Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Kevin Riley" <klriley AT alphalink.com.au>]

The concept of 'adolescent' is not a modern concept.  The idea that it is
part of childhood rather than adulthood probably is.  Most cultures
recognise/d adolescence as the end of childhood and the beginning of
adulthood, but not necessarily equivalent in all ways to full adulthood. 
There is often a stage between childhood and full adulthood where most adult
responsibilities are taken on, but not all adult privileges are granted.  It
is not uncommon for full adult status not to be granted until a man has
married (and produced a son), often along with a certain grade being reached
in tribal knowledge.  Depending on the culture, that is often somewhere
between 16-30.  Jim's schema of child and adult is not that common.  I
always assumed N(R referred to that stage between childhood and full
adulthood.  The Bible stories certainly make sense when read that way.

Kevin Riley
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: Oun Kwon 
Date: 17/07/2009 5:52:13 AM 
 
FYI, 
 
In his out of print 'Bible Dates itself' (1974, 
www.amazon.com/Bible-Dates-Itself<http://www.amazon
com/Bible-Dates-Itself-Arthur-Earle/dp/0960078819/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&
id=1247771759&sr=1-1>) 
Arthur Earle argued for base 7 numeral system to account for the ages 
In 
Patriarchal period (not Noah and antediluvian). A 100 year old in base 7 is 
49 year old in base 10; 13 year old is 10 year old in base 10. ( 
www/base-converter <http://WWW.easysurf.cc/cnver17.htm#b10toba>) 
 
The word 'adolescence' may be rather a modern concept. 
 
Oun.