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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Ecclesiastes 3:11

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  • From: Martin Shields <enkidu AT bigpond.net.au>
  • To: K Randolph <kwrandolph AT gmail.com>
  • Cc: b-hebrew Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Ecclesiastes 3:11
  • Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:40:59 +1100

Hi Karl,

You are assuming that (LM עלם = "eternity" but it lacks the waw of
(WLM עולם. With the root meaning of being unknown, this noun could
just as well mean "unknown thing" or "unknown knowledge".

In practice I don't assume this, I think there are good grounds for reading it with this meaning in the context. Elsewhere we do find עולם written עלם (usually in the form לעלם) and the context links העלם here with "from beginning to end." But there are problems with this reading as well.

But more importantly, is there a single instance where there is a
double negative where the negatives are separated by a )$R אשר? If
not, does it not make better sense to read it like the example that
you found from Solomon's speech in 1 Kings 8:46 where we find
[negative] )$R [negative] = [positive]?

No, as I think I've said before, I can find no examples which include אשר. Indeed, I do think it should be read as "without which people cannot find..." as I've argued previously. Of course, it is not quite true that this is exactly the same as saying "with which people can find..."

Regards,

Martin Shields,
Sydney, Australia.



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