Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Yigal Levin <leviny1 AT mail.biu.ac.il>]

The verb $WB is used hundreds of times in the Bible, with several different,
but related, meanings. Its basic meaning is "to turn" (and is related to SWB
with a samekh). It often does mean "to RE-turn", but not always. In Ex.
13:20, the Israelites leave Succoth and encamp at Etham. In 14:1-2 God
orders Moses to tell them to "$wb" and encamp before Pi-Hahiroth between
Migdol and the sea before Baal-Zephon. This text is similar to that of Gen.
14, since it is also an itinerary. $WB here does not mean "return to point
of origin" but simply "turn around". Similarly in Gen. 14: 7, all $wb means
is that the invading kings got as far as El-Paran and then did an
about-face. All of the rest of the place-names listed are known to be in the
Dead Sea or Negev areas. None, except in your fantasies, are in the north.
EA 197 says nothing about a "year 14", nor does most of the action take
place in Transjordan. Ashtaroth is not the main player there, but rather
Amurru, in Lebanon, and Kumudi in the southern Beqa'a Valley. There is no
sign of a "Hittite" invasion. All the writer claims, is that some of the
other rulers are in league with Hatti. 

 

I think you've stated your case. No-one else is buying. Now let's move on. 

 

 

Yigal Levin

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