Biblical Hebrew Forum

[tedbro AT aol.com]

James:
 
In response to your last email, I have three comments and a request.
 
 
 
In a message dated 12/31/2009 5:25:20 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
jc.bhebrew AT googlemail.com writes:

>>  If the default qere is ADONAI is there really any need to vowel point  
YHWH
with ADONAI vowel pointing?
"Is there any need...?" does not seem to be a relevant question. There are  
many common words that do not need vocalization marks, and certainly do not 
need  to have each and every vowel marked. Nevertheless the text supplies 
them.
 

Further  James wrote:

>> I'm just pointing out the possibilities which seem to be  supported by 
theophoric
components and a lack of any specific reference in  ancient commentaries. 
The
issue is therefore far from resolved.
 
I have not looked at it closely, but from what little I know, theophoric  
names such as Jehoash, Jehonatan, etc, seem like a more fertile field to 
search  for hints of the original pronunciation of YHWH than the adonai / 
elohim 
ketiv  track we have been on.
 
>>  The only thing we can say with any amount of certainty is  that the 
'reconstruction' YAHWEH is absolute
nonsense.


Further I don't think in our discussions so far that you've attempted to  
make the case against the reconstruction YAHWEH. Have I missed something?
 
As a request, would you be willing to set forth the argument that Yehowih  
(pointed simple shva, no holem, hireq) "obviously" represents YHWH with the  
vowels of elohim, but that Yehowah (pointed simple shva, no holem, qamatz) 
does  not represent YHWH with the vowels of adonai?
 
Regards,
Ted Brownstein