Biblical Hebrew Forum

[James Read <J.Read-2 AT sms.ed.ac.uk>]

> I don’t think there were any mother-tongue speakers of Mishnaic Hebrew,
> ever. But the paucity of evidence either way does not allow us to be
> certain. Therefore, let’s not argue the point. (Emotionally, I’d like to
> agree with you, but scholastic honesty does not allow me to.)

I think this just about sums up my sentiments as well. On the one  
hand, being a believer, I would like to accept everything  
unquestionable that Hebrew is a living language and that we can be  
100% sure of the meaning of the original. This would bolster my faith  
immensely. On the other hand, I was raised a scientist and not as a  
Christian or as a Jew and so I have to take control of my emotions and  
analyse things as objectively as I can.

James Christian

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