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  • From: Yigal Levin <leviny1 AT mail.biu.ac.il>
  • To: b-hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Genesis 20: 1
  • Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 07:05:20 +0200

Isaac,

Gen. 21:28-31 gives not one but two perfectly reasonable explanations for the name Beer-Sheva, both based on the meaning(s) of the word Sheva ( $eba( ). While both reasons could be and very likely are etiological, what reason could you have to propose a third meaning, for which you have to assume that "sheva" is "really" "shefa". Even if (and that's a big "IF") there is some connection between the words $B( "oath" or "seven" and $P( "plenty" (and how about "decline"?), this does not mean that every time someone says "seven", he really means "plenty".


Yigal Levin

----- Original Message ----- From: "Isaac Fried" <if AT math.bu.edu>
To: <JimStinehart AT aol.com>
Cc: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 6:43 AM
Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Genesis 20: 1


Jim,

Indeed, biblical geography is uncertain because of the generic nature
of the biblical place names. Every significant place of worship could
be QADE$ [AL-QUDS]. It appears to me that Beersheba is BEER-$EBA(,
with $EBA( meaning 'plentiful, abundant', as $EPA( of Deuteronomy
33:19 is. Possibly other plentiful wells supplying generously were so
called.

Isaac Fried, Boston University






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