. The function of the hebrew HA- [which is in my opinion the personal pronoun HI = HU] is to reference a significant, non- arbitrary or non-random person. It is so with HA-PALIT, HA-MELIC, HA- NA(AR. This non-randomness can circumstantially or contextually rise to the top level of an absolute and categorically certain identification. Here and now HA-NASI) is none other than George Walker Bush.
3. HARAH is a state.
4. You agree that HINEH HA-MALKAH HARAH would have been obvious, but of course people can always be found who believe that HA-MALKAH is the moon.

Isaac Fried, Boston University

On Jul 21, 2007, at 11:46 AM, JoeWallack AT aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 7/18/2007 5:46:05 PM Central Daylight Time,
if AT math.bu.edu writes:

Joseph,


1. I agree with Harold that HINEH does not require physical presence.

JW:
I agree too.


2. The Hebrew "definite article" does not require the defined to be
mentioned earlier in the discourse if he is known otherwise.

JW:
Agreed. The DA can create reasonable grounds all by itself. It's what it
does.


3. Virgin is a theological code word that has no correspondence in the
Hebrew bible, and hence the discussion (ALMAH/virgin is vain.

JW:
I have purposely avoided ThAlmah and BetaLouise here as it just distracts
from the Definite Article issue.


IF:
4. Things would look and sound much better if you replace "definite article"
by "non-arbitrary article".

JW:
Your point is that arbitrary/random is the more common usage and therefore
should be the standard for definitions?


IF:
5. The fact that the prophet said HA-(ALMAH [like saying HA- MALKAH] implies
that he was referring to a known person. The rest is theology.

JW:
While I agree and am interested in your opinion I'm not that interested in
unsupported assertions and I have Faith that those on the other side here are
even less interested in unsupported assertions. On the other hand, I have to
confess that until relatively recently, translation issues with polemical
context like this one, have traditionally been determined by how many hold a
certain position and how loudly they do so, as opposed to solely intellectual
considerations.



Joseph Wallack









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