Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Harold Holmyard <hholmyard3 AT earthlink.net>]

Hi, Yaakov,
> Hi all, 
>  
> I was wondering if anyone can explain the derivation of the word )NH in
> piel form
> that appears in Exodus 21:13 and is usually translated something like
> "cause to happen".
>  
> My concordance lists this word as unique to this meaning
> and defines it as "ZIMN".
> The KJV has "deliver into his hand" while the revised standard version
> has "came about by an act of God".
>  
> It seems that all the translations derive the meaning from context.
>  
> Of course there could be a connection to )NH meaning "please",
> i.e. God "asked" the person to be at that place.
>  
> Alternatively, the word L)N meaning "where" and the 
> word )NH as in ")NH W)NH" or ")NH HLK DODK" 
> could give a clue. This could mean that God sent the
> person to the place where be would be killed. 
>  
> It is interesting that  )NH is also used for time, as in the expression
> "(D )NH"
> used in Numbers 14:11. So perhaps the original meaning is "place and/or
> time",
> in which case the meaning of the piel would be to cause someone to
> appear
> at a given place and time.
>   

HH: The lexicon I have (HAL) cites the verb as related to an Arabic verb 
meaning "draw near," that is used with reference to time. At least the 
verb occurs in several places, so you could compare them all. Here is 
the entry in part:

pi: Sir 15:13: with L to cause to happen to someone (Daube VT 11:264f): 
Ex 21:13 Sir 15:13, cj. Ps 88:8
pu: impf. to befall: Ps 91:10; Pr 12:21. †
hitp: to seek an opportunity (for battle) with L: 2 K 5:7.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard
>  
>  
> Yaakov (J) Stein          
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