Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Harold Holmyard <hholmyard3 AT earthlink.net>]

Dear Kenneth,
> Has anyone pointed out these two quotes that are like Genesis 24:16 
> "...a virgin and she did not know a man" ? Judges 13:2 says "his wife 
> was barren and did not give birth..." and Judges 13:3 "you are barren 
> and did not give birth". These quotes also seem to unnecessarily 
> repeat that she did not give birth after saying she was barren.

HH: No, and it's interesting. Thanks. Using "barren," the words about 
not giving birth do seem unnecessary. But HALOT, instead of "barren," 
translates the word as "infertile."  A woman might be infertile now, but 
ten years ago was fertile and could have borne a  child. So perhaps the 
idea is that she is infertile now, and in the past has never borne a child.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard