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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] The root XRS-XR$

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  • From: Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu>
  • To: K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>
  • Cc: b-hebrew Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] The root XRS-XR$
  • Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 17:39:45 -0500

Karl,
If you show to any Hebrew speaking high-school boy the first part of Song of Songs 1:10
נָאווּ לְחָיַיִךְ בַּתֹּרִים
NA)WU LXAYAYIK BA-TORIM, pretending that it is modern poetry, he will know right away what the poet has in mind. Without so much as a hint of hesitation he will lay out the scene for you as such. The poet and his beloved are standing in line [see Esther 2:12,15 for TOR, line, chain, series], say in front of the Clear Flour bakery, on a chilly autumn Sunday morning [the line is mostly outside since the bakery can accommodate no more than three customers at one time]. Glancing at her sideways he is struck by the irresistible sight of her lovely cheeks glowing in the cold.
But why the plural? Why, Because there is more than one line, there are TORIM, to stand at on Sunday morning, and at every line the object of his desire is getting prettier and more appealing in the blush of her ruddy countenance, and his heart goes out to her.

Isaac Fried, Boston University

On Nov 7, 2007, at 1:14 PM, K Randolph wrote:

Isaac:

On 11/6/07, Isaac Fried <if AT math.bu.edu> wrote:
All,

To be on the safe side, the ANB translates XARUZ-IM of Song of Songs
1:10
נָאווּ לְחָיַיִךְ בַּתֹּרִים,
צַוָּארֵךְ בַּחֲרוּזִים

Looking at this verse, should we not expect that XRWZYM has a similar
meaning to TRYM? Possibly referring to a soft, fluffy animal?

N)WW is a niphal plural from )WH.

LXYYK plural from LXY with a 2 pers. suffix.

TR, alternately spelled as TWR, is also in plural with a prefixed B-.

CW)RK, singular, but in parallel with LXY, with a 2 pers. suffix.

XRWZ in parallel with TR, also in plural, also with a prefixed B-. And
just as TR is not made up of aggregated parts put together, why within
this context should we assume that XRWZ is such? Doesn't the context
indicate the opposite?

Translated should not the verse read, "Desired are your cheeks among
turtle doves (soft and fluffy), also your neck among ???" ?

Any clues from cognate languages?

Karl W. Randolph.
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