Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Gerry Folbre <gerry AT wetmountainvalley.us>]

James Christian, Petr Tomasek, Karl W. Randolph.:

( I  attempted to send this post earlier, but must have done something 
wrong.  I hope I am doing it right this time.  If I need to do something 
differently  will someone please let me know.  Thanks.)

To the best of my knowledge nowhere in the Hebrew Tanakh is a "personal 
name" ever prefixed with the definite article.  In The Anchor 
Bible-Genesis, Professor E.A. Speiser states, "A personal name cannot 
take the definite article" (pg. 18).  Even though the definite article 
prefix is not employed with the plural (or dual) masculine noun, 'LHYM, 
in the Genesis 1 thru 2:3 Creation Account, this in no definitive way 
suggest that 'LHYM is being employed here as a "personal name" of the Deity.

In regard to the plural (or dual) masculine noun, 'LHYM, employed in the 
Genesis 1 thru 2:3 Creation Account, nowhere in the rest of the Hebrew 
Tanakh have I ever found a "personal name" to be composed with a plural 
or dual suffix.  Even the singular form, 'LWH (or 'LH), does not appear 
to be employed as a "personal name" e.g. Deut. 32:15, 17.  Here the 
singular form is presented as a common noun referring to Deity, but not 
being presented as the Deity's personal name.

Gerry Folbre