Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

Hi Karl.

I do mean the compliment. Learning occurs best when there is good debating, 
so I appreciate your interaction (and, I hope, vice versa).

The biblical concept of the past is quite similar to other ancient Near 
Eastern views of the past. Mesopotamian sagas also have dates, including 
individual kings who ruled for thousands of years. You could theoretically do 
the math and derive a chronology based upon those documents, too. Why prefer 
one over the other? I imagine you'd see one as fictional, right?

Also, your interpretation of /raqia(/ is overly stringent. The spread (excuse 
the pun) of the word and comparison with cognates (within Hebrew and other 
Semitic languages) strongly indicates the notion of something that is 
'stretched out'. The very concept implies something physical - not 'space'. 
I'd suggest translating the noun as 'panel', or something similar.

I guess we'll agree to disagree?



Regards,

GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au