Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Charles Grebe <cgrebe AT briercrest.ca>]

When the preposition MIN is used with a direction like QEDEM (east) or 
TSAPHON (north), how do you know when it means "direction from" or "direction 
towards"?
 
For example, in Genesis 13:11, MEQEDEM pretty much has to mean towards the 
east. After Lot chose the plain of the Jordan, he travelled east from the 
high country between Bethel and Ai (v. 3). See also Genesis 12:8 where Abram 
camps east of Bethel (or eastward from Bethel).
 
In Genesis 11:2, however, should MEQEDEM be understood to mean "from the 
east" or "to the east" or even "in the east", and more importantly, how do 
you determine which it is? There are examples of all of these in the English 
translations for this verse.
 
I had a look at IBHS 11.2.11.b.2 but it didn't help much. Thoughts?
 
Thanks,
 
Charles Grebe
Director of Distance Learning
Briercrest College and Seminary
Caronport, SK
Canada
 
 
 
 
 
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