Biblical Hebrew Forum

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

Let's be cautious in answering this folks, because it does touch on 
theological concerns. If you wish to reply, please remember that we are a 
forum discussing Hebrew language and literature.

For starters, Richard, I'd say that the Hebrew text makes no mention at all 
about the natural mechanics of what 'tohu wabohu' means. It simply states 
that 'tohu wabohu' was the state of affairs in the beginning. I highly doubt 
that the author had a sense of what you have described-a kind of apocalyptic 
ice-age dawn. However, I can't ultimately confirm that the author did NOT 
have that view either. So, to say more than that is, in my opinion, to 
venture into the realm of ideological argumentation. In other words, people's 
worldviews and thoughts about faith and science will inevitably shape the way 
this situation is interpreted.


GEORGE ATHAS
Co-Moderator, B-Hebrew
(Sydney, Australia)